Environmental policy and administrative management

Chitate village has an estimated total population of 480 people drawn from 56 households. The area has a mountainous terrain and is located 8.3 km from Muhume Business centre. Within Chitate, one of the major problems that was identified is extensive land degradation manifested by the presence of deep gullies. To date not much work has been done to avert the situation to the extent that the gullies have become a hazard not only for the livestock but are also threatening some fields and households. The community therefore requested for funds to reclaim two of the major gullies. PROJECT GOAL Reversal of land degradation through gully rehabilitation and protection for the betterment of Chitate community. OBJECTIVES 1) To raise awareness on proper ways of catchment protection in an effort to reduce gully formation 2) To strengthen the leadership structures through leadership training in order to build their capacity to manage 3) To reclaim and rehabilitate two deep gullies in Chitate village which have now become a health hazard to people and livestock 4) To improve the livelihoods and food security in Chitate village through production of various fruits and forestry products of economic value in the rehabilitated gullies ACTIVITIES 1) Community mobilization for action, planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities. 2) Conduct leadership training workshops in order to strengthen leadership committees on project management, proper record keeping and financial management 3) Reclaim and rehabilitate 2 gullies in Chitate village 4) Improve agronomic practices for increased production by promoting appropriate and sustainable techniques 5) Conduct baseline survey to establish the current environmental, socioeconomic and cultural aspects of Chitate village. 6) Monitor, evaluate and document project activities. OUTPUTS 1) A total of 6 workshops held and level of awareness on total catchment protection raised in Chitate village through training of 40 village network members with at least 60 % of them being women 2) 3 leadership workshops held and the village management committee capacity to manage strengthened 3) A total of 2 deep gullies in Chitate reclaimed in an effort to reduce gulley formation 4) Food security in Chitate village improved through production of fruits, sugar cane and forestry products of economic value. OUTCOMES -Increased environmental awareness and knowledge among community members on the rehabilitation and protection of gullies and how they can be sustainably managed to improve community livelihoods. - Decrease in soil erosion in Chitate village through gulley reclamation - District strategies and plans to reduce land degradation in place -Community and government partnerships established for environmental rehabilitation IMPACT Chitate village and Murewa district capable of implementing proper gully stabilization methodologies as a strategy for reducing land degradation for livelihood improvement.

Zimbabwe