Zambezi Basin Wetlands Conservation and Resource Utilization Project

The Zambezi Basin Wetlands Conservation and Resource Utilization Project (ZBWCRUP) was mounted in reaction to recognition on the part of Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states that widespread deterioration of wetlands has occurred. Wetland values that are being eroded include both ecological and socio-economic components because wetlands form an important source of income generation at the local and national levels.

Below are the major achievements up to the year 2000.

Tangible conservation achievements

The first tangible signs of achievements in conservation were observed after two years of project implementation. Fifty-five communities in the pilot areas have adopted improved wetlands resource management practices including soil and water conservation, discontinuation of fishing during the breeding season, regulation of net mesh size, tree planting, rehabilitation of mangrove stands, establishment of river bank buffer zones, reduction of wildlife harvest, and attempts to control fire. A total of 18 resource management regimes were adopted, reflecting an understanding of the resource base. They include fisheries, forestry, raw materials for crafts, tourism, grass harvesting, fire management and wildlife. The understanding of the resource base was enhanced through publication of the economic valuation report, and all of these incorporate indigenous knowledge. Approximately 25 community-based institutions are functioning. They include pilot area committees, special interest committees to deal with issues such as natural resource management and land tenure, income generation clubs, women's groups, etc.

Previously, concerns had been expressed, at a number of levels, including at the Advisory Committee, that the project appeared to be skewed in the direction of social development. There had been suggestions that the project was reacting to community "wish lists" with little evidence of conservation measures being initiated to ensure sustainability of resource use (Beaudet and Hiscock 1999).

1 Community well being

Significant achievements were recorded in addressing community concerns, particularly in the areas of health, education, gender equity, income generation, and cultural aspects.

1.1 Health

In co-operation with local health authorities, health improvement programmes were implemented including enhanced clinic operations, establishment of drug revolving funds, epidemic control training, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA), training and growth monitoring. Liaison continued with local health authorities to determine the most effective inputs to their requirements.

At the beginning of the project, there appeared to be hope that the Panel of Experts on Environmental Management of Vector Control (PEEM), consisting of experts from the World Health Organisation and other international agencies, would again become involved in the project. However, they failed to secure the requisite funding. A representative of PEEM visited the Project Manager twice and provided advice and written child health material for distribution.

In consultation with wetland communities and local health authorities, the project has improved the health of pilot areas through:
· Health facilities: Clinics, rural health centres, primary health care centres and traditional birth attendants' shelters were constructed or rehabilitated. In such instances, prior commitment was obtained from health authorities that they would provide staff and medical supplies in keeping with the country norms;
· Primary health care: Community health care workers were trained to provide a broad spectrum of health services in their own communities;
· Drug Revolving funds: Community drug revolving funds were established with two components; provision of the initial supply of drugs and training of community members to dispense them;
· Epidemic Control Training: Community health workers were trained in the control of epidemics such as cholera, bubonic plague and measles;
· Growth monitoring: Training has enabled mothers to recognise the symptoms and causes of malnutrition in their children and to implement corrective diets;
· Traditional Birth Attendants training and supplies: Safe motherhood services were provided by project-trained and equipped volunteer attendants;
· Water quality improvement. Installation of wells has provided safe drinking water resulting in reduction of water borne diseases.

The incidence of disease, as well as mortality rates, has been reduced. Specifically:
· Increased access to health facilities has reduced travel time for medical attention by up to several hours. This has caused wetlands residents to more readily seek the medical services they require;
· Drug Revolving funds have been instrumental in controlling illnesses, such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea and worms;
· The epidemic control programme has reduced the spread of diseases such as cholera and bubonic plague and resultant deaths and has increased survival rates among those catching the diseases;
· Growth monitoring training has lessened the incidence of malnutrition and generally improved child health;
· Maternal and infant mortality were reduced by properly trained and equipped traditional birth attendants;
· Well construction has provided safe drinking water and thereby contributed significantly to the reduction of water borne diseases.

1.2 Education

The provision of education facilities was a high priority of communities in pilot areas in all field sub-projects. In consultation with the local education authorities, the project carried out both construction and rehabilitation of schools, teachers' houses, an office and a boarding house with significant community inputs in all cases. As in the case of health facilities, the project only undertook to provide or improve infrastructure when there was prior agreement from the education authorities that they would supply teachers and teaching materials. A total of 221 infrastructures were rehabilitated.

Some of the results of project support to community education were ease of attracting teachers, increased school enrolment (by about 1,300 students), higher level of attendance, commencement of schooling at an earlier age and improved learning rates. These achievements were, in turn, due to availability of teacher accommodation, reduced travel time for pupils and enhanced learning environments.

The project has addressed the education issue through:
· Construction of education infrastructure including classrooms, teachers' houses and boarding residences;
· Improving access to education by reducing distance to "in community" schools;
· Enabling younger children to begin their education at the normal school starting age;
· Improving the teaching and learning environment with more modern facilities;
· Promoting non-formal education through the use of drama, videos, radio, pamphlets, newspapers, etc.

Some of the long term effects are expected to be :
· Better understanding of wetland conservation issues by youth and by adults;
· New resource management regimes reflecting an understanding of wetlands values and sustainable use;
· communities are able to articulate wetland issues and to properly address them.

1.3 Gender equity

While the regional gender strategy and action plan was never finalised in a form that could be applied in the field, it did provide a basis for continuation of activities aimed at improving the status of women and enhancing their role in sustainable use of wetlands. Initiatives specifically benefiting women include production, transportation and sale of crafts such as baskets, pottery and embroidery, increasing agricultural incomes, participation in reforestation of degraded mangroves, fish processing and reduction of water fetching time through the installation of wells.

1.4 Cultural elements

In recognition of the cultural ties of wetland residents to their environment, cultural elements of community wellbeing were supported, including rehabilitation of the Barotse Royal Establishment Princes' flood plain residence, construction of traditional courts (kutas) and dissemination of indigenous knowledge to the younger generation.

1.5 Income enhancement

Twenty-seven community based enterprise development initiatives, half of them self-sustaining, were established; they include agriculture, fish processing, pottery, embroidery, weaving and other crafts, wood processing, commercialisation of use of boats, guinea fowl and goat rearing. We estimate that there are now approximately 510 emerging entrepreneurs at the community level in pilot areas with increased ability to take advantage of profits accruing from sustainable use of wetland resources. The proportion of agricultural products sold has been increased, with sub-project support to cash crops. The dynamic nature of most of these enterprises is illustrated by the fact that some crafts producers trained with project support are now able to export their products to the international market.

1.6 Transportation

Due to financial and time constraints, the project has not been able to contribute significantly to the resolution of transportation problems faced by wetlands communities. However, some actions were taken locally including canal clearing, improvement of "bush" roads and installation of bridges. Transportation of crafts such as pottery to market was supported.

1.7 Food Security

The project's first significant achievements in the area of food security occurred during 1998-1999 reporting period. Improved food production practices included soil and water conservation, irrigation, planting of multiple crops, (intercropping) use of higher yielding and early maturing maize seeds, planting of fruit trees, improvement of goat stock and introduction of guinea fowl.

The project has improved agricultural practices, through training and demonstration in the following fields :
· Inter-cropping of a mixture of vegetables as opposed to monoculture ;
· Higher yielding and early maturing crop varieties ;
· Combined traditional, non-traditional and organic agriculture practices ;
· Enhanced women's participation in environmentally sound agriculture ;
· Soil/water conservation and small scale irrigation ;
· Livestock management including inoculation against disease and introduction of larger varieties ;
· Diversification of crops and animals ;
· Agroforestry techniques such as propagating fruit trees, soil enhancement, and live fencing ;
· Protection of crops against wildlife.

The result was greater food security and improved ecosystem protection through:
· Enhanced role and reduced workload for women in agriculture ;
· Availability of a wider variety of crops for domestic consumption and sale ;
· Higher yields of maize and other crops ;
· Earlier availability of food for domestic consumption and market ;
· Increased number of harvests per year ;
· Reduced risk of drought and flood damage ;
· Reduced area required to produce a given volume of food ;
· Healthier and more productive livestock ;
· Maintenance and enhancement of soil fertility ;
· Improved income from sale of larger volume and greater diversity of crops and animals.

2 Public awareness, information and communication

2.1 Strategies

A project-wide awareness strategy was finalised in 1998-1999, and its implementation begun with the Communications Programme Officer taking the lead. A separate strategy was completed for the Zambezi Delta sub-project.

2.2 Implementation of public awareness strategies

The major challenge faced in increasing awareness of wetlands values and sustainable use is that, in order to reach all stakeholders, a wide variety of media must be used. In developed countries a large proportion of the population have access to television, radio and newspapers, whereas the ZBWCRUP stakeholders often have access to only one of these media and in some cases none of them is available. Accordingly, writers of both the Basin-wide strategy and the Zambezi Delta strategy were obliged to consider a wide variety of techniques ranging from television to plays and songs performed by project-sponsored community drama groups and choirs. In general, this approach proved to be successful, particularly where a variety of media could be employed. Radio proved to be a particularly potent medium because it reaches the widest range of audiences. One particular value of plays and songs is they are more likely to get the message out in terms of community concerns than are newspaper articles, and radio and television programmes. If the plays and songs are performed by groups such as conservation clubs, who have had "hands on" experience with the project, they tend to be that much more convincing.

Newspaper and television coverage was most effective where the writers, including the IUCN Communications Programme Officer, and producers, visited the site and obtained first hand information from representatives of affected communities.

Pursuit of an organisation in a position to produce a word class film on the project began to show signs of success near the end of the project with indications of interest by the National Geographic Society in producing a film on crocodiles and hippos in the Malawi sub-project.

In addition to the above noted media, considerable use was made of the project brochure, conservation calendars and periodic newsletters. Special events, such as hand-over ceremonies and a visit to the project by a country President greatly enhanced awareness of the project. As general statement, it can be said that there has been a significant increase in the level of awareness at the site and national levels. However, the degree to which awareness was improved at the regional level remains difficult to assess. It is anticipated that the website, hard copy fact sheets, graphic displays of project achievements, etc. to be produced as part of the Zambezi Basin Wetlands Information Management System, produced under a Canadian contract, will enhance awareness at the regional as well as national and site levels.

2.3 Photo inventory

A Wetlands Photo Inventory, including the catalogue/handbook/Users' Guide and electronic version on CD-ROMs, was produced under Canadian contract and delivered to ROSA in 1998. Extensive use was made of this collection, not only for project-specific awareness initiatives such as brochures, posters, calendars, leaflets, etc. but for other IUCN-sponsored communications including the annual report, State of the Environment reporting and conservation oriented displays.

3 Training

Training was implemented through both a formal project training plan and inclusion of a training component in most initiatives undertaken in the field. Emphasis was placed on grassroots level training associated with community wellbeing and management of wetlands resources for the following reasons. Firstly, as the project matured, it became progressively more apparent that it is at the community level that project efforts would produce the greatest and most lasting results. Secondly, there are a number of other initiatives, notably IUCN's Networking and Capacity Building Project, which are more suited than the ZBWCRUP to training of individuals who function at the national and regional levels.

3.1 Staff training

One main focus of staff training was on instruction in resource use conflict resolution for the Field Project Officers and Project Manager. This training included theoretical and academic elements of conflict resolution as well as addressing specific sub-project conflicts as case studies. Cases chosen were concession operator / community conflict in the Zambezi Delta, human / crocodile interactions in the Lower Shire, closure of fishing during the breeding season in the Barotse Flood Plain, and transboundary wildlife conflicts between Botswana and Namibia.

Other staff training focused on skill enhancement to enable project staff to function more effectively, as identified in annual appraisals, and included management computer software use, accounting, report writing and language instruction.

3.2 Stakeholder training

Stakeholder training permeated virtually every aspect of project implementation that required wetlands residents to carry out functions with which they were unfamiliar. Under the Community Well Being activity line, training was given in general community health, birth attendance, epidemic control, drug revolving fund management, marketing, crafts production, cooking, and typing. Under the Management of Wetlands Resources activity line, training was provided in fire management, fisheries, improved agriculture, mangrove restoration, soil and water conservation, agroforestry, livestock management and traditional leaders' roles in wetlands conservation.

A total of 79 training sessions were given. During the life of the project approximately 4,000 individuals were trained, 1,800 men, 1,600 women and 600 children. It might appear that there was insufficient focus on the training of children. However it should be borne in mind that strong emphasis was placed on children's needs in the areas of education and health as resources permitted.

Government technicians and community representatives were trained in resource inventory techniques to the degree possible, as part of the undertaking of project-wide or site-specific resource inventories.

4 Wetlands inventory, monitoring and evaluation

This activity line aimed at generating data bases on biophysical and socio-economic aspects of Zambezi Basin wetlands, at evaluating impacts to date of major developments and at establishing monitoring systems to provide information on future potential impacts and improvements.

Work performed falls into two main categories: project wide studies such as biodiversity, economic valuation and the information management system, and site specific inventories required to establish a better understanding of the resource and cultural base for individual sub-projects. The strongest focus for the latter category was in the Zambezi Delta, where little information had previously been collected.

4.1 Biodiversity

The biodiversity study, produced by the Zambezi Society, forms the central biological science focus for the project and adds significantly to the understanding of ecological aspects of Zambezi Basin wetlands. The Phase I report (Timberlake 1998) was published in February 1998, and has produced a good description of the biodiversity of Zambezi Basin wetlands and conservation requirements. The report was used in communication through the media to increase awareness, after being widely distributed both by IUCN and the Zambezi Society (91 copies have been distributed). Also, the biodiversity study has contributed to the development of Zambia's biodiversity strategy.

The Phase II report contains more in-depth field studies and reviews. Site-specific information was collected on a wide range of species groups with the assistance of individuals from local communities. This forged a valuable link between the project's scientific elements and community aspirations. Another noteworthy aspect of the biodiversity study is that, whereas much current effort in the discipline is being focused on the convening of conferences and promulgation of strategies, this study actually enhanced the knowledge of biodiversity. It thereby created a knowledge base against which the health of ecosystems that constitute the livelihood base for wetlands communities can be assessed and against which specific conservation measures can be initiated to ensure sustainability.

In summary, the project has produced an assessment of Zambezi Basin wetlands biodiversity consisting of:
· Biodiversity inventories and checklists;
· Ecological maps and vegetation maps;
· Detailed reviews of knowledge on selected wetland biological groups;
· Identification of indicator taxa;
· Identification of sites and species of concern and of biodiversity conservation priorities;
· Assessment of the impacts of human activity on wetlands biodiversity;
· Evaluation of the importance of the Zambezi Basin wetlands to biodiversity conservation;
· On - the - job training for local scientists and technicians;
· Collections of herbarium and museum specimens;
· A preliminary assignment of economic value to biodiversity.

The long-term result is a better positioning for the conservation of biological diversity in the Zambezi Basin wetlands due to:
· Establishment of status of biodiversity;
· Understanding of contribution of wetlands to overall biological diversity of the Zambezi Basin;
· Creation of a basis for monitoring changes in wetlands biodiversity;
· Articulation of human impacts on wetlands biological diversity;
· Development of rationale for identification and protection of special areas;
· Enhanced knowledge of the economic benefits of preserving biodiversity.

4.2 Economic valuation

One of the objectives of the project was to determine the wetlands values by articulating the goods and services they provide. The Namibia Department of Environment and Tourism (DET) produced the wetlands economic valuation study phase I (70 copies have been distributed) and phase II reports. A Canadian consultant was assigned to the study to monitor its progress and provide advice to enhance the product. Field work on the economic valuation project was begun in the Barotse Flood Plain during the 1998-99 fiscal year, with strong emphasis on involving communities in the articulation of the values of wetlands resources both locally and at the national level.

The authors of the study (Turpie et al. 1998) reviewed the methodology, assessed and contributed to resource economics capacity, made a preliminary assessment of the value of wetlands goods and services after visiting the field sub-projects. They also identified components of existing policies that affect the use of wetlands goods and services and incentives and disincentives to wetlands conservation contained in those policies.

One means of influencing decision-makers is through information on the values of the goods and services produced by wetlands and to give them tools. The economic valuation study (Turpie et al. 1998 and 1999) contributes to that, and it should encourage decision-makers to support both sustainable development and conservation of wetlands. Also, the development of wetlands policy frameworks suitable for application at the national and regional levels, a requirement of the economic valuation study, will help to define new policies that are in keeping with the need to conserve wetlands The project has already contributed to the production of a wetlands policy for Botswana.

In summary, the study produced an assessment of Zambezi Basin wetlands values and associated policy consisting of:
· Documentation of methods for determining the value of wetlands goods and services;
· An assessment of the economic values of goods and services provided by wetlands;
· An evaluation of specific components of wetlands ecosystems as economic producers;
· Data on the gender-specific use of wetlands resources and activities, including positive and negative values;
· Models of wetland resource use;
· Estimates of indirect use values associated with the major ecosystem services;
· An estimate of the non-use value of biodiversity;
· Identification of optimal policy scenarios for maximising economic value and gender equity;
· An analysis of the effects of alternative policies on economic values and conservation of wetlands.
· Wetlands policy frameworks suitable for application at the national and regional.

The main result is a better understanding of the economic values of wetlands and associated policies including:
· The most appropriate methods for determining values of wetland goods and services;
· The values of wetlands goods and services in monetary terms;
· Relative importance of components of wetlands ecosystems as economic producers;
· Who has access to and uses wetlands resources including gender aspects;
· Models of wetland resource use;
· The value put on biodiversity by the public;
· Policy aspects of maximising long term economic value of wetlands and gender equity;
· Wetlands policy frameworks suitable for application at the national and regional levels.

4.3 Information management system

The Zambezi Wetland Information Management System (ZWIMS) aims to hold and make available information on the biophysical and socio-economic aspects of Zambezi Basin wetlands, in the form of reports, maps, fact sheets, photos, video and sound clips and other data, all related to an expandable Geographic Information System which maps the Basin and the four sub-project areas. The information in ZWIMS is accessible on CD-ROM, and is designed to be accessed on an interactive website with links to related organisations and further data sources. Fieldwork involved visits by the Canadian consultants to ROSA and to all field sub-projects and other national and non-governmental sources of information in the region. Base mapping and data base and website design were undertaken in Canada, and included support to the biodiversity study. In addition to presenting empirical information, the ZWIMS shows what the ZBWCRUP project has achieved with reference to the revised logical framework analyses, using specified indicators.

The ZWIMS allows optimal use to be made of the results of this complex multinational project by rendering them available to a wide variety of stakeholders at all levels. The website, soon to be established on a server and publicly accessible, will make the information available for viewing, downloading, and linking to the websites of IUCN, CIDA and other interested agencies.

4.4 Site-specific studies and assessments

Apart from studies with a basin wide focus, a number of resource inventories and socio-economic studies were carried out at the sub-project level. These included, among others, assessments of existing socio-economic information, health status, food security, energy supplies, education requirements, fisheries, forests, wildlife, and geomorphologic processes.

5 Management of wetlands resources

5.1 Natural resource management plans and regulations

Significant progress was made toward community recognition of the necessity of natural resource management plans and regulations as an adjunct to initiatives designed to directly enhance community wellbeing. More than 50 communities have adopted improved wetlands resource management practices.

Bylaws to control the use of natural resources were formulated and passed by traditional authorities. In general, at this point the bylaws are effective in controlling the utilisation and management of natural resources by local people. However, until they have been officially gazetted, it is not practical to impose them on individuals that do not come under the jurisdiction of the traditional authorities of the area in question.

A draft crocodile management plan for the Lower Shire was presented to the Director of the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife and accepted in principle. Work then began on consultation with communities to obtain their input to the plan, which presents issues and actions in the areas of crocodile monitoring and trends, human population trends and impacts, crocodile attacks on humans, human / crocodile interactions other than attacks on humans, crocodile population management, crocodile habitat management and community participation. Community consultation was incomplete at the end of the reporting period.

5.2 Demonstrations

Considerable emphasis was placed on implementing demonstrations of sustainable wetlands utilisation practices. In each of these initiatives care was taken to ensure gender equity and particularly to involve women.

The inception mission report stated already that "….in order to be in a creditable position relative to articulation and communication of the value and importance of wetlands, the project will need to become involved in some "hands on" operational aspects of wetlands conservation and utilisation including inventory and demonstration projects." Further, it was recognised, particularly during the production of the public awareness strategies, that people learn best by doing and by observing the results of their own efforts and those of others.

There are approximately 55 communities with demonstration projects. Examples of demonstrations of sustainable use undertaken are numerous, including :

· improved agricultural practices such as use of higher yielding and faster maturing crops;
· soil and water conservation;
· re-utilisation of rice growing areas;
· establishment of tree nurseries for reforestation and aforestation;
· agroforestry practices that increase the use of fruit trees and improve soil fertility;
· mangrove conservation and rehabilitation;
· establishment of buffer zones to prevent wildlife predation on crops;
· optimal use of local clays and other raw materials for craft production;
· fisheries management including seasonal closures;
· use of appropriate mesh sizes and processing techniques in fisheries;
· use of guinea fowl and improved goat stock to increase food security and generate profits.

5.3 Transboundary resource management

As reported above, a transboundary workshop was held in Kasane, Botswana, in June 1998. As follow up, project-sponsored meetings on fire control were held in both Botswana and Namibia, and there is now greater transboundary co-operation on the control of fires. There were also signs of conflict reduction in that there appears to be some amelioration of the normal blaming the other side for starting uncontrolled fires. Planning began on a more detailed workshop, also involving Zambia, on transboundary management of fisheries.

This text was prepared by Therese Baudet (IUCN - CA), Eric Hiscock and Excellent Hachileka (IUCN-ROSA) as part of the final report. The project is now in its second phase.