Proposed Soil & Water Conservation Measures

The basic objectives of Soil Erosion Hazards Assessment (SEHA) is to extend and promote the community`s skills on sustainable use of soil and water as primary resources for development at a large. CHEMA facilitates an open interaction and cooperation among users, as well as providing a forum for the discussion an dissemination of proper and appropriate soil & water conservation practices among the users. The Programme works in conjunction with other enviornmental organizations on the promulgation of global environmental and conservation policies, strategies and standards. We convene conferences, conduct field studies, produce publications, and distribute policy guidelines that highlight better soil and water conservation  techniques. The following is an outline of our focus:  

Measures to be taken in the forestry sector:

• To address land degradation problems by advancing tree planting.
• Conservation and management of catchment areas & surrounding forests.
• Promotion of agro forestry activities.
• Law enforcement to control illegal logging for charcoal production.

Measures to be taken in the agricultural sector:

• Raise awareness on land tenure rights, especially for women.
• Emphasize the use of contour ridges on slopes.
• Encourage the use of farmyard manure and other practical soil fertility practices.
• Promote early planting with proper, approved seeds. 

Measures to be taken in the livestock sector:

• Support de-stocking campaigns to address land degradation.
• Improvement of livestock auctions.
• To advice the farmers to move their animals from areas of high concentration to those of low concentration.
• Improve bull centers and small-scale dairy projects.

We want to encourage local communities and especially village governments to participate in land use planning and draw maps to indicate areas that need special attention for sustainable use of resources available in the area. Scarce resources should be highlighted with proper allocation of grazing areas, and protection of catchment zones. The empowerment of local communities such that they own and manage their resources is dully stressed.