More than 5,000 bunds dug and reseeded to make most of short rains!
We are in awe of Namunyak’s community – who pulled out all the stops to dig and reseed more than 5,000 bunds before the arrival of the short rains! Thanks to the tireless work of 310 Samburu men and women, these semi-circular pits were dug as catchment areas for water – and we can’t wait to share photos of the green shoots that will be sprouting from them soon!
Here in Northern Kenya, water is one of the most precious resources for wildlife, the community and their livestock, as well as this vast and breathtaking landscape that they all share.
With increasingly hot weather patterns and the lingering effects of the drought we’ve experienced, it remains an ongoing effort to restore and rehabilitate our rangelands, and over the past two years, bunds have been a key focus in helping to heal Namunyak’s landscape.
“Bunds prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and create small waterholes that support both wildlife and livestock”
- Hedriena Letiwa, Eco Ranger
Why are bunds so important?
Bunds enable rainwater that’s running downhill to slow down and dam up, and once it is captured, the water is absorbed by the soil, ensuring an even distribution and maximum benefits.
Because water is so scarce, rains can be devastating when it finally arrives and washes over barren land. Leading to floods, erosion gullies, and the loss of valuable topsoil, rains can not only damage the land, but also reduce its long-term productivity potential.
Bunds are therefore vital by helping to slow down the movement of water. “They prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and create small waterholes that support both wildlife and livestock,” explains Hedriena Letiwa, one of our Eco Rangers.
“What’s more, they enable the retention of water for long periods, and the community can access the water that’s retained in bunds for domestic use.”
A close-up of the bunds!
Growing new life
It’s important to note that we also reseed these bunds. The slowed water ensures that the seeds remain in place, unlike planting directly on open soil where they’d be washed away.
As indigenous grasses take root, they stabilise the soil, providing more grazing opportunities, and reducing the risk of further erosion and flooding when the rains return in April. This approach ensures both immediate and long-term benefits for our rangelands.
Apart from the fact that it supports the region’s wildlife, thriving rangelands are crucial for the Indigenous Samburu, who have always been pastoralists. It ensures healthy livestock and stability within the community, and is vital for our Milk to Market Program, which relies on thriving landscapes.
“Bunds have already improved soil fertility significantly, because they retain water for such a long time, they’ve been pivotal in helping grasses and other plants to grow.”
- Hedriena Letiwa, Eco Ranger
Benefits for all!
It may seem like such a simple measure, but the ripple effects of bunds throughout the environment are enormous – benefiting nature, biodiversity, and people.
We are immensely proud of the success of the bunds built throughout Namunyak, and look forward to keep adding more in our quest to regreen our beautiful land! Spurred on by our successes so far, we are encouraged by the fact that it’s been an immensely effective way to tackle erosion in this dry, arid region.
“Bunds have already improved soil fertility significantly,” says Hedriena, adding that because they retain water for such a long time, they’ve been pivotal in helping grasses and other plants to grow.
From strength to strength!
This project is a testament to the commitment of our Eco Ranger team, Namunyak’s Community, and our Rangeland Restoration Program.
From the creation of seed banks to regreen the land, building gabions*, and digging bunds – this project is making a meaningful difference today, tomorrow, and for generations to come, while restoring Northern Kenya’s precious landscape!
* Gabions are wire containers filled with rocks, which helps to prevent erosion in streambanks on steep slopes. However, here in Samburu, the community creates gabions with materials they source on the ground such as wood and rocks. It’s incredibly effective!
