Summary and conclusions

Rapid population growth is a major factor in the cycle of cumulative environmental degradation and poverty in which Lesotho finds itself. Rising population has resulted in reduced per capita availability of arable land; the use of unsustainable agricultural practices including overgrazing, all of which contribute to a reduction in its ability of the land to support the population. Landlessness is also increasing from an estimated 12.7% of rural households in 1970 to over 1986 (25% of all households, rural and urban are classified as landless); a problem at least in some part also attributable to land tenure.

Lesotho’s land tenure system has been identified as major constraint to development of agriculture, including tree growing. A strong lobby exists which argues that the system requires adjustment and modification to accommodate: demographic patterns (increasing landlessness); the need to raise agricultural productivity; and environmental concerns (particularly overgrazing) of a common property resource.

The overriding challenge and problem of Lesotho’s economy is that while the external base of livelihoods provided by migrant labour is threatened, there has also been a declining trend in the largest internal sector (agriculture) which has not been adequately compensated by developments in the other sectors. In the context of increasing population, reduced employment opportunities in RSA and the inability of the domestic non-agricultural sector to absorb labour and provide livelihoods, Lesotho’s economic and social development will increasingly depend upon the ability of policy makers to revitalise the agricultural sector. While natural events have certainly contributed to the sector’s decline, the lack of a facilitating and supporting policy environment has played a major part.

The forest issues of Lesotho are many and varied. Some are unique to this country while others are clearly cross national boundaries. The daunting challenge facing both the remaining indigenous forest patches and the 485 Forest Reserves, is to implement a sustainable ecosystem management plan based on a sound understanding and integration of biological and socio-economic issues. Furthermore, there is an overriding need to assess and quantify the multiple benefits that Basotho society derives from forest resources. This data foundation is essential to establishing communal responsibility towards sustainable forest management within the context of participatory decision making.

REFERENCES

Chakela Q.K and Seithleko E.M. 1995. Desertification: Lesotho Case Study

Forestry Division, 1997. Annual Report for year 1996-97

GOL, 1988. Lesotho Energy Master Plan. Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy, Water and Mining, Maseru.

GOL, 1991. Lesotho Energy Master Plan. Department of Energy, Ministry of Water and Mining, Maseru

GOL, 1996. National Forestry Action Programme. Programme Document. NFAP Steering Committee, Maseru.

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May, E.D. 1994 The Forest Arboretum of Trees and shrubs of Lesotho- Forestry Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Maseru, Lesotho.

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MOA, 1988. National Conservation Plan for Lesotho. Conservation Division, DCFL, Maseru.

MOA 1966. Lesotho. Sectoral Round Table Consultations. Agriculture: A strategic Plan of Action. MOA, Maseru.

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Sechaba consultants, 1990. Poverty in Lesotho in Lesotho. A mapping Exercise, Maseru.

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Annex

List of the major studies/reports on forestry and related areas produced within the last ten years

1. Lesotho National Forestry Action Programme March 1996

2. Lesotho National Forestry Research Action Programme 1992

3. Bazill, J. 1992. Agroforestry Practices in Lesotho

4. Harvesting and Marketing study

5. Kumar U and Kulundi-Bitonye, W 1995. An In-depth Review of Forestry law in Lesotho. Report commissioned by the Lesotho National Forestry Action Steering committee

6. Hall, D and Green, T. 1989. Community Forestry in Lesotho. The peoples perspective. A report on the social forestry study for a community forestry programme for the Kingdom of Lesotho, Maseru

7. May, E. D 1992. Social Forestry in Lesotho-Records of past initiatives and achievements Forestry Division, Maseru

8. Leslie, A.D 1990. Indigenous forest and woodland in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Siud Afrikaanse Bosboutydskril no.158

9. Overseas Development Administration 1992. Draft Evaluation Report 512, Lesotho Woodlot Project, London

10. Cough P, 1989 A review of forest reserves in Lesotho. A report prepared for the World Food Programme, Maseru

11. Bureau of Statistics, (1987). Incomes, Expenditure and Consumption of Basotho Households

12. Bureau of Statistics, 1996. Socio-Economics Characteristics and Population Projections. Population Census Analytical Report. Volume 111B

13. Bureau of Statistics, 1996. Populations Dynamics. Population Census Analytical Report Volume 111A

14. Gay J., 1984. Lesotho Village Energy Survey Report. Aid Resources Report

15. GoL 1992. Lesotho Energy Master Plan

16. GoL 1994. Lesotho Statistical Yearbook

17. GoL 1995. Household Budget Survey

18. GoL 1999. Forestry Division Team Building Workshop Report

19. GoL 1999. Proposal for a New Afforestation Approach

20. Oguntala, A.B. 1991. National Tree Planting Campaign in Lesotho - A Need for New Strategies Proceedings of the World Forestry day and National Tree Planting Campaign Workshop, Lesotho

21. Sekaleli E. S. 1997. Community Forestry in Lesotho. Possibilities and Constraints. A Thesis submitted as a Partial Requirement for the Master of Science Degree in Tropical and sub-Tropical Forestry

22. Sekaleli E. S. 1996. Data Collection and Analysis for Sustainable Forest Management in ACP Countries. A Country Report for a Presentation at the Workshop to be Held in Mutare

23. Taka E. M. 1999. Investigation into Wood and Timber Use in Lesotho. Ministry of Agriculture - Forestry Division, Lesotho

During the intercensal period, 1986 to 1996, the de jure population increased by 367,167 from 1,592,902 in 986 to 1,960,069 in 1996. This shows a growth rate of 2.0 percent per annum. The projection estimated the population in the year 2001 to be 2,182,743, which is an increase of 222,674 (10.2%) over the 1996 de jure census figure.

There was an unusually large number of females, when compared to their male counterparts in 1986 with a sex ration of 95 males per 100 females as compared to that of 1996 which estimated the sex ration to be 96 males per 100 females.

The age structure shows that the young population dominates. It is estimated that as many as 43.1% of the population were aged between 0-14 years, 42.6% aged between 15-44 years and 10.9% aged between 45-64 years. This clearly brings out two observations; that the birth rate is high and that the majority of the people fall in the age group that is eligible for employment. This type of age structure has special implications on the available resources especially in terms of educational facilities and job opportunities.

The dependency ratio, that is, the number of persons aged under fifteen and over sixty five years, as a proportion of the number of persons between the ages of 15 and 64 years was 87% in 1996.

TABLES:

* Projected Population (Medium Variant)
Source: 1996 Population Census Analytical Reports Voumes IIIA and IIIB

Table 2. Distribution of woodlot according to districts in Lesotho