Bio-diversity

1.0 BACKGROUND Nkayi Folk DevelopmentFoundation is a community based organisation founded in 1994 with the aim of failitating the development of communities in Nkayi development. The foundation is seeking support to implement a project in Ngomambi South ward 5, one of the poorest wards in nkayi district. This ward is along the Shangani river. The ward is home to the largest hardwood forests in the district. Ngomambi ward is facing environmental challenges resulting to the loss of biodiversity particularly ilala palm and hardwood timber due to unsustainable exploitation. Outsiders through logging for furniture making mainly exploit hardwood timber. The exploitation of the hardwood timber has reduced the availability of forest products such as Mopani worms, firewood etc which the community relies on. it has also reduced the potential contribution of thees as carbon sinks which can mitigate against global warming. The communities are heavily reliant on ilala as their source of livelihood yet it is being over exploited and has been declining over the years. The tanning of illala has led to the over exploitation of of such trees as Ichea-Rhus Lancea, berchemia zeyheri, kirkia acuminate and gewia flavesens and ptero carpus angelonsis whose bark is used to produce the tannin. 2.0 OVERALL GOAL The goal of the project is reduction of biodiversity loss in Ngomambi South ward community through sustainable utilization of natural resources. 3.0 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. To promote propagation of ilala palm and conservation of indigenous hardwood forest 2. To enhance knowledge and skills in conservation farming and permaculture design through ecological land use management to improve income base. 3. To improve earnings from natural resource derived products. 4.0 PROJECT ACTIVITES 1. Conduct community mobilization and raise awareness on sustainable utilization of resources 2. Identify local trees and their uses 3. Collect seeds of various trees and illala cuttings for propagation 4. Prepare land and seeds and ilala cuttings 5. Plant agroforestry trees in degraded areas 6. Develop integrated ilala and timber management plan 7. Construction of chingwa stoves in 20 households as pilots to reduce dependence on hardwood for fuel wood. 8. Conduct training on selected topics 9. Formulate by laws and register them with the council for management of indigenous timber 10. Train communities in gender mainstreaming in agriculture and HIV and aids 11 Carry out look and learn visits 12. Construction of production and marketing center and blair toilet 13. Fencing the center 14. Develop marketing strategy and ilala products data base. 5.0 PROJECT OUTCOMES 1. Communities become aware of how project will transform livelihoods and the environment 2. Improved household nutrition 3. Illala is re-established in degraded areas 4. Improved forest cover 5. Improved management of illala and timber 6. Reduced dependence on hardwood for fuel 7. Improved natural resource management 8. Increased markets for the crafts

Zimbabwe