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WWF launches biodiversity project in Binga, Hwange

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  • By Dion Kajokoto

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has launched a campaign in Binga and Hwange districts to promote natural solutions that improve climate resilience and biodiversity.

The Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas initiative (CAPA) is expected to promote the use of nature-based solutions (NBS) to address societal and environmental challenges.

Tendai Chinho, WWF Zimbabwe's nature-based solutions project manager, told NewsDay recently that the CAPA effort was expected to boost climate resilience among people living in and around protected areas.

"Resilience to Climate Change through nature-based solutions involves harnessing the power of nature to enhance adaptive capacity, protect ecosystems and build sustainable communities that thrive in a changing climate," Chinho explained.

"It is encouraging and supporting the adoption of nature-based solutions as an approach to solving some of the societal and environmental issues faced by communities in Binga and Hwange districts such as climate change, biodiversity loss and water scarcity.

WWF also works with conservation partners such as the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources, local communities, marginalized groups, women, national and local authorities to co-create and co-implement the most appropriate gender sensitive and conflict-free nature-based solutions.

"CAPA initiative also provides education and awareness to increase knowledge and understanding of NBS for climate adaptation for communities, government agencies and conservation partners to encourage adoption and sustainability," she stated.

"The main focus is on wetlands and forest restoration and land reclamation as the areas are prone to drought, face water scarcity and have increasing gully formation."

Chinho stated that the project would also engage and consult local communities, who are caretakers and have indigenous and expert knowledge of proper ecosystem management practices.

The program is being conducted in Chitongo village in Binga, and Chidobe village in Hwange.