Monavale Vlei: Wetland Conservation

Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Protection of natural ecosystems, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity

The overall goal of the project was to restore an urban wetland called Monavale Vlei, which is one of Zimbabwe’s seven Ramsar Sites. The goals of the intervention include: 1. To address biodiversity issues by restoring the Monavale Vlei and adjacent riverine areas to near pristine conditions through sound management and particularly through the removal of invasive species. 2. To support a variety of birds, mammals, rodents, amphibians and reptiles including the near-threatened Cape clawless otter Aonyx capensis and many other wetland-dependant animals which maintain the biological diversity of the Site. 3. To ensure community biodiversity awareness through environmental education and training. 4. To improve livelihood prospects within the community through training about composting and vermiculture techniques monitored by local experts and trained local residents. 5. To address climate change issues such as land degradation that diminishes the wetland role in the purification of diffuse source pollution. In particular, cultivation and any form of soil disturbance create the opportunity for alien species to take hold. Healthy wetlands are critical for climate mitigation and adaptation as they store more carbon than any other ecosystem. Moreover, inland wetlands ecosystems also absorb excess water and help prevent droughts and floods. (1,2,4)

COSMO (constituted in 2005) grew out of the Monavale Residents' Environmental Action Group (formed in 2001), intent on preventing the development and degradation of Monavale Vlei, an important wetland of outstanding natural beauty and enormous biodiversity. The area concerned for this intervention was 594 ha, of which 34 ha is considered protected. Implementation activities: General protection of the area by working also with government and agencies, lawyers, scientists etc. Restoration of parts of the wetlands by removing invasive species and letting the indigenous species take over. The principal alien species were removed, such as red sesbania, bauhinia, cactus, sisal, and syringa lantana. Creation of habitats and protection of several important species. Organising a campaign for the removal and collection of waste dumps together with authorities: 4 tonnes of domestic waste was collected by the community (household waste, composting) Educational component- teachers are bringing school children from different districts to experience the wetland - Cosmo Kids Club (since 2006) - children can come every Saturday morning and learn about the wetland. Over the years COSMO has continued with its wetland awareness walks for schools, university students and other interested parties. Organisation of composting and vermiculture workshops directed specifically towards the Monavale community and attended by 2/3 of the community. To stop land cultivation domestic worm kits were distributed, free of charge, and inhabitants could do backyard farming and use the kits for fishing, as well (30 compost pits and wormeries during the first year and 30 pits in the second year). Undertaking a baseline ecological survey of the wetland area using a wetland specialist to determine the degradation of the soils, biodiversity of plants and animals, and hydrological functioning: over 120 different wetland adapted plants, orchids and grass species, with occasional trees on the edges and over 244 bird species have been recorded Establishment of the Monavale Indigenous Tree Nursery (1,2,6) The intervention directly affected the lives of 40 households next to the wetland, and indirectly 1.4 mil. inhabitants of Harare. (Ref 3)

• Local government/Municipality
• Non-government organisation/Civil Society
• Citizens or community groups
• Young people and children
• Marginalized groups: Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)