Wetland restoration experts in Central Africa required
15/02/08
Dear all,
My
name is Amir Grosman. I work for the Ecosystem Grants Programme (EGP),
a small grants facility, of IUCN-NL. The EGP funds projects of local NGOs,
in the area of conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.
We are currently
supporting three projects related to wetland restoration and sustainable
use in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi (see below
a short description of the projects).
These are small grants project (max. 85.000€/3 years). As the involved
NGOs have limited experience we are looking for experts that will be able
to make a visit to the project sites in order to help the NGOs in developing
a restoration plan. These visits should take place within no more than
6 months. Ideally, a second visit should be made a year later to monitor
progress. We are willing to cover the costs of these visits.
Do you know any potential candidates, or could you help me get in contact with someone who might know potential candidartes?
Please let me know if you need any additional information.
My best wishes,
Amir.
Here is a short description of the projects:
Rwanda, Nyabarongo
wetland
the wetland is mainly threatend by landclearing for agriculture and overexploitation
of wetland resources. The NGO proposes to support the conservation of
this area by a combination of environmental awareness
raising, development of alternative economic activities (papyrus handcrafts
and fish afrming)and anti-erosion measures in degraded riversides. The
anti-erosion measures consist of grass planting (Pennisetum purpureum)
in the riverside of the Nyabarongo river, a measure also promoted by the
government.
Burundi, the Malagarazi
wetland.
The wetland is threatened by erosion and excessive extraction of natural
resources. Due to the scarcity of fertile land, more and more wetland
and surrounding hills are being cleared for agriculture resulting in erosion
and sedimentation.The project aims to reduce erosion by replanting hills
and river banks with trees and hedges that are also of benefit for local
communities. To reduce sedimentation, the NGO proposes to construct dams
that catch sediment. Captures sediment will be used by locals as fertiliser.
To improve livelihoods, the NGO proposes to develop fish and chicken farming.
DRC, lake Tanganyika
The war and post war period has left the coastline of the lake stripped
of its natural vegetation. This in combination with sand and stones ‘harvesting’
is leading to a drastic decline of the quality of the lake ecosystem,
which in its turn is negatively affecting human wellbeing in the area.
By using the reed vegetation for shelter and housing, the spawning grounds
for many commercial fish species have been destroyed. The project aims
to restore the coastal vegetation / ecosystem of lake Tanganyika in the
Fizi region of South Kivu.
--
Amir Grosman
Programme Officer
Central Africa
Ecosystem Grants Programme
IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands
Plantage Middenlaan
2K
1018 DD Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: + 31 20 626
1732
Fax: + 31 20 627 9349
Email: amir.grosman@iucn.nl
Internet: http://www.iucn.nl
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Posted 20 February 2008, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.
