THE World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has embarked on a programme to promote natural solutions that strengthen climate resilience and protect biodiversity in Binga and Hwange districts.
The programme is called the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas initiative (CAPA) and is expected to support the adoption of nature-based solutions (NBS) in solving societal and environmental issues.
Speaking to NewsDay recently, WWF Zimbabwe’s nature-based solutions project manager Tendai Chinho said the CAPA initiative was expected to increase resilience to climate change for communities living in and around protected areas.
“Resilience to Climate Change through nature-based solutions involves harnessing the power of nature to enhance adaptive capacity, protect ecosystems and build sustainable communities that thrive in a changing climate,” Chinho said.
“It is encouraging and supporting the adoption of nature-based solutions as an approach to solving some of the societal and environmental issues faced by communities in Binga and Hwange districts such as climate change, biodiversity loss and water scarcity.”
WWF is also working with conservation partners such as Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources, local communities, marginalised groups, women, national and local authorities to co-create and co-implement the most appropriate gender sensitive and conflict-free nature-based solutions.
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“CAPA initiative also provides education and awareness to increase knowledge and understanding of NBS for climate adaptation for communities, government agencies and conservation partners to encourage adoption and sustainability,” she said.
“The main focus is on wetlands and forest restoration and land reclamation as the areas are prone to drought, face water scarcity and have increasing gully formation.”
Chinho said the project would also engage and consult local communities which are the custodians and hold indigenous and expert knowledge of appropriate ecosystem management approaches.
The programme is being implemented in Chitongo village in Binga and Chidobe village in Hwange.