| UNEP
INITIATIVE ON SUCCESS STORIES IN LAND DEGRADATION/ DESERTIFICATION CONTROL
The Background
The Criteria used in Evaluating and Submitting Success
Stories to UNEP
SUCCESS STORIES IN AFRICA
Mossi Plateau
in Burkina Faso
Agro-ecological
Project Burkina Faso
Project in
SãoJoão Baptista Valley, Cape Verde
Agropastoral
Development in Mauritania
Sonnleiten
Ranch Project,Namibia
Project in
Kano and Jigawa States, Nigeria
Restoration
in the Louga Region of Northern Senegal
Mr. Serigne
Samb’s Farm,Thiambène Till, Senegal
SOS Sahel
Community ForestryProject in Ed Debba, Sudan
SUCCESS STORIES IN
ASIA
Project on
Desertification Control in Naiman Banner County in China
Controlling
Drifting Sand in Cele County -Western China
Afforestation
and Salinity Control Using Tamarix; in Western China
The Integrated
Watershed Development Programme, Jhabua District, Madhya Pradesh, India
Jhanwar Watershed
Project, India
Joint Participatory
Forest Management; Shiwalik Hills Haryana Province, India
The Barefoot
College Project,Tilonia,Rajasthan,India
Desert Reclamation
Using Shelterbelts in Thal, Pakistan
|
|
The project location
-
Two small watersheds - once densely
forested - in central Jhabua District, in western Madhya Pradesh, adjacent
to Gujarat and to Rajasthan;
The problem
-
Large-scale deforestation in the
1960s, with severe effects in the ecosystem, climate and populations;
-
Widespread soil erosion, overgrazing
and inappropriate land use resulting in barren landscapes;
-
Breakdown of self-sufficient autonomous
lifestyles with forest clearance;
-
Seasonal migration of men in search
of employment;
The solution
-
Development of an integrated approach
to the problems based on community needs;
-
Protected afforestation on community
land;
-
Distribution of seedlings to encourage
planting on private land;
-
Soil and water conservation;
-
Pasture improvement through planting
pasture grasses;
-
Water harvesting;
-
Distribution of subsidised fuel
and energy saving devices;
-
Integration of land-use innovations
with measures to improve community livelihoods;
-
Promotion of alternative income
generating activities to reduce poverty and discourage seasonal migration;
The project achievements
-
Control of soil erosion;
-
Substantial re-afforestation of
247 ha;
-
Rehabilitation of degraded communal
pastures, giving better yields and economic returns;
-
Access to irrigation allowing double
cropping and increased cultivation of cash crops;
-
Increased incomes from sales of
fodder grass, bamboo and eucalyptus poles, replacing outgoings on purchases;
-
Increased water supplies from water
harvesting and raised groundwater levels;
-
More local income generating possibilities
and training reflected in greater prosperity and less migration;
-
Improved environment including the
regeneration of indigenous trees and grasses;
-
Distribution of local fuel-efficient
stoves, halving fuel requirements.
The overall achievements
- A
marked increase in groundwater recharge;
- Development
of a very adoptable system for neighbouring states;
- Ongoing
community motivation to maintain and expand the improvement;
- Replication
by private farmers in neighbouring states.
This project
was implemented by the National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment
(NCHSE) and the local communities with funds from the Government of
India.
Success Stories: Asia Pacific |
|
