Bio-diversity

The project is in the second phase and it seeks to address Biodiversity Conservation thematic area, focusing more on GEFSGP strategic objective number 2. The proposed intervention falls under the capacity building category. The project will build on work already funded by GEFSGP in phase 1, amounting to US$29,695 from 2006 to 2008. The following activities were covered in the first phase of the project: 1.Increasing wood-biomass production Under this activity tree nurseries planned were established at household and community levels. At household level, twenty-seven (27) nurseries were established and one at community level. One woodlot measuring one hectare was fenced and has the capacity to carry 100 gum-trees and 300 indigenous. Through environmental workshops, villagers were highly discouraged from continuos planting of gum trees but grow more indigenous trees. Jatropha trees were also planted as live fence against livestock. 2.Environmental awareness workshops The importance of woodlands, forests and water and their economic functions, both community and national level, to achieve sustainable livelihoods were issues ZIMNET highlighted and underscored. Two workshops, one for traditional leaders and the other for the villagers, were held geared to raise environmental awareness, biodiversity protection and conservation. By-laws to assist in the enforcement and monitoring of biodiversity protection and conservation, were formulated and documented in a participatory manner. 3. Promotion of Chingwa Stove as Energy Saving Device Due to high rate deforestation, village members were trained on how to construct a wood-fuel saving stove and two workshops were held for this purpose. with three (3) builders trained. After the training, eight (8) stoves were then installed in selected households as demonstration. Shortage of grates also hampered further construction of these stoves. 4.Management of Water Resources within the Mountain Range In order to harvest water sustainably, a weir and two (2) reservoirs were constructed to capture the perennial water from the streams and rivulets which are abundant within the mountain range.This water is intended to be channeled to fields and gardens below the range. Plastering of the reservoirs will be done in Phase two (2). 5.Cross-cutting Disciplines and Issues Project members were exposed to various courses through workshops to enhance their skills and knowledge such as training for transformation, conflict resolution and management, gender and development, principles of book-keeping and financial management. These courses will be continued during Phase 2 for continuity and also introduce report writing training workshops to enhance project documentation skills. Results Achieved Nursery sites were completed and fenced two at community level and 120 at household level. Woodlots were fenced and now carry very few gum-trees as members were highly discouraged to grow eucalyptus as they suck a lot of underground water and affect wetland areas. Jatropha was also planted as live fence against livestock but cuttings planted did not do well. More of these will be obtained in Avila, Nyanga North during Phase 2. During this Phase environmental awareness workshops were more of an eye-opener to most project members. However, their awareness to some extent was raised and will be enhanced during Phase 2. With by-laws having been instituted, deforestation was reduced but more enforcement and monitoring needs to be done to retain biodiversity. The Chingwa Stove, despite having only eight stoves constructed during this phase, within traditional kitchens, has proved to be very popular with villagers. Shortages of materials such as grates was a huge challenge as they to be bought from suppliers in Harare and there were no funds available. The rest of the materials can be found locally. For those households that have managed to install it the have enjoyed its multi-purpose role such as heating water, baking and cooking. It uses very little fire wood. It has also helped as an incubator for chickens. The weir and reservoirs are currently full to capacity and only waiting to be channeled to households, fields and gardens below the range when the remaining materials such as polythene pipes and other accessories become available during Phase 2. This is the genesis of a small-scale irrigation scheme which has already been achieved. Other cross-cutting issues helped project members very much, especially, realizing the importance of reducing conflicts during implementation, sharing duties and responsibilities and also gained valuable knowledge and skills through book-keeping. One of the key aspects of the training programmes they understood more was sustainability which underscored the need to be viable and self sustaining if ZIMNET eventually pulls out of the project as the facilitator. Problem statement Deforestation still occurs caused by cutting down of trees for wood fuel in some areas of the village without strict monitoring of by-laws that have been instituted. This usually happens at night to avoid being arrested under the instituted by-laws and regulations. This has to some extent contributed to the destruction of habitats for wildlife as evidenced by their movement further into the mountain range. This destruction is also causing serious gully formations as livestock easily make tracks on the loose ground. Destruction of biodiversity due to population density and other human activitie

Zimbabwe