Makhalaneng Communities Unite to Restore Land and Secure a Sustainable Future

Since November 2024, approximately 150 dedicated community members from villages across the Makhalaneng sub-catchment—including Ha-Potiane, Ha-Raboletse, Ha-Dinizulu, Ha-Motjotji, Ha-Sematle, Ha-Matsaba, and Ha-Motale—have been working side by side with ReNOKA and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to bring life back to degraded land in Ha-Potiane.

This collaboration has resulted in tangible change on the ground, focused on reviving traditional grazing lands, reducing soil erosion, and building a resilient landscape for generations to come.

The restoration efforts have centered on key environmental rehabilitation practices, including the removal of invasive plant species that had crowded out native vegetation. In their place, indigenous grasses and shrubs are returning, promising healthier rangelands and renewed opportunities for sustainable grazing.

To fight erosion, stone bunds and check dams have been constructed to slow water flow and trap valuable sediment. These structures not only help protect the soil but also improve water retention—critical for a region frequently affected by erratic rainfall and land degradation.

One of the most urgent issues tackled by the community was gully erosion. At the gully heads, large rocks have been strategically placed to prevent further deepening, while downstream slopes have been reshaped to gentler profiles. These areas have been covered with biodegradable erosion blankets to support new vegetation growth and eventually create stable, fertile ground.

In addition to building new structures, the community has also restored existing bunds and check dams, reinforcing earlier conservation work and maximizing the impact of past investments.

Perhaps the most remarkable achievement is the community’s collective decision to enforce a no-grazing agreement. This pledge allows the land to rest and regenerate, ensuring that the progress made is protected and that natural recovery can take hold without further disturbance.

Today, as the rehabilitated Ha-Potiane site is officially handed over to the Likolobeng Community Council, it marks not just the end of a project—but the beginning of a renewed relationship between people and land.

The actions taken by the Makhalaneng communities are a powerful example of grassroots climate resilience. By taking ownership of the land and working together with government and environmental partners, these villagers are restoring ecosystems, securing their livelihoods, and setting a model for sustainable land management across Lesotho.