National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Drought is increasingly recognized as a major driver of human-carnivore conflict (HCC) in pastoral ecosystems. In Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands, prolonged drought reduces pasture, water, and prey availability, forcing wildlife and livestock into closer contact and increasing conflict risks. Although Indigenous Knowledge (IK) has historically guided pastoralist adaptation and conflict management, its contribution remains insufficiently documented in formal carnivore conservation policy. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 153 households in Olkiramatian and Shompole conservancies in Kajiado County, Kenya. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered in December 2024. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) were employed to examine relationships between drought-induced HCC, Indigenous Knowledge application, management effectiveness, and policy integration. All respondents identified at least one Indigenous Knowledge-based trigger of drought-induced HCC, while 94.8% reported using Indigenous Knowledge management practices. Carnivore proximity (n=245), human encroachment (n=172), pasture loss (n=119), and water scarcity (n=97) emerged as major conflict triggers. Indigenous Knowledge application significantly improved perceived HCC management effectiveness (β=0.54, p<0.001) and positively influenced support for policy integration (β=0.27, p<0.001). Traditional drought indicators including weather patterns, plant phenology, and animal behavior were widely used for drought forecasting. Most respondents (63.4%) preferred Indigenous Knowledge over conventional approaches, while 25.5% supported integrated Indigenous-Conventional Knowledge systems. Indigenous Knowledge remains a critical component of drought-induced HCC management among Maasai pastoralists. Strengthening the integration of Indigenous Knowledge within formal conservation and drought governance frameworks could enhance resilience, improve conflict mitigation, and promote sustainable human-carnivore coexistence.
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