Wazee wa Mazingira Honored with the 2025 UNESCO–Greece Melina Mercouri Prize
The Wazee wa Mazingira (Council of Elders) have received the 2025 UNESCO – Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize for their remarkable work in safeguarding and managing the Mount Kulal Biosphere Reserve in northern Kenya.
Guardians of Mount Kulal
Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1978 and added to Kenya’s Tentative World Heritage List in 2023, Mount Kulal is celebrated for its unique blend of cultural heritage and ecological richness. Stretching over 2.8 million hectares, the reserve shelters rare endemic species and holds deep spiritual significance for the Samburu, Turkana, Rendille, Gabra, and El Molo communities.
A Community-Led Conservation Model
For generations, the Wazee wa Mazingira have protected the mountain’s forests, water sources, and biodiversity through customary laws, traditional practices, and collective governance. Their efforts — from forest patrols to ecological restoration — demonstrate how Indigenous knowledge and modern conservation can work hand in hand.
An Inspiration for the World
In the face of climate and development pressures, the elders’ stewardship preserves both the ecological integrity and the cultural legacy of Mount Kulal. This year’s award highlights the vital role of local communities in safeguarding cultural landscapes and serves as a global example of sustainable, community-driven conservation.
