The Nyangani Ecotourism project is an idea that was borne by the Nyangani community, MDA Africa 200 and other relevant organizations and governament departments like AGRITEX, RDC, and DNR whwo have been consulted on their inputs into the project proposal development. The Nyangani community are located in the Mutare district and comprise 100 households, about 6000 people. The Nyangani Area is characterised by severe deforesation, soil erosion and siltataion which leads further deforestation and soil erosion and siltation of rivers. Thus the project is encourage sustainable utilization of resources and implement a sustainable land use system which incorporatesm ecotourism, resource conservation, control of settlement, improve nutrition and revegetation.

The project proposes to set up an ecotourism venture which will provide fishing facilities for commercial purposes and chalets for holiday makers. This will be managed by the community people themselves. As part of the project, a dam will be constructed to supply water, improve biodiversity, provide water for various environmental income generating projects such as fish farming agroforestry and nutritional gardens. Chalets and other facilities will also be constructed. The success of this project will improve the biodiversity conservation of the area, awareness of sustainable resource management. The project will develop a foundation for other projects and sustainable livelihoods of Nyangani Community.

The major inputs are the materials for building the chalets and infratructure, anad he inputs for the dam construction. The community will provide labour where possible.
The budget is as follows:
Total Project cost Z$514 000.00
Add 5% contingency Z$25 700.00
Total Request Z$539 700.00

NATURE OF THE COMMUNITY GROUP SEEKING A GEFSGP AWARD
Manicaland Development Association (MDA) on behalf of the Nyangani Community "Ward Mutare District" .
Chairman
Mr Nyanagni
Kuhudzai Primary School
P.O Paulington
Mutare

Manicaland Development Association
128 Herbert Chitepo Way
Mutare
Phone: 61810

The Manicaland Developemnt Association (MDA) is an indigenous NGO that awas formed in 1980, applying on behalf of the Nyangani community base organization

History, Governance and Funding of the NGO: Nyangani community comprised of 200 families, and has formed a committee. The committe structure;
Chairperson Mr Ponde
Vice Chairperson Mrs Mombe
Secretary MRS Tsamba
Treasurer Mrs Muponda
Vice Treasury Mrs Chibaya
Committe Members: Mrs Tamba, Mrs Mukura, Mrs Vera

The group has been working together for some time. They have in the past started a small sewing group in collaboration with MDA and have workede and will continue to work with holistic resource management. In 1996 the community started to develop the road to the site for this project. The MDA is a membership organization comprising 1044 comminty groups. The MDA is registered as a welfare organization Reg no. 16/81