Gaya, June 5, 2026 — The Urban Municipality of Gaya has initiated restoration work on 500 hectares of degraded pastoral land, funded by the Integrated Urban Development and Multisectoral Resilience Project (PIDUREM). The symbolic groundbreaking ceremony kicked off simultaneously in Gaya and Tara, marking the official launch of operations.
Reviving degraded pastoral ecosystems
The PIDUREM-funded initiative targets severely degraded pastoral plots in Gaya and Tara, aiming to restore soil health, prevent erosion, and enhance land capacity for livestock grazing. Key interventions include reforestation, installation of erosion control measures—both hydric and wind-based—and the rehabilitation of access roads to streamline pastoral activities and monitoring.
Boosting climate resilience and local economies
These interventions are designed to strengthen community resilience against climate change impacts while safeguarding natural resources. The PIDUREM regional coordinator highlighted that the project will generate temporary employment for nearby residents, injecting income into the local economy during the implementation phase.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to curb land degradation, bolster food security, and minimize conflicts between farmers and herders across the region. Continuous technical and environmental monitoring will ensure interventions remain effective and adaptable based on real-time assessments.
Direct beneficiaries and the role of partner NGOs
The project will directly benefit pastoral households and herders from neighboring villages, whose grazing routes will be restored and secured. Partner NGOs, integral to the implementation, will lead awareness campaigns to promote sustainable land management and ensure the upkeep of completed works. Work has already begun, with an initial phase of land preparation and planting scheduled in the coming weeks. Regular evaluations and progress reports will be conducted to ensure transparency and to validate future disbursements from funding partners.
