Vetiver is an extremely effective grass-like plant that is used worldwide to combat erosion and protect infrastructure (roads, verges, banks, dykes, etc.). It owes its qualities to an extremely dense network of fine but very strong roots that can reach depths of three to four metres.
The above-ground parts of the plant also prove their usefulness. A thick layer of vetiver grass slows down the flow of water and retains the sediment it carries. As a result, the plant not only protects against further erosion but can also contribute to ravine restoration.
Experience in propagating vetiver grass and planting it judiciously for erosion control and ravine restoration is still limited in the neighbourhood. This requires continued effort.
Actions:
- Literature research
- Training
- Organisation of a study visit to the UNEP project “Applying Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in the Lukaya Basin”
- Purchase of planting material.
Year: 2020
Budget: 2000 €
Funding: Friends and family, OSJ Support Fund VZW “Project erosion Kinshasa”