Chronicle EditorSukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT in collaboration with Caritas and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has embarked on a land restoration programme targeting Gwanda District, to promote environmentally friendly practices.
Major works include gulley reclamation, control of bush encroachment and removal of evasive species in five wards.
The people involved in the programme receive food allocations every month as payment for their labour. The project, which is being funded by Usaid, will run until February next year.
Speaking during a recent social services committee meeting in Gwanda, Catholic Relief Services representative, Mr Busani Ngwenya, who is also the project manager, said the restoration works will be accompanied by awareness campaigns on environment protection.
He said this is to ensure that after rehabilitating their areas, communities protect the areas so that they are not damaged again.
“The main purpose of this programme is to facilitate land restoration works in the district and for their work, people involved receive food. This programme aims to encourage communities to assume responsibility for protecting and taking care of their environment,” said Mr Ngwenya.
He said people in Matabeleland South largely rely on livestock farming hence the need to protect grazing land.
“Land degradation that is taking place affects production of both crops and livestock. Some grazing space has been affected by evasive species and gullies,” said Mr Ngwenya.
He said under the programme, communities will also remove silt from small dams, which are a source of water for livestock.
Mr Ngwenya said it was members of the community that identify priority areas that require land restoration.
He said those involved in the programme receive sorghum, beans and cooking oil.
Mr Ngwenya said the programme seeks to complement Government efforts to cushion communities against the effects of the El Nino-induced drought.
“We want to complement Government efforts in supporting communities in the face of the El Nino-induced drought, but we want to do it in a sustainable manner.
“Community members will undertake works to restore land and get paid in the form of food rations. It is the communities that benefit from this programme as land restoration will result in improved pastures,” said Mr Ngwenya.
He said the scooped dams will also hold more water for livestock.
“Gully reclamation will help to protect schools, houses and livestock. We will be working closely with relevant departments such as EMA, Forestry Commission, Agritex and Rural Infrastructure Development Authority,” said Mr Ngwenya
Land degradation is on the increase as a result of human activities such as crop farming, settlement expansion, cutting trees for firewood, mining and other such activities. — @DubeMatutu
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter