Increasing biodiversity depletion in Zukpiri and its environs caused by human activities and land degradation has led to depletion of soil fertility, low crop yields, loss of herbal plants, siltation of water bodies, lost of biodiversity and reduction in tree population. The problem persists due to the break down of community rules and regulations, population increase and ignorance on the part of the community on the consequences of their actions on the environment.

In the past when community rules and regulations were held in high esteem, the biodiversity of the community was flourishing well. During that time different species of herbs were easily accessible for herbal formulation and administration. Animal diversity was also at its best since various animals could readily be found in the environment, sub catchments area of the Black Volta River were protected. Modernity as well as religious beliefs has eroded the strong traditional beliefs that used to protect the environment. All the taboos that helped protected the environment can scientifically be explained now. As such the barrier to traditional environmental protection has been seriously tempered with. At the moment the biodiversity depletion has taken a rapid downward trend and needs immediate intervention to remove the current threat it faces. If the current trend of events persists, in future the Zukpiri traditional area stands the chance of loosing pristine biodiversity and the potential of the Black Volta River.

3.2 MAIN OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the project is to promote sustainable natural resource management through the conservation of medicinal plants, protection of the Black Volta River catchments area, protection of wildlife and promotion of community-based eco-tourism for the socio?economic development of the people.

3.3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of the project are:

? To reduce the incidence of wildfires in the Zukpiri traditional area
? To introduce appropriate farming technologies to 50 farmers.
? To reinforce the ?Tang Kpang? sacred grove with indigenous tree species to serve as a local museum of medicinal plants.
? To establish ten (10) hectares of community woodlot to supplement the wood fuel needs of the community.
? To train the community in alternative livelihood support programmes.
? To promote eco?tourism.
? To protect six (6) Kilometers Black Volta River catchments area.

2.4 Project Justification:

The project is in line with GEF?s efforts to conserve biodiversity and protect international water bodies for the socio ? economic development of the people. Additionally, it is in line with Ministry of Health?s programme to combat challenging and emerging diseases with herbal medicine. Also it falls in line with National Tourists Board?s efforts to promote tourism for the development of the people. Besides, the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with all districts in the region have launched vigorous campaign against wildfires and all its forms to protect the environment to alleviate the poverty of the people. The Ministry of Lands and Forestry and EPA have encouraged all communities to preserve the environment to increase the fertility and subsequent crop yield for food security. Globally the project will help reduce green house gases generated from the cooking with biomass, which is the main source of wood fuel for majority in the world. As such the project will help minimize climate change.
Global Environment Benefits

The proposed project would result in multiple global, national, and local environment benefits, within the context of sustainable development. These benefits would include: (a) conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity of the mountain range ; (b) prevention and/or control of pollution of major river systems from illegal activities and domestic waste; (c) prevention and/or control of degradation of watersheds through unsustainable land use practices; (d) minimization of carbon emission from shifting agriculture and the use of inefficient wood stoves; (e) improvement in carbon sequestration through improvement of vegetation cover; (f) provision of alternative economic livelihoods for communities in the traditional area; (f) rise in community awareness levels in environmental management and conservation
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3.0 EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

The intended results of the project are:

? General environmental awareness including incidence of wildfires created
? 100 hectare degraded land in Zukpiri and its environs restored through sustainable natural resource management.
? 50 community members trained and assisted in livelihood support activities
? Community based Eco-tourism promoted.

4.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Result 1.0 Embark on general awareness creation, which will include wildfire education, natural regeneration, woodlot and agro forestry

Introduce weekly environmental awareness programmes on the two (2) local FM stations. The project will promote weekly environmental education programme on Radio Upper West. This local FM station has wide coverage, which includes the project location in the Upper West Region. Resource persons will come from EPA, MoFA, FSD and GNFS. The activity will be carried out throughout the planned project period.

Organize community fora in five (5) communities. Community fora will be organized in Zukpiri and four (4) adjourning communities to sensitize them on the project. This activity is to help change behaviour and attitude to enable community members contain environmental problems. Resource persons will come from EPA, MoFA, FSD and GNFS. The activity will be carried out in the first quarter of the project.

Compile community profiles of beneficiary communities. An in ? depth biological and socio ? economic baseline survey of the project area will be carried out. The results of the studies will provide for meaningful applied research, demonstration of land use options, the priority needs, and areas of emphasis. The baseline studies will afford the project management team the database on Zukpiri and the other four (4) communities, which are Takpo, Nanvili, Mantari and Nanvili Siiru. Resource persons will be drawn from EPA and the activity will be carried out within the first quarter of the project.

Form and launch project management committee. The project will put in place Project Management Committee (PMC) to organize the community to carry out environment enhancement activities. The PMC will be formally launched at durbar organized by the chiefs and people of Zukpiri in the community. The committee will carry out the task of collaboration with the Traditional Council, The Nadowli District Assembly and EPA within the first quarter of the project.

Result 2.0 A 100 hectare degraded land in Zukpiri and its environs restored through sustainable natural resource management

2.1 Form and Train Anti ? Wildfire Prevention and Management Squad. One hundred (100) members Anti- Wildfire Prevention and Management Squad will be formed and trained to help reduce the incidence of wildfires in the community. Out of this figure, 20 members will come from each of the five (5) communities. The squad will be trained in fire prevention and management. At the end of the training they will be equipped with protective apparel, cutlasses and identification cards. The squad will also ensure responsible environmental behaviour among community members. In collaboration with the Project Management Committee, will help the community enact and enforce community rules and regulations. The activity will come off within the second quarter with resource persons from GNFS and EPA.

2.2 Establish a community nursery A community nursery of 70,000-seedling capacity will be established in Zukpiri to supply seedlings to all communities involved in the project. The activity will be done in the second quarter with resource persons from EPA, MoFA and FSD.

2.3 Enrich the ?Tang Kpang? sacred grove with indigenous tree species. The ?Tang Kpang? sacred grove which is 3 Square Km will be reinforced with indigenous tree seedlings to serve as a local museum of medicinal plants. This will also help restore the degraded area as well as protect the wildlife in the grove which will be subsequently developed into an eco- tourist site. The activity will be carried out within the third quarter with resource persons from EPA, FSD, Wildlife and Ghana Tourist Board.

2.4 Establish ten (10) hectares multipurpose woodlot. To reduce the pressure on the natural woodland as source of domestic energy, a ten (10) hectare multipurpose community woodlot will be established in Zukpiri to supply the community with their wood fuel needs. It could also serve as a grazing ground for the community livestock. The activity will develop within the third quarter with resource persons from EPA, FSD and MoFA.

2.5 Protect the Black Volta River catchments area as well as the wild life it habours. The project will protect the Black Volta River catchments area by planting trees on a six (6) Kilometers stretch of land to protect the water body as well as the wildlife it habours. The sound environment that will be created will provide a sanctuary for the Hippos within the Zukpiri area. The presence of the hippos will boost up the tourism potential of the area. The activity will come on within the third quarter with resources persons from EPA, Wildlife and Ghana Tourist Board.

2.5 Introduce appropriate farming technologies workshops to 50 farmers. The project will organize four (4) field demonstration workshops to 50 farmers on appropriate farming technologies to community members. The demonstrations will be on compost preparation, organic farming, Integrated Pest Management, soil and water conservation. The activity will come on within the fourth quarter with resource persons from SARI.

Result 3.0 50 community members trained and assisted in livelihood support activities

3.1 Train 20 farmers in alternative livelihood support in guinea fowl production. Majority of the community members in Zukipiri rely on the sale of wood fuel for their livelihood. As a means to reduce this pressure on the natural environment, a training progrmme on guinea fowl production will be organized for 20 farmers as alternative source of income. Guinea fowls have ready local market in the Upper West Region and beyond. The support will extend to others as the pioneers pay the loans by installments into a pool. The money in the pool will be used to give credit to interested and proactive community members. The activity will come on the fifth quarter with resource persons from MoFA.

3.2 Train 30 women in alternative livelihood support on shea butter processing. The project will train 30 women in shea butter processing to meet international standards for export. This will serve as an alternative income support for women in the dry season. Trainees will impact the knowledge to other women in the adjourning communities. The activity will come on in the sixth quarter and resource persons will come from Regional Technology Transfer Center (RTTC) and NBSSI.

Result 4.0 Community-based Eco?tourism promoted in Zukpiri

4.1 Form and train five (5) tour guards. The project will form and train five (5) tour guards to conduct tourist round the sacred grove and the Black Volta River Catchments area, which have a lot of wildlife including elephants, hippos, antelopes, deer, monkeys, crocodiles and different species of birds such as partridges as well as wild guinea fowls. The area also has huge potential for bird watching. The trainees will be equipped with protective apparel for their work. The training progrmme will come on in the fourth quarter with resource persons from Mole National Park, Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary and Ghana Tourist Board.

4.2 Construct visitors information center in Zukpiri. Visitors information center will be constructed in the Zukpiri community to receive tourists to the area. The center will be stuffed with pamphlets and brochures of the tourist site as well as souvenirs depicting the culture of the Zukpiri community. A dining room with local cuisine on sale will be created in the center. The activity will come on the fifth quarter with resource persons from Mole National Park and Ghana Tourist Board.

4.3 Liaise with Mole National Park to study movement of animals in the sanctuary The project will liaise with the Mole National Park to study the movement of animals in the sanctuary and propose trails to help visitors track animals. The activity will be carried out for the whole of the first year of the planned project period with resourced persons from the Mole National Park.