Environmental research

The main objective of this project is to rehabilitate the community rainwater catchment and construct an earth pond system for the Pleasant Valley Reforestation Project, which will allow for the irrigation of the plantations thereby enhancing the community s capacity to cope with the natural hazard of drought and adapt to climate change. The project will solve the issue of insufficient supply of water to the community during the dry months leading to the improved livelihoods of the citizenry by enhancing the agroforestry activities. Activities include: To develop sustainable water harvesting systems, which will enhance the productive capacity of community by rehabilitating the community, catchment tank including resurfacing of the barbecue, covering tanks and fencing the catchment areas as well as the constructing of an earth pond on the plantations. To rehabilitate the community catchment and constructing a storage tank that will assist in controlling the use of water in the area aimed at ensuring that water is available to meet the needs of the people in the Pleasant Valley. To promote improved and sustainable agro ecosystem services activities in the targeted communities Build awareness about the productive use and care of rainwater harvesting ponds/catchment aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods, food security and shared growth. To increase the community s capacity to apply adaptive management tools in Sustainable Land Management. COMMUNITY CONTEXT The Pleasant Valley and White Chapel communities are located in the May Pen Development Area along what is known as the Teak Pen and Mocho Mountain Range. The population is approximately 1,500 persons, 50% of whom are estimated to be less than 35 years of age. Jamalco implemented bauxite-mining operations in Pleasant Valley and White Chapel in 1969. After the mining company pulled out of the area the following challenges have emerged: There is a high level of unemployment and illiteracy, especially among males High incidence of teenage pregnancies as well as school absenteeism. Minimal improvement to infrastructure and utilities Damage generally to the infrastructure caused by blasting which included the community water catchment area Its economic base i.e. fruit trees, and sufficient arable land, which once provided a comfortable source of livelihood for the residents has been depleted. CLIMATE CONTEXT The community has been impacted negatively by natural hazards during the 1st phase of the Pleasant Valley Reforestation Project. The island normally has 2 significant dry periods; however, during the implementation of the 1st phase of the project in 2009, the southern section of Clarendon, which includes the project area, was severely affected limited rainfall, hotter and longer days and nights. The number of trees that were targeted, that is, 6500 was reduced to 4100. The project s limited capacity as it relates to the provision of proper irrigation severely hampered the fulfillment of the targets established. Water was trucked to the area to improve the mortality rate of the plants. Note that the trucking of water during the drought period is deemed to be one of the most expensive irrigation modalities. Climate change affects rainfall and increase evaporation, which has placed increased pressure on the ecosystems services. During the dry months reliable and clean water is a challenge for the community. Rainwater harvesting is a viable adaptation strategy the citizens of community. The harvesting of water will assist enhance the community s coping making this important resource available for both domestic supply and to enhance the agroforestry approaches. IMPACTS CONTEXT The project will enhance the community s awareness of the importance of ecosystem services and remind residents of the role of rainfall to support these systems. The project will address the well-being and improved ecosystems services of the community. It will also demonstrate the importance of partnering with the local authority to develop intervention that will improve the copies response to drought Rainwater harvesting will strengthen social capital of the community. With the improvement in domestic water supply with rainwater harvesting interventions, it will no doubt save the residents on the time it takes to travel to end of community to fetch water. It also improves household sanitation and health. The value systems (for example improved team approaches) of the community organizations will be strengthened enable them to address other developmental challenges. There will also be a greater sense of ownership amongst community members.

Jamaica