Environmental research

The aim of the project is to use a community driven action backed by the appropriate methodology (Vulnerability Reduction Assessment- see section 4.4) and use of available resources to prioritise and implement measures aimed at enhancing resilience of the community to address climate change impacts. Throughout the project write up phase, the following criteria have been considered: The vulnerability of the community is amplified because of its location, topography and the dependence of the community on natural resources. Following three consultative workshops with the community (Friday 01 February, Saturday 09 February and Tuesday 19 February) and a series of meetings with the SGP and the AFP, it was decide to give priority to adaptation to flooding and sea level water rise. The CBA funding (USD 30,000) will be used to finance the construction and consolidation of a drainage system at a specific location and also to organise consultation and awareness raising workshops (on sustainable management of water and land resources). The AFP funding (USD 35,000) will be used for mangrove propagation along the coastal stretch and setting up of a mangrove nursery and for the plantation of 20,000 propagules at pre-defined locations to combat attenuate effects of storm surges, erosion due to floods and sea level water rise. Storm surges occur when high winds and low atmospheric pressure raise water levels at the coast, causing sea water to surge onto the land. They are a major threat to low-lying coastal areas and their inhabitants. The largest storm surges, caused by tropical cyclones, may result in peak water levels exceeding 7 m in height, causing extensive flooding, loss of life and damage to property. Mangroves can reduce storm surge water levels by slowing the flow of water and reducing surface waves. They could potentially play a role in coastal defence and disaster risk reduction. (McIvor et al., 2012. Storm surge reduction by mangroves. NCP Report 2012-02). The community and the GSFA will be compensated per unit of seedling produced and planted in relation to the labour provided under the mangrove plantation phase. In kind co-financing will also be provided through participation in the organisation of workshops, securing clearances from authorities and as labour in the clearing and maintenance of the drain systems. Further co-financing will be provided by the Ministry of Fisheries (technical assistance for the monitoring of plantation, and pruning phases) and other relevant stakeholders. The above components together with the capacity building and awareness campaigns will help to empower the community to better understand and take action to adapt to the effects of climate change. Although the resources does not allow to fully tackle the problems over the whole extent of the communities in the vicinity, the successes achieved and lesson learnt will be used when replicating the project elsewhere. The community has expressed its interest in becoming a national hub on expertise in community-based mangrove plantation and maintenance. The nursery project and trainings provided will further benefit the community in generating income from sustainable practices and will allow additional small income to many families who are dependent on farming or fishing. Most of the community members have poor academic credentials and some are semi-literate. Conflicting social and political opinions were noted and in order to ensure smooth running during the implementation phase, a 3rd party and neutral Project Manager in the person of Dr. Vanessa Jumnoodoo will be assigned to manage the project. The community members have unanimously agreed to this proposal. During the meeting of 19 February the 30 fishermen present from the Fishermen Association have unanimously vouched to provide all the assistance required for the different phases of the project implementation and have ensured that all community members will be involved as relevant to the situation. A more detailed breakdown of the project activities, outcomes and activities is provided in Section 4 2. COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP 2.1.Project Formulation and Implementation Following a series of consultative meetings and through the use of the VRA methodology, a project framework was formulated containing the following components: AFP funding will be used building resilience against storm surge and sea level water rise through the use of mangroves. A mangrove nursery will be set up on a plot of land that has been identified. The plot of land is on the coastal side of the road and has area of 200m2 ( 8 perches - Figure 5) and is state owned but leased to a local fisherman who has agreed in principle to lease the land to the GSPA for the duration of the project. Figure 5: Plot of land identified by the GSFA The members of the Fishermen Association have indicated that the plot of land is in the vicinity of the inhabitation of most of the 60 members and hence greater supervisory control will be possible. The lease will be made official during the project implementation phase. The GSFA have agreed in the consultative workshop that they are willing to collect the propagules(see Figure 6) upon authorisation of Ministry of Fisheries, propagate the seedlings in the nursery and plant/ maintain the mangroves in association with the fishermen of Quatres Soeurs. Figure 6: Propagules on Mangrove plants According to information gathered from the Project Manager of the Adaptation Fund Project, gi

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