Bio-diversity

The proposed project is the stretch of land bordering Lackham and Wudomiabra in the Bowiri Amanfrom traditional area in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region. Bowiri Traditional area lies within the Tropical Rainforest zones of Ghana. Typical of any other forest, there abound economic tree species such as Odum, Mahogany and Sapele. There are other lesser-known timber species such as Likuku, Lewole and Osese. Other tree species such as Onyamedua, Atan, Kupoli, Otanduro, known for their medicinal purposes are found in the forest. Non-Timber Forest Products such as Kafamakpa, Kufluvu, Mushrooms and chewing sticks were very common. Some of these species, especially Kafamakpa and Kufluvu have good medicinal values as well as serves as food for wild animals. Some animal species found in the forest include Dabo, Duiker (Antelope) bush pig, porcupine, bush cat, tortoise snails and pangolin among others. Furthermore, three principal rivers namely Onar, Konsu and Kati traverse the area. Konsu takes its source from Togo and enters the Volta Lake at Kwamekrom. Onar and Kati take their sources from Akpafu and Odomi River Forest respectively. Hippopotamus, Electric fish and Mudfish among others are found in the rivers. Culturally, the forest is housing a fetish (deity), Kutueku. Kutueku is believed to have led the people of Bowiri from Mbowire in the Western Region to their present place of abode. The shrine of Kutueku has its footprint on a rock. The fetish is a unifying force among the people of Bowiri and customary rites are still performed in the fetish groove. The area, which is predominantly Bowiris of the Guan ethnic group, are mainly farmers. Besides, most men are deeply involved in palm wine tapping and others with majority of women grossly engaged in commercial fuelwood and charcoal businesses to make a living and or supplement their meager incomes from peasant farming. Lumbering by chainsaw operators have now taken the centre stage. Statement of Problem: The land of Bowiris used to be a highly forested with rich biological diversity. The destruction of the environment came to a head after the long drought and bushfires of 1983. Many people lost their sources of livelihood and took solace in the exploitation of the environmental resources. This, together with the following activities has resulted in biophysical environmental consequences. These are: frequent annual bushfires illegal lumbering indiscriminate felling of trees for fuel and other domestic uses inappropriate farming practices group and commercial hunting and also population growth The effects of this environmental decline have manifested in loss of biodiversity as a result of: drying up of streams depletion of forest cover extinction of animal species increasing inability of the area to meet the demands of both wood and animal products loss of soil fertility and worsening poverty levels The extent of deforestation and degradation of soil is a threat to the ecotourist sites of the area including the fetish groove. The cultural bond that exists among the people of Bowiri is at stake if steps are not taken to halt the rate of devastation of our natural environment DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES Output 1: Community Resource Management Area (CRMA) established Activity 1.1 Land demarcation and Tree Planting Consultations have been concluded with the traditional authorities and the District Assembly, as well as relevant stakeholders so that a Community Resource Management Area (CRMA) to be established at Bowiri. With the release of eight hundred (800) acres of land by the Traditional Authorities (TAs) for the proposed project Radio Forum with the communities will demarcate the boundaries of the proposed project. Trees will be planted on the degraded areas of the project area. Activity 1.2 Capacity development for resource management Under this activity, there will be: education and awareness creation formation and training of local groups on resource management fire management techniques and revision and enforcement of local bye-laws on resource management On education, the activity will be intensive, ongoing and sustained throughout the project duration in the catchments area. It will be on the negative effects of people s activities on the environment as well as the benefits to be derived from a well-forested environment. This will involve radio discussions, community rallies, education in schools, churches and also for traditional authorities, opinion leaders, landowners, youth leaders, unit committees and assembly members. Community discussion groups will be formed in each of the fifteen communities. This will be carried out by key collaborators from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forestry Division (FD), Wildlife Division (WD), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), and Ghana Education Service (GES) with Radio Forum playing a facilitating role. The traditional authorities and district assemblies shall be encouraged to pass bye-laws to support the whole scheme. Radio Forum will also form fire volunteer squads, which will act as fire-watchdog committees in the communities along the project site. These squads will be trained by the Ghana National Fire Service in fire management techniques involving fire prevention, fire fighting and management early burning, spot burning, fire belting and green belting. Output 2 Reforestation and restoration of biodiversity within CRMA Activity 2.1. Raising of

Ghana