NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 

Investment Cost:USD 7.65 Million
This component aims to protect, restore and sustainably manage the natural resource base of the Songwe River Basin while strengthening ecosystem resilience, improving water security, enhancing biodiversity conservation and supporting sustainable livelihoods. The programme recognises that the long-term sustainability of investments in hydropower, irrigation, water supply and agriculture depends on the health and integrity of the basin's ecosystems, watersheds and natural resources.
1.1.    Upper Catchment Protection and Watershed Restoration
Capacity
•    Protection and restoration of critical upper catchment areas in Tanzania and Malawi.
•    Improved watershed functions and hydrological regulation.
•    Reduced sediment inflows into rivers, reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure.

Key Interventions
•    Catchment rehabilitation and restoration.
•    Protection of water source areas and recharge zones.
•    Soil and water conservation measures.
•    Gully rehabilitation and erosion control.
•    Community-based watershed management initiatives.
•    Promotion of sustainable land-use practices.

Expected Outcomes
•    Reduced land degradation and soil erosion.
•    Improved watershed health and hydrological functions.
•    Reduced sedimentation of rivers and reservoirs.
•    Improved groundwater recharge and water availability.
•    Enhanced climate resilience and ecosystem stability.

1.2.    Community Forestry and Riverbank Stabilisation
Capacity
•    Restoration and stabilisation of riparian zones and riverbanks.
•    Increased community participation in sustainable forest management.
•    Improved protection of critical river ecosystems.

Key Interventions
•    Afforestation and reforestation programmes.
•    Riverbank stabilisation and erosion control measures.
•    Establishment of community woodlots and forest plantations.
•    Rehabilitation of degraded riparian ecosystems.
•    Promotion of sustainable forest management practices.
•    Community awareness and environmental stewardship programmes.

Expected Outcomes
•    Reduced riverbank erosion and land degradation.
•    Improved river stability and watershed protection.
•    Increased forest cover and carbon sequestration.
•    Enhanced biodiversity conservation.
•    Improved community livelihoods through sustainable forestry activities.

1.3.    Improved Forestry Management and Biodiversity Conservation
Capacity
•    Improved management of forest resources and biodiversity-rich ecosystems.
•    Strengthened conservation of critical habitats and ecological corridors.

Key Interventions
•    Development of sustainable forest management plans.
•    Biodiversity conservation initiatives.
•    Community-based natural resource management.
•    Protection of ecologically sensitive areas.
•    Forest monitoring and enforcement systems.
•    Promotion of alternative livelihood opportunities to reduce pressure on natural resources.

Expected Outcomes
•    Enhanced biodiversity conservation and ecosystem integrity.
•    Reduced deforestation and habitat degradation.
•    Improved ecosystem services and environmental sustainability.
•    Increased resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change.

1.4.    Integrated Soil and Water Conservation and Sustainable Land Management
Capacity
•    Improved management of agricultural landscapes across the basin.
•    Enhanced soil fertility and water retention capacity.
•    Reduced land degradation and agricultural losses.

Key Interventions
•    Conservation agriculture practices.
•    Contour farming and terracing.
•    Agroforestry and integrated farming systems.
•    Soil fertility management.
•    Rainwater harvesting and moisture conservation techniques.
•    Farmer training and demonstration programmes.

Expected Outcomes
•    Improved agricultural productivity and food security.
•    Reduced soil erosion and nutrient depletion.
•    Increased water infiltration and moisture retention.
•    Enhanced resilience of farming systems to climate variability.
•    Improved household livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

1.5.    Water Resources Protection and Water Quality Management
This sub-component focuses on safeguarding the quantity and quality of water resources throughout the Songwe River Basin to support domestic water supply, agriculture, hydropower generation, fisheries, ecosystems and socio-economic development.
Capacity
•    Strengthened protection of water sources, rivers, wetlands and recharge areas throughout the basin.
•    Improved water quality monitoring, surveillance and management systems.
•    Enhanced institutional capacity for integrated water resources management.
•    Improved protection of critical aquatic ecosystems and environmental flows.

Key Interventions
•    Protection and restoration of critical water catchments and recharge zones.
•    Water quality monitoring and surveillance systems.
•    Watershed conservation and afforestation activities.
•    Groundwater monitoring and management.
•    Pollution prevention and water source protection measures.
•    Establishment of basin-wide water quality assessment programmes.
•    Development of water resources monitoring databases and information systems.
•    Community awareness and stakeholder engagement on water conservation.
•    Strengthening transboundary cooperation on water resources management.

Expected Outcomes
•    Improved water quality and reliability of water sources.
•    Enhanced sustainability of water supply infrastructure and ecosystem services.
•    Reduced environmental degradation, pollution and contamination of water bodies.
•    Improved resilience of water resources to climate change and extreme weather events.
•    Strengthened protection of aquatic ecosystems, wetlands and biodiversity.
•    Improved availability of water for domestic, agricultural, industrial and environmental uses.
•    Enhanced transboundary cooperation and integrated management of shared water resources.

1.6 Fisheries and Aquaculture Development

Capacity

• Development of reservoir fisheries associated with the Lower Songwe Dam.
• Expansion of community-based aquaculture and fish farming enterprises.
• Increased fish production and value addition opportunities.

Key Interventions

• Reservoir fisheries development and management.
• Fish stocking and fisheries enhancement programmes.
• Establishment of fish ponds and aquaculture facilities.
• Development of fish processing, storage and marketing infrastructure.
• Capacity building for fisheries cooperatives and producer groups.
• Promotion of sustainable fisheries management practices.
• Support for fisheries value chains and market access.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased fish production and food security.
• Improved household incomes and livelihood diversification.
• Creation of employment opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture.
• Enhanced nutrition and protein availability for local communities.
• Development of sustainable fisheries-based enterprises and value chains.