Situated on the Kenya Tanzania boundary in Taita Taveta district, the 30 sq km Lake Jipe is dying. The lake has lost about 50 % of its water mass within the last 10 years, due to siltation caused by destruction of the water catchment are and farmlands, proliferation of the typha weed, and diversion of fresh water recharge from river Lumi. The lake has increasing salinity, decreasing depth and biodiversity. Hippos and crocodiles have migrated upstream due to salinity. The lake is of global importance and the only place in the world where the fish Oreochromis jipe is found, and which is on the verge of extinction. In a joint effort to salvage the situation, the UNDP GEFSGP and the Biodiversity Conservation Programme (BCP) of the European Union have committed US$416,000 (US$250,000 from the GEFSGP and US$166,000 from the BCP) for the rehabilitation of the lake. The two funds and other partners are working together thorough the local communities for: 1. Site wide baseline data collection and an EIA will preceed implementation of rehabilitation projects. 2. De-siltation and restoration of the original course of river Lumi. 3. Removal of illegal water abstraction canals. 4. Rehabilitation of an existing water project to provide drinking water to the community. 5. Introducing agro-forestry. 6. Fish farming - raising endemic and other fish species in ponds. 7. Capacity building for sustainable fishing including right size of nets. 8. Protection of Njoro Springs 9. Bringing the communities from both sides of the boundary to hold consultations to reduce conflict.

The aim of this part of the initiative is to help the community to identify, analyze and document corruption issues within the Lake community to ensure the sustainability of the initiative. The project includes the production of governance and advocacy materials and dissemination of information and distribution of governance advocacy materials
The Tugurane Women Group will:
(1) lead in the training of target community in advocacy issues of environmental concern in liasion with local experts and relevant Government departments,
(2) purchase materials, produce quarterly advocacy materials,
(3) cary out community mobilization
(4) prepare quarterly technical and financial reports.