The project addresses problems in land degradation and desertification control in Zawse/Yarigungu in the semi arid area of the Upper East Region. The project area is mountainous with more than 80% of the lands badly degraded beyond natural regeneration. Most of the areas are bare with no tree cover and wildlife. The degradation was due to unsustainable agricultural practices; uncontrolled annual bush fires, uncontrolled sand winning, excessive harvesting of woodfuels; over grazing, poor water conservation and soil fertility management systems, inappropriate land use practices and weak institutional capacity for sustainable development. The project seek to restore the degraded lands and promote biodiversity conservation in the area especially around the Zawse/Yarigungu crocodile pond

Project Results and Activities to be carried out under project:

1. Community capacity in degraded land restoration and sustainable land management developed and sustained. The project activities to be pursued to achieve this outcome will include the formation community land restoration/management committee in each of the three communities. Members of the committee will include representatives of the chiefs, land owners, women leaders, youth and Assembly member. In collaboration with Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) local farmers would be trained in integrated watershed management based on the indigenous management systems. Through participatory approaches, local community-level land and natural resource management regulation would be reviewed, documented and enforced using the land restoration management committees. Farmers would be trained in zero burning concepts.

2. Degraded Zawse/Yarigungu watershed regenerated and sustainably managed. Activities under this component will include the identification and definition of the watershed area using participatory approaches. Participatory landuse plan would be developed to guide land and watershed management in the watershed area. The plan will identify areas to be put under natural regeneration, areas to be planted and areas to be put under agriculture. A community land use map will be prepared, printed and distributed. Each community will be assisted to establish woodlot for the supply of fire wood either on family or individual lands. Buffer zone of at least 20 meters on each side of the Zawse/Yarigungu crocodile pond would be created and planted by the community. Each community will de-silt its portion of the pond to allow free flow of the river. Potential site for viewing the crocodile would be developed

3. Water and soil conservation techniques introduced. Activities to be pursued include the introduction of water conservation practices and improved soil fertility techniques. Farmers would be introduced to water conservation soil fertility techniques including, planting of cover plants, bunding, contours farming, planting of nitrogen fixation plants and other indigenous water conservation practices. Project beneficiaries would be trained in the preparation and use of composting and organic manure in compound farming. The project will introduce women in the communities trained in the construction and use of efficient woodfuel stoves.

4. Small business enterprise development and livelihood activities supported to enhance biodiversity conservation and land restoration. Activities to be pursued will concentrate assisting women to improve on zana mat/hat production to meet the urban market. Young women and Kayayo returnees and female school drop-outs would be trained in soap, pomade and powder making. The project will operate a micro credit to assist women to trade and do local business that will minimize their direct dependence on the land.
In collaboration with Wildlife Division, the crocodiles in the pond would be tamed for ecotourism promotion. Various standing sites would be developed along the pond for watching the crocodiles. The historical facts about the pond would be documented and brochures developed. Local tourist guards would be trained, go on study tour to Paga to learn best practices. In collaboration with URA FM radio, the popularity of the pond would be promoted and sustained on the local and nation FM radio stations.