David Nkwanga

1. Awareness and Education Campaigns
On-going
Key messages:
• Importance of the resource locally and Internationally;
• Sustainable utilisation/management;
• Maximising community benefit.

2. Alternative IGAs.
8 Community groups formed.
Main focal areas:
• Handcrafts
• Hospitality services
• Environmentally-friendly production.

3. Eco-tourism Information Centre.
We could not get a ready house for hire at the site. The project is contributing to completion of house to host centre (See photo.) We have agreed with the community the centre to be more diverse with:

• Tourist Information Centre
• Nature School/Campsite
• Coordination office for the Community Association (MWETA)
• Nature Walks and relaxation areas
• Crafts and Souvenirs outlet and display area
• Visitors safe car parking
Important milestones:
• The centre will open on February 1st 2008.
• Formal launching which will involve the government ministry, line departments and all stakeholders in April 2008.

I was recently requested by Ms Beatrice Adimola, The Director District Support and Environment Education from National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), a department responsible for all Environmental issues in the country, to provide a brief documentation of the approaches we use in regard to Environment Education and Natural Resources Conservation in the two projects: Integrated Conservation project for Mabamba Bay Wetland of International Importance and Poverty Alluviation and Health Care Promotion through Conservation (PHPC). The report is below.

From Community Awareness and Education, we moved into community organising. The eight groups at the grassroots level and the umbrella association (Mabamba wetland Eco-tourism Association – MWETA), are being consolidated into strong community structures to empower the community to sustainably conserve the resource. We have managed to negotiate with Kasanje sub-county leadership and the association was given the responsibility of collecting some fees from the tourists who come to visit. Part of this income goes to the association’s treasury for conservation and community development work.

Two volunteers (Billy and Kevin) have been trained in computer skills and Information management. The centre is now functional. We have, however planned for the official launch to coincide with this year’s World Environment Day of 5th June. This occasion will be used for increased awareness about Mabamba to the wider layer of the population especially the policy makers at District and the Central government.

"In our efforts for continued networking and promotion of eco-tourism for empowerment of the community of Mabamba we have successfully initiated our networking efforts with Uganda Safari guides - a network of private tour operators. They requested that we create a link to our website to theirs, which we have already done. They will also do the same. For this reason they requested for a brief about Mabamba and nature Palace Foundation in regard to eco-tourism activities. Am glad to share it with you".

This project was featured in the Baobab Journal under the title "Mabamba Bay: Balancing Conservation with Community Needs" Page 23. The Baobab is published by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), www.alin.or.ke

A pdf version is below.

Read about the progress of this project in the synopsis report below.

Read more of the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.

Read about the development of David's RSG project at http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/david_nkwanga_0