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


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


Moribane: the need for

sustainable livelihoods


NDZOU

CAMP


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


� 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


� 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


� 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


� 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


local capacity building


� 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


Investing in the local economy


� 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)


building the local business


� 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


� 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

Travel

Ndzou camp Andrew Kingman