Bio-diversity

Maplan is situated in Natural Region 3 in Charumbira village in Masvingo Province. The area receives an average rainfall of 650 - 800 mm mostly through infrequent storms. Drought has occured in the past years due to erratic rainfall patterns. Water sources available are rivers, wells, springs and wetlands. CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS The central problem is loss of biodiversity especially the wetlands ecosystem due to uncontrlled livestock management and destructive land-use systems.This has now resulted in ground water levels diminishing leading to the drying up of the wetlands. In addition, the productivity capacity of the land has also been reduced resulting in food insecurity. To this end, the Maplan Bio-diversityConservation and Wetland rehabilitation Project is a means of addressing the issue of loss of biological diversity as a result of deforestation ,destructive tillage systems and droughts. The overall goal of the proposed project is to support activities that seek to raise the productivity ,incomes and secdurity of Maplan households and communities by expanding the range of available livelihood options consistence with conserving biodiversity ,promote rural energy use and address land degredation issues.It also seeks to preserve the fast extinction of indegenous trees. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES. -To enhance wetland eco-system diversity through preservation -To utilise water from preserved wetlands for consolidated nutrition gardens. -To develop areas of historic /cultural importance for eco-tpurism purposes. -To practise holistic resource management within the whole Maplan community. PROJECT ACTVITIES -Protect and reclaim 6 gullies in 6 villages. - Construct traditional structures for ecotourism chalets. -Establish 6 indegenous tree nurseries in wetlands. -Establish 6 fish ponds in wetlands -Train 25 members from the community. The project participants are from the Charumbira chieftainship ,including men ,women and children. PROJECT RESULTS -Rehabilitated wetlands -Increased biodiversity - Improved varities of medicinal herbs and plant species which can be patented in the future. -Behavioural change on natural resource management -Desertification addressed in the area -Improved ecosystems -Ecotourism established for economic resource base.

Zimbabwe