Environmental policy and administrative management

The threat of land degradation is pronounced throughout Lesotho, but particularly around the lowlands and urban areas where the majority of the population live. Without intervention through education and practical projects, soil erosion will continue to be a worsening problem. The project proposes to use an indigenous tree nursery in Maseru and educate students within schools around Maseru as this is where there is the highest population density in Lesotho and as such is the area where land degradation is most severe. The proposed site and interventions correspond with the GEF operational programmes related to land degradation (outcome 6) as we will work in the foothills targeting local communities through schools and local organisations. The threat of soil erosion is enhanced by a lack of awareness among urban dwellers of the importance of protecting their environment as they are not as dependant on it as rural populations. Ecosystems in Maseru are suffering as more habitats are lost and this project aims to reintroduce these habitats through indigenous tree planting to ensure the sustainability of urban biodiversity and people s appreciation of it. As the project branches out into rural areas, particularly around Ha Mohatlane near Teyateyaneng where the Lesotho Durham Link already has a strong partnership, the threat of land degradation is attributed more to the need for fuel. This again can be alleviated by planting trees, (trees for firewood as well as indigenous trees).

Lesotho