Multi-stakeholders on registration of Letša-la-Letsie catchment participated in a one-day meeting held at Kubung Hotel Upper Moyeni and
that meeting was organized by the district Department of Environment and Forestry aimed at review and validation of Regeneration of Landscape and Livelihoods (ROLL) ’s proposed restoration interventions, clarification of institutional mandates and identification of collaboration opportunities.
Attendants established three formal task teams namely, a national coordinating team, a district task force, and intelligence teams. The teams were to operate under clear terms of reference agreed on long-term joint efforts on restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and potential conservation agreements to accelerate sustainable management of Letšeng-la-Letsie.
Addressing attendants at the meeting, the Principal Chief of Quthing Chief Seeiso Nkuebe applauded ROLL for the premier meeting of its kind in history of project implemented in the district noting that resolutions of the meeting bring hope of success on activities to be implemented on registration of Letša-la-Letsie
Chief Seeso said ROLL has set a good example which other projects should follow highlighting the importance of love of the country to all those that will take part in implementation on all activities aimed at restoration of the Lets’a-la-Letsie as patriotism will help them to put more effort in making everything right.
ROLL project manager Mr. Mots’ets’ero expressed gratitude for active participation of the attendants noting that their collaboration in restoration of Letša-la-Letsie will help to achieve the aim of Letšeng-la-Letsie registration by the project and community.
He announced that the project through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has engaged a construction company to reconstruct the water retain wall of Letša-la-Letsie to be presented by the Minister on dates to be announced as the event scheduled for Monday was postponed due to cold weather.
He said the construction company contracted for nine months have already started and its expected to continue with transportation of construction material.
At the same event, Director Department of Range Ms. Malipholo Hae highlighted that Letša-la-Letsie area is in the mountains of the district under rangeland category A that is responsible to the Principal Chief of Quthing and no one is expected to graze livestock in the area without grazing permit from the Principal Chief.
She recommended that the district department of range should guide on how livestock currently grazing at Letša-La-Letsie should be moved to other grazing areas after which those that will continue grazing in catchment should be impounded.
Principal Engineer from department of Water Affairs ,Ms. Christinah Makoae-Nkuka started that Letša-la-Letsie is a Ramsar site, a wetland with international significance and also declared under the list of wetlands and protected area as a legally protected as well, noting that any one who could graze livestock in Letša-la-Letsie could be taken to courts of Law and change with Water Act which its charges are up to M50 000.00 fine and or period not less than five years imprisonment or both.
One of the attendants Prof. Makoala Marake from National University of Lesotho (NUL) commended the event stating it that it a step for the foundation of registration of Letša-la-Letsie since attendants have done an important job of the first of the kind intended to address long time challenge of successful development of Letša-la-Letsie.
He said NUL through students from different facilities is ready to support research to close gaps on amongst others community understanding on the importance of Letša-La-Letsie and other issues that hinder successful implementation of project activities with the aim for regeneration of Letša-la-Letsie.
He added that the university is ready to research and produce results with recommendations for sustainable economic development in the Letša-la-Letsie catchment.
Attendants at the meeting assigned Department of Water Affairs to ensure that the Coordination task team meets this month while District Coordinator for department of Environment and Forestry should ensure that district task team and village level task teams meet before the end of this month be trained and continue with their activities to be guided by their terms of reference.
Attendants at the meeting included Directors from Ministry of Water and of Environment and Forestry, NUL, Lesotho Highlighted Development Authority (LHDA) and Home Affairs.
This project had been funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) whose mission will be to engage in different activities, meetings with community and site visits for funding follow-up.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
