Project Detail

Biodiversity protection and water harvesting techniques through integrated catchment protection and Dam establishment in Mbazhe.

The Mbazhe Dam is situated in Gezekhaya Village in Ngomambi South Ward ,Nkayi District. The dam is approximately 42 kilometres north west of Nkayi Growth Point.The area falls uder natural region iv and has an annual rainfall of between 450mmand 650mm.Mbazhe dam was established as a nature reserve for the purpose of creating a breeding place for ducks and birds and a rest camp for the then District Commissioner and his visitors.Apart from the birds and ducks , the Mbazhe Dam is also home to the crocodiles and fish.

Illegal settlers who moved into the area deliberately ignored any conservation practises to conserve the environment and there was massive stream bank cultivation , overgrazing and deforestration which led to serious soil erosion and gully formation.The facilities of the rest camp were no longer being maintained and ended up being vandalised.The fence around the project area was removed and livestock invaded the area around the dam. People dug holes in the dam wall in order to catch fish with nets. This lead to futher destruction of the dam wall and erosion of the area which lead to siltation of the dam besides disturbance of the birds and antelopes .However , because of the enviromental degradation of the area and the potential benefits from eco -tourism the community has realised the need to protect and conserve the only bird sanctuary.

The objectives of the project are :
1. to conserve biodiversity and rehabilitate a natural bird breeding site.
2. to generate income and create employment from the eco -tourism ventures proposed at the site.
3. to improve the managerial capacity of communities to manage their environments.

The activities udertaken are:
-protection of the catchment area.
-raising of the dam wall.
-repair /construction of access road.
-fencing of the project area.
-establishment of a rest camp.
-improving breeding facilities for birds if possible.
- reclaim gullies at the neighbouring dam.

The participants and beneficiaries of the project is the whole community of Ngomambi South Ward.

Some of the project benefits and outputs are
-empowerment and improved communication, participation and decision making.
-ability to devise new methods of community mobilisation.
-income generation from ecotourism
-improvement of community economic and social standards.
-better management and protection of the resources in the area.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Mehlokazulu Community

Country:

Zimbabwe

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Pilot Phase

Grant Amount:

US$ 41,786.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 10,048.46

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 32,500.00

Project Number:

ZIM/92/G31/04

Start Date:

7/1994

End Date:

7/1995

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

According to information obtained from the Ornithological Unit of the Dept. of National Parks and Wildlife Management,the Mbazhe Bird Sactuary has been declared protected species at the national level. This project has helped in the restoration and protection of biodiversity, both at local and national levels and is one unique project which focuses on protection of bird life.

Policy Impact

Mbazhe project falls under one of the areas with the Campfire Programme. One the areas that has really affeceted the smooth operation of the project is the area of sharing benefits between the Nkayi Rural District Council and Mbazhe as a result of the Campfire Programme. There were anomalies in the level of benefits as the Council got 75%, whilst the community got 25% from the proceeds realised especially from timber loggers though this timber is owned by communities. Through empowerment of Mbazhe community, the community has started lobbying for a higher percentage though this is a policy issue that needs also to be addressed with the Ministry of Environment. This will enable the communities not to be continually exploited although they are the custodians of the natural resources.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

One of the unique features about Mbazhe is that it is a breeding place for a variety of birds and ducks that there is actually a bird sanctuary. The groups looks foward to establishing a rest camp for eco-tourism and also engage in canoeing and fishing for income generation.

Capacity - Building Component

The Mbazhe community's capacity to manage their project in a sustainable manner has been enhanced as the group received training in project planning and management, catchment area protection, public relations and marketing and financial management. Through this project, the community has been empowered to take charge of resources around them while at the same time also benefitting from them.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The community of Ngomambi South ward has spearheaded the development of Mbazhe project with the help of the local authority,Campfire and government departments. They have raised the dam wall, constructed the access road and fenced the project area. They have significantly contributed in the conservation of their resources in a sustainable manner.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The community realised the value of the resource at their disposal and the major objective was to create a breeding place for ducks and birds and establish a rest camp for visitors. The community looks forward to benefitting from income raised at the ecotourism centre as many people will be drawn to watch the birds, wild game in the vicinity as well as crocodile and fish in the dam. The project will also be asource of employment for the locals at the ecotourism centre.

Notable Community Participation

With assistance from Nkayi Rural District Council, the community realised the environmental degradation of Mbazhe Area and the potential benefits they could realise from ecotourism and they came up with the idea of protecting and conserving this bird sactuary. The community has contributed in terms of protecting the catchment area, rehabilitating the eroded spillway, constructing the access road and fencing the project area. Although they were experiencing problems with squatters who had settled in the area, they unanimously agreed that these people be resettled elsewhere for their project to continue.

Gender Focus

Women have been involved inthe decision making process as the committee comprises of four women and five men and it is chaired by one of the women. Although the eco-tourism centre is not yet operational, the group looks forward to employing people who run the centre and there has been emphasis on ensuring gender balance when employing the staff.

Project Results

1) Dam Construction
The community has constructed the concrete spill-way through labour contributions and employment of a local builder and they hired a contractor to upgrade the dam wall. The dam wall and the spill way were raised by one metre as recommended by Agriculture Research and Extension Services (AREX). These improvements were done to allow more water to flow in an effort to revive and sustain both the flora and fauna and rejuvinate the ecosystem. The regeneration of the ecosystem and its environment forms the basis for the eco-tourism project that needs to be established that includes photographing, walking and pony trails, canoeing and fishing. In addition, the 6 km long access road was upgraded.

2) Catchment protection
The issue of protecting the environment around Mbazhe dam has been covered. An area of approximately 10 square kilometres including the major part of the dam's catchment area was set free from cultivation, grazing and other environment degrading activities to ensure that no further siltation will be witnessed in the Mbazhe Dam. In addition, to further enhance the protection of the catchment,the area has been fenced and this creates a conducive environment for the birds to breed and other species resident in this area.

3) Land Rehabilitation
Gulley reclamation has extended to other areas besides the Mbazhe project area. This is evidenced by the works at Makwanda Dam in the Nesingwe area where they have replicated some of the conservation works that have been done at Mbazhe.

4) Ilala Propagation
The group is involved in craft production and have managed to establish an ilala garden to support their craft production.

One of the major problems faced was with the RDC who had invited a private developer into the area but this was later resolved.

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