Bio-diversity

The Serengeti Five project is located in the Chiduku communal land of Makoni district in Manicaland province. The project area has been allocated 12 hectares for field crops, 8 hectares for dam site, 8 hectares for lodge and 3 hectares for nursery establishment and another 3 hectares for preservation of the natural woodland. The project essentially includes a plethora of activities , namely waterharvesting , market gardening and ecotourism. PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1) To conserve and manage resources sustainably and to stimulate neighbouring communities to do the same through learning by example. 2) To encourage sustainable agriculture production and use this is to improve the livelihoods of the community 3)To increase food security and crop diversity through intercropping and preservation of indigenous crops 4) To reduce stream bank cultivation 5) To reduce climate changeby planting trees and reducing tree felling 6) To increase sutainable income generation for the community by hosting groups of tourists PROJECT OUTPUTS The mani activities completed during phase 1 were: 1. raising the weir by 0.5m 2. market gardening 3. nursery expansion and woodlot development 4. fencing of the area around the dam 5. stocking the dam with fish irrigation of the nursery is now being done with piped water abstraction from the dam.The market garden is now growing crops for sale and the community has stopped stream bank cultiation and planted vetiver grass in gullies the second hase involved the construction of five rondeval chalets for accomomdating tourists close to the weir. toillets and shower rooms were constructed including a rondeval ktchen with an energy saving stove. the project has become a learning centre where demonstrations are held for other communities. the project has been replicated in other four groups for adults and five for the youth in the district.the tourism training scheme has brought gender balance in that some women are now employed in the tourism component of the project. 3 women and 1 man were trained in catering at Mont clair and troutback inn hotels.

Zimbabwe