Mokhotlong is a mountain district hosting one of the highest populations of wool producing sheep and goats, which makes small stock farming the mainstay of the economy of the district. Because of the rugged terrain, Mokhotlong is susceptible soil erosion because of the inherent high run-off. Thus the slighted upset in the vegetative cover and soil absorptive capacity result in excessive runoff that causes soil erosion and general land degradation. Land degradation is severe in Mokhotlong and alien invasive shrubs have invaded most if not all rangelands in the district, a factor that poses a threat to the wool and mohair industry. Severe drought that the country has experienced in recent years has resulted in water scarcity and concentration of livestock in wetlands further exacerbating overall land degradation and deterioration of rangeland and wetland resources. This is a reality in the proposed project site, Meiteling watershed in Mateanong. Working very closely with the Mateanong/Sanqebethu Grazing Association, MWMGA intends to tackle the challenges of poor livestock husbandry, range and wetland resources degradation and alien invasive shrubs.
The main objective is improving rangelands through brush control and wetlands rehabilitation for improved wool and mohair production. The MWMGA will be assisted to carry out a reconnaissance survey and to package its project concept into a full project proposal meeting the requirements of the GEF SGP.
Specifically, the project will work towards:
i. Carrying out a baseline study on the status and threats to the rangeland and wetland resources of Khubelu catchment and identification of key stakeholders
ii. Creating more awareness about wetlands protection among local communities and key stakeholders, particularly local herd boys
iii. Assessing the capacity of and recommending training and capacity development for members of MWMGA and other key goveranance structures
iv. Building on past initiatives, developing an integrated approach for range resources management and protection of wetlands
v. Developing a project proposal on Wetlands protection, rehabilitation and sustainable management of range resources in the proposed project site.