Environmental policy and administrative management

1.0 BACKGROUND The purpose of Matobo World Heritage Site strategic programme is to empower the community to manage and conserve natural resources in the protected area. This will be achieved through sustainable utilization of biodiversity resources. The strategy is to address livelihood issues that will result in better management of the natural resource base and also enhance food security. The Matobo World Heritge Site (MWHS) lies in two districts namely Umzingwane and Matobo Districts. It offers a unique combination of the natural and cultural capital and one of the major areas of attraction is the Matopos National Park. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna and communities benefit from the natural resources that include fruits, humus, poles, fibre, medicines and the wetland ecosystems. Mountains are a key feature and have strong cultural significance that include the performance of rain making ceremonies, rituals (Njelele) and there are taboos that restrict the visits by people and exploitation of resources (i.e sacred places). The vegetation is savanna type and composed of drought resistant species that include the acacia species. The acacia species that are present include nilotica, A. karoo and A. rehmanniana and these are interspersed with combretum and terminalia species. The grasses within the acacia thirn veld are heteropogon contortus, hyperrhenia filipendula, digittaria species, erasgrostis and loudetia species.The miombo woodlands are found in wards 8 and 9 of Umzingwane although it is not very dominant. The species present are julbernadia and brachstegia species. The mopane woodland is dominant in wards 3 and 12 of Umzingwane which is interspersed with a sweet veld (Urochloa mosambicensis and Erasgrotis species and pockets of sour veld characterised by hyperrhenia filipendula. In addition to these species, lantana camara is becoming dominant in ward 25 of Matobo District and wards 8, 9, 10 ,11 and 12 of Umzingwane District. Also wards 3 and 4 of Umzingwane District are being invaded with Dicrostachys cineria. Communities were provided with tools to remove these invading species but they have not yet covered much ground and it is one of the key areas to be covered by this project. In terms of wildlife the MWHS supports many animal species and prolific bird life that includes the largest concentration of black eagles and leopards in the world. The Matopos National Park is home to the hyena (spotted and brown hyena), the white rhino, klipspringer, black backed jackal and cheetah. Acquatic species include crocodiles, fish species that include river sardines, tilapia and catfish (clarias gariepinus). 2.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT i) Lack of appreciation of the value of MWHS due to lack of awareness in terms of the natural and cultural capital of the site ii) Unsustainable use of the natural resources leading to biodiversity loss and land degradation iii) Poverty and food insecurity iv) Decline in tourism thereby affecting the other source of income for the communities v) Exclusion of communities in the Management of MWHS. 3.0 OBJECTIVES i) To build and consolidate on the process of awareness raising that is already on-going of the MWHS status to all stakeholders through dissemination of information. ii) To improve the livelihoods of local communities in the MWHS and its buffer zone through improved use of forest resources, crop and livestock production. iii) To empower local communities and community institutions to participate meaningfully in tourism development and overall management of MWHS. iv) To establish an inlcusive management system for the MWHS through review of relevant policies and procedures v) To document experiences and lessons learnt on the implementation of work under MWHS in print and video format for infromation exchange and sharing. 4.0 OUTPUTS i) Improved knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the value of MWHS. ii) Increased capacity of local people to sustainably manage and utilize the natural eco-system for eco-tourism ventures iii) Reduced pressure on forest resources through the establishment of biogas digesters iv) Increased income from sale of biodiversity products and agricultural products v) Strengthened and empowered communities who actively participate in the management of MWHS v) Presence of an enabling policy environment/framework tp allow for co-management of MWHS

Zimbabwe