The Importance of awareness creation for the restoration of degraded forests in ward 9 of Maganga communal area, Marondera district in Zimbabwe

Author

Chivere, Kudzanai

Title

The Importance of awareness creation for the restoration of degraded forests in ward 9 of Maganga communal area, Marondera district in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study investigates initiation of awareness creation for restoring degraded forests in ward 9, Maganga Communal Area, Marondera District. A mixed- methods methodology was employed, integrating questionnaires, qualitative interviews, focus groups, structured and semi structured one-on-one sessions. The research examines the bases for selecting awareness creation strategies, identifies potential awareness activities and stakeholder roles, and determines needs to promote restoration efforts. The findings reveal that socio-demographic factors, including age, gender and education level, significantly influence awareness levels, knowledge and behaviors related to forest restoration. Younger individuals tend to prioritize sustainability and conservation, while older adults bring valuable experiences and traditional knowledge. The study also underscore the importance of community involvement, with local community meetings and visual aids, such as posters and charts, emerging as effective platforms for conservation messaging. Furthermore, stakeholder engagement is critical, requiring a deep understanding of local perspectives, preferences and needs to enhance initiative impact and promote sustainable forest management and conservation. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in forest restoration initiatives, ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed. These insights inform effective awareness creation and stakeholder engagement strategies, contributing to forest sustainability and conservation initiatives that are tailored to specific needs of local communities.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Forest restoration

Marondera

Awareness initiatives

Degraded forests

Environmental conservation

Supervisor

Dr N. M. Zhou