Bio-diversity

OVERALL PROJECT OBJECTIVE. The purpose of the Matopos Hills Heritage Site strategic project is to empower the community to manage and conserve natural resources in the protected area. This will be achieved through sustainable utilization of natural resources. The strategy is to address livelihood issues and present sustainable technologies and this will result in poverty reduction, food security and restoration of degraded rangelands and biodiversity. PROJECT STRATEGY. Objectives and Activities of the Strategic Project, Expected Outputs and Outcomes. Objective 1. To build and consolidate on the process of awareness raising, that is already on-going, of MHWHS`s status to all stakeholders (local community institutions, private organizations, local authorities. NGOs and state agencies at local and national levels) through the availability of information. Key Activities: # Develop and distribute documents, posters, pamplets etc, showing location and characteristics of various natural and cultural capital in the site showing potentials and challenges.# Hold training workshops for key players and drivers of development in the areas. Expected Outputs: # 50% of the community and listed stakeholders have knowledge and are aware of the world heritage status and its importance to them. Expected Outcomes: # With improved knowledge and understanding and appreciation of the value of the natural and cultural capital in the site, local people are better able to make good decisions on the sustainable management and utilization of capital to improve incomes through eco-tourism. Objective 2.To improve the livelihoods of local communities in the MHWHS and its buffer zone through improved use of forest resources, crop and livestock production. Key Activities.# Sustainable craft production, mainly for women. # Various cropping technologies and use of wetlands. # Various livestock technologies. # Agro-forestry. # Beekeeping. 3 Biogas units and wood saving stoves installed. Expected Outputs: # 100 people trained in forest resource management. # Biogas units installed at two schools and 20 households with wood saving stoves. # 20% of community members food secure by the end of the project. # At least 1 diary scheme established in each ward. # At least 1 marketing scheme established for small ruminants and micro-stock. # Multi-purpose trees (agro-forestry) introduced for human food and animal fodder for 100 farmers.# Beekeeping units established. Expected Outcomes: # Sustainable supply of forest resources for household and marketing purposes, therefore maintaining alternative livelihood options. # Improved energy and lighting for schools promoting staff retention for improved education of community children. # Reduced pressure on forest resources. # Improved knowledge of irrigated cropping among farmers spreads to other farmers outside the scheme and results in more community initiated irrigation efforts. # Improved food security in households participating in the irrigation schemes results in surplus grain for sale. # Increased household consumption of livestock products, livestock off-take to the markets and therefore better family health. # Improved household nutrition, increased livestock production and soil fertility. # Increased household income from honey and wax products. Objective 3. To empower local communities and community institutions to participate meaningfully in tourism development and the overall management of biological and cultural diversity in the MHWMS. Key Activities. # Develop and institutionalize Community institutions e.g Community Trusts to participate in the management of MWHS and related developments. # Capacity building of institutions to engage statutory bodies in the management debate. # To review local by-laws, policies and procedures to enable community institutions to engage. # Set-up or refurbish the existing eco-tourism sites. # Marketing of sites. Expected Outputs: # At least one Community institution per ward established. # Framework for natural resource management and monitoring developed. Expected Outcomes: # Communities able to generate higher incomes and make savings from the eco-tourism projects. # The rate of biodiversity losses through human agency reduced to the people`s appreciation of the value, and the availability of knowledge on how to take care of the e environment. Object 4. To establish an exclusive management system for the MHWHS through the review of relevant policies and procedures. Key Activities: #Review policies and legal provisions provisions to enable change of legal instruments, e.g P Act, Water Act. # Review campfire policies and procedures, as well as the rights of communities in terms of access to resources. # Identify or create the overall management institution as a rallying point for all stakeholders. Expected Outputs.# MHWHS management body established and functional. Expected Outcomes. # An appropriate and effective policy environment established for the sustainable management of MHWHS by the communities and other stakeholders. Objective 5. To document experiences and lessons learnt on the implementation of work under MHWHS (both environment and socio-economic) in print and video for in formation exchange and sharing.

Zimbabwe