Mitigating Climatic Change through the Conservation and Mainstreaming of Biodiversity In Menji Community Development
The Tain District lies between latitudes 7 00N and 7 25N and between 1 45 W and 2 15 W. It is bounded on the North and East by the Wenchi and Berekum Districts of the Brong-Ahafo Region. On the Southern fringes, it is bounded by Sunyani Districts in the Brong-Ahafo and its West and South West by the Cote D’Ivoire respectively. The district has a land area of 1500 sq. km. It has about 116 settlements and a total population of 123,404 (61,556 males and 61,848 females) (2000 population and housing census). It has five paramouncies, Badu, Seikwa, Dibebi, Nsawkaw and Banda. Menji is one of the areas of the District in Ghana, which has a Crocodile Pond, where there was Green forestland cover. Menji is situated on the Nsawkaw to the famous Bui Dam thus few kilometers from Menji. The community is inhabited by the Banda tribe who are predominantly muslims. They have this pond which has crocodiles in it which they refer to as their totem and see it as their protector in the community thus spiritually and would like to preserve it but do not have the necessary support and with their work with SODIA in the community in the past year to support in preserving the animals and developing it to become a tourist attraction in the district. The people in the community despite been muslims see the crocodiles as their protectors thus even trace it from their ancestory. The people in the past have tried to conserve the pond and have led to its existence up to now and so the need for all people in the community always approach SODIA to initiate such a project to support in the restoration of even the Eco-systems within the protected area around the pond after a long years of dialogue with the district assembly seeing it as the need to get funds from the national level which is not forthcoming which is a priority of the district assembly plan.
Land degradation and unsustainable farming systems have led to the destruction and depletion of the Menji Crocodile pond, poor farming yields, drying up of water bodies, loss of biodiversity, loss of forest cover are the main problems facing Menji and its surrounding areas. The problem has led to poverty, out migration, and destruction of special animal species thus Crocodiles in the Menji pond. Consequently, arable soils have become impoverished leading to incremental decline in agricultural crop yields.
On the other hand a lot of livelihood opportunities exist in the area of development of the people in alternative livelihood but inadequate funds and technical scientific knowledge and skill to support existing knowledge to develop the livelihood opportunities in the area constitute a major draw back to the development of the people and maintenance of the environmental in integrity of the area in general. The situation calls for well thought interventions, which this proposal seeks to offer.
3.2 Purpose of project
The purpose of the project is to develop the capacities local communities in biodiversity conservation, degraded land restoration and sustainable land, conserve the communities Crocodile pond and other natural forest system; restore degraded land through improved soils fertility techniques, wild fire control , natural regeneration, enrichment planting, and sustainable wood fuel production; promote alternative livelihood activities that are compatible to biodiversity conservation, land restoration and sustainable resource management.
3.3 Project Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of the project are the farmers and women groups who are going to be very active participants of the project, the traditional authorities, the district assembly thus increase the revenue of the district and the whole people of Menji and the Tain District as a whole.
3.3 Overall objective
To promote community involvement in biodiversity conservation through land restoration and sustainable management of natural resources for the socio- economic well being of the people.
To conserve the communities Crocodile pond and other nature forest systems.
I. To survey the Crocodile pond to establish the local boundaries of the reserve with chiefs.
II. Conduct a biological survey with the people to identity the different types of species in the Crocodile pond with support from the chiefs, people and the forestry.
III. To demarcate a buffer zone.
IV. To enrich Crocodile pond with indigenous species and other plant trees in the buffer zone or reforest the buffer zone.
V. To erect sign boards in the Crocodile pond.
VI. Identify traces of animals to establish the biological importance of the Crocodile pond.
To develop the capacities of local communities in biodiversity conservation degraded land restoration and sustainable land management,
I. Identification of target group
II. Sensitization workshop
III. Organize training on biodiversity conservation, soil fertility improvement techniques and wildfire management for farmers in Menji with support from EPA, Forestry and District Assembly.
IV. Organize series of programmes to enable the community to enact local bye-laws on bushfire, hunting of animals, cutting of trees, pollution of water bodies, etc.
V. Training of the people in participatory environment monitoring and evaluation.
To train groups in income generation activities.
I. Identify and group common activity interest groups.
II. Identify reliable income generating activities
III. To train the people in their selected activity area
IV. Train farmer in monitoring an evaluation of their respective alternative livelihood activities.
To train professional charcoalers in the improved method of production and improved marketing of wood fuel.
To restore degraded lands through improved soil fertility techniques, wild fire control, natural regeneration, enrichment planting and sustainable wood fuel production.
I. Identify and register farmers who are prepared to plant trees on their farmlands.
II. Establish a community nursery.
III. To assist farmers to prepare their lands and plant desire species.
IV. To open a demonstration farm.
V. To train farmers in composed preparation and application.
VI. Train farmers on environmental monitoring and evaluation.
To promote alternative livelihood activities that are compatible to biodiversity conservation, land restoration and sustainable resource management.
I. Identify and register commercial charcoal producers.
II. Train producers in improved charcoal production method based on the cassamance technology.
III. Organize marketing of wood fuel in Menji community/ traditional area.
IV. Introduce and train selected households to improved household stoves construction and usage.
V. Introduce the professional charcoalers to effective marketing control of wood fuel.
3.3.2 Rationale of the Project
The rationale for the project is to contribute to; (a) the Government of Ghana’s Vision of managing the existing forest estate for sustainable timber and non timber resources, preservation and vital soil and water resources, conservation of biological diversity; and (b) expanding the nation’s forest cover for increased yield of domestic and industrial products rehabilitation of denuded lands, protection of water catchments and steam banks and enhancement of the natural environment; (c) the UNDP’s GEF objective of supporting biodiversity conservation activities; (d) the implementation of the Tain District Assembly Development Plan.
3.3.3 Intended Project Results
I. About 60% farmers trained in biodiversity conservation practice soil fertility improvement techniques, wildfire management and tree planting.
II. The integrity of Menji Crocodile pond restored and buffer zone created around it.
III. The acres of degraded lands planted with indigenous species through improved forestry system.
IV. 60% commercial charcoal producers introduced to improved charcoal production technology.
V. 60% of farmers participating in the project introduced to alternative livelihood activities.
1. Description of Project Activities
Results 1: 60% farmers in Menji trained in climate change adaption practices including biodiversity conservation practice soil fertility improvement techniques, wildfire management and tree planting.
Activities
1) Identification of overall target group of the project.
2) Project sensitization workshop.
3) Organize training on biodiversity conservation practice, soil fertility improvement techniques and wildfire management for farmers in Menji with support from Environmental Protection Agency and Forestry Service.
4) Organize series of programmes to enable the community to enact local Bye-laws on bushfire, hunting of animals, cutting of trees, pollution of water bodies, etc.
5) Training of the people of Menji in participatory environment monitoring and evaluation.
6) To form and train project implementation committee.
7) To form and train project activities group i.e. tree planting, sheep rearing, goat rearing, snail rearing, grass cutter, etc.
Results 2: The integrity of Menji Crocodile pond restored and buffer zones created around it.
Activities
1) To survey the Menji Crocodile pond to establish the real boundaries of the reserve with chiefs and the people of the community.
2) Conduct a biological survey with the people to identify the different type of pecies in the Crocodile pond with the wildlife Department.
3) To develop the Menji Crocodile pond with indigenous species and plant trees in the buffer zone of forests the buffer zone.
4) To erect sigh boards in the Crocodile pond
5) Identify traces of animals to establish the biological importance of the Crocodile pond
6) Identify and register farmers who are prepared to plant trees on their farmlands.
Results 3: 10 acres of degraded lands planted with indigenous species through improved Forestry System.
Activities
(1) Establish a community nursery
(2) Assist farmers to prepare their lands and plant the desired species.
(3) To open a demonstration farm.
(4) To train farmers in compost preparation and application.
(5) To train farmers in environmental monitoring and evaluation.
Results 4: 60% commercial charcoal producers introduced to improved charcoal production Technology.
Activities
(1) Identify and register commercial charcoal producers.
(2) To train charcoal producers on improved charcoal production method based on the Cassamance technology.
(3) To organize marketing of wood fuel in Menji community and traditional area.
(4) Introduce and train selected households on stoves construction and usage.
Results 5: 60% of farmers participating in the project introduced to alternative livelihood activities.
Activities
(1) Identify and group common activity and interest groups on sustainable alternative.
(2) Identify viable income generating activities.
(3) Train the people of Menji in their selected activity areas.
(4) Resource the people of Menji to establish their enterprise.
(5) Train farmers / target group in monitoring and evaluation of their respective alternative livelihood activities.
Land degradation and unsustainable farming systems have led to the destruction and depletion of the Menji Crocodile pond, poor farming yields, drying up of water bodies, loss of biodiversity, loss of forest cover are the main problems facing Menji and its surrounding areas. The problem has led to poverty, out migration, and destruction of special animal species thus Crocodiles in the Menji pond. Consequently, arable soils have become impoverished leading to incremental decline in agricultural crop yields.
On the other hand a lot of livelihood opportunities exist in the area of development of the people in alternative livelihood but inadequate funds and technical scientific knowledge and skill to support existing knowledge to develop the livelihood opportunities in the area constitute a major draw back to the development of the people and maintenance of the environmental in integrity of the area in general. The situation calls for well thought interventions, which this proposal seeks to offer.
3.2 Purpose of project
The purpose of the project is to develop the capacities local communities in biodiversity conservation, degraded land restoration and sustainable land, conserve the communities Crocodile pond and other natural forest system; restore degraded land through improved soils fertility techniques, wild fire control , natural regeneration, enrichment planting, and sustainable wood fuel production; promote alternative livelihood activities that are compatible to biodiversity conservation, land restoration and sustainable resource management.
3.3 Project Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of the project are the farmers and women groups who are going to be very active participants of the project, the traditional authorities, the district assembly thus increase the revenue of the district and the whole people of Menji and the Tain District as a whole.
3.3 Overall objective
To promote community involvement in biodiversity conservation through land restoration and sustainable management of natural resources for the socio- economic well being of the people.
To conserve the communities Crocodile pond and other nature forest systems.
I. To survey the Crocodile pond to establish the local boundaries of the reserve with chiefs.
II. Conduct a biological survey with the people to identity the different types of species in the Crocodile pond with support from the chiefs, people and the forestry.
III. To demarcate a buffer zone.
IV. To enrich Crocodile pond with indigenous species and other plant trees in the buffer zone or reforest the buffer zone.
V. To erect sign boards in the Crocodile pond.
VI. Identify traces of animals to establish the biological importance of the Crocodile pond.
To develop the capacities of local communities in biodiversity conservation degraded land restoration and sustainable land management,
I. Identification of target group
II. Sensitization workshop
III. Organize training on biodiversity conservation, soil fertility improvement techniques and wildfire management for farmers in Menji with support from EPA, Forestry and District Assembly.
IV. Organize series of programmes to enable the community to enact local bye-laws on bushfire, hunting of animals, cutting of trees, pollution of water bodies, etc.
V. Training of the people in participatory environment monitoring and evaluation.
To train groups in income generation activities.
I. Identify and group common activity interest groups.
II. Identify reliable income generating activities
III. To train the people in their selected activity area
IV. Train farmer in monitoring an evaluation of their respective alternative livelihood activities.
To train professional charcoalers in the improved method of production and improved marketing of wood fuel.
To restore degraded lands through improved soil fertility techniques, wild fire control, natural regeneration, enrichment planting and sustainable wood fuel production.
I. Identify and register farmers who are prepared to plant trees on their farmlands.
II. Establish a community nursery.
III. To assist farmers to prepare their lands and plant desire species.
IV. To open a demonstration farm.
V. To train farmers in composed preparation and application.
VI. Train farmers on environmental monitoring and evaluation.
To promote alternative livelihood activities that are compatible to biodiversity conservation, land restoration and sustainable resource management.
I. Identify and register commercial charcoal producers.
II. Train producers in improved charcoal production method based on the cassamance technology.
III. Organize marketing of wood fuel in Menji community/ traditional area.
IV. Introduce and train selected households to improved household stoves construction and usage.
V. Introduce the professional charcoalers to effective marketing control of wood fuel.
3.3.2 Rationale of the Project
The rationale for the project is to contribute to; (a) the Government of Ghana’s Vision of managing the existing forest estate for sustainable timber and non timber resources, preservation and vital soil and water resources, conservation of biological diversity; and (b) expanding the nation’s forest cover for increased yield of domestic and industrial products rehabilitation of denuded lands, protection of water catchments and steam banks and enhancement of the natural environment; (c) the UNDP’s GEF objective of supporting biodiversity conservation activities; (d) the implementation of the Tain District Assembly Development Plan.
3.3.3 Intended Project Results
I. About 60% farmers trained in biodiversity conservation practice soil fertility improvement techniques, wildfire management and tree planting.
II. The integrity of Menji Crocodile pond restored and buffer zone created around it.
III. The acres of degraded lands planted with indigenous species through improved forestry system.
IV. 60% commercial charcoal producers introduced to improved charcoal production technology.
V. 60% of farmers participating in the project introduced to alternative livelihood activities.
1. Description of Project Activities
Results 1: 60% farmers in Menji trained in climate change adaption practices including biodiversity conservation practice soil fertility improvement techniques, wildfire management and tree planting.
Activities
1) Identification of overall target group of the project.
2) Project sensitization workshop.
3) Organize training on biodiversity conservation practice, soil fertility improvement techniques and wildfire management for farmers in Menji with support from Environmental Protection Agency and Forestry Service.
4) Organize series of programmes to enable the community to enact local Bye-laws on bushfire, hunting of animals, cutting of trees, pollution of water bodies, etc.
5) Training of the people of Menji in participatory environment monitoring and evaluation.
6) To form and train project implementation committee.
7) To form and train project activities group i.e. tree planting, sheep rearing, goat rearing, snail rearing, grass cutter, etc.
Results 2: The integrity of Menji Crocodile pond restored and buffer zones created around it.
Activities
1) To survey the Menji Crocodile pond to establish the real boundaries of the reserve with chiefs and the people of the community.
2) Conduct a biological survey with the people to identify the different type of pecies in the Crocodile pond with the wildlife Department.
3) To develop the Menji Crocodile pond with indigenous species and plant trees in the buffer zone of forests the buffer zone.
4) To erect sigh boards in the Crocodile pond
5) Identify traces of animals to establish the biological importance of the Crocodile pond
6) Identify and register farmers who are prepared to plant trees on their farmlands.
Results 3: 10 acres of degraded lands planted with indigenous species through improved Forestry System.
Activities
(1) Establish a community nursery
(2) Assist farmers to prepare their lands and plant the desired species.
(3) To open a demonstration farm.
(4) To train farmers in compost preparation and application.
(5) To train farmers in environmental monitoring and evaluation.
Results 4: 60% commercial charcoal producers introduced to improved charcoal production Technology.
Activities
(1) Identify and register commercial charcoal producers.
(2) To train charcoal producers on improved charcoal production method based on the Cassamance technology.
(3) To organize marketing of wood fuel in Menji community and traditional area.
(4) Introduce and train selected households on stoves construction and usage.
Results 5: 60% of farmers participating in the project introduced to alternative livelihood activities.
Activities
(1) Identify and group common activity and interest groups on sustainable alternative.
(2) Identify viable income generating activities.
(3) Train the people of Menji in their selected activity areas.
(4) Resource the people of Menji to establish their enterprise.
(5) Train farmers / target group in monitoring and evaluation of their respective alternative livelihood activities.
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Project Snapshot
Grantee:
Social Development and Improvement Agency
Country:
Ghana
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Grant Amount:
US$ 22,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
US$ 10,000.00
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 15,000.00
Project Number:
GHA/SGP/OP4/Y2/CORE /2008/027
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
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Project Characteristics and Results
Capacity - Building Component
In other that the communities would own the project and get committed to the achievement of the output, discussions were held with sections of the local people for inputs in the areas of problem analysis, possible solutions and strategies for achieving them. To consolidate their involvement, a validation workshop was organized at which full proposal was presented for acceptance and fine – tuning.
A community central revolving workshop fund would be set up in a local bank from which interest free loans would be grated to the target groups of local people in the form of inputs towards some of the environmental conservation and livelihood security activities.
The leaderships of the various groups would be part of the PIU. Area level committee would be established to come up with the various groups with people of known integrity, assist in the selection of the leadership of the groups and come up with loans provision and recovery plan to guide the disbursements and recovery of he loans. The fund would be handed over to and appropriate institutional set up within that may be established within that may be established within the beneficiary communities after the completion of the project to support continuation oaf the project.
In terms of programme management, there would be three months inception phase (January-March 2008) where the various targeted organizations and resource persons would be contacted on their respective anticipated roles. This is in order to get technical and professional inputs into the implementation programmes and their commitments in term of their availability and timing of activities to reduce unanticipated delays and perform the reparation of ate work plans. Others start up activities would be set up to ensure the smooth take-up of the project.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Successful implementation of the aspect of the project is contingent on the availability of careful selected seeds and breeding stock for the nurseries, small ruminants, piggery, bee keeping, mushroom, snail production centers and the timely provision of hands on technical and vertinary support. It is also dependent on availability of water, other nursery inputs and fodder that may have to be obtained from outside the absence of other environmental and social factors like insects and disease attack on the seedlings, small ruminants and social upheavals.
The activity also requires the commitments and patience of the groups and their leadership as well as the co-operation of other local people at large in purchasing the seedlings, small ruminants and paying for them as planned. If any of the inputs is not obtained at the required time, the achievement of the output and the objectives of the activity are likely to suffer
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SGP Country office contact
Dr. George Buabin Ortsin
Phone:
233-242-977980
Email:
Ms. Lois Sarpong
Phone:
+233 505740909
Email:
Address
UNDP, Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme P.O. Box 1423
Accra, Greater Accra, 233-302
Accra, Greater Accra, 233-302
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