1. Information Session between GTZ and Lesotho Council NGOs -
Presented by Kirsten Roettcher, GTZ
Watershed Development and Community Councils
GTZ is the German Technical Co-operation and is a partnership
between Lesotho and German Governments to support decentralisation
in Lesotho. Lesotho Council of NGOs Commission Members had a meeting
to discuss the decentralisation programme in the country.
It was further discussed that the NGOs together with the locals
lobby their local councillors on issues. Gaps at local level need to
be considered i.e knowing they should conserve the environment.
Watershed Development
Watersheds are the collecting areas for water, thus they are on all
levels from Micro to macro catchments of water. For example a valley
is a macro-watershed.
Watershed development needs to be considered as it effects all the
natural resource management of an area. Thus soil erosion and land
degradation can be mitigated against if planning has considered
looking at the landscape as a whole and how water travels across it.
Methods used in watershed development are;
-
Diversion Ditches
-
Erosion control – stones
-
Gully Plugs to stop soil running away – 40,000 tonnes a year of
soil is lost
-
Stone lines used every 10m
-
Control can help with growing grasses for thatching, pasture etc
-
Small Dams can be linked to diversion ditches
-
What other measures are there; i.e maintenance
-
There are many examples of donga rehabilitation
-
You can use old tyres to stabilise banks
-
Diversion of water use
NGOs should connect to community councils.
GTZ stated they are here for at least the next ten years. They only
work in the four Southern districts of Lesotho.
Action Planning
NGOs need to prepare their projects/ plans and advocacy issues for
the Action Planning Sessions. A preliminary date has been set for
the meeting on the 15/16/17th March. LCN to prepare papers and
distribute.
Funding Situation
Scaling-up Food Security for Vulnerable Households- Our proposal
is being scaled up by other NGOs and the government. The government
have submitted our proposal to the EU for consideration.
Czech HIV/AIDS Food Security Proposal – situation the same as
previous meeting
Justice Sector – Food Security Training – awaiting reply from
Justice Sector
CARE – Have been told to go-ahead with the project with no
money. LCN thought this too risky and will await money although time
is against us to finish by end of March.
Some of the agenda items were integrated in matters arising, however
the remaining items are written below.
|
