Exchange visits between villages initiated by the project and compaigns carried out by community educators have generated some interest adn enthusiasm for wetland protection. Thius is yet to be concretized.

In 2009 the Bureau of Statistics established a new division called the Environment and Energy Division with a mandate of collecting environment and energy related data nationwide. In fulfillment of of its mandate and through the Department of Water Affairs Wetlands Unit, the Division linked up with the grantee as a key actor in wetlands conservation in the Semonkong area. The fifteen wetlands covered by the SGP project make up the bulk of those monitored seasonally and the grantee is brought on board for all scheduled monitoring visits to Semonkong by the Bureau. The project is contributing to the impolementation of Priority Action 1 of the National Wetlands Programme: Improving Knowledge and information on Lesotho's Wetlands

In Semonkong, community participation started with a Stakeholders? Consensus Workshop in December, 2009. The objective of the workshop was to establish a consensus position of all identifiable local stakeholders on the rehabilitation and restoration of the Semonkong wetlands. Specifically the workshop was meant to: Sensitize stakeholders on the importance of wetlands for livelihoods and biodiversity; Disseminate the research findings and seek stakeholders? views and perceptions on the effectiveness of institutions mandated to protect wetlands; identify specific objectives that stakeholders would want to see incorporated into the process of rehabilitation and restoration of wetlands and their role thereof. Community participation will also be assured by involving local communities in project activities from the earliest phase through meetings, consultations and introductory workshop for general public and project stakeholders. Communities are expected to take a leading role in the implementation of the program. Their roles, among others, include: Formulation and implementation of wetland rotational grazing plans; and Identification of appropriate protection measures of wetlands to prohibit continuous grazing. Community members will also assist in construction of stone-lines to trap sediments from the slopes above wetlands, assist in identification and collection of suitable, locally available material(s) to fence off wetlands that have footpaths traversing through and to raise the elevation of compacted and/or eroded sites. In addition, these communities will assist in identification of suitable grass species and planting of grasses on the fringes of wetlands to reduce the amount of sediments; assist in construction of gabions on eroded areas to control soil erosion; play a lead role in identification and removal of non-native species; play a lead role in collection and propagation of wetland plants seeds and seedlings; identify suitable sites for mini-botanical wetland gardens; and identification of alternative income generating activities. The direction of the program will be determined by the ongoing monitoring and evaluation carried out by implementing agencies, community members and sponsor. In this process, focus group discussions with the communities will be held regularly to gain insights and to provide inputs on what they perceive as key problem areas. Additionally, workshops will be conducted to train community members on monitoring and evaluation of restoration/rehabilitation activities. The workshops are meant to equip communities with skills to identify obstacle.

One of the main components of ahte project is "Contribution of wetlands rehabilitation to community livelihoods". The focus here will be on establishment of conservation zones and identifying development options including piloting potential ecotourism facilities in the project area.

Sensitization and empowerment of stakeholders work packcage will focus on mobilization of the community and all key stakeholders, including herders/herdboys, and their sensitization in the importance and value of wetland ecosystems and their management

The bulk of the project funds was invested in community educational and training and awareness activities. This was ahieve through public gatherings, workshops and monitoring visits organized for community members. Community project committees have been formed in each of the participating villages and a core group of educators, supported by local authorities, is continuing with awareness creation and monitoring activities. By-laws have been drawn and agreed upon durng a series of consensus workshops rganized. herders/herdboys were particulalry targetted as critical links in sustainable rangeland management and this has substantially reduced the incidences of tresspassing and trampling by livestock.

locl communities and key stakeholders including herders/herdboys will receice training in threats to and restoration of wetlands, their livelihood support benefits; development of by-laws and zoning plans