FUNDING PROPOSAL Reducing Deforestation in the Dambwa Forest, Zambia: protecting habitat ecosystem restoration education healthcare

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1 FUNDING PROPOSAL Reducing Deforestation in the Dambwa Forest, Zambia: protecting habitat ecosystem restoration education healthcare

2 Executive Summary ALERT, through its Communities Trust (ACT) division, is seeking funding for the purchase of solar stoves for communities living around the Dambwa Forest Reserve in southern Zambia, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce deforestation and restore this ecosystem. This is a collaborative program between the Zambia Forestry Department, the Dambwa Forest Joint Management Committee, Lion Encounter Zambia, Greenpop and ALERT. Located in the Southern Province of Zambia, the Dambwa Forest Reserve is utilized by the Maunga and Natebe rural communities, totaling 2,114 people (at the 2009 census). Currently the area suffers from high levels of deforestation which is causing severe soil erosion, and could lead to regional climate change if steps are not taken to address this issue. ALERT aims to: a) reduce the overutilization of forest resources for the production of fuel by promoting the use of alternative technologies; b) promote the importance of maintaining existing indigenous trees to counter the negative consequences of deforestation; c) promote reforestation programs of indigenous tree species to restore the ecosystem, and; d) provide capacity building towards a more sustainable use of forest resources. Budget NEED Phase 1: Large parabolic stoves (one for each of 11 villages) Delivery costs Phase 2: Small parabolic stoves (one for each of 302 households) Delivery costs COST (USD) USD 2,750 (USD 250 each) USD 462 (USD 42 each) USD 45,300 (USD 150 each) USD 9,060 (USD 30 each) TOTAL USD 57,572 The stoves will be purchased from

3 Background Information The Maunga community comprises of eight villages located to the Western side of the Dambwa Forest Reserve near Livingstone in the South of Zambia. The Natebe Community is located to the Eastern side of the Forest and consists of three villages. In total, the Forest supports 302 households containing 2114 people (at the 2009 census). Most of the dwelling houses are made of poles and mud with grass thatched roofs. Education and employment levels within these communities are low. Deforestation is a huge problem in rural areas of sub-saharan Africa; especially in Zambia, which has the second highest deforestation rate in the world. Unmanaged and unsustainable exploitation of forestry areas for raw materials for domestic purposes: building materials, charcoal production, production of curios and agricultural activities all contribute to this deforestation, along with the devastation caused by uncontrolled fires. Approximately 75% of the community surrounding Dambwa Forest depend on cutting down wooden poles to use for the construction of houses and other buildings within their communities. According to a survey in 2005 by the Forestry Department of Zambia, approximately 6762 poles are harvested annually from the Dambwa Forest Reserve. This consumption of forest resources is not restricted to the communities of Maunga and Natebe; other key consumers are residents of Livingstone City who utilise these resources for herbal medicines, wild fruits and wood for making curios. Collecting firewood for cooking is the most significant forest resource utilization activity. Almost half the world's population - around three billion people - cook over open fires, with 90% of people in Africa using this method. Wood is the main fuel source, but crop residue and dung are also used. This practice is both economically and environmentally damaging. Trees are cut for firewood, resulting in increased soil erosion and reduced nutrient flow. Heavy annual rains then sweep fertile topsoil from the fields, causing a reduction in harvests. As forests continue to reduce in extent and density, regional climate change will result with negative impacts on agricultural output. As well as being harmful to the environment, wood-burning fires are also responsible for some 17% of carbon dioxide emissions globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 1.5 million people die each year from lung diseases resulting from their usage more than the number of people who die each year from malaria. The introduction of solar stoves would significantly reduce levels of deforestation and cut down on carbon dioxide-related deaths. A large solar sun stove is a 1.8m outer focus parabolic solar cooker with a power output of 2000 watts. It can boil a litre of water in four minutes and a maximum of 10.5 litres at a time, making it an ideal stove for sharing amongst households. The small stove boils a litre of water in 15 minutes with a power output of 500 watts. In phase one of the program, one large solar stove will be provided for each village. Following a review of the program s success, and as additional funds become available, a small stove will then be supplied to each household. This program will be complemented (and separately funded) by: education programs on the benefits of sound forest management practices and the negative impacts of over utilization; a reforestation program to increase the number of indigenous trees, and; work with local stakeholders to increase the capacity for a more sustainable use of forest resources.

4 Project Aims ALERT aims to: a) Reduce the over-utilization of the Dambwa Forest Reserve, enabling the restoration of the indigenous ecosystem. To do this, each village in the Maunga and Natebe community areas will be provided with solar powered stoves to decrease the need for wood burning open fires. In phase one, a large stove will be given to each of the eleven villages. In stage two, each of the 302 households will be provided with a small stove. As a result of the provision of stoves, we expect there will be a decreased need for wood from the Dambwa Forest allowing time for its natural regeneration. Full training will be provided on the use and maintenance of the stoves. b) Undertake a comprehensive education program on the issues surrounding deforestation and the benefits of sound forest management, as well as the health issues associated with cooking on open fires. Long exposure to these open fires during cooking causes bronchitis, asthma, and lung cancer. By providing households with solar powered stoves to use, we aim to see a decrease in respiratory related health problems within community members. c) With a reduction in open fire related illnesses, it is anticipated that children s education levels within these communities will rise as an improvement in health has a positive effect on school attendance. Challenges & Needs Statement From this funding, ALERT aims to purchase and deliver solar-powered sun stoves for the villages of Maunga and Natebe. Current challenges include a lack of education amongst the local communities as to the benefits or use of the stoves. Also, as Johannesburg is the closest location to Livingstone which produces sun stoves, delivery costs will have to be added to the overall budget. The immediate needs of the project are: 1. The purchase of sun stoves to be distributed across the villages of Maunga and Natebe. 2. The delivery cost of the stoves, which has been included in the total budget.

5 Personnel The following personnel will be responsible for the implementation, educational aspects and on-going monitoring of the project: Mwape Walumba - Currently working as Lion Encounter s Community Liaison Consultant, Mr Walumba has much experience in social work in Zambia. He has developed keen relationships with the members of the community, and in particular the village headmen. He will assist with the implementation and on-going monitoring project. Mulenga Mwamba - Mulenga is employed at Lion Encounter having graduated from Copperbelt University with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry Management. Part of his role is to work on on-going community development programs. As such, Mulenga will be involved in developing and facilitating the education program which will accompany the delivery of the stoves. Genevieve Hayes An ALERT intern, Genevieve is an experienced undergraduate student, with an honours degree in Environmental Sciences. She has previously spent time in Africa conducting social surveys with village elders to gain insight into methods used to treat common goat diseases. As part of this project, Genevieve will be involved in surveys in the village to assess the needs and the productivity of the project. This will help us to verify the results of both the implementation of the stoves and also the effectiveness of the educational program. Collaborations ALERT collaborates with: - The Zambia Forestry Department - The Dambwa Forest Joint Management Committee - Lion Encounter Zambia, which operates in association with ALERT - Greenpop, an organisation which undertakes reforestation projects in Africa Time Line Production/Purchase of Stoves Delivery of sun stoves 2 Months (number dependent) 1 Month (number dependent) The accompanying education program is on-going and is likely to be delivered in a weekly workshop across the communities.

6 Monitoring and Evaluation A community social survey will take place both before and after the educational program and also before and after the implementation of the sun stoves. These surveys will use verbal interviews and questionnaires to look at: - The level of understanding of the environmental impacts of our actions - Opinions on the use, benefits and effectiveness of sun stoves - The understanding of deforestation within Zambia - Levels of firewood and charcoal consumption - Awareness of the safety risks/hazards of using the stoves All stakeholders and partners will receive a progress report to evaluate and review the project s effectiveness. Budget NEED Phase 1: Large parabolic stoves (one for each of 11 villages) Delivery costs Phase 2: Small parabolic stoves (one for each of 302 households) Delivery costs COST (USD) USD 2,750 (USD 250 each) USD 462 (USD 42 each) USD 45,300 (USD 150 each) USD 9,060 (USD 30 each) TOTAL USD 57,572 The stoves will be purchased from Other costs not included in this budget will be funded through ALERT s collaboration partners.

7 Find your pride! If you would like to discuss this proposal with us, or request proposals to support our many other programs, please contact us at You can make a donation to support this vital effort via: 1. ALERT offers a secure online donation system in multiple currencies. This service is provided through an intermediary to offer you further piece of mind that ALERT has undergone due diligence to ensure your donation is used for charitable purposes. 2. The simplest form of making a donation with the least charges to ALERT for accepting your donation is by bank transfer using the following banking details through your online banking system or by contacting your local branch. If you would like to give regularly you can also establish a standing order for your desired amount. Pound Sterling (GBP) account: African Lion and Environmental Research Trust Lloyds TSB Bank 32 Oxford Street London W1D 1AX United Kingdom Account Number: Sort Code: BIC No: LOYDGB21006 IBAN No: GB10LOYD

8 HEAD OFFICE African Lion & Environmental Research Trust Melrose Farm 1134 Nakatindi Road PO Box Livingstone Zambia E: W: African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (South Africa) 17 Carlton Close Noordhoek 7985 South Africa All funding from South Africa is routed through our partner The Happy Africa Foundation NPO IT373/2010 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (UK) 39 St. James s Place London SW1A 1NS United Kingdom UK Charity Commission Number African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (Zambia) c/o 3/J/297A Leopards Hill Road P.O. Box Lusaka Zambia Zambia Charity Registration Number ORS/102/35/3583 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (Zimbabwe) c/o Coghlan, Welsh & Guest 3 rd Floor, Executive Chambers 16 George Silundika Avenue Harare Zambia Zimbabwe Protocol No 68 MA82/2008