Planning gef grant
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Replication of project activities
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Policy Influence
- Preliminary Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Site for Mokhotlong Urban Council was produced, a report necessitated relocation of a dumpsite to a more suitable location. Local communities are engaging more with the local urban council in deciding location of dumpsites as they are now more aware of the hazards associated with poorly managed dumpsites.
The initiative has started a debate/dialogue platform on solid waste issues and awareness among local communities, about impacts of poor waste disposal practices on natural resources including water sources, livestock and wellbeing of people.
Gender Focus
All sectors of the community will benefit from the project as removal of the dumpsite will eliminate hazards presented to livestock grazing and scavenging in and around the area and downstream communities.
Notable Community Participation
Awareness creation activites will target key waste generators including the business community and private sector, Ministry of Health and Urban Council which is responsible for collection and disposal of waste.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
One of the major components of the inititaive is creation of awareness about the importance of good waste management practices and the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of waste including harzardous waste, including persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS), on the environment. The intervention will also demonstrate rehabilitation of a dumpsite and bringing it back to productive use.
Planning non gef grant
The grantee is now assisted by Letšeng Diamond Mine (corporate social responsibility) to develop a business plan for up-scaling the dairy project into a fully-fledged dairy farmers’ enterprise.
Capacity - Building Component
The initiative will bring together the ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Local Government, Forestry and Land Reclamation and Tourism, Environment and Culture, Health and the private sector to tackle issues of waste management. Through these consultations key stakeholders will gain more knowledge about the environment and key considerations for allocating land for different land uses.
Policy Impact
The intervention isl addressing two priority areas of the POPs National Implementation Plan (NIP) Namely:
• Integrate management of POPs and chemicals in national socio-economic development programmes.
• Increase awareness and education of Basotho communities on the effects of POPs on health and environment.
Project sustainability
The project is located near an abandoned dumpsite which has recently been revived; within a catchment of Phase II trans-boundary water project between Lesotho and South Africa. Supported by the Departments of Agriculture and Food Security, Environment (DOE) and Local Government, main activities include awareness raising; relocation and rehabilitation of the dumpsite and preparation of new site. With the need to uphold certain specified water quality standards under the transboundary water project, all effort will be made by relevant departments to support pollute control initiatives and the project will benefit this creates an opportunity for the project results to be sustained over the long-term.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
With support from the Department of Forestry and Land Reclamation, 200 assorted fruit trees have been planted, with a survival rate of 96%, on the rehabilitated site. Fodder crops are also to be planted on the part of the site yet to be cleared and rehabilitated.
Project Results
- To date the Committee on Waste Management, undertook a reconnaissance survey and a report dubbed Preliminary Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Site for Mokhotlong Urban Council was produced. The report identifies a temporary relocation site and a permanent site for the Mokhotlong Town. This initiative has started a debate/dialogue platform on solid waste issues and awareness among local communities, about impacts of poor waste disposal practices on natural resources including water sources, livestock and wellbeing of people.
- Department of Forestry supported planting of 500 assorted fruit trees on the cleared section of the dumpsite (96% survival rate). Fodder production and beekeeping are also on the cards.
- The dumpsite has been relocated a more suitable site and contamination of the nearby stream which feeds into a main tributary of the Orange/Senqu River has been put to a stop.
