Project Detail

Chisichako Masimba Mashoma Afforestation Project for Biodiversity Conservation

The project is located in Putsa village Chimhenga area in Zimunya -Marange district.The problems of deforestration, soil erosion and general water shortage are evident in this district as they are in most communal lands in Zimbabwe.Chisichako masimba Mashoma Club have embarked upon a project to establish indegenous woodlots,water harvesting to ensure the survival of the planted trees and training of the local community in environmental management.

The overall objective is to initiate sustainable management of the indegenous woodland resource base and incresae biomass production.This will assist in reversing current trends at widespread deforestration in the area.Development of a market garden and fruit orchard facilitating for opportunities for employment ,wealth generation and good health for the target group are some of the objectives.

Activities aimed at consolidating the resource base include
-sinking of boreholes.
-intensive training in the production of tropical fruits.
-water harvesting aimed at recharging ground water resources in the area.
-further development of the 2 ha indeginous plantation.
15 households are directly involved with project.The results from the project are ;increased protection of biodiversity in the area , increased availability of water for ground water recharge and biodiversity management.It is hoped that through this project the biodiversity of the area will vbe restored resulting in higher levels of carbon sequestration.Replicated over space and time these impacts would become even more evident.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Manicaland Development Association

Country:

Zimbabwe

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Pilot Phase

Grant Amount:

US$ 8,207.58

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 12,000.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 49,000.00

Project Number:

ZIM/92/G31/06

Start Date:

8/1994

End Date:

12/1995

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Policy Impact

No siginificant impact on policy

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The development of a market garden and fruit orchard has facilitated opportunities for vegetable and fruit production for consumption and sale. The project has been a window for employment for the youth given the high unemployment levels. The group has also realised income through the sale of indigenous tree seedlings.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The development of the indigenous forests had a major impact towards rehabilitating the micro catchment and an overall impact on climate change. The recharge of ground water reserves through the control of overland flows have increased water supply in the area which have resulted in the regeneration of biodiversity. Through this project the community has become aware of how their activities contribute towards their climatic conditions and the protection of biodiversity.

Capacity - Building Component

The group initiated the idea of sustainably managing their indigenous woodland resource base together with afforestation activities to revegetate their area. 15 households have been directly involved in the project and have been able to implement their planned activities.

Notable Community Participation

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The group received assistance in kind in the form of technical assistance from MDA, Forestry, Department of Natural Resources and Arex.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The local people have participated in a significant manner by selecting indigenous trees which suit ther locality and which can survive the drought spells rather than just planting exotic trees. They have come up with indigenous ways of establishing their nurseries, pest control and increasing soil fertility.

Gender Focus

This area has not been adequately addressed as there are more men than women. Needs a revisit.

Project Results

The implementation phase of the project was from August 1994 to December 1995 and the overall objective was to initiate sustainable management of the natural resource base for biodiversity restoration and protection. The activities completed include the following:

1) Exchange visit
In November 1994, the group had an opportunity to participate in aducational tour on natural resource p[rotection and use in Mutasa District where they visited the project on market gardening, fish production and orchard establishment. The objective of the visit was to enable the farmers to network and share exchanges especially on catchment protection market gardening.

2) Woodlot Establishment
The existing woodlot has 500 indigenous trees at various stages. However, the trees were under severe threat form browsing goats. This has been addressed by fencing off the area where the trees have been planted. Manzinde School donated 1000 seedlings of variuos indigenous species and 20 indigenous tree species to the project.

3) Sustainable Agriculture Programme
Crops that have been grown inlcude sorghum, maize and beans were planted on a 4 hectare plot and the group has very poor yields because of the poor rains.

4) Market Gardening
Drilling of the borehole was completed on 25 February 1995 and it was constructed by WhiteHead and Jack. A bush-pump was fitted to the borehole to facilitate the water extraction. The water has now become available for both household consumption and for the market garden.

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