The indigenous Pokot people are primarily a patriarchal society. Women’s contributions are critical; however, they are frequently relegated to secondary roles and have little say in resource management and governance decision-making. Moreover, women are disproportionately affected by biodiversity loss and the effects of climate change. Because the livelihoods of women, particularly rural and indigenous women, rely on the management and consumption of diverse natural resources, they frequently bear a greater burden than their male counterparts when these resources are destroyed or depleted.

The restoration area is in Kamatira Forest, West Pokot County in Kenya.  The forest has an elevation of 1,856 metres and situated southwest of Chepareria, in the northeast of Charangani Hills, with the Kapenguria-Lodwar highway passing through the forest. The Kamatira site is predominantly inhabited by the Pokot indigenous people, majority of whom are agro-pastoralists. The forest serves as a water catchment and source of medicine for the communities that inhabit Pokot South. Water and other natural resources in the catchment area are important for the livelihoods of the Pokot indigenous community. 

The area’s biodiversity also provides the ecosystem services of pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, carbon sequestration, agricultural pests and disease control, and human health regulation. Biodiversity here indirectly supports the production of food, fibre and drinking water and affects processes such as primary production, nutrient and water recycling, and soil formation and retention. Effective biodiversity conservation and restoration, then, can lead to higher levels of carbon sequestration, which contributes to climate change mitigation. These will ultimately help the peoples’ well-being amid the changing local climate.