Component 2.1: Land Tenure and natural resources management support (US$27.29 million equivalent, including US$9.50 million equivalent IDA and US$5.59 million GEF)

The Land Tenure sub-component is focusing on:

  • Certification of Traditional Land Management Areas (TLMAs;
  • Establishment of land governance structures (Customary Land Committees (GVH level), Customary Land Tribunals (TA level), District Land Tribunals and Central Land Board);
  • Parcel demarcation and adjudication of which records will be kept at the Traditional Authority under the custody of a Land Clerk;
  • Land consolidation to form large farms of about 500 ha;
  • Issuing of Customary Estate Title of the consolidated land to an unincorporated group of people comprising the owners of the adjudicated pieces of land. 

Component 2.2: Natural Resource Management:

The SVTP will ensure that all impacts on the environment and wildlife are mitigated at all stages of the Project with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).   GEF has contributed US$5,587,156.00 to cater for issues of wildlife and environmental conservation in Lengwe National Park, Majete Wildlife Reserve, Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, the Elephant Marsh, Matandwe Forest Reserve and the land in between these protected areas.   The project is working hand in hand with the Department of Forestry, Department of Fisheries, Department of Environmental Affairs and Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

The objective of Sub-Component 2.2 is strengthening landscape connectivity and management to improve livelihoods and conserve Key Biodiversity Areas in the Lower Shire Landscape. To achieve this, the NRM Sub Component is focusing on the following key activities: –

Strengthen national level frameworks for Biodiversity Conservation

  1. Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing;
  2. Update the IUCN Red Data List;
  3. Increase capacity and cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies;
  4. Aerial and remote sensing monitoring;
  5. Development of Nature-Based Tourism marketing strategies; and
  6. Development of Protected Area Management Plans (PAMP)

Sustainable Landscape Management

  1. Implement four site-based management plans: New Lengwe NP, Elephant Marsh, Mwabvi WR and Matandwe Forest Reserve;
  2. Implement mitigation measures to reduce Human Wildlife Conflict
  3. Establish the Elephant Marsh Community Conservation Wetland Area;
  4. Scale up community fisheries management
  5. Planning for Forest management (Thyolo Escarpment & Thambani Forest Management Plans)

Monitoring & Evaluation

  1. Protected areas and Landscape monitoring
  2. Build capacity for and undertake METT assessments
  3. Conduct Wetland Monitoring
  4. Supporting Lead Agencies for management and coordination

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