Environmental policy and administrative management

1.0 PROBLEM Masvingo district is in natural region 4 and 5 with 80% being occupied by granitic soils which are easily erodible. the areas receive erratic rains which are usually associated with heavy storms that are very erosive. mostly the grazing areas are bare and when storms are experienced gullies are quickly formed especially in wards 12 and 13. Overgrazing and moving of cattle in large has resulted in the formation of these gullies. the gullies are an average of 1.5km length, 1.5m depth and 2m in width. Soil erosion in these areas has greatly contributed in siltation of the lake Mutirikwi. 2.0PROJECT GOAL To empower rural communities in Ward 12 and 13 to reverse land degradation through protection and sustainable management of the environment for livelihood improvement 3.0 PROJECT OBJECTIVES a) To assess the causes of land degradation and capture data to be able to address problems of land degradation b)To ensure that the four wards are applying environmental management practices that reduce over exploitation of the natural resources c)To ensure good maintenance of natural resources and proper utilization by July 2011 4.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES a) Carry out a stakeholders and community awareness meetings b) data collection in the wards with stakeholders c)training of communities on agro ecological equitable farming management systems d) commemoration of the World Environment Day by holding environmental shows e)gully reclamation F) planting of indigenous trees in reclaimed land and planting of vertiva grass, banana trees and moringa trees h) construction of check dams along gullies to collect erosion j)promotion of rotational grazing j)making of fire guards k)practicing of conservation farming in dry lands 5.0 ANTICIPATED RESULTS a) adequate project information to address land degradation b)community empowered to address land degradation c)reduction of the rate of erosion and encouraged infiltration of the precipitation d) integrated reversal of land degradation e)increased livelihoods and food security f)reduced soil erosion g) reduced over grazing i) maintenance and sustenance of the ecosystem

Zimbabwe