Ndzou camp Andrew Kingman
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Transcript of Ndzou camp Andrew Kingman
MICAIAConcessions and sustainability in
Chimanimani: NDZOU Camp & MICAIA
Presentation by Andrew Kingman, Eco-MICAIA Ltd
Introduction to MICAIA
� MICAIA is a hybrid organization consisting of an operating
foundation (Fundação MICAIA) and a social enterprise (Eco-
MICAIA Ltd).
� MICAIA’s purpose is to enable people to prosper in strong local
economies and healthy vibrant communities
� Fundação MICAIA has a set of long-term programmes including
work on land use planning and conservation, sustainable
agriculture, and local economic development
� Eco-MICAIA provides business development services and
investment in areas of tourism and natural products
� MICAIA started work in early 2008
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Chimanimani
National
Reserve
625 km2
Buffer Zone
1740 km2
Chimanimani
TFCA Moribane Forest
• Moribane Forest Reserve is an area of 120 sq km
stretching from the Sussundenga – Dombe road towards
the mountains and border
• The Forest is home to a large population of elephants, a
range of smaller game, and a large variety of birds
• Moribane has long been studied for its rich diversity of
flora including many rare and indigenous species
• The history and rich socio-cultural heritage of the area add
to its potential for visitors
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Moribane: the need for
sustainable livelihoods
• Moribane Forest
Reserve is under
threat – banana
plantations, illegal
logging, the spread
of settlement
• The growing
numbers of
elephants damage
farms and homes,
increasing conflict
with people
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Moribane: the need for
sustainable livelihoods
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
NDZOU
CAMP
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
NDZOU CAMP
Principal Features:
• Joint venture development
involving the Mpunga community
(60%) and Eco-MICAIA Ltd
(40%)
• Situated in Moribane Forest on a
5.5ha site allocated by the
community (who have DUAT)
• 18 beds in 4 rondavels, a 3-
bedroom family lodge and 2 fixed
tents + prepared & serviced
campsites (ablution block,
cooking areas)
• Restaurant and bar serving
creative locally inspired dishes
making the most of seasonal
produce
Sustainability requirements
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� Starting point: the development took place in the context of the draft
Management Plan for the Chimanimani TFCA – this stresses the
need for creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for
communities in the buffer zone
� All communities within the TFCA should have a Community Action
Plan i.e. the output of a participatory asset mapping and planning
process.
� If done well, these CAPs can provide a) local ownership of any new
development; b) guidance to investors/partners about local
resources (social-cultural, natural, human, institutional); c) a
guarantee that there is widespread local support for and knowledge
of possible developments
Sustainability requirements 2
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� Moribane/Mpunga: Fundação MICAIA (with funding from iTC)
facilitated the CAP process over more than six months. By the time
business planning started there was solid local ownership
� The external review process (led by ECI) and guidelines stressed
key features of sustainability:
� Core business case – market, product offer, capacity
� Environmental impact
� Social impact – job creation, skills development, procurement
� NDZOU Camp scored highly on:
� Eco-design, waste management plans, and use of alternative energy
� Social impact – most jobs local, commitment to local procurement
� Business model – equity of 60% for community
� Core business case – detailed market analysis and segmentation
Sustainability initiatives
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� NDZOU Camp is a growing business but it remains just one feature
of a steadily diversifying local economy in the Moribane area.
� There is an effective partnership between the community of
Mpunga, NDZOU Camp, Eco-MICAIA Ltd and Fundação MICAIA.
Each partner is involved in initiatives to promote sustainability
� Sustainability initiatives cover:
� Direct environmental work within and around the Camp
� Investment in local capacity building processes
� Investment in local supply chain
� Marketing and business development processes
Sustainability initiatives:
forest conservation
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� A priority for all partners has been direct action on conservation of
the Moribane Forest. In the last year, actions have included:
� Planting and landscaping within the Camp grounds
� Establishing a tree seedling nursery (MF+NDZOU Camp)
� Planting 1,000s of trees (community + MF)
� Training Community Forest Rangers (MF)
� Further work on zoning, creating new community agreed limits on
settlement and agriculture areas (MF)
� Preparing detailed information about the biodiversity of the Forest –
creating the Moribane Forest Learning Centre (MF)
Training community forest rangers and awarding certificates
Forest Nursery Participating & learning with the community
Sustainability initiatives:
local capacity building
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� Capacity building is a process, not an event: sustainability requires a
commitment to continuing investment in building local capacity. In
the last year actions have included:
� Staff training (formal and informal) - NDZOU Camp
� Direct involvement via a Finance Committee of members of the Mpunga
association in running NDZOU Camp (monitoring financial reports etc)
� Training of the Association and Natural Resource Management
Committee (MF)
� Regular meetings with the Association, presenting financial information
and involving the community in decision-making processes
Sustainability initiatives:
Investing in the local economy
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� NDZOU Camp on its own will not convince the people of Mpunga to
stop expanding their banana and maize plantations. Tourism is one
livelihood opportunity, but the community needs more. In the last
year, efforts to diversity the economy have included :
� Construction of a fruit and forest products drying factory – due to open
in July 2012 with a capacity of 40Kg dried produce/day (Eco-M+MF)
� Increase in local procurement and support for local fresh produce
marketing association (NDZOU Camp + MF)
� Expansion of beekeeping in the area, including a beehive fence (MF)
� Work with local crafts people eg potters (NDZOU Camp)
Sustainability initiatives:
building the local business
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� If the business fails in its core role (making money by attracting
visitors) the associated initiatives are irrelevant. For NDZOU Camp,
far from the beach, this means ensuring a balance between local
and fully ‘tourist’ business. In the last year Eco-MICAIA’s work has
included:
� Locally focused marketing with special events
and promotions (Valentine Weekend, the
Moribane Music Festival etc)
� Targeted marketing of NDZOU as a small
conference venue
� Building the reputation of the restaurant to
create a regular drop-in trade
Lessons learned
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
� In our context the relationship between NDZOU Camp and the
community is central - taking time to communicate; address
problems together; being honest about all aspects of the business.
� The result: a community that cares about and is proud of NDZOU Camp – that
feels it can drop in and buy a drink
� The challenge: maintaining this level of engagement
� Build a local market if possible – NDZOU Camp is part of not only
Mpunga, but Sussundenga and Manica Province….
� Build alliances and partnerships with NGOs and others that can
help diversify the local economy and build capacity for sustainability