Local participation is not an add-on to Metsi a Ditlou — it is the model. The community helps choose the site, build the pond, and keep it running.
Local community participation runs through the whole project — site selection, construction support, long-term maintenance, and monitoring.
The proposal envisions the community participating in site selection, labour, and long-term maintenance through the Village Trust.
Village TrustThe project plans to train 10 youth as Pond Guardians — the people who keep the pond working and the data flowing.
Keep the water source working and flag issues early.
Watch how elephants and wildlife use the pond over time.
Gather the information that shows whether the pilot is working.
Help maintain long-term community ownership beyond the pilot.
Solar power helps reduce the recurring cost of keeping the pond running.
Trained Pond Guardians support continued monitoring after the project ends.
The proposal anticipates potential tourism-partner contributions toward an annual maintenance fund. No tourism partner is confirmed at this stage.
