Sustainable management of natural resources through income generation, environmental awareness and land restoration in Sangwe communal lands, Zimbabwe
Case Study C0011
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | Chibememe Earth Healing Association (CHIEHA), NGO |
| Donor/support agency | GEF SGP CIDA Africa Resources Trust and others |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Community conserved area |
| Geographic coverage | Zimbabwe |
| Locality | Masvingo Province |
| Biodiversity focus | Biological resources |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Sustainable use of biological resources of the area |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improving the livelhoods and food security of the communities |
Summary
Chibememe Earth Healing Association (CHIEHA) is a community based organisation working in Sangwe communal land areas outside Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTFP) in Zimbabwe since 1998. Aim of CHIEHA is to promote cultural and natural heritage in the area through fostering the spirit of communal participation, sharing information among stakeholders and creating awareness about sustainable use of natural resources. It runs three programmes of earth healing and land care, income generation, and environmental awareness to achieve its aim. In earth healing and land care programme, afforestation on degraded lands and plantation of vertiver in gullies are undertaken so as to check soil degradation and restore the land. Community nurseries of Vertiver and other indigenous species are established to raise the seedlings at local level. More than five hectares of land have been rehabilitated under this programme. Under the income generation programme activities like eco and ethno tourism, Kigelia African juice production, bee keeping and eco agriculture are taken. In ecoagriculture projects, more than 150 household participate in revival of traditional crops of small crops like sorghum, cowpeas, millets and ground nuts. With this crop yield has doubled from 1.5 tonnes per household per year to 3.5 tonnes per household per year. Income from sale of these crops has increased from nil to Z$ 350000 per household per year. It has helped to restore traditional varieties of cowpeas, sorghum and groundnut and hence, has helped to restore agro biodiversity. At the same time, more than 50 households participate in ecotourism and non timber forest product processing. An average of Z$ 20 million trickle down to community as benefits from the use and sale of biodiversity products such as crafts, traditional medicines, honey, fruits, and worms among others. Along with income generation, these activities have motivated to save and manage 220 hectares of local forest. Likewise, through environmental awareness programme, CHIEHA has reached more than 50000 people at the regional, national and international level, which has resulted in sustainable management of 10000 square km of land. These activities have been undertaken in collaboration with various government, non government and private sector organisations.
Conservation impact
Revival of local species of traditional crops like sorghum, cowpeas, millets and ground nuts. Has helped the conservation of agrobiodiversity in the area. More than five hectares of land has been rehabilitated and 220 ha of forest is being managed locally. Through environmental awareness programmes, around 50000 people have been reached. This has helped with the management of an additional 10000 square km of area.
Poverty reduction impact
Income from sale of traditional crops under ecoagriculture activities has increased from nil to Z$ 350000 per household per year and food security has increased. 50 households which paticipate in production and sale of processed non timber forest products earn Z$ 500000 per household per year
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Ecoagriculture
Local employment/job creation
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Partnership with private sector
Sustainable Use
Reference 1
http://www.equatorinitiative.net/files/2004-0142_Nom_CHIEHA_Zimbabwe.doc
More information
Gladman Chibememe, Secreatary, CHIEHA, c/o Takunda Sec. School, P Bag 7110, Chiredzi, Province Masvingo, Zimbabwe, Email: chibememe@hotmail.com
Related records above this one:
- Chibememe Earth Healing Association (CHIEHA) (Organisation O0012)
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)
- Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) (Organisation O0013)
- Africa Resources Trust (Organisation O0001)