Bio-diversity

The project is focussed on the preservation and sustainable utilisation of a palm locally known as Ilala found in western Zimbabwe. The palm is threatened with extinction due to unsustainable harvesting methods especially by peoples from other regions of the country for purposes of weaving basketry effects. The project components include regeneration of ilala forests, training on protection and sustainable harvesting inventories and general environmental activities. Project objectives 1. to protect and restore the biological diversity of the illala palm forests in the Jotsholo area in lupane 2. to promote the sustainable utilization of the plant 3. to raise the local level awareness of the importance of the biological diversity of the illala zones 4. to conserve and maximaze the utilization of the resource to improve the standard of living of the people through increased income base. project activities -site selection for illala plantations in the six wards of Jotsholo. pupi,St Paul`s, Tshongokwane, Matshokotsha, and Sobendhle -capacity building workshops -training on illila agronomy in all six wards -clearing of land for plantations and fencing exposure visit to Binga illala project project outputs -8 ha of fenced illala plantations -4 boreholes installed -improved illala species planted in each plot -at least 280-300 weavers involved in and received training in intensive illala production -increasd income and improved standard of living

Zimbabwe