Environmental policy and administrative management

Context: Under the National Strategy for urgent action to conserve lands and water sources (MKAKATI), local communities are called upon to identify and conserve as a matter of urgency all water sources in their villages and surrounding areas. Based on this strategy, the proposed project aims at sensitizing schools and religious organizations in Ngana and Ipande wards to conserve water sources in the two wards through refraining from water-source degrading activities and reforestation actions. The project is expected to conserve key water sources in the two wards, which are on the verge of extinction. About the Proponent: Good Samaritan Organization is based in Kyela, Mbeya. It was established and registered as an NGO in 2006. Its objective is to sensitize schools and Religious organizations to conserve the environment in which they live. The NGO believes that schools and Religious organizations have a significant influence. These may make a difference if they are mobilized to address a good cause. The thrust towards conserving water sources emerged following realization that most water sources in Kyela were drying up due to expanded paddy farming near water sources that requires a lot of water. Therefore, conservation of water sources will assure sufficient supplies of water resources for paddy farming and meet domestic demand. Failure to conserve water sources may lead up to insufficient water supplies, which in turn may lead to massive crop failure, hunger, loss of agricultural income and poverty. Project s Primary Objective: To conserve water sources through preventing human activities in and around water sources, conservation of catchment forests and tree planting in degraded areas. Implementation Strategies: Prohibit through sensitization, all human activities in and around water sources Sensitize local communities to refrain from engaging in degradation malpractices Strengthen extension services for wider adoption of conservation farming practices Reforestation of degraded patches in the catchment forests and river banks through schools and church organizations Broaden conservation horizon of local communities through local study visits

Tanzania