Support to the Richtersveld Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme: Richtersveld Community Based Research Station (SAF/04/04)
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Country:
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SOUTH AFRICA
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Grantee:
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Richtersveld Community Property Association - RCPA (Community Based Organization)
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Focal Area:
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Biodiversity
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Op. Program:
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OP1 - Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems
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Project Type:
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Full
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Operational Phase:
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Phase 2
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Dates:
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9/2004 - 3/2006
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Grant Amount:
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50 000,00 USD
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Project Status:
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Satisfactorily Completed
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Project Types:
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Capacity Building, Information Dissemination, Networking and Policy Dialogue
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Project Details & Results
The Richtersveld community aims to develop a research and interpretation centre to be used for community based research, biodiversity conservation and CBNRM activities. The first project output aims to ensure that the area being conserved is mapped indicating the sensitive area, grazing areas and the borders of the conservancy to ensure appropriate conservation of the area. The development of an interpretation centre is articulated as a second output and is aimed at educating the traveller of the medicinal value of the area. The centre will be supported by low impact infrastructure in line with global eco-tourism trends. The final project output will be to assess the feasibility of eco-tourism of the Richtersveld community and to devise mechanisms of monitoring the extent of tourism in the area.
Notable Community Participation
The execution agency is a community based organisation, which involves all people of the Richtersveld. The organisation was first established to reclaim title to their land, which was successfully transfered to the community in November 2003. Having said this, the CBO has a track record of involving the community members in decisions pertaining to community development and upliftment and this has been the case in the development of this proposal.
Capacity - Building Component
The Community Property Association identified a number of capacity needs for the community. Through the project the CPA intends to develop environmental education programmes, consolidating selected community members knowledge in GIS and initiate exchange visits to the Bondelswarts community in Namibia.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The project aims to address sustainable livelihoods through using the principles and practices included in community based natural resource management. The community investigates the feasibility of eco-tourism as a sustainable livelihood option, using medicinal plants as a possible livelihood opportunity and the cultural heritage of the Nama people.
Gender Focus
Gender is not included as a component of the project
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
The Richtersvled includes two main cultural groups, the Bo-Sluis bastars and the Nama-speaking people. The Nama speaking people have made the Richtersveld their home for thousands of years. In 1949 they were joined by the Bo-Sluis bastars who were relocated to the Richtersveld by the former apartheid government policies. These two groups recently reclaimed their land back through a series of law suits and an eventual ruling by the Constutional Court on the ownership of their land.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The project aims to address public awareness through establishing an interpretation centre with environmental education programmes facilitated through it.
Project Photo Gallery
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Richtersveld Communal Property Association Photos
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Richtersveld Communal Property Association Photos
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Richtersveld Communal Property Association Photos
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Richtersveld Communal Property Association Photos
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