Threats and opportunities for mountain area development in Kenya

The mountain ecosystems of Kenya include the Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon and A berdare (Nyandarua) mountain ranges. These mountain areas have been recogni zed as important ecosystems with high social, spiritual, economic and envir onmental values. They are used as water catchments, forest reserves, nation al parks and agricultural land. increasing population pressure on the natur al resources of these ecosystems has fed to environment and development cha llenges such as unsustainable utilization, conversion of forest to cropland , human-wildlife conflicts and highland-lowland resource-use conflicts. Sev eral initiatives are involved in promoting sustainable management and conse rvation of these important ecosystems. The notable opportunities include ch anges in government policy to promote integrated and participatory interven tions and existing partnerships in resource use and conservation.