EIF funds make a difference for San communities

The San community in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy is using funds provided by the Green Climate Fund and the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) to build a wall to protect water points in their village from elephants.

According to the conservancy human-wildlife conflict is rare in the area, which has around 18 water points for the estimated 1 000 to 1 500 elephants.

However, the drought that has devastated the entire country has put a greater strain on wildlife to find water, the conservancy said in a press release.

“This search for water has meant that elephants are more likely to stray into the conservancy area inhabited by people. This means that there is a greater likelihood of village water points being attacked and damaged.”

Protecting the water points is important to guarantee a secure water supply for the villagers and their gardens, the conservancy added.

According to the conservancy many approaches to water protection have been tried over the years, but in Nyae Nyae, the only approach that has proven to consistently work is a two-metre-high stone wall.

The conservancy says these barriers have proven to be impenetrable, keeping the village's water supply safe. This has allowed the conservancy to invest in water-dependent activities such as livestock farming and agriculture to improve the San community's self-sufficiency.

The Green Climate Fund and EIF project is funding the building of walls at three villages and the overhaul and servicing of all village boreholes in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy over a 12-month period.

Other than investment, the funds received from GCF/EIF represent development and empowerment for the communities.