Bio-diversity

BACKGROUND This project is located in Umzingwane district,in Dobi, Zodula ,Gabheni ,Mtshede11, Nokwane, Dula, Sewondo villages which form part of the Matobo World Heritage Site.A general survey has revealed that most of the community members are not aware of the natural capital ,and cultural heritage available as well as the current status of the land they reside in.This ignorance has resulted in the problems of land degtradation, loss of biodiversity,poverty and food security which this project seeks to resolve. The goal of this project is to contribute to the improvement of the livelihoods of the community around the MWHS cluster through capacity building, catchment management and sustainable utilisation of reclaimed lands. OBJECTIVES -to enable communities in Dobhe,Dula, Mtshede , Sibomvu and Mlambathema to reclaim 5% of the degraded lands through training in a variety of land care ,catchment management and land use planning techniques and to deal with the problems of deforestation, stream bank cultivation and gully erosion by the second year of project implementation -to improve the livelihoods of the community through implementation of a variety of biodiversity conservation and utilisation strategies, water harvesting and catchment management techniques and gardening by the second year of the project. ACTIVITIES -training on land care, land reclamation and catchment management,conservation farming and woodland management -reclaim 5% of degraded lands within 6 villages -construct conservation works at least 10% of threatened crops -relocate and properly site 10% of crop fields located in the river valleys -establish 2 woodlots and two vegetable and herbal gardens at Mzinyathi and Dobi schools -establish 2 vegetable and herbal gardens and woodlots in the community areas -construct water harvesting structures in the proper areas. project participants and beneficiaries The project participants are the members in the 7 villages .The estimated total beneficiary population within the project area is 4002. PROJECT OUTPUTS -community leaders and various natural resources communities in the 7 villages trained in community based natural resources management and implementation of by laws. -communities in the 7 villages trained in land care /land reclamation and catchment -communities and staff acquire improved knowledge and skills in water harvesting and water conservation -improved yields from two productive vegetable and herbal gardens and orchards established at Mzinyati,Dula and Dobi OUTCOMES -communities have knowledge and actually apply skills to manage catchments, control land degradation, on their own due to the knowledge of the benefits. -better land use patterns and higher land productivity achieved though establishment and improved management of woodlots and productive gardens. -the rate of biodiversity losses through human agency reduced due to people`s appreciation of the valuwe ,and availability of knowledge on how to take care of the environment -levels of incomes for communities and schools improve through improved harvests and marketing of products from gardens and orchards.

Zimbabwe