The need for transboundary natural resource management and adaptation for environmental sustainability and human well-being in the Ethiopia-Kenya borderland

This article examines the need for transboundary natural resource management and adaptation for environmental sustainability and human well-being. This work is based on empirical evidence obtained from the Ethiopia-Kenya borderland; it will contribute to the understanding of the need for transboundary natural resource management and adaptation in the Greater Horn of Africa states where large numbers of pastoral communities cross international boundaries. The Greater Horn of Africa states share not only borders but also people who speak the same language and share common traditions and cultures, and have a similar ecology and mode of life–pastoralism. We use a qualitative approach involving in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and field observations as methods of data collection. The findings of the study indicate the Ethiopia-Kenya borderland is highly susceptible to the overexploitation of natural resources. Climate change and human interference have caused rangeland degradation. The findings contribute to the understanding of the Great Horn of African states borderlands which suffer from environmental degradation and poverty. The degradation of environmental resources in the border area and overexploitation of the natural resources in the face of climate change require strong regional cooperation and integration for natural resource management and adaptation. This will deter further degradation, maintaining degraded lands and improve the well-being of the people living there. Thus, transboundary cooperation for transboundary natural resource management and adaptation is absolutely necessary in order to bring the people and institutions together to avert common challenges of rangelands degradation, to control animal disease, and bush encroachment. Therefore, the two governments in particular, and the Greater Horn of African states in general should demonstrate political commitment to adopt a harmonized rangeland policy and well-coordinated joint efforts to solicit resources to combat climate change and environmental shocks related to these challenges and problems.