Kalahari Namib Project Namibia Basin - enhancing sustainable land management through inter-active learning and sharing

Kalahari Namib Project National Baseline Assessment

NAMIBIA

Justine Braby and Hilma Angula IECN

Food for thought – DRFN – 21 June 2012

Outline1. What is the Kalahari Namib Project about?2. The Baseline Assessment3. What are the problems? Local perceptions of land

degradation4. What is already being done?5. Theory of change6. Longevity of SLM interventions

What is the Kalahari Namib Project About?• Interactive Environmental Learning and

Action Approach!• Sustainable Land Management intervention• Transboundary project (Namibia, Botswana,

South Africa) – Molopo-Nossob River Basin• FSP financed by GEF, supported by UNEP

and implemented by the IUCN-ESARO• Namibia focal point: CPP-ISLM• Aims to overcome challenges (like land

degradation, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function) through interactive learning and sharing of best practice sustainable land management

Component 1: Baseline AssessmentComponent 2: Community-based SLM (pilot demonstration of best practices) and Transboundary Management of Molopo-Nossob River BasinComponent 3: Enhanced Regional Decision-Making and Exchange of Best Practices and Lessons LearntComponent 4: Income Generating Activities Supported by Improved ServicesComponent 5: Monitoring and EvaluationComponent 6: Project Management

A few add-ons on the project, and baseline assessment in particular

• Long period of project kick-off – delays• Inception workshop in June 2009, and

baseline assessment done by Southern Cross Consultants

• Updated baseline assessment, but with very elaborate ToRs – very short assignment, honing in on specific project sites (intervention area)

• Baseline not established for entire area, only for specific sites

• This is just the onset of the entire project, a departure point

The Baseline Assessment

WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION?Land condition at selected sites

Socio-economic context

WHAT IS ALREADY BEING DONE?SLM interventions in place

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENHANCE SLM AND IMPROVE LIVELIHOODS?

Recommendations

HOW W

ILL WE M

ONITOR PROJECT IMPACTS?

What are the problems? Local perceptions of land degradation

In-depth biophysical field assessmentCommunity consultations and PRA exercises

Community questionnaireVirtually all of the people living in the area depend on livestock farmingMore than 83% of sample population perceive the land to be degraded

What are the problems? Local perceptions of land degradation cont...

Symptoms

Driv

ers

Decline in Grazing Quality Increase in Veld FiresBiodiversity Loss

What are the problems? Local perceptions of land degradation cont...

What are the root causes?

Increased pressure on resources

Lack of enforcement of legal and policy instruments

Lack of livelihood options

Lack of Capacity/knowledge

Climate and climate change

What has already been done? Previous SLM interventions, examples

Kalahari Garden Project

Prosopis Project

Various local-level decision-making

Goat Projects

Others, e.g. energy projects

Theory of change

Theory of change

Theory of change for selected project sites

• Rehabilitation of degraded areas and natural resources

Revamping broken and non-operational boreholesImproving grazing managementEradication of invasive species• Conservation and management of water• Improved livestock health and productivity• Diversification of livelihoods

Theory of change

Theory of change for Basin• Strengthen resource governance to benefit all users• Determine current land degradation status in Basin• Improve existing SLM practices in the Basin

Continuous engagement especially at community level

Practical implementation supportDedicated technical support Theory of change for community visioning Ensuring capacity support

Longevity of SLM interventions

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