Environmental degradation is increasing at an alarming rate in Chiweshe communal lands. This is partly caused by income generating projects which depend on natural resources such as brick molding and gold panning. Other activities with adverse effects on the environment are cutting down of trees for wood for sale, cutting tress for fencing gardens and poor agricultural practices.

It is against this background that CTT is requesting for financial assistance to support the Dzimwe community to combat land degradation and improve livelihoods of communities. The project seeks to:
1. Build the capacity of youth and community to take leadership in addressing environmental problems at the local level.
2. Mitigate land degradation in 4 wards of Chiweshe communal lands
3. Conserve wetlands through promoting sustainable utilization.

The project will promote the use of energy saving stoves to reduce the cutting down of trees by engaging skilled local people to demonstrate and educate the community members of Chiweshe communal area through village based campaigns.

The project also aims at creating food security through the forest gardens and sustainable wetland utilization. HIV/AIDS pandemic is prevalent in the district and most households are unable to meet the nutritional needs of the sick. The project will establish forest gardens containing fruit and medicinal herbs which will improve the nutritional supply to those affected by the pandemic.

Project activities
1. Carry out a technical assessment of land degradtion with help from an organization like tree Africa
2. Carry out various workshops on zero tillage/ mixed cropping/permaculture/ soil and water conservation etc
3. Set up forest gardens in homesteads, community and schools
4. Plant soil stabilizing agents along river banks, gullies and sides of footpaths
5. Set up a central nursery at Dzimwe training Centre
6. Set up a community nursery at Madonbwe village
7. Construct a deep well
8. Train youth in sugar cane and banana growing and set up a plantation
9. Document and share on lessons learnt

Outcomes
1. Reduced deforestation and increased afforestation
2. Adaptation of concept at household and community level
3. Improvement in food security at household level
4. Increased supply of forest based products
5. Improvement in income and nutritional levels
6. Reduction in deforestation
7. Reduction in formation of gullies and rills and river siltation
8. Vegetative cover improved
9. Sustainable supply of water for irrigaion and drinking
10. Lessons shared with other stakeholders.