To coincide with National Water Week 2014, nongovernment organisations (NGOs) the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) and Conservation South Africa (CSA) have launched a European Union-funded project that will focus on natural resource conservation and management for the creation of a water-linked green-economy in the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal.

EWT Source to Sea Programme manager Bridget Corrigan explains that the project will address challenges around water security, poverty alleviation and the value of freshwater investment scenarios in three priority sites, namely the Amathole, uMzimvubu and uMzimkulu catchments.

“Our key objectives are to improve natural resource protection and management, [encourage] communities to value the natu- ral resources under their custodianship and encourage communities to enter the green economy through the development of sustainable alternative livelihoods.

“We are certain that this alliance of three local NGOs with such in-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues in the region will ensure the success of the project,” she says.

The project will build on continuing work in the catchments and upscale conservation efforts already under way at these sites.

Critical Wetlands

Specific outcomes for the next four years include securing at least 6 000 ha of critical wetlands and riparian zones in selected priority sites under formal stewardship status for key biodiversity and water service functions.

The project also aims to place at least 20 000 ha of degraded rangeland and riparian zones in the selected priority sites under improved natural resource management.

Some 2 400 ha of land – already cleared of invasive alien plants – will be maintained through follow-up treatment within community stewardship agreements, while at least eight households will receive regular income through beekeeing initiatives

“Four households would receive a yearly income through the employment of community-driven ecorangers, while at least 80 households would benefit from invasive alien plant clearing and rehabilitation employment.

“In addition, 16 schools will participate in an ecoschools programme and will under- take environmental learning and con-textual action projects,” Corrigan notes.

The project will work closely with schools, school leavers, municipalities, communities, industry and various tiers of government to educate the youth in environmental issues, provide skills development for adult learners, capacitate local municipalities and develop sustainable microenterprises to enable communities to join the green economy.

“Within the uMzimvubu catchment, CSA is working with traditional authorities and municipalities to enable local communities to realise the protection of thousands of hectares of National Freshwater Eco-system Priority Area wetlands that are a source of water for two-million people downstream.