ZIMBABWE
>> GEF-SGP biodiversity projects
>> UNDP Equator Initiative Finalists and Winners
Selected GEF biodiversity projects:
>> Biodiversity conservation in southeastern Zimbabwe:
With the involvement of local communities, the project will design and implement a natural resource management programme for Gonarhezou National Park on the Mozambique and South Africa border, complementing the Mozambique Transfrontier Conservation Areas project. It will rehabilitate the infrastructure of Gonarezhou to stimulate ecotourism, develop community wildlife management and sustainable use programmes and strengthen park management capacity.>> Conservation and sustainable use of traditional medicinal plants:
The objective of this project is to promote the conservation, sustainable use and cultivation of endangered medicinal plants in Zimbabwe by demonstrating effective models at the local level, and by developing a legal framework for the conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits from medicinal plants.>> Back to top
Selected GEF-SGP biodiversity projects:
>> Diana's Pools Project:
This project integrates natural resource management and environmental protection with ecotourism in Umzingwane, Matabeleland South province. It is envisioned that the full development of the Diana's Pools area into an ecotourism centre will provide an alternative source for people’s livelihoods.>> Jirimhanda Project:
Project components include range management, reforestation, market gardening and general environmental protection. The project is situated in Masvingo province in Bikita District.>> Zivembava Island and Chibememe Forest Biodiversity Programme:
Project focuses on gully reclamation, awareness raising, and integration of indigenous knowledge systems with modern methods, in order to protect and restore the biodiversity of Zivembava Island and Chibememe Forests and to reduce the siltation of Save River by protecting the catchment area.>> Mudhorobeni Dam Project:
Situated in a very dry part of Southern Zimbabwe, this project seeks to rejuvenate the local environment by developing environmental activities based on the availability of water in the locality. Its components include a dam, local biodiversity conservation, gardening and sustainable cropping and promotion of traditional drought-resistant grains.>> Mundindo Community Project:
Mundindo community project is comprised of some 50 households. The project focuses on protecting biodiversity in the area through nursery establishment, agro-forestry techniques and species conservation. Another major component is the promotion of wood-saving stoves which reduce the rate of fuelwood consumption, thereby reducing the rate of deforestation. Replanting of trees is encouraged at both the household and the community level.>> Gudyanga Project:
Situated within the Save River Valley, this project aims at protecting this international water course from siltation and pollution through better land use and alternative livelihood activities. It also aims at protecting the Ilala Palm (a palm in the phragmatis family) from extinction. A new component on sustainable agriculture has also been added. The project is located in the Easter province of Zimbabwe.>> Chamalusi Dam Project:
Situated in a very dry part of southern Zimbabwe, this project seeks to rejuvenate the local environment by developing environmental activities based on the availability of water in the locality. Its components include a dam, local biodiversity conservation, gardening and sustainable cropping (promotion of traditional, small drought resistant grains through environmentally sustainable methods).>> Natural resource management for community benefits in Binga and Lupane Districts:
The project seeks to address the problem of over-exploitation of the biodiversity in Lupane and Binga Districts by embarking on an intensive awareness-raising exercise aimed at local communities, traditional leaders, Rural District Councils and NGOs. The awareness exercise will comprise a number of activities, including: 1) workshops at the community and district levels; 2) production and distribution of posters and booklets on the value of natural resources; 3) organization of study tours to areas that are successfully conserving resources while improving livelihoods.>> Chesa Ostrich Project:
Strengthens indigenous grassroots land use system by fencing ostrich paddocks, planting mulberry and leucaena trees and conserving and breeding ostriches.>> Back to top
UNDP Equator Prize Finalists and Winners:
>> Chibememe Earth Healing Association (CHIEHA) (Equator Prize 2004 Finalist)
This community-based initiative has its origins in the communal lands that surround the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The forests of the park serve as the inspiration for the organization’s many activities, all of which promote the development of sustainable livelihoods and the conservation of local biodiversity. Since 1998, CHIEHA’s efforts to promote sustainable harvesting and marketing of non-timber forest products, such as fruit-juice and honey, have enabled villagers to enter the cash economy for the first time. CHIEHA’s biodiversity conservation activities involve reforestation, watershed protection, and the conservation of traditional crops and seeds. Through this comprehensive approach CHIEHA has succeeded in charting a new and sustainable course for local communities.
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