Environmental policy and administrative management

The Association is a legally established entity. It was established in 2006, on the premise that it would focus its efforts on range management afforestation, land rehabilitation, improvement of fodder production, production of treated poles and bee-keeping. Members of the association are exclusively herders (men and boys), who are committed to enhance the environment and natural resources in their village while also getting livelihood support benefits. Currently the Association has a membership of 30, and its activities are coordinated by a 7 member committee. Achievements so far include: tree planting both fruit (peach) and fuel; and clearing of invasive weeds and shrubs from their project site. The group wishes to expand its activities to include other adjacent areas in their environmental management programme; and to establish a vine yard to put their rehabilitated land to productive use and to diversify their fruit production project. Context Livestock production is very poor and this is attributed to poor rangelands that provide insufficient feed for livestock. Rangelands are severely eroded due to overgrazing and this manifests itself in gully development and excessive runoff during rains; and invasion of the rangelands by unpalatable grasses and shrubs. These problems can in part be associated with herders who, due to ignorance and lack of patriotism, contributed to the degradation of rangelands. It is a resolve of the Association now, to work hard and educate our peers about the importance of managing and using our natural resources, rangelands in particular, and using them sustainably.

Lesotho