The Khohlooa, Matholoana and Likobo Herdboys are groups of herders in village communities in Thupa-Kubu, Berea District in Lesotho. Though a disadvantaged group of Basotho society, they are the day-to-day managers of the environment.
Their involvement in natural resource management has come about as a result of their concern over the limited supply of forage in grazing areas in their villages, which has resulted in poor livestock yields. The herders have carried out simple soil and water conservation measures, such as the building of silt traps and the planting of Kikuyu grass to reclaim dongas. They also keep bees for honey-producing purposes in their respective areas.
While herding, they have prepared 7,000 holes to plant trees for fuelwood and shade, and, to date, they have managed to plant 1,300 seedlings. They have also built a dam to collect water for their animals and to irrigate fodder and vegetables. In 1998, they motivated herders from 21 villages to undertake soil and water conservation activities.
Thanks to the efforts of the Herdboys, there is less trespassing on pasture-land, fewer quarrels over communal grazing areas, and the burning of village grazing spaces has been reduced.
Updated By: Mary Ann Maybaum
Last Updated: 10/22/2003 5:46:00 PM |
