The Convention to Combat Desertification
Swaziland National Action Programme

CONTENTS | SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION | SECTION 2: DESERTIFICATION IN SWAZILAND | SECTION 3: EXECUTION OF THE NAP PROCESS | SECTION 4: RESPONSES TO DESERTIFICATION | SECTION 5: SETTING THE PRIORITIES | SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME | LIST OF REFERENCES AND ACRONYMS | LINKS

SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME

6.1 Introduction

This section presents the implementation strategy and description of programmes to be undertaken in the implementation of the NAP. The programmes described here are a reflection of the priorities set out in the National Forum held In September, 1997 at Mphophoma. This section also sets out the underlying principles and guidelines for the implementation strategy. This includes a definition of the programme approach. Finally a detailed description of the programme areas is presented. The presentation on programme areas includes information on the objectives; outputs; activities; relevance to other programmes; institutional arrangements and the time frame for implementation. In discussing the relevance of the programme components or areas, linkages with other programmes especially poverty alleviation, sustainable livelihoods, good governance, NDS and others are highlighted.

6.2 The guiding principles

The principles form the basic guidelines for the implementation strategy. These principles are based on the following facts and assumptions:

• NAP programmes and projects emphasize popular participation, or are "people - led", to promote their ownership among communities and enhance their execution and sustainability.
• NAP provides an enabling environment allowing communities to help themselves achieve their stated goals.
• It is essential to adopt a programme approach in the NAP to facilitate the full integration of CCD activities within other national policies for sustainable development. Adoption of this approach also conforms with its increasing usage by governments.
• The implementation of the NAP emphasize building of partnerships between the various stakeholders and government.
• The implementation of NAP programmes and projects is based on self - initiative and on the learning - by - doing approach. The experience accumulated is carefully documented and fed back into subsequent stages of programme / project implementation.

6.3 The programme strategy

The programme approach shall be used in the implementation of the national priorities on combating desertification. In this approach the NAP goals will be articulated within the several programme areas described in Section 6.4. According to the UNDP (1997), the programme approach "is a process which allows government to articulate national priorities and realise sustainable human development objectives through a coherent and participatory national programme framework". While government takes the lead in human development issues the programme approach allows donor agencies to support one or more areas or components of a national programme framework in line with their comparative advantage. The programme approach encourages integration of all available resources, irrespective of origin, in addressing community / local and national priorities. In essence, it is a coherent set of interrelated policies, strategies and investments to achieve specific and time bound national development objectives. It outlines all requirements / resources as well as the implementation and management arrangements. Several benefits may be derived from the programme strategy. Most importantly, it offers a medium of amplifying environmental protection issues highlighted in the NDS and ESRA. In these programmes government has highlighted drought and land degradation as priority problems in the country. Moreover, the programme strategy acts as a tool for mobilising resources and thus enable the translation of the convention into action.

6.4. Detailed description of programme areas

The programme areas described below are derived from the CCD priority areas identified in the preceding section. Where information is available, all the programme areas will be presented in the following format: objectives, activities, outputs, relevance to other programmes, institutional framework for implementation, time frame and cost estimates. It is important to show the linkages and relationships of these programme areas with programmes developed by other sectors in the country. Such information can facilitate the implementation process particularly with reference to the sharing of resources and technical information. Knowing the relationships can minimise the duplication of efforts where duties and responsibilities overlap.

6.4.1 Institutional Arrangements

Objectives:

1. To develop an effective and properly constituted institutional framework for the implementation of the NAP.
2. To Establish an Environmental Fund for the implementation of the NAP.

Outputs:

1. A properly constituted institutional structure for the implementation of the NAP to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.
2. Regional committees and a gazetted board dealing with desertification issues established.
3. National Environment Fund established and implemented.

Activities:

1. Integration of the activities and merging of the Rural Development Office, Land Development Section and the Land Use Planning Section to form a Land Management Division.
2. Creation of a CCD unit to co-ordinate activities for combating desertification within the Land Management Division.
3. Strengthening of the Land Administration Board
4. Establishment of environmental / desertification committees in all regions and Tinkhundla centres.
5. Expedite the creation of a National Environment Fund.
6. Conduct workshops and engage consultants to support and popularise the National Environment Fund.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme area is relevant to government's programme of decentralisation of functions and responsibilities to Tinkhundla centres. It accords well with objective 3 of the programme on "Strengthening Capacity for Good Governance" and Article 22, paragraph 2(c) of the Convention to Combat Desertification.

Institutional framework for implementation:

Since the responsible institutions are within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, implementation of this programme must be co-ordinated by these two institutions in consultation with the Swaziland Environment Authority.

Time frame:

Short-Term (1 to 2 years)

6.4.2 Chieftaincy and Chiefdom Boundary Disputes

Objectives:

1. To assist in the acquisition of long-term solutions to land disputes within and between chiefdoms.
2. To facilitate the implementation of proposed programmes and projects to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in the affected areas.

Outputs:

1. Documented criteria in the appointment of chiefs.
2. Codified customary laws and procedures pertaining to the appointment and demotion of chiefs and strategies on the resolution of chieftaincy disputes.
3. Delineated and documented chiefdom boundaries.
4. Adequate information on the roles and responsibilities of chiefs and related traditional community structures.

Activities:

1. Review and documentation of customary law and procedures pertaining to the appointment (and demotion) of chiefs and the resolution of chieftaincy disputes.
2. Delineation and registration of areas affected by chieftaincy disputes.
3. Mapping and gazetting chiefdom boundaries.
4. Establish a committee to study and codify duties and responsibilities of chiefs.
5. Formulate and enact legislation framework guiding appointment and removal of acting chiefs (time perspective).
6. Mount community seminars at chiefdom level to explain roles and responsibilities of chiefs.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme will benefit from the proposed committee/commission to draw chiefdom boundaries as well as the on-going codification of traditional and customary law.

Institutional framework for implementation:

The commission on codification of traditional and customary law co-ordinated by the Ministry of Justice has a major role to play in this programme. The surveyor general's office which is responsible for all mapping activities in the country will also contribute in mapping the chiefdoms and their boundaries in the country.

Time frame:

medium-term

6.4.3 Promotion of Awareness And Capacity Building

Objectives:

1. To stimulate awareness among communities on issues of combating desertification.
2. To increase the local capacity of handling land degradation problems.
3. To facilitate the co-ordination of activities on combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought.

Outputs:

1. Increased awareness of land degradation and desertification issues among community members.
2. Land degradation/desertification co-ordination unit created.

Activities:

1. Review of school curricula to include environmental issues.
2. Prepare and distribute environmental pamphlets and other materials to various academic institutions and libraries/information centres.
3. Hold periodic technical workshops for community groups, NGOs and public and private agencies.
4. Establish community fora/media for information dissemination and discussion of desertification issues as well as formulation of strategies.
5. Create a unit to co-ordinate activities and disseminate information on combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought.
6. Mount training sessions for community groups and individuals on desertification issues.
7. Identify an institution and upgrade it to mount and handle courses on desertification.
8. Co-ordinate research activities on desertification.
9. Facilitate liaison between land degradation control practitioners and communities.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme is in accordance with Article 19 of the CCD. It also accords well with the activities of the National Environmental Education Steering Committee. The SNTC is currently implementing the National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP) which is of immediate relevance to this programme. The programme will also benefit from projects and programmes mounted by NGOs, such as Yonge Nawe that cover a broad spectrum of the Swazi society.

Institutional framework for implementation:

Implementation of this programme will be co-ordinated by SEA and involve NGOs as well as public and private agencies. The Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives will house and facilitate implementation of this programme.

Time frame:

Medium to long-term

6.4.4 Promotion of Active Participation of Communities in Land Management Programmes

Objective:

1. To improve participation of communities at grassroots level in land management programmes

Outputs:

Communities actively involved in land management programmes.

Activities:

1. Encourage active involvement of communities (including youth and women) in the formulation and implementation of programmes.
2. Mount continuous education campaigns for community members and groups for them to appreciate the desertification/land degradation problems.
3. Support existing environmental action groups and encourage the formation of new action groups.
4. Promote the formation of special area action groups such as river basin or land management associations.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme is in accordance with CCD principles set out in Article 3 of the convention. This programme is also relevant to components of the programme on sustainable livelihoods, specifically the "participation and information for sustainable livelihoods".

Institutional framework for implementation:

The SEA in partnership with NGOs, CBO and community traditional structures will be responsible for implementation of this programme. The MOAC, land management division, will be responsible for co-ordination at national level.

Time frame:

Short to medium-term

6.4.5 Reclamation and rehabilitation of degraded land to promote sustainable utilisation of land resources

Objective:

To reclaim and rehabilitate degraded lands and promote sustainable utilisation of land resources.

Outputs:

1. Degraded land reclaimed and used for production purposes.
2. Land allocation and utilisation driven by its capability and sustainability.

Activities:

1. Apply scientific and indigenous technology to reclaim/rehabilitate degraded land.
2. Evaluate, improve and/or strengthen existing conservation systems.
3. Develop and adopt new land management systems where applicable.
4. Prepare and implement integrated land use programmes.
5. Complete the national forestry policy and legislation to culminate in the formulation of a national forestry action plan.
6. Identify areas that are prone to erosion as a mitigation measure
7. Maintain a balance between socio-economic integration of environmental consideration in policies, strategies and programmes in compliance with environmental standards.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme fits well into the various on-going activities by communities and NGOs on the reduction of gully erosion and filling of gullies.

Institutional framework for implementation:

Relevant sections in the MOAC and MNRE will co-ordinate and facilitate activities of NGOs and CBOs.

6.4.6 Formulation of a National Forestry Policy And Exploitation of Forest Products Framework

Objectives:

1. To formulate and implement a national forestry policy.
2. To encourage sustainable utilisation of forest products and encourage forest regeneration and growth.
3. Upgrading of the Forestry Section into a division

Outputs:

1. National Forest Policy
2. Framework for the utilisation of forest products
3. Framework for afforestation projects
4. Forestry Section strengthened

Activities:

1. Complete the National forest policy
2. Formulate procedures for forest clearance and tree cutting.
3. Establish local committees to manage and regulate the use of forest resources.
4. Encourage growth of indigenous and commercial trees/forests.
5. Raise public awareness and knowledge on forest management.
6. Increase number of staff and mount periodic forest inventories.

Relevance to other programmes:

Several programmes aimed at encouraging forestry and forest management are proposed in SEAP. For example, promotion of small scale forest industries, expansion of forest plantations in highveld areas and provision of extension services to improve indigenous forest management.

Institutional framework for implementation:

MOAC forestry section in conjunction with Tinkhundla, NGOs and CBOs., PSMP which is already approved by the Ministry of Labour.

Time frame:

Short-term

6.4.7 Research and Technology

Objectives:

1. To make available applicable information and technology to combat desertification.
2. To analyse the current environmental situation in Swaziland.
3. To provide necessary information to influence policy and decision making on desertification and drought mitigation issues.

Outputs:

1. Production/ publication of information on applicable technology for combating desertification.
2. Production of information kit on combating desertification.
3. Availability of information on climatic variations and improved early warning systems.

Activities:

1. Document previous and on-going research activities on land degradation and desertification.
2. Compile critical research areas on combating desertification.
3. Review less successful previous programmes to identify shortfall and potentials for success.
4. Document scientific and indigenous techniques to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.
5. Identify indigenous plants for the rehabilitation of degraded land and determine their propagation methods.
6. Examine and document potential strategies for the restoration of wetlands.
7. Document land resources and their utilisation.
8. Encourage and fund research and technology development on desertification related issues.
9. Analyse and review institutions and regulations on strategies to combat desertification.
10. Analyse current weather records and review current warning systems.
11. Mount research on multi-purpose and fast growing tree species.
12. Review and evaluate the efficiency of existing conservation systems.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme accords well with any research oriented programme in any institution in the country.

Institutional framework for implementation:

All sectors involved in research (i.e. UNISWA, MNRE, MOAC, Private research institutions. The activities may be co-ordinated by the SEA and the proposed Land management division of the MOAC.

6.4.8 Proper Location of Construction Sites And Physical Infrastructure.

Objectives:

1. To minimise land degradation caused by improper siting and construction of infrastructure.
2. To minimise the effects of material acquisition on land and water resources.

Output:

Proper siting and construction of infrastructure.

Activities:

1. Conduct and enforce Environmental Impact Assessment regulation and procedures before the construction of any infrastructure.
2. Monitor plant operators/operations to ensure adherence to environmental regulations and concerns.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme is relevant to the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations and procedures which were gazetted in 1996. Currently, the Swaziland Environment Authority has engaged consultant to review these regulations to emphasise on the socio-economic aspects of EIAs.

Institutional framework for implementation:

SEA, Proposing agencies, MNRE and other related government Ministries.

6.4.9 Development of Alternative Energy Sources

Objectives:

1. To develop and adopt alternative energy sources.
2. To reduce sole reliance on wood and other forest products for energy.
3. To promote efficient use of energy resources.

Outputs:

1. Availability of alternative energy sources.
2. Utilisation of other energy resources other than forest products.

Activities:

1. Investigate and promote the use of alternative sources of energy such as biogas, solar and wind power.
2. Intensify the rural electrification programme.
3. Facilitate through the provision of resources the establishment of community and individual woodlots as sources of energy.
4. Encourage the use of fuel/ energy efficient stoves and other energy conserving techniques.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme fits well into the rural electrification programme, promotion of small scale forest industries, use of alternative energy sources and energy conserving stoves in rural households.

Institutional framework for implementation:

SEB, UNISWA, MOAC (Home Economics Department and Forestry Section), MNRE and SEA.

Time frame:

Short-term

6.4.10. Improvement of Livestock Management Practices

Objectives:

1. To increase farmers'' income from livestock production.
2. To minimise damage caused by livestock on grazing land.
3. To establish the carrying capacity of national grazing areas.
4. To promote zero grazing

Outputs:

1. Better management of rangelands.
2. Improved livestock quality and marketing thereby increasing the income of farmers.
3. Sustainable livestock numbers.

Activities:

1. Provide incentives and develop strategies to encourage destocking.
2. Promote supplementary feeding and the utilisation of alternative feed systems including crop and industrial residues.
3. Adopt and implement the Dipping Chemicals Bill.
4. Conduct workshops, seminars and field demonstrations on the potential and management of livestock.
5. Develop and promote marketing and management schemes to encourage quality and availability of livestock products to consumers.
6. Encourage the diversification of livestock production and other meat production systems such as poultry and fisheries.
7. Improve siting and number of dip tanks and watering points for livestock.
8. Mount periodic research on the carrying capacities of grazing areas.
9. Promote the fencing of grazing areas and rotational grazing schemes on communal areas.
10. Review the management and utilisation of government sisa and fattening ranches to reduce stocking rates on communal land.
11. Encourage and demonstrate the benefits of Zero grazing among rural communities.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme is in line with the SEAP programme to improve the management of rangelands and promote the dissemination of information and communication with livestock owners. It also fits into the objectives of the sisa and fattening ranches programme and the animal health inspection programme.

Institutional framework for implementation:

MOAC (Animal Health Inspection Unit, Range management division and the proposed Land Management Unit) in consultation with SEA, Tinkhundla, NGOs, UNISWA (Faculty of Agriculture).

Time frame:

Short-term

6.4.11 Drought Mitigation and Poverty Alleviation Strategies

Objective:

To develop and implement strategies for drought mitigation and poverty alleviation.

Outputs:

1. Reduced effects of drought and the improvement of the socio-economic status of the populace.
2. Improved water availability for domestic and agricultural purposes.
3. Food security for all communities.

Activities:

1. Construct earth dams and promote irrigated farming.
2. Improve and promote rainwater harvesting techniques.
3. Strengthen early warning systems
4. Promote alternative sources of livelihood.
5. Bring idle farms into utilisation, especially for crop production.
6. Increase food storage capacity
7. Intensify sustainable plant production systems and appropriate technology transfer to all farmers.
8. Encourage the appropriate utilisation of ground water resources.
9. Co-ordinate and facilitate the provision of clean water supply to all communities.
10. Encourage income generating projects

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme is relevant to the broader NDS and ESRA programmes where poverty alleviation is identified as a priority area. It is also related to the UNDP support programme on the promotion of sustainable livelihoods.

Institutional framework for implementation:

MNRE (Rural and other Water departments), SWSC, MOAC, DPM office (Disaster Relief Task force).

Time frame:

Short term

6.4.12 Land Use Policy

Objective:

To complete and implement the draft land use policy.

Outputs:

1. A comprehensive land use policy that ensures proper allocation of land resources and minimise land degradation.
2. A simplified land policy leaflet for awareness raising among the populace.

Activities:

1. Set-up a Task force to complete the draft land use policy with the assistance of consultancies.
2. Provide land access opportunities and legal security of tenure to all citizens.
3. Review existing legislation, formulate new legislation where needed and enforce all land legislation.
4. Conduct a national stakeholder workshop to popularise the land use policy and educate all stakeholders.
5. Prepare and distribute information leaflets on the land use policy.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme is relevant to the SEAP, NDS and resettlement programmes.

Institutional framework for implementation:

SEA, MNRE and MOAC.

Time frame:

Short-term.

6.4.13 Settlement and Resettlement Policy

Objective:

To develop and implement a settlement and resettlement policy to guide the development of settlements in rural and urban areas.

Outputs:

1. A settlement and resettlement policy that ensures proper siting of homesteads and settlements to minimise land degradation.
2. Information leaflets on the policy.
3. A properly constituted settlement or resettlement Authority in rural and urban areas.

Activities:

1. Appoint a task force and engage consultants to produce a settlement and resettlement policy.
2. Strengthen the Land Administration Board for the implementation of the resettlement policy.
3. Train local/community structures on land allocation and utilisation.
4. Prepare and distribute leaflets on the settlement and resettlement policy.
5. Conduct workshops and mount media campaigns to raise awareness on the policy and its intentions.

Relevance to other programmes:

This programme may benefit from earlier resettlement programmes and the National Physical Development plan and ESRA.

Institutional framework for implementation:

MHUD, MOAC, SEA.

Time frame:

Short-term

6.4.14 Population Policy

Objective:

To control population growth.

Outputs:

1. Reduction in population growth rate and sustainable utilisation of land resources.
2. Information leaflets on the population policy and population growth control measures.

Activities:

1. Implement and Enforce the National Population Policy.
2. Facilitate the Activities of the national population council.
3. Promote activities and facilities of the FLAS and other NGOs involved in population growth control.
4. Set-up a national maximum family size and provide incentives to those whose families are within or below the set maximum.

Relevance to other programmes:

Population growth issues are included in the on-going NDS and ESRA programmes. FLAS has a long-term programme on population growth control in Swaziland.

Institutional framework for implementation:

NPC in MEPD, MHSW, SEA, FLAS and UNICEF.

Time frame:

Short to long-term.