Eswatini is continuing to focus on a conservation project worth approximately E98.5 million (about US$6 million) delivering lasting impact for the country’s protected areas. The initiative has continued to deliver measurable benefits for communities and biodiversity across the nation, as stakeholders assess the long - term outcomes of the Strengthening the National Protected Areas System (SNPAS) Project. which aims to effectively expand, manage and develop the country’s protected areas network in order to adequately preserve nature and landscapes of the southern African nation.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented between 2015 and 2021 through the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) oversight, the six years program program expanded the country’s protected area coverage from 3.9% to 5.5%, while securing nearly 20.000 hectares of private and communal land through Other Effective Area – Based Conservation Measures (OECMs).
The project’s impact came into focus during a recent visit by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Henrik Franklyn and Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) Chief Executive Officer Thulani Methula to three supported sites such as Shewula Community Nature Reserve, in northeastern Eswatini, located in the Lubombo Mountains, Mbuluzi Game Reserve, a 3.000 hectare reserve also in northeast Eswatini, crossed by the scenic Mbuluzi and Mlawula rivers, and Mlawula Nature Reserve, a 16.500 hectares protected area highlighted by diverse savanna - woodland mosaics dominated by Lubombo mountains.
The project developed a GIS - based biodiversity monitoring system, conducted biodiversity surveys, and improved data collection for ecological planning.
Initiative included support to community - based ecotourism infrastructure, improving conservation technologies, training for community members in sustainable land use, such as in the Luyengweni Chiefdom, aimed at reducing poverty and enhancing local income, managing the elimination of invasive alien plants such as black wattle and strengthening ecological stewardship in important habitats, all of which have contributed to local livelihoods and long - term environmental sustainability.
The visit offered stakeholders an opportunity to evaluate the durability of the project’s achievements and reinforce collaboration between communities, government, and development partners as Eswatini navigates ongoing environmentaland climate – related pressures.
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Thanks a lot to read and note.