Shot in arm for Binga communities 

Source: Shot in arm for Binga communities – The Southern Eye

SEWA is implementing a project aimed at restoring and promoting freshwater biodiversity.

BINGA-BASED Safe Environment and Wildlife Africa (SEWA) has embarked on a programme to equip communities in the district with sustainable resource management skills.

“We realised that helping the communities to manage their natural resources is the best way to promote resilience and ensure uninterruptible ecosystem services,” said SEWA founder and director Kalulu Mumpande yesterday.

“Our goal is to conserve biodiversity and natural heritage in the Upper Zambezi Valley ecological regions through promoting community participation and decision-making over natural resources.

“The 2014 Elephant Census Report, the Sebungwe Ecological Basin in particular, is a pointer to the need to engage communities, conservators, innovators and all key players in conserving the natural heritage.”

Mumpande said this is in line with the organisation’s vision on nature conservation. SEWA has also partnered other stakeholders to address biodiversity and ecosystems degradation.

“We look forward to continuing developing the capacity of target communities in managing their natural resources in a way that makes these communities food secure and sufficient,” Mumpande said.

He also said SEWA is implementing a project aimed at restoring and promoting freshwater biodiversity.

“The project seeks to improve the conservation status of wetlands and promote their sustainable utilisation for improved ecosystems climate resilience and adaptation. Wetlands act as buffers against natural disasters, provide a natural water purification system and serve as recreational sites and source of livelihoods for vulnerable communities,” he added.

Binga is located within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, a highly diversified marine and terrestrial ecosystem.