A Review of the Swaziland National Action Programme to Combat Desertification and a Strategy for Implementation

The Convention to Combat Desertification Swaziland National Action Programme (CCD NAP) drawn up via consultation with stakeholders was seen as too difficult to implement due to various constraints. A review of the NAP was undertaken by ECS to explore ways of slimming the NAP down and making it more achievable and donor-friendly. Of the 14 programmes recommended in the original NAP, three priority programme areas were identified that incorporated the majority of the NAP's original programmes. The three priority programmes are:

Priority Programme 1: The promotion of awareness, capacity building, and community participation programme;
Priority Programme 2: The land management, land use planning and land rehabilitation programme; and
Priority Programme 3: The desertification research and technology programme

1 Introduction

1.1 The Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly In Africa

1.1.1 CCD Focus
1.1.2 Negotiation of the Convention
1.1.3 National Action Programmes

1.2 Background to the Study

1.2.1 A factual history of CCD and NAP in Swaziland
1.2.2 Objectives of the CCD
1.2.3 Brief summary of desertification in Swaziland
1.2.4 Summary of causes of desertification in Swaziland
1.2.5 Information relevant to NAP available in Swaziland

1.3 National Policies and Strategies

1.3.1 Previous Programmes and Plans that support CCD objectives

1.3.1.1 Rural Development Area Programme (RDAP)
1.3.1.2 Fattening and Sisa Ranches Programme
1.3.1.3 Grazing Management Demonstration Areas (GMDAs)
1.3.1.4 Establishment of the Central Rural Development Board (CRDB)

1.3.2 Current Strategies, Action Plans, Policies, Legislation and Programmes that support CCD objectives

1.3.2.1 Strategies

1.3.2.1.1 The National Development Strategy (NDS)
1.3.2.1.2 The Economic and Social Reform Agenda (ESRA)
1.3.2.1.3 The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP)
1.3.2.1.4 Water Conservation and Development Strategies

1.3.2.2 Policies

1.3.2.2.1 The draft National Land Policy (NLP)
1.3.2.2.2 The draft National Environment Policy (NEP)
1.3.2.2.3 The National Disaster Management Policy
1.3.2.2.4 The draft Population Policy
1.3.2.2.5 The proposed Forest Policy and Action Plan
1.3.2.2.6 The proposed National Energy Policy
1.3.2.2.7 The Livestock Development Policy

1.3.2.3 Plans

1.3.2.3.1 The National Physical Development Plan (NPDP)
1.3.2.3.2 The Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP)

1.3.2.4 Legislation

1.3.2.4.1 The draft Environment Management Bill
1.3.2.4.2 The draft Water Bill

1.3.2.5 Programmes

1.3.2.5.1 The Sustainable Livelihood Programme
1.3.2.5.2 The Poverty Alleviation Programme

1.3.2.6 Conventions

1.3.2.6.1 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
1.3.2.6.2 The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

2 Analysis and assessment of the National Action Programme

2.1 The Convention and National Action Programmes
2.2 Introduction to the Swaziland NAP Programme Areas
2.3 The Implementation Strategy
2.4 Overview and Analysis of the Programme Areas

2.4.1 Institutional arrangements

2.4.1.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.1.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.1.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.1.4 Recommendations

2.4.2 Chieftaincy and chiefdom boundary disputes

2.4.2.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.2.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.2.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.2.4 Recommendations

2.4.3 Promotion of awareness and capacity building

2.4.3.1 The programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.3.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.3.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.3.4 Recommendations

2.4.4 Promotion of active participation of communities in land management programmes

2.4.4.1 The programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.4.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.4.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.4.4 Recommendations

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

2.4.5.1 The programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.5.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.5.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.5.4 Recommendations

2.4.6 Formulation of a National Forestry Policy and exploitation of forest products framework

2.4.6.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.6.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.6.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.6.4 Recommendations

2.4.7 Research and technology

2.4.7.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.7.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.7.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.7.4 Recommendations

2.4.8 Proper location of construction sites and physical infrastructure

2.4.8.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.8.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.8.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.8.4 Recommendations

2.4.9 Development of alternative energy sources

2.4.9.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.9.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.9.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.9.4 Recommendations

2.4.10 Improvement of livestock management practices

2.4.10.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.10.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.10.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.10.4 Recommendations

2.4.11 Drought mitigation and poverty alleviation strategies

2.4.11.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.11.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.11.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.11.4 Recommendations

2.4.12 Land use policy

2.4.12.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.12.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.12.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.12.4 Recommendations

2.4.13 Settlement and resettlement policy

2.4.13.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.13.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.13.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.13.4 Recommendations

2.4.14 Population policy

2.4.14.1 Main programme objectives and institutional framework for implementation
2.4.14.2 Relevance to other programmes
2.4.14.3 Appraisal of programme description and implementation
2.4.14.4 Recommendations

3 Review of other programmes relevant to NAP

3.1 Overview of Government Programmes

3.1.1 Rural Development Programmes

3.1.1.1 Rural Development Area Programme (RDAP)
3.1.1.2 Rural Resettlement Programme
3.1.1.3 Rational Utilisation of Resources Programme
3.1.1.4 Earth Dam Rehabilitation and Construction
3.1.1.5 Development of Water Supply and Sanitation in Rural Areas

3.1.2 Grazing and Livestock Programmes

3.1.2.1 Grazing Land Management Demonstration Areas
3.1.2.2 Fattening Ranches and SISA Ranches Scheme
3.1.2.3 Intensive Livestock Production Systems Programme
3.1.2.4 Livestock Sub-sector Review and Vegetation

3.1.3 Forestry related programmes

3.1.3.1 Management of Indigenous Forest and Wattle Plantations
3.1.3.2 Forest Nurseries

3.1.4 Swaziland Environment Action Plan

3.1.5 Komati River Basin Development

3.2 General Assessment of the Government Programmes

3.3 NGO Programmes

3.3.1 Rural Development Programmes
3.3.2 Grazing and Livestock Programmes
3.3.3 Forestry related programmes
3.3.4 Soil conservation and land rehabilitation
3.3.5 Food security and alternative sources of income

4 Review of Studies Commissioned By NSCD

4.1 Evaluation of Community Based Projects

4.1.1 Summary of the evaluations
4.1.2 Remarks on the evaluations

4.2 Enhancing NGO Participation in the Implementation of CCD in Swaziland

4.2.1 Capacity assessment of NGOs
4.2.2 Recommendations to enhance NGO/CBO participation

4.3 Promotion of Awareness, Capacity Building, and Community PArticipation

4.3.1 Summary of the proposals
4.3.2 Remarks on the proposals

4.4 Proposals on Research and Technology Development and Alternative Livelihoods

4.4.1 Summary of the proposals
4.4.2 Remarks on the proposals

4.5 Survey of Indigenous Knowledge Systems

4.5.1 Summary of the study
4.5.2 Remarks on the study

5 The NAP implementation strategy for priority programmes

5.1 Rationalisation of the Existing 14 NAP Programmes

5.1.1 Group A: Institutional Arrangement
5.1.2 Group B: General support, in particular to communities and local leadership
5.1.3 Group C: Direct support in land management and land rehabilitation
5.1.4 Group D: Research and technology development
5.1.5 Group E: Policy support programmes and strategies
5.1.6 Group F: Risk related support programmes

5.2 The NAP Implementation Strategy Options

5.3 The Implementation Strategy based on Priority Programmes

5.3.1 Priority Programme 1: The promotion of awareness, capacity building, and community participation programme
5.3.2 Priority Programme 2: The land management, land use planning and land rehabilitation programme
5.3.3 Priority Programme 3: The desertification research and technology programme

5.4 Opportunities for Integrating the Priority Programmes into Government and NGO Programmes

6 Fund Raising Strategy

6.1 Introduction

6.2 The Fundraising Strategy

6.2.1 Create an enabling environment

6.2.1.1 Institutional capacity
6.2.1.2 Beneficiary support
6.2.1.3 Promote collaboration between role players
6.2.1.4 National government strategies
6.2.1.5 Country eligibility for international funds

6.2.2 Assess institutional capacity and arrangements

6.2.2.1 The Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA)
6.2.2.2 The CCD Coordinating Unit
6.2.2.3 The NGO CCD Task Force

6.2.3 Establish relationship between NAP and the government development programme

6.2.4 Identify the financial and technical requirements of the NAP

6.2.5 Identify potential donors

6.2.6 Consult with NAP implementers

6.2.7 Contacting donors

6.2.8 Identify the need for a donor conference

7 Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations

7.1 Information and supporting policies

7.2 Assessment of the NAP

7.2.1 The implementation strategy
7.2.2 Institutional arrangements
7.2.3 Description of programme areas

7.3 Review of other programmes relevant to the NAP

7.4 Review of studies commissioned by CCD

7.4.1 Evaluation of community based projects
7.4.2 Enhancing NGO participation
7.4.3 Project proposals commissioned by NSCD
7.4.4 Study on indigenous knowledge systems

7.5 The NAP implementation strategy for priority programmes

7.5.1 Rationalisation of the existing 14 NAP programmes
7.5.2 The implementation strategy based on priority programmes

7.6 The Fund Raising Strategy