Bio-diversity

The Mbazhe Dam is situated in Gezekhaya Village in Ngomambi South Ward ,Nkayi District. The dam is approximately 42 kilometres north west of Nkayi Growth Point.The area falls uder natural region iv and has an annual rainfall of between 450mmand 650mm.Mbazhe dam was established as a nature reserve for the purpose of creating a breeding place for ducks and birds and a rest camp for the then District Commissioner and his visitors.Apart from the birds and ducks , the Mbazhe Dam is also home to the crocodiles and fish. Illegal settlers who moved into the area deliberately ignored any conservation practises to conserve the environment and there was massive stream bank cultivation , overgrazing and deforestration which led to serious soil erosion and gully formation.The facilities of the rest camp were no longer being maintained and ended up being vandalised.The fence around the project area was removed and livestock invaded the area around the dam. People dug holes in the dam wall in order to catch fish with nets. This lead to futher destruction of the dam wall and erosion of the area which lead to siltation of the dam besides disturbance of the birds and antelopes .However , because of the enviromental degradation of the area and the potential benefits from eco -tourism the community has realised the need to protect and conserve the only bird sanctuary. The objectives of the project are : 1. to conserve biodiversity and rehabilitate a natural bird breeding site. 2. to generate income and create employment from the eco -tourism ventures proposed at the site. 3. to improve the managerial capacity of communities to manage their environments. The activities udertaken are: -protection of the catchment area. -raising of the dam wall. -repair /construction of access road. -fencing of the project area. -establishment of a rest camp. -improving breeding facilities for birds if possible. - reclaim gullies at the neighbouring dam. The participants and beneficiaries of the project is the whole community of Ngomambi South Ward. Some of the project benefits and outputs are -empowerment and improved communication, participation and decision making. -ability to devise new methods of community mobilisation. -income generation from ecotourism -improvement of community economic and social standards. -better management and protection of the resources in the area.

Zimbabwe