Mbabane – The Mbuluzi Ecosystems Restoration Project on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, advanced Eswatini’s work on ecosystem protection and climate resilience through a validation workshop held as part of ongoing restoration efforts in the Mbuluzi River Basin.
The project is being implemented by the Eswatini National Trust Commission with financial support from the Global Environment Facility and technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme. It focuses on restoring and protecting the Mbuluzi River Basin, a system that supports biodiversity, livelihoods and economic activity in the Kingdom.
Representing the ENTC chief executive officer, the Director of Parks conveyed the Commission’s appreciation to the Government of Eswatini for assigning it the responsibility of implementing the initiative, which aims to safeguard ecosystems while strengthening resilience to climate change.
The workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, community members, traditional healers, conservation practitioners and technical experts. Participants discussed shared responsibilities around protecting indigenous flora, managing invasive alien plant species and restoring degraded landscapes within the basin.
Keynote addresses were delivered by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the Forestry Department and the Ministry of Agriculture. The speakers focused on the importance of combining scientific approaches with indigenous and community-based practices, particularly in the protection of medicinal plants and the sustainable use of natural resources.
During the session, stakeholders met to validate three technical knowledge management products developed under the project. These included the Flora Protection Act Schedules, the Invasive Alien Plant Species Handbook and the Donga or gully restoration handbook. The tools are intended to support coordinated responses to ecosystem degradation, contribute to national climate adaptation efforts, advance the Sustainable Development Goals and promote sustainable management of natural resources for current and future generations.
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