Bio-diversity

Magaya project is based in ward 8 of Murewa District in Mashonaland East Province. The village shares boundaries with Jakopo village, the Urah river and Chitowa farms in ward 7. Over the years, Magaya Village has been the largest in terms of size and availability of indigenous tree cover and vegetation. However, due to increased population pressure, this has resulted in accelerated and indiscriminate cutting down of trees, stream bank cultivation leading to siltation of Urah river. It is against this background that the community has reserved 20 hectares for the establishment of woodlots. The project goal is improved vegetation cover especially the woodland ecosystem through enrichment planting, woodlots estabishment and construction of fuel saving stoves. OBJECTIVES 1) To establish 20 hectares of woodlots with mostly indigenous species to replace most of the trees that have been cut off by December 2007 2) To introduce locally improved fuel saving stoves that limit te use of wood fuel in at least 100 households in Magaya village by July 2007 3) To improve livelihoods through beekeeping activities and planting of fruit trees 4) To conduct process and leadership training in order to empower the group to play a active role in managing their project ACTIVITIES 1) Mobilization of Magaya community for planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities 2) Conduct a baseline study to establish the current situation and what can be done to restore the biodiversity status for the area. 3) Fencing of woodlot, selection of desired species and planting of trees 4) Training on chingwa stoves and actual construction of the stoves by 100 households 5) Formulation of by-laws by the local community on the exploitation of the forestry resources especially with regards to wood and timber OUTPUTS 1) 20 hectare woodlots with mostly indigenous trees established in Magaya village 2) 100 fuel saving stoves that limit the use of fuel wood in Magaya village constructed 3) At least 8 builders with 50% being women trained in construction of chingwa stoves by December 2005. 4) 30 village network members with at least 60% women trained on woodlot establishment and management. OUTCOMES 1) An established flow of environmental information among participating members, ZFFHC and other stakeholders in Murewa district 2) Increased environmental awareness and knowledge among community members on the importance of woodlots, water harvesting and use of organic manure 3) Enhanced community participation in forest protection and management 4) Established community by-laws regarding forestry and woodlots protection and use. IMPACT Improved biodiversity in terms of flora and fauna in the established woodlots and these also provide carbon sinks. There is also reduced emission of greenhouse gases through the introduction of fuel saving stoves that burn efficiently and use less firewood leading to a reduction on the burden of fetching firewood for women. On the socio-economic front, there will be improved livelihoods through fruit growing and the bee-keeping project.

Zimbabwe