This section of the plan focuses on actions for maintaining a conducive environment at community and household level. The key components include soil and water conservation; protection and restoration; planting and maintenance of trees; soil and water conservation interventions and awareness on environmental conservation.
Data obtained from the rapid participatory situation analysis exercise indicated that water resources especially wetlands outside Echuya are degraded. Furthermore, soil and water conservation measures are not adhered to; leading to increased loss of soil fertility and low agricultural yields. These situations have contributed to a lot of pressure on Echuya CFR. As part of the landscape approach to effective management of Echuya CFR; it is having been agreed as follows:
As part of protecting the environment at community level, the following actions will be undertaken under this plan:
a) KADECA will coordinate with local leaders and the district environment office restore and protect some wetlands in the CFM area;
b) The wetlands earmarked under this plan include: Kagyezi and Karwa;
c) Kisoro District Local government will provide technical support and enforcement in the restoration of wetlands; including development of community wetland management plans.
While households surrounding Echuya CFR experiences land shortage, the land available has not been sustainably managed to remain productive. Being a hilly terrain, the area experiences high rates of soil erosion to inadequate and water conservation measures. The fragmented agricultural fields for example land terraces, contour bands or water retention structures to reduce the speed of water down stream and to control soil erosion and washing away of soil nutrients. This has translated into low crop yields and floods in the low laying areas. These impacts consequently translate into limited household incomes and creates pressure on the forest as an alternative source of income.
Under this plan the following land management activities will be emphasized;
a) Each household will be required to put in place soil and water conservation measures such as terraces, contour bands, water retention ditches where applicable and re-enforce these with trees of their choice to minimize soil erosion and loss of nutrients;
b) Households will be introduced to agroforestry practices and organic manure to maintain soil fertility and production a variety of products on farm;
c) Each household will be required to have waste pits one for plastics and another for biodegradable waste which can be turned into organic manure;
d) Households shall be introduced to the use and importance of simple household land use plans so that they can effectively plan and use the limited land available.
Roles and responsibilities of KADECA, LC Zero/LC1 Chairpersons
a) Identify and mobilize households which will be used as demonstrations for land management interventions;
b) Coordinate demonstration trainings with Agricultural extension workers;
c) Monitor application of land management practices;
d) Maintain records on households implementing land, management interventions;
Roles and responsibilities of Sub-county/District leaders
a) Mobilize and encourage the local community to embrace soil and water conservation measures;
b) Conduct community sensitization on the need for effective soil and water measures;
c) Budget for soil and water conservation interventions;
d) Put in place ordinance and bye-laws on soil and water conservation/environment management.
Roles and responsibilities of Agricultural extension workers
a) Train local community on implementation of land management interventions;
b) Monitor application and effectiveness of land management interventions;
c) Maintain records on households implementing land management interventions.
Management of environment requires concerted effort from different stakeholders and a variety of approaches. Since implementation of this agreement and plan involves other community members beyond KADECA members, KADECA Executive shall take the lead in awareness and sensitization of the entire community in Kanaba sub-county particularly the forest adjacent villages on the provisions of the agreement and plan and on environmental conservation in particular.
KADECA will work with the LC1 chairpersons and LC zero to organize meetings at village level to explain the contents of the collaborative management agreement and plan with emphasis on environmental conservation. KADECA general assembly meetings will also be used as avenues for awareness and sensitization on environment conservation.
KADECA will also take advantage of other opportunities such as church gatherings to explain the terms of the agreement and management plan. Copies of the agreement and management plan will be distributed to all LC1, LCII and LCIII Chairpersons to facilitate fast awareness creation.
Other avenues for enhancing sensitization and awareness creation where applicable will include promotion of environmental conservation education in schools, music, dance and drama, environmental competitions and wards to households and or villages; cross-visits, peer to peer learning events, radio talk shows and use of posters.