Planning non gef grant
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Replication of project activities
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Notable Community Participation
A series of village gatherings were organized during the conceptual stage of the project to agree on the key issues to be addressed and the steps or interventions to be undertaken to address the identifided environmental problems. Local authorities and the community and the grantee will provide all the labour required for: uprooting of alien plant species from the gorge and rangelands and planting of indigenous species propagated by the grantee and any other construction work that may be required. Security for project works will be provided by the entire community with support from the local authorities and the local security services. Various sections of hte community will also participate significantly in progress monitoring.
Gender Focus
All sectors of society will take part in the project. Membership of the organization is also open to all.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Maphotong - a semi rural village, is in the vicinity of the National University of Lesotho. In the wake of a high unemployment rate in Lesotho, particularly among the youth, delinquency has become a serious problem in the village. In the midst of all this, there is a beautiful gorge inhabited by important plant species and some wetlands that used to be a tourist attraction and an educational site for biology students. The gorge however has lost its natural beauty and species richness due to uncontrolled veld burning and overgrazing and introduction of exotic tree species. The proposed intervention entails empowerment and guidance of the youth of Maphotong and their training in livelihood strategies; their engagement in rehabilitation of the Maphotong Gorge to bring it to its original beauty and enhancement of the ecotourism potential of the area with the long-term goal of creating job opportunities for the youth; and, rehabilitation and sustainable use of rangeland resources.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Overgrazing is a major challenge; as such herders/herdboys are the weakest link and the most critical in sustainable management of range resources. They will therefore receive special attention throughout the project life.
Capacity - Building Component
The Grantee, local authorities and member of the community particularly youth will receive training in livelihood skills and strategies and in conservation and sustainable use of rangeland resources and in environmental sustainability in general. Training in seedling propagation and proper use and management of a greenhouse will also form part of the capacity development programme. Educational tours to other community protected areas will be organized for key stakeholders.
Policy Impact
The intervention is directly linked to the national priorities: "Improve the livelihood of Basotho through efficient administration, equitable access, secure tenure and sustainable management of the land resource
Protect attractions and develop tourism products to their full potential."
Project sustainability
The involvement of government and the tourism development body the ecotourism component has potential to be sustained over the long term
The project is implemented in the vicinity of the National University of Lesotho. Some interactions were initiated with the Department of Biology for the Biodiversity conservation component and the Department of Agriculture - crops for the seedling production activity. These have not been maintained, but if re-kindled have potential to sustain the project results over the long term.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Village gatherings (lipitso) will continue to be organized throughout the project life and beyond to keep the community and other key stakeholders abreast of the condition of the project site and other emerging environmental challenges. Exchange visits will be organized to facilitate networking and information and experience sharing.
Policy Influence
With assistance of the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation and the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture Maphotong Gorge is being developed as a tourist attraction site. The National Strategic Development Plan identifies Tourism Sector as having potential to generate employment especially for Youth. Full development and operationalization of the intervention would go a long way in contributing to this goal.
Project Results
Through project intervention and with support from the Department of Forestry, invasive tree species (wattle) was removed from about 2 hectares of the Maphotong Gorge as part of the programme of biodiversity conservation of the project; and to preserve the beauty of the landscape as a tourist attraction site.
To address the problem of high costs associated with procurement of seedlings for vegetable production in the Maphotong village, a greenhouse was installed for production of both vegetable and tree seedlings production. Three members of the Association, all men, were equipped with skills in seedling production and management in a greenhouse setting. One of these three has now installed his own greenhouse and is producing vegetables for income generation.
A tourist and information Centre has been established and with assistance of the Lesotho Tourist Development Centre the Association is being guided on how to operate an information office.
Challenges and lessons:
Because of group dynamics and a government road construction project that employed most of the members while project activities were set aside. The quick income associated with the employment was given priority over the project.
Disputes over the site allocated for toolshed/tourist information Centre coupled with the road construction works delayed completion of the Centre and created sour relations between the Association and local authorities. This however has been resolved and the momentum is slowly being revived.
