Environmental policy and administrative management

1.0 Problem The Streetwise Abantu seeks to address the problems caused by Granite extraction and its subsequent transportation in the Budja area. As a result of this extraction there is massive land degradation and de-forestation which has lead to serious soil erosion and shortage of arable land for agricultural activities. Consequently Budja is amongst the poorest area in the country despite the fact that it is home to the black gold and its rich red clay soils are ideal to agricultural activities in the country. Degradation of the arable land has led to reduction in crop yields, resulting in food deficit affecting the livelihoods of this community. Lack of a proper and well balanced diet and nourishment has resulted in the drop in the life expectancy of these folks. 2.0 Project goal The overall objective of the project is to rehabilitate the Budja area land, combating soil erosion and land degradation by making maximum utilization of the vast open areas SCAR where granite rock has been extracted. In the process facilitate a mutual understanding between the community and the miners that will see a stop to further wanton destruction of the environment and development of the communities from the proceeds of some of the minerals extracted in their area. 3.0 Objectives 1.To inform the surrounding communities through campaigns, workshops, dance, drama, debate and music on land preservation and enlighten them on their entitlement to benefit (develop) from the minerals extracted from their ancestral land as of socio-cultural right. 2.To facilitate a partnership with identified miners, they are thirty miners registered in Mutoko area and six active in Budja currently, through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to revive and restore the environment back to its status quo ante. They are required to preserve he environment as per the Environment management Act. 3.To set market gardening projects for an intended 160 households in the area, 55 from each village and establish indigenous and exotic tree plantations from which the indigenous people will benefit. 4.To compile a documentary on the implementation of the project highlighting te lessons learnt as a means of raising awareness. 4.0 Project activities 1.1 All stakeholders meeting; community meeting to introduce the project and select direct beneficiaries; community elections to elect project committee members. 1.2 Baseline survey of the area 1.3 Community group training on Sustainable Management of the natural Environment and Project Management. Awareness On Constitutional Building Process. 1.4 workshops, Debates, music and competitions I schools and community centres in the targeted villages. 1.5 Community environmental theatre dance production for the women 1.6 Printing and distribution of IEC material ACTIVITIES RELATED TO OBJECTIVE 2 2.1 All stakeholders meeting with the mining community.Breakfast meeting with Parliamentary select committee on Mining and the Environment 2.2 Hiring of heavy duty machinery (caterpillars and bulldozers) to rehabilitate the scar ACTIVITIES RELATED TO OBJECTIVE 3 3.1 site exploration 3.2 Establish woodlots and plant vertiver grass. Indigenous and some exotic trees planted in the vulnerable areas woodlots and vertiver grass; 3.3 Training in forestry management conservation farming, water harvesting 3.4 Garden establishment. Site selection, purchase of seedlings and plants, knapsacks, hoes, picks and shovels, water cans. 3.5 Purchase of the fencing material and fencing 3.7 purchase of protective clothing and organic manure 3.8 Deep well digging and construction 3.9 market gardening and tree plantation ACTIVITIES RELATED TO OBJECTIVE 4 4.2 documentary compilation on the effects of granite extraction centering on its long term effects. 4.3 Project management. Reporting and documentation; participatory monitoring and evaluation 5.0 Project Results 1.1 160 households mobilized and equipped with environment management information 1.2 Capacity enhanced project members and the local leadership and environment community theatre group 2.1 Mining community taking part in environmental conservation practices and restoration of the environment 3.1 3 vulnerable areas to land degradation identified and market gardens erected. 3.2 500 woodlots nurseries established ad planted 4.1 complete documentary.DVDs, cd and video cassettes 4.2 baseline survey of current degradation conducted

Zimbabwe