Bio-diversity

Maphotong - a semi rural village, is in the vicinity of the National University of Lesotho. In the wake of a high unemployment rate in Lesotho, particularly among the youth, delinquency has become a serious problem in the village. In the midst of all this, there is a beautiful gorge inhabited by important plant species and some wetlands that used to be a tourist attraction and an educational site for biology students. The gorge however has lost its natural beauty and species richness due to uncontrolled veld burning and overgrazing and introduction of exotic tree species. The proposed intervention entails empowerment and guidance of the youth of Maphotong and their training in livelihood strategies; their engagement in rehabilitation of the Maphotong Gorge to bring it to its original beauty and enhancement of the ecotourism potential of the area with the long-term goal of creating job opportunities for the youth; and, rehabilitation and sustainable use of rangeland resources.

Lesotho