Environmental policy and administrative management

1. ABOUT NGO Programme Urban Self Help (PUSH) is a non-profit, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 1992 and registered in 1994. Its purpose is to contribute to sustainable community development by improving the standard of life of poor local communities and their environment in Zambia. PUSH focuses on fostering social development among rural communities through community conservation and management of natural resources and livelihoods development and infrastructure development among low income groups in order to provide them with skills, knowledge and opportunities to expand their capabilities. PUSH is currently working in six provinces of Zambia (Southern, Central, Lusaka, Copperbelt, North-Western and Western provinces) promoting among other things community based natural resource management and conservation for improved and sustainable livelihoods for poor communities. PUSH has been implementing the following core activities in low income communities Natural resource conservation; that demonstrate integrated approaches to eco-system and natural resource management and community sensitization and awareness campaigns on the impact of environmental degradation using community participatory approaches. Improved and sustainable agriculture and livelihood activities; by building the capacity and engaging communities in conservation and livelihood promotion through organic farming, crop diversification and seed multiplication among communities that are heavily dependent on the misuse of natural resources such as poaching, charcoal burning, use of chemical fertilizers in rich alluvial soils, uncontrolled bush burning as a way of clearing the fields. Construction/ rehabilitation of community infrastructure such as rural access roads and bridges, storage facilities, market shelters, small livestock shelters (poultry, piggery, crash-pens, etc.) to improve beneficiaries productivity and access to markets. PUSH coordinates its programmes through existing structures at community and district levels in collaboration with various relevant stakeholders. 2. Primary Objective 2.1 The primary objective of this project is to promote Environmental and Natural Resource Protection practices among the local people. 3. Specific Objectives 3.1 To promote afforestation in the target communities by the end of the project. 3.2 To promote soil conservation and preventive early burning in the target communities by the end of the project. 3.3 To reduce wood consumption in the target communities by the end of the project. 3.4 To promote alternative livelihoods in the target communities by the end of the project 4. Key project outcomes 4.1 Improved skills among 600 targeted households in planting and managing agro-forestry trees and tree nurseries. 4.2 Formation of 3 tree nurseries, one per site. 4.3 Procurement of 3 water pumps (Treadle pumps) and accessories (Poly pipes) for the 3 communities for watering gardens and tree nurseries. 4.4 Improved skills among 600 targeted households in soil conservation and preventive early burning. 4.5 Improved skills among 600 targeted households in the construction and use of eco and Beba stoves. 4.6 Procurement of 6 eco Beba wood saving stoves. 4.7 Improved skills among 600 targeted households in the making and use of organic manure for gardening. 4.8 Procurement of 9 treadle pumps and accessories (Poly pipes) three per site for watering gardens. 4.9 Procurement of vegetable seeds 15kg, 5kg per community. 4.10 Procurement of 30 local chickens for semi intensive chicken rearing. Overall, the action will contribute to reduction of soil erosion, improved soil fertility which will in turn boost agriculture in the area and improve livelihoods and food security, increased adoption of improved practices towards afforestation and soil enrichment.

Zambia