Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The good conservation work undertaken by various wildlife conservancies and the KWS are con-
tradicted by negative/derogatory public perceptions. It has been alleged that the conservancies and
wildlife reserves have displaced communities for the benefi t of wildlife species and populations. On
numerous occasions, government authorities have also fallen short of compensating communities
for the losses they have incurred, even as they themselves profi ted from tourist revenue generated by
the presence of wildlife species. Most of the tourism revenue currently generated does not reach the
surrounding communities, which in turn makes it more diffi cult for them to accept the value of wild-
life, particularly when the presence of wild animals imposes on their livelihood or poses personal
risks to themselves and their families.
Continued population growth, and the resulting increases in development and expansion within
the various agricultural sectors is leading to an even greater use of agrochemicals to meet the
required demands of production (see Table 3.1). The situation that has arisen with Furadan is symp-
tomatic of a far more pervasive issue, namely that the Kenyan environment has, to all intents and
purposes, been severely compromised by extensive input of chemical compounds and that the mag-
nitude of such contamination remains largely undocumented. The studies that have been conducted
intermittently have shown that often elevated residues of these agrochemicals are present in water
sources used for domestic, livestock and irrigation purposes, in foodstuffs and animal products, and
in human samples (e.g., breast milk) (see Table 3.6).
As such, considerably stronger efforts must also be directed towards investigating potential reper-
cussions to human health, impact from environmental residues of Furadan after legalised agricul-
tural application and from the practice of pesticide misuse in hunting/fi shing (see Sections 3.3 and
3.7). While it is true that corporations (FMC, in this specifi c case) which have benefi ted fi nancially
from both legal and illegal uses of their product must acknowledge responsibility and act accord-
ingly, the Kenyan government ultimately bears responsibility for maintaining the safety of its own
people and of the biodiversity upon whose integrity a signifi cant component of the economy rests.
Based on the information consolidated within this chapter, we offer the following recommendations:
1.
Address the underlying pesticide/contaminant issues in Kenya
The residue data provided in Section 3.2 refl ect the long-term, extensive input of pesticides
into the Kenyan environment, and the relatively few documented impacts on its ecosystems
and inhabitants. Until the issue of safe use and management of toxic compounds (including
carbofuran) is resolved, and long-term monitoring initiatives are implemented, conservation
efforts will be undermined.
2. Establish an action network to respond to wildlife and human poisonings
There are still no clear guidelines on what procedures to follow in cases involving pesticide
poisonings, whether animal or human. Such guidelines should address issues of information
management, necessary actions to take (including fi rst aid and administering antidotes/
treatments) and legal action to deter future offences. This is an area that must be addressed as
soon as possible.
3. Strengthen and implement environmental laws and regulations
Enforcement of the existing laws has been ineffective and inadequate. Despite the
astonishing number of Acts and regulations (see Section 3.8), and the frequent need to enforce
them, only a handful of offenders have received derisory penalties in the last fi ve years.
Thus, the current legal framework must be strengthened and use made of the laws in place
so that cases can be prosecuted accordingly. Pesticide regulations need to clearly identify the
educational level and training that stockists should have.
4. Improve analytical capacity and increase monitoring efforts
One of the major handicaps in mounting a case and taking action against the misuse
of Furadan/carbofuran (and other such products) is inadequate local scientifi c evidence
Search WWH ::
Custom Search