Bio-diversity

SECTION A: PROJECT RATIONALE AND APPROACH 1.1 Project Summary Dowera Development Association is a community-based organization aimed at improving the general livelihood of communities in Chikomba ward one of Hone Valley in Mutasa District. The organization is the brainchild of a local visionary leader Mr Chingoza who after receiving training in beekeeping and natural resources management from Zimbabwe Farmers Development Trust (ZFDT) and mobilizing efforts of Mr Timaremoyo got inspired to improve the environment and livelihoods of fellow communities. The association is found in Sadondo Village of Chikomba ward one in the catchment area of Nyamukombe river that stems from Inyangani Mountains (the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe) and flow into Pungwe river an international river also in Honde valley. Nyamukombe basin, part of Honde valley is popular for its rich plains and forest with indigenous trees and fruits like mangoes, guavas, bananas and avocados. This woodland ecosystem serves as a natural barrier to soil erosion but due to unsustainable land use practices such as deforestation, poor farming methods and high demand for arable land the flora and fauna in the area is under threat of extinction and land suffers heavily from land degradation. The project seeks to protect the Nyamukombe basin from land degradation. Sustainably manage existing forests and improve livelihoods options. This contributes to the anticipated impact of the current GEF / SGP Strategy for Zimbabwe, which is a strategic community driven intervention that addresses the livelihood need of communities while securing global environmental benefits in the relevant GEF/SGP focal areas. The project is contented on the hypothesis that with better conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources through tree planting, soil conservation and improved land husbandry, there will be reduction in land degradation and sustainably manage forests. The introduction of beekeeping in existing forests riverine forest will also be seen as a deterrent to deforestation as communities begin to derive value from the conservation of natural resources and riverine tree species. DDA has a theatre group to promote awareness on natural resources conservation and communities empowerment. Fundamentally, the project forms the basis for contributing to MDG goal on Environmental sustainability as well as meeting the objectives of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). 1.2 Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the project. Dowera Development Association (DDA) is the brainchild of a local visionary Mr Chingoza who, after receiving training in beekeeping and natural resources management from the Farmers Development Trust, decided to mobilize and train his onw community and ecourage them into bee keeping. DDA is a therefore a community based organization is aimed at improving the general livelihood of communities in Chikomba ward one of Mutasa District found in Manicaland Province. In combating degradation the group is planting indigenous trees in deforested areas, claiming gullies and slides, awareness on veld fires and introduced beekeeping, drink making and operating fish ponds to improve nutrition. DDA is also involved in bamboo crafts, awareness through drama, an initiative which is being supported by STEP Zimbabwe to combat poverty economically and promote community empowerment. The association was formed in 2007 through mobilizing efforts of Mr Timaremoyo and Towe Association. The group is mobilizing the community through workshops on beekeeping, and wood conservative stoves promoted by Step Zimbabwe. Dowera Development Association is led and steered by an eight member management committee, consisting of three men and five women. The executive meet once a month the whole groups meet twice a month and hold training lessons on beekeeping. However, the group has no stipulated salaries for its staff only offers transport and food allowances to a member on association duty. The association is under Trust registration process waiting for its certificate. It is targeting to work with all population groups especially women and youth who are left at home doing farming works. In its operations it will include indigenous people to help implement laws to stop cutting down of trees. From the onset, the group was working towards a reduction in land degradation and biodiversity loss and improved farming methods thereby promoting forests build-up and reduced polluting rivers. On the other hand, is mobilization of community to stop stream bank cultivation to build a stable riverine environment The presents of a skilled and experienced Mr Luke Chingoza in beekeeping, fish farming and nursery management means that the project can be guaranteed success and much easier technology transfer and knowledge sharing to other community members. The association has established collaborative working relationships with Nyahari Association and STEP Zimbabwe. Since 2011 STEP Zimbabwe has worked closely with DDA through which current initiatives were strengthened. The support included nursery establishment, piloting wood serving stoves, extending awareness programmes beyond Dowera community and introducing commercial bamboo weaving. Through this support 2 members of the community have been supported to participate in Bamboo weaving training in India in November. DDA consists of 4 villages namely Sadondo, Sagambe, Mupereti and Makwenzi, involving

Zimbabwe