Das Projekt "Nutzung und Schutz der Wasservorraete im Victoria-See durch nachhaltige Bewirtschaftung der Feuchtgebiets-Uebergangszonen" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Zürich, Institut für Pflanzenbiologie durchgeführt. The project investigates the filtering capacity of wetland-ecotones and the resource use practices and management arrangements of wetland users with regard to different stages of urbanization. The aim of the study is to define options wich will allow to integrate sustainably managed wetlands into urban and rural water and sanitation planning. This will protect wetlands and contribute to the improvement of the inshore water quality. Significance for the partner country: The project contributes to protect wetlands as habitants rich in biodiversity and as resource base mainly for poor people and it contributes to an adequate use of natural wetland-ecotones in wastemaster treatment schemes and thus helps to improve the inshore water quality. The project improves the capacity of the Fisheries Research Institute in its task to monitor the national water resources through improvement of its infrastructure and through training of its staff (short term training of laboratory technicians, M.A., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees of research personel). The project helps to enforce the environmental policies of Jinja town through the collaboration of the Environmental Department of the Jinja Municipal Council with the water quality laboratory set up at the Fisheries Research Institute. Accomodation of the project to the research policies of the Partner country: The project is part of the National Wetlands Management Programme which itself follows the guidelines of the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP). The research project focuses on the sustainable use of surface water, a steadily increasing problem in the densely populated areas around lake Victoria. The Ugandan Freshwater Fisheries Research Organisation (FIRI) and the Institutes of Plant Biology and Ethnology of the University of Zurich will collaborate in an interdisciplinary approach to investigate lake shore ecotones, the potential waste water treatment plant barriers along the lake shore. It is our aim to study the efficiency and the regeneration capacity of ecotones and to find options for sustainable management of wetlands as an integral part of water supply schemes through peoples participation.
Das Projekt "MSSRF - Biodiversity Conservation" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von DEZA, Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit durchgeführt. Main results achieved so far can be summarised as follows:
Notable progress has been made in revitalizing in situ on-farm conservation traditions by organising quality seed production and strengthening the farmer-to-farmer seed exchange system for locally adapted land-races of paddy in Jeypore and Wayanad and minor millets in Kolli Hills. On-farm conservation of 98 paddy landraces with the help of self-help groups in Jeypore and promotion of Njavara rice (having medicinal properties) in Wayanad needs to be mentioned in particular.'
In situ on-farm conservation of agro-biodiversity has been provided strong back up support by establishing 8 Community Seed Banks and also Community Seed Stores with suitable linkage to the Community Gene Bank at Chennai. The entire set up has been developed and managed by the self-help groups organized by villagers themselves with the technical assistance of project teams.
Four sacred groves have been successfully revived in Kolli Hills. Sacred native tree species have been propagated and established in these sites. Five Community Medicinal Plants Gardens have been established in Jeypore tract conserving over 260 species under protection of local deities.'
Work on the preparation of Community Biodiversity Registers documenting useful local bio-resources, has made some progress in Kolli Hills and Wayanad.'
Participatory genetic enhancement of land-races of paddy has made steady progress in Jeypore tract with rich germplasm collection, demonstration of yield trials and quality seed production to support a farmer-to-farmer seed exchange system.
A notable achievement has been the formation of 10 Self Help Groups in Kolli Hills, their recognition by the Bank of India and their quota-based direct marketing of minor millets in linkage with TRIFED (Tribal Federation for Marketing Development Corporation) after signing of a MoU.
Generally, work in the different sites has made an important contribution to stemming the erosion of agrobiodiversity. For example, in Kolli Hills, minor millets and legumes would have disappeared as a result of the expansion of pineapple and cassava cultivation, but for the work done under this project for finding markets for traditional, hereto little known, crops.
Project goals:
Promotion of biodiversity conservation. Improvement of rural livelihoods. Capacity buil-ding. Development of conducive policies.