Bio-diversity

The project addresses the biodiversity thematic area with focus on Strategic Objective 2. The proposed intervention falls under the demonstration and capacity building category. The project will build on work already funded by the GEF/SGP in Phase I, amounting to US$29 281 from 2006 to 2008 Background of Community: Household livelihoods are centered on subsistence farming. The average household owns 2 cattle, 2 goats, and (five) 5 chickens. A considerable diversity of crops is grown for household consumption and some for sale. These include maize, beans, onions, garlic, sunflowers, green vegetables and tomatoes. Some of the produce is sold within the community and to some other few traders from outside the community and a 20kg bucket of maize is sold at an average price of $3; a 20kg; a 5kg of tomatoes is sold at an average price of $5, a bundle of vegetable feature an average price of $2. Household average income per month for a basket of goods mentioned above is $18 if an average household sale the quantities mentioned above. Market gardening is a key source of income for the community and opportunities to create higher incomes and more livelihoods if biodiversity and wetlands continue to be conserved and protected. Project members are engaged in sustainable land management and about five in rainwater harvesting around their homesteads and this is improving gains in agricultural production, enhancing vegetative cover and water availability. This has increased household incomes by 20-30% in two years. However, this need to be replicated in other poor homesteads surrounded by ecosystems that have been degraded which tend to limit their potential as sources of environmental income. In this community it is also clear that poverty has serious negative implications for the environment since the poor while protective of their lands, also tend to degrade the same land while trying to meet their livelihood needs. Lack of fuel wood exerts pressure on women and children and also exacerbate their vulnerability. Within this scenario, energy is increasingly becoming crucial due to shortage of firewood. In the first phase of the project the community managed to conduct and complete the following activities: 1) Increasing wood biomass production: Completed Nursery sites fenced: 1 at community level and 18 at household level. Total size in hectares is 1 hectare Completed 1 ha woodlot fenced and carry 40 gum trees, 80 indigenous trees 300 Jatropha trees planted but ONGOING 2 workshops have been held. STLL ONGOING Significant levels of awareness have been raised One workshop held. STILL ONGOING 2) Promotion and use of Chingwa Stove: Two workshops held. Still ongoing Not Completed Only three builders trained Eight stoves constructed but Still ongoing because of shortage of materials such as grates 3) Management of Water Resources: Completed By-laws formulated, adopted and documented Enforcement by committee and headmen but still ongoing Completed Following items were purchased: G1 for weirs, 3 Inlets, 4 outlets, 3 Elbows, 2 Adaptors and Gate valves Not completed. 2700m polythene piping mobilized 2 reservoirs completed Done but no longer visible due to vegetation cover over time Dug but now invisible due to soil cover over time Completed One orchard measuring 4900sq metres is fenced Completed 1 ha woodlot fenced with indigenous trees and 12 to be planted many . 5 gullies reclaimed 2 Workshops on Gender and natural resource management Problem Statement: Deforestation still occurs caused by cutting down of trees for wood fuel in some areas of the village without strict monitoring of by-laws that have been instituted. This usually happens at night to avoid being arrested under the instituted by-laws and regulations. This has to some extent contributed to the destruction of habitats for wildlife as evidenced by wildlife`s movement further into the mountain range. This destruction is also causing serious gully formations as livestock easily make tracks on the loose ground. Destruction of biodiversity due to population density and other human activities as people seek places for settlement. Households lack improved access to water for domestic and livestock use. Trees planted in woodlots and orchards are dying due to lack of adequate water supplies. Established nutrition gardens are not productive all year round due to lack of adequate supplies of water. Wetland areas and natural springs below the range are drying out due to low rainfall and the impact of human beings and livestock since they are not well protected. Project Goal and Objectives Goal: The goal of this project is sustainable management of biodiversity through establishment of woodlands and protection of water sources in order to improve and support the livelihoods of households in Mambemba Village. GEF OP5 Strategic Objective Goal Number 2 is to mainstream biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into production landscapes and sectors through community initiatives and actions. Objectives: -To improve management of indigenous woodlands and wetland areas on the slopes and foothills of Nyangani Mountain Range -To improve access and availability of water through water harvesting and conservation - To protect the natural springs and wetlands PROPOSED PROJECT ACTIVITIES: Woodlands conservation and protection and reforestation for carbon storage. Forest management to improve stream flows and reduce sedimentation of irrigation canals Forest management to preven

Zimbabwe