Greater Mapungubwe
Transfrontier Conservation Area
Greater Mapungubwe
The Greater Mapungubwe TFCA, shared by Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, is an important conservation landscape that enables free movement of wildlife.
Unfortunately, this free movement of animals also means cross-border livestock movement which is resulting in conflict as cattle move from Zimbabwe into Botswana and Mapungubwe, causing land degradation in conservation areas. Herding for Health (H4H) in Maramani, Zimbabwe plays a vital role in mitigating cross-border livestock movement and managing severely degraded rangelands. H4H helps improve market access and unlocks the livestock value chain while strengthening transboundary conservation in the landscape. Within Botswana’s Bobirwa District, as part of the GCF-Botswana Government-funded initiative, H4H is instrumental in addressing rangeland degradation, improving livestock management, and improving climate resilience of communities who depend on this landscape.
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Reduced cross-border livestock movement, reduced poaching, better livestock management, improved market access opportunities, resilient communities to the impact of climate change, improved co-existence of people and nature
Combined herding, planned grazing and planned rest, livestock market sales, value-addition to skins, boma and fodder production
200,000 hectares
10 jobs created
3500 hectares
100 beneficiaries
Maramani is a key area within the Greater Mapungubwe TFCA, where livestock management and wildlife conservation intersect. H4H in Maramani is crucial for restoring degraded rangelands and reducing conflicts on cross border cattle movement. Through various economic incentives implemented as part of H4H in the landscape, the aim is to reduce poaching and create alternative livelihoods for communities who are very vulnerable to climate variability. H4H, therefore, provides key levers for human development with conservation outcomes.
Bobirwa District, located in eastern Botswana, is a key area for conservation and sustainable development, particularly within the context of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area. As part of the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-Botswana Government-funded initiative, the district is implementing H4H to address pressing challenges such as rangeland degradation, climate change, unsustainable livestock practices and market access. H4H promotes sustainable grazing practices to improve rangeland health, and enhance community resilience to climate change while supporting biodiversity conservation. Bobirwa District plays a crucial role in implementing H4H as a mitigation measure for cross-border livestock movement.
People, Livestock and Conservation
Herding 4 Health is a community development activity that promotes conservation outcomes while supporting people living in rural areas to find their way out of extreme poverty.
