Changalane is an area within the Lebombo mountain range in southern Mozambique, bordering Swaziland. It is a very rich area in flora biodiversity, and is part of the Maputaland Centre of Endemism. The increasing human population and the limited resources to support subsistence activities added to the limited knowledge of the value of the local biodiversity have concomitantly induced habitat degradation. Changalane supplies the entire city belt of Maputo in charcoal and firewood. This poses a serious threat to its forest resources, from which their communities relay for income generation activities.

The project will be implemented by ?Alto Enchiza? resident communities in Changalane, benefiting 959 inhabitants of this community, and also will have an impact in communities of surrounding areas. It will focus on the same community providing alternative subsistence means and implementing conservation activities of local habitats. AMRU role will be that of facilitator, assisting the

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community groups to administer the project and liaising with district authorities. The overall aim is to contribute to the rehabilitation and preservation of the habitat area of Alto Enchiza as parts of the Lebombo mountain range and the Maputaland Centre of Endemism. It will promote soil, water and biodiversity conservation, limit degradation of local habitats, and promote livelihood support and income generation activities.

Specific activities to be undertaken are the establishment of a reforestation program using native, exotic and fruit trees to rehabilitate part of the forest ecosystem of Alto Enchiza; promotion of livestock production of small species to supply animal protein and provide income generation for households; development of small scale farming for green gardens at household level and small cooperatives level; introduction of biogas stoves and production plants as an alternative energy source at household level, specially for those that raise cattle; establishment of a credit fund for women groups to develop income generation activities. Awareness raising will also be part of the project activities for the communities to acquire knowledge of the value of local biodiversity resources, and particularly to limit the high harvest rates of cycads, medicinal plants, and wood plant species.

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