CCA Committees in Nsanje Trained on Wetland Conservation
CCA Committees in Nsanje trained on MOMSs to conserve Elephant Marsh wetlands for ecotourism
Nsanje, Malawi — Community Conservation Area (CCA) Committees managing the Elephant Marsh in Nsanje have been trained on management-oriented monitoring systems (MOMSs) so that they can effectively conserve the wetlands areas, which are the source of ecotourism, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
The training, which was conducted by the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) through its component, the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), was aimed at strengthening the management of the conservation area so that the natural resources are not lost and also promoting agriculture.
Lengwe Division Manager Wesley Kawaye said the training has equipped the committees with the skills and knowledge they need to record data and summarise it accordingly for their benefit.
He said the committees are managing the Wetland resource areas of the Elephant Marsh using sustainable approaches in an area dubbed 'Gong'o.'
"In this approach, the communities realise what resources they have and identify what to monitor and what is important for them," he said.
The division manager also said that through the monitoring system process, the committees will be in a position to know the illegal practices taking place in the killing of birds, fish, and hippopotami just to name but a few, in Wetland areas.
Kawaye further said the communities may wish to reduce the number of birds by harvesting them by asking the government for the proper channels.
"This is really important as it empowers the locals because they have the basis for their decisions," he said.
Secretary of the Elephant Marsh Association (EAM), Patrick James, said the training has assisted them in determining how best to manage the wetland area.
He said that as the owners, there is a need for them to see whether they are making progress in the area or not.
"It will allow us to know if we are progressing or not in the course of conserving the wetlands," he said.
The secretary was quick to disclose that before the training, most birds and aquatic animals were being poached without asking them.
The training is a step in the right direction in the conservation of the Elephant Marsh, which is a valuable resource for the people of Nsanje.
The committees are now better equipped to manage the area and ensure that it is protected for future generations.