The Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP)

RECOMMENDED POLICY AND STRATEGY FRAMEWORK

1.2 SOIL CONSERVATION

This policy is to focus solely on conservation problems, in particular towards implementing the broad principles enunciated in the National and Rural Land and Environment Policies. The higher level policies (as incorporated at the national level) set the overall framework for the more detailed soil conservation policy. Policy aspects and practical recommendations as brought forward by the National Awareness Workshop of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification are also reflected.

The soil conservation policy covers aspects related to rural land use, including crop and livestock production, forestry, rural infrastructure, etc. The emphasis of the policy is on the design of strategies and practical application.

ISSUES SUMMARY

Large proportion of Swaziland, notably the rangelands, affected by severe soil erosion and land degradation.
Population pressure on natural resources.
Unsustainable land use, including deforestation, settlements and infrastructure.
Lack of responsibility for proper resource management by most land users.
Lack of adequate soil conservation programmes and specialized extension service.
Inadequate, uncoordinated and decentralized control by a variety of responsible institutions and bodies (e.g. CRDB for SNL, NRB for TDL).
Insufficient and fragmented legislation, and lack of implementation.

SUMMARY POLICY PROPOSALS

The soil conservation objectives and policies are part of the more general environment policy formulated at the higher national and rural levels. There are three main elements in the soil conservation policy: the status of the degradation, the resource management and the reclamation.

Status of Policy

Policy elements exist in old and fragmented legislation.

Broad Overall Objective

To reduce and control soil erosion and land degradation.

Policy Principles

Combating soil erosion and land degradation be given a high political priority.
Soil conservation be integrated in sustainable production systems.

Policy Practical Elements

Inventories of erosion and degradation be updated and degradation be monitored.
Prevention of erosion be promoted through anti-desertification programmes, with emphasis on resolving the physical and socio-economic causes of land degradation.
Sustainable management and resource responsibility be improved in all relevant sectors:
- animal production
- crop production
- forestry
- mining
- infrastructure/settlement.
Reclamation of degraded land be pursued, with priority given to cases with:
- health and related hazards
- damage to infrastructure
- resources with high production potential
- communities receptive to prevention and rehabilitation
- high feasibility of intervention measures.

Policy Supportive Elements

Existing soil conservation legislation be appraised and comprehensive legislation be formulated, endorsed and implemented.
Education programmes and awareness campaigns be formulated and executed.
Research into causes and remediation be promoted, making optimal use of transfer of technology.
Institutional support be strengthened, with proper definition of one central responsible institution.

SUMMARY STRATEGY PROPOSALS

To update inventories information systems and monitor degradation through established systems (AELDA), including analysis of causes, applying appropriate tools such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems.
To determine suitable and sustainable production systems to replace systems leading to degradation of the environment, taking into account the specific conditions in the various agroecological zones.
To formalize land titles and land user's rights in order to increase responsibility for management of natural resources.
To improve range management, especially grazing practices and cattle movements, recognizing that this is the most important single cause of degradation.
To design and implement comprehensive and integrated conservation programmes to combat land degradation.
To protect and rehabilitate land and vegetation cover, especially in the following areas of concern:
- overgrazed areas
- grass strip maintenance
- burning
- removal of trees and woodland
- roads
- flood damage
- sensitive catchments
To identify priority areas for rehabilitation and estimate costs of recovery.
To control and advise on land allocation in degraded and vulnerable areas.
To suggest and promote alternative livelihood systems in areas prone to desertification.
To provide incentives and resources for the active involvement and participation of communities in soil conservation and reclamation as part of the overall land use and management. Communities and local leaders should be encouraged to formulate their own Land Use Management Plans to improve conservation and production through selecting sustainable systems, controlling livestock numbers, etc.
To establish a clear soil conservation control authority, linked with the Swaziland Environment Authority.
To review, reactivate and update existing legislation and formulate a new, efficient comprehensive legislation coordinated by SEA.

KEY REFERENCE MATERIAL

GOS/MOAC/USAID 1991. Farmers' Handbook.
Jansen et al 1994. Actual Erosion and Land Degradation in Swaziland.
Osunade, M.A.A. 1994. Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation in Swaziland.
UNEP 1994. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification: Final Text.

MINISTERIAL INVOLVEMENT

Predominantly MOAC, MTEC & MNRE, but with MPWT, MHUD & MEE involvement.