Environmental research

1.0 Problem Wadzanai Cooperative farm and the surrounding areas in Lalapanzi have witnessed an increase in the abuse of the natural environment since the year 2000. Settlers who invaded the farm disrupted the organized way of life once associated with Wadzanai community. They embarked on the extensive indiscriminate deforestation as they cleared land for farming and cutting down trees for their immediate use and for sale outside the farm. For instance, Bondongwe forest was the prime target for much deforestation that took place. Some wild animals were scared away as the settlers ravaged the area, and this negatively impacted on the woodland ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. There was also a total disregard of the significance of IKS in environmental management as well as biodiversity conservation. Prior to the invasions, communities in Wadzanai perfectly practiced and regarded IKS as effective tools for environmental management and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore the population has significantly increased and continues increasing since then resulting in increased demand for natural resources particularly wood fuel. The project area also lacks viable sources of livelihoods and incomes besides farming. The project area is however endowed with vast unutilized land and untapped groundwater that can be harnessed for income generating projects to enhance livelihoods and incomes. 2.0 Project Goal The project goal is mitigating climate change, redressing and combating land degradation by grassroots communities through adopting environmental management strategies. 3.0 Objectives To enhance the capacity of grassroots communities through training and theatre for development to effectively and appropriately respond to environmental challenges and manage natural resources in a sustainable manner Mitigating climate change by reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases through adopting energy innovations such as wood saving stoves Combating and redressing land degradation through the establishment of woodlots and planting of vertiver grass, through invigorating IKS To enhance household incomes and livelihoods through establishment of consolidated gardens supported by windmill technology to indirectly mitigate climate change and redress land degradation. 4.0 Project activities 1.1 Community Mobilization and environmental awareness creation 1.2 Capacity building on the sustainable management of the natural environment as well project management for sustainability 1.3 Drama script presented to GEFSGP and Execution of community environmental theatre performances to communicate environmental messages to local communities 1.4 Collecting, photocopying and distribution of Information Communication and Education (IEC) material for dissemination of environmental information 2.1 Training community builders to construct wood saving stoves 2.2 Construction of wood saving stoves 3.1 Identification of vulnerable areas to where woodlots and vertiver grass will be planted. 3.2 Conduct training workshops on establishing of woodlots and planting of vertiver grass 3.3 Raising woodlots nurseries 3.4 Planting trees and vertiver grass on identified vulnerable areas and around homesteads as hedge 4.1 Site selection and pegging for the establishment of a co-operative consolidated garden 4.2 Establishment of Garden 4.3 Site exploration for deep-well digging 4.4 Construction of deep- well 5.0 Project Results -Capacitated grassroots communities confronting environmental challenges within their vicinity and managing the natural environment in a more sustainable manner -Capacitated project committee members and the local leadership facilitating the successful implementation and management of environmental projects. -Effectively adapted environment management and adaptation strategies -Information armed communities managing their natural environment in a sustainable manner Reduced emissions of green house gases -Reduced consumption of firewood -Reduced tree cutting. -Reduced burden on women of fetching firewood. HENCE, mitigated climate change and redressed land degradation due to benefits derived from the established vegetation Regeneration of vegetable and forests. Reduced surface run-off, soil erosion and land degradation -Reduced concentration of greenhouse gases (because vegetation acts as carbon sinks), hence reduced global warming ands mitigated climate change. -Revived woodland ecosystems and biodiversity Improved household livelihoods and increased incomes.

Zimbabwe