Conservation South Africa and Environmental and Rural Solutions have spearheaded the assembling of various stakeholders working within the Umzimvubu Catchment to form a partnership based programme titled, the Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership Programme. The Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership Programme aims to conserve the full extent of the Umzimvubu River system (from source to sea) through the sustainable restoration and maintenance of the catchment area in a manner that supports economic development and job creation for local people and enhances flow of benefits from ecosystem goods and services to people and nature.
A key emphasis of the programme is fostering partnerships and collaborations with multiple stakeholders active within this catchment. All the stakeholders recognize that collaboration between international and local NGOs, CBOs and government institutions increases overall efficiency, maximizes use of resources and prevents duplication of efforts. The stakeholders also uphold that participation of local communities within the Umzimvubu catchment enhances both conservation efforts and improved livelihoods, leading to poverty reduction, job creation and sustained economic growth. The UCPP partners will establish and develop a catchment management strategy and restoration plan for the Umzimvubu River corridor, with implementation commencing with strong stakeholder collaboration and demonstration projects in the Upper Catchment, aimed at the expansion and implementation of principles and techniques to the wider catchment over the next two decades. The UCPP is expected to be formally launched in September this year. To read some interesting facts about the Umzimvubu catchment and the UCPP, please read the UCPP factsheet by clicking on the link below.
