Environmental policy and administrative management

Environmental degradation is increasing at an alarming rate in Chiweshe communal lands. this is partly caused by income generating projects , which depend on natural resources such as brick moulding and gold panning. the lack of firewood has resulted in massive deforestation in Chiweshe. numerous rills and gullies which reduce the land available for grazing characterise the eroded landscape. Project outcomes 1. Reduced deforestation and increased afforestation 2. Improved food security status 3. Increased supply of forest based products 4. Improvemed income and nutrition levels 5. Reduced siltation 6. Vegetataive cover improved and degrdaed lands protected 7. Sustainable supply of water for irrigation and drinking 8. Increased income generation The project is also a response to the floods that hit Chiweshe in 2007 causing massive land degradation and crop loss. the project aims to create food security through the forest gardens and sustainable wetland utilisation. Project Objectives 1. To build capacity of the community especially the youth to take the leading role in addressing environmental problems at the local level 2. To mitigate land degrdation in 4 wards of Chiweshe communal lands 3. To concerve wetlands through promoting sustainable utilization practices Project activities 1. Carry out workshops on zero tillage, mixed cropping, permaculture, soil and water conservation 2. Set up forest gardens in homesteads, community and schools 3. Plant soil stabilisng agents along riverbanks, gullies and sied of foot paths 4. Erect stone barriers to raclaim gulies formed by erosion 5. Set up a central nursery at Dzimwe Training Center 6. Construct a deep well t 7. train youth in sugar cane and banana production 8. set up market stall at Dzimwe centre

Zimbabwe