Land degradation and climate change effects are threatening biodiversity conservation efforts in the climate change prone Kgalagadi region. The land degradation challenges subsequently lead to increased human and wildlife conflicts in the region because of reduced grazing land for both wildlife and livestock, which results in the mixing of the two. Farmers end up killing the already endangered predators in order to protect their livestock. Furthermore, because of the low socio-economic status of communities in the Kgalagadi region, farmers do not afford to build strong kraals that can deter predators and keep their livestock away from these predators. This project therefore seeks to use an approach that will reduce land degradation and human-wildlife conflicts, conserve biodiversity and increase resilience and adaptation of affected communities to climate change effects.

This project will involve constant monitoring of wildlife (and livestock) to ensure that livestock does not cross over to the wildlife grazing zone. There will be a demarcation zone to keep livestock away from the wildlife grazing zones. Although outside the scope of this project, the constant monitoring of wildlife and livestock will also ultimately reduce incidences of poaching and thus conserve wildlife. Furthermore, the performance-based incentives that will come through this project to the communities will be used to help them to build strong and predator-proof kraals that will keep their livestock safe. This will enhance farmers? coexistence with wildlife and therefore significantly contribute to reduced incidences of human wildlife conflicts, thus less predators killed by farmers and ultimately promote wildlife conservation.

Communities in the Kgalagadi region are mostly dependent on natural resources and their region has very limited employment opportunities. They are mainly dependent on rain-fed agriculture, which is also a challenge because of the scanty and unreliable rainfall and high temperatures. With this project, we also intend to create some employment opportunities. The scouts who will be monitoring the wildlife demarcation zones will be recruited from the local communities. Livestock dispersals, overgrazing and clearing of fields for agriculture create a conducive environment of invasive species such Cenchrus biflora, Prosopis and Verbesina enceloides. If not managed these can outcompete local plants and degrade the range capacity, especially in the pans where most animals graze. The project will identify and employ temporary workers to manually remove the plants and burn them.
On another note, the local communities have limited resilience and adaptation capacity to effects of climate, particularly due to their low socio-economic status and general lack of knowledge pertaining to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Through this project we will raise awareness among local communities of issues of climate change and adaptation/mitigation strategies by conducting some awareness and educational workshops. We also intend to enhance adoption of climate friendly energy sources (solar panels) as a way of increasing their resilience. Zutshwa, the study area, is a remote area with no electricity. Distribution of solar panels will thus be a welcome development.