His Majesty King Letsie III says Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) project will have a significant impact on the country’s development and will improve livelihoods.
This, His Majesty said during the official launch of the project at Litsuming Ha Tenesolo Senqunyane on Friday.
He said the program seeks to provide integrated management of land and water systems in all areas of Lesotho, adding that preservation and protection of water have been critical in providing clean water.
His Majesty said it is therefore important to embark on different approaches in protecting wetlands and water systems.
He said if protected, it will bring about multiple benefits to communities hence urged the Chiefs, traditional healers and communities to work together to ensure their protection.
Also speaking, the Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro appealed to communities in the area to change their behaviour towards the environment and protect and preserve water systems.
He remarked that this can be achieved if well monitored and that it will not be wise to allow soil erosion as damages the water systems.
Dr Majoro, therefore, commended relevant ministries for the formation of herder’s associations and working hard in preserving water systems.
The European Union (EU) Ambassador, Dr Christian Manahl said Basotho have traditional knowledge of managing rangelands and now that there is climate change, it is crucial to also introduce other interesting programmes which combine modern science and scientific program management.
He said tradition evolves therefore appealed to everyone to listen to local people and combine that with scientific knowledge.
He said the EU through expertise will assist in providing for the economic future of the livelihoods to help preserve and modernise tradition.
He said Lesotho stands out to have the most preserved tradition in the region, expressing hope that the country will lift the economic future of the communities.
The Principal Chief of Matsieng, Chief Seeiso Bereng Seeiso praised herders for protecting the water sources hence urged the Ministry of Local Government through community councils to work together with communities to yield the expected results.
He said control over rangelands cannot be achieved if people are operating in offices.
Chief Seeiso Bereng Seeiso appealed to farmers to allow herders to go to school, saying this will help them to better understand the importance of preserving the water sources.
The Member of Parliament for Mants’onyane Constituency, Mr. Khobohelo Mokoma thanked the government for launching the project in this area.
He promised that the project will be protected as Ha Tenesolo residents have always protected the water sources even during drought seasons.
At the same event, herders were each presented with a blanket and gumboots and in return also presented sheep to His Majesty, the Prime Minister and Chief Seeiso Bereng.
The project is going to work in six different pilot sub-catchments in the country, Khubelu in Mokhotlong, Hlotse in Hlotse, Makhalaneng in Maseru, Maletsunyane in Semonkong, Likhetla in Mafeteng, Senqunyane in Thaba Tseka.
Amongst other things that the programme is going to be working on including rehabilitation and management of rangelands, soil and water conservation, protection of water sources, springs and wetlands, improved agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods of the communities.
Source: LENA 15/05/2021