Jamestone Smion Kamwendo

Traditional dances performed by local women to take environmental messages to the communities.

In a move to sensitize and create awareness in the communities on the hazards of wanton tree cutting and wildlife poaching, the project team from 7-18th July and 4th -15th August 2008 has been conducting sensitisation meetings, awareness campaigns and public lectures around the project site. The campaigns have been in the form of traditional dances and poem recitals (see photo) all bearing environmental themes. Another importance communication tool that has been employed to inform and sensitise the communities and stakeholders about the project and its goal is the electronic media mainly local radio and television in Zambia.

The communities after being sensitised on the dangers of deforestation and wildlife poaching, they indicated willingness to participate in the project and the impact has been that many people especially women are taking part in disseminating awareness messages to the communities on the importance and management of nature and environmental protection.

Tree seed collection exercise by some participants.

I am pleased to report that short training courses were organised in five zone areas of the project site. Seventy (70) participants were trained in each zone. In total, 350 people have been trained and have acquired relevant skills and knowledge in nursery and woodlot establishment and management. About 64% of people trained were women. The good number took part in these courses as they fully aware that they are the most vulnerable groups in the society when it comes to firewood collection. They travel long distances to collect firewood for cooking and lightening and at the same time do other household work. In this respect, they decided to take part in the training courses in order to acquire relevant skills and knowledge to assist them to use it in growing of more trees in their respective areas so that they should reduce the burden that they face when collecting firewood.

The participants were trained in seed collection, seed treatment, storage, nursery site selection, nursery establishment, nursery infrastructure, tools and equipment, nursery land preparation, seed multiplication, seed/seedling potting media, methods of sowing, types of pots used, seedling transplanting, and management of seedlings ion the field among others (See photo). The training courses were organised from 15th-19th September, 2008; 29th September – 3rd October, 2008; 20th-24th October 20087, 3rd-7th November 2008 and lastly from 10th -14th November 2008. I am pleased to report that as of today, at 90% of the participants have started establishing their own tree nursery using skills learned from these training courses.

One of the student led wildlife clubs established at Chipembi Secondary school Zambia.

From 8th-19th December 2008, the project team visited 12 primary schools and 3 secondary schools that are found in the project area. The project team led by Mr. Chagunda held several consultative meetings with school pupils and their teachers. The main aim of the meetings was to sensitize school pupils and teachers on the importance of establishing wildlife and environmental protection clubs and committees as this would help the future generation to acquire new knowledge and skills which they can use to prudently managed our natural heritage (wildlife) and protect the environment for their benefits and for the benefit of the generations to come.

A total of 10 wildlife clubs and 4 wildlife and environmental protection committees were established (See photo). We are pleased to report that 45% of members are young girls and 60 % of the patrons of these clubs and committees are female teachers.

One of the local Task Force Group formed by Dr. de Silva (in sun glasses) monitoring some degraded sites of Kasungu W.

I am pleased to report that from 19-23 January 2009, the project team led by Mr. Changunda held four interactive participatory meetings with local communities and local stakeholders living around Kasungu Wildlife Reserve on the Zambian side (See photo). The main aim of the meetings was to solicit constructive views and suggestions which can be developed and fed in wildlife and environmental monitoring and evaluation (M&E) programmes. The project team received constructive suggestions and views from local communities and local stakeholders which will help them to develop effective and prudent M&E programmes to be used by local communities and local stakeholders themselves residing in the area. One of the remarkable outcomes of these meetings was the formation of Task Forces (Working Groups) in various villages which will be empowered to undertake this work of M&E to ensure that the wildlife and their ecosystems are effectively managed and conserved.

Part of the training session for VNRMC involved in biodiversity management, monitoring and evaluation.

I am pleased to report that from 20-30 April 2009, the project team led by Mrs. Walya organised 4 short tailor made training courses to committee members of the established wildlife and environmental clubs living around Kasungu Wildlife Reserve on the Zambian side. A total of 157 people (75 men, 52 women and 30 pupils from five schools in the area) were successfully trained in participatory wildlife and environmental monitoring and evaluation (See photo).

The aim of the training was equip members of the wildlife and environmental committees with new knowledge and skills used in systematic gathering and analysis of wildlife and environmental data which can help them if sustainable management and use of wildlife and natural resources are successfully and cost-effectively achieved. The participants especially primary and secondary pupils expressed strong feeling that the training courses were important as the results of monitoring and evaluation processes will help in making proper decision with regard to wildlife and utilisation.

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