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Building block No. 1: Identification of the areas to be intervened through active and passive restoration actions.

The purpose of identifying the areas to be restored is to determine the number of hectares in which active restoration actions should be implemented (which consists of direct human intervention on the structure and characteristics of the degraded ecosystem, in order to replace, rehabilitate or restore it to ensure the existence of a structured and functional ecosystem) and passive restoration (focused on eliminating or minimizing the disturbances causing the degradation, leaving the degraded ecosystem to recover its structure and functionality by itself).This process was carried out through the methodology of observation and participatory research, which consists of making field trips with some members of the community, to take geo-reference points with the GPS, to subsequently build the polygons and calculate the area to be restored, which comprises 196.2 hectares. Parallel to this activity, a diagnosis of the conservation status and composition of the plant species present in the area is made to determine the degree of intervention to which the ecosystem has been subjected and thus make the decision on what type of restoration will be implemented.

Funding sources available from the National Government and international cooperation projects (GEF Mosaic Galeras Heritage Fund - KFW).
Availability of geographic information systems.
Willingness of rural communities to participate in restoration activities.

Building trust with the farming families, since they have been involved in the ecological restoration strategy activities, thus achieving a degree of co-responsibility in the conservation of the protected area.
The SFFG technical team gained experience in carrying out active and passive restoration activities.

Implementation

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

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Assisting the Community: Alternative Livelihood Measures

Preparing soil for Ginger plantation

yes

With the forest left undisturbed, forest-dependent communities have few options for their livelihood sustenance. Therefore, the LEMSACHENLOK Society started to introduce alternative livelihood measures for the economically downtrodden. Income generation activities such as piggery promotion, ginger plantation, packaging and sale of certain products are initiated on our own small scale.

Acceptance of one’s specific role in a community-initiated work. We needed to prepare for possible livelihood alternatives, even including contributions from our own organisation. The Society’s management team had extended economic assistance by integrating income generation activities.

Global communities should recognize the indigenous communities that are involved in nature conservation, and facilitate to empower them to be an agent of change towards creating a healthy sustainable environment.

Construction of Innovative Watch Tower

Construction of Innovative watch tower at YCBCA

yes

For many years, the Biodiversity Conservation initiative created a favourable environment and healthy ecosystem in the area. As a result, the migrating Amur falcons saw the area as a haven for roosting. The communities continue to provide a suitable environment for these visiting raptors. With many tourists visiting to see the Amur falcon roosting, the community constructed an innovative wildlife Watch Tower in strategic locations to provide a beautiful view of the roosting falcons.

A Community willing to learn and accept ideas relevant to the present context and at the same time also voluntarily contribute their own resources and time whenever necessary.

Working together as a community can be a learning experience and many great things can be achieved through teamwork with limited available resources.

Sensitization, Capacity Building and Field Survey for Data Collection and Monitoring

Documentation of species diversity

yes

Data collection and Monitoring

yes

Lack of awareness due to poor sensitization is often the main reason for little understanding of environmental issues. Sharing proper information supported by valid scientific/practical proof will convince communities that are unfortunately less educated, economically deprived and directly forest dependent. Equip them not only with true information but also with tools such as camera trapping, and support for species identification and naming. Such an approach will develop a sense of belonging and inculcate ownership of the cause/purpose.

Realization of the need for a common cause at the local level with broader implications.

To make a connection with nature and the environment, our activities - wherever possible - are carried out in close association with nature. Seminars and other capacity building activities can be conducted in the jungle to create a real-time experience in nature and connect with its rich floral and faunal resources.

Documentation and dissemination of results

Convergence of Village Level Institutions

Each village is known to have a distinct set of rules and functions for social coexistence. The village community is composed of various groups that function independently to manage certain areas for their welfare in the community. However, for a common cause such as Biodiversity Conservation initiatives, these various institutions can be converged and function as a single entity.

A community willing to learn and accept ideas relevant to promote sustainability growth.
Building a good relationship with the community.
A genuine intention of the working members to contribute to a global cause.

It is possible to make things happen if there is a genuine intention.

Ecosystem Vulnerability Assessment through Traditional Knowledge

Gaining of knowledge from the elders

yes

One of the keys to identifying habitat loss is through traditional means. During the olden days, the naming of any species happened due to its presence/sightings. But presently, most of the species that have local names are not found in the wild. One of the reasons could be that their numbers are declining or may even have become extinct. Therefore, through the approach of traditional knowledge, species availability and vulnerability assessments can be made.

Elders have an indispensable role in the community. For generations, they have been the source of wisdom and knowledge of various traditions and cultural practices, including those associated with nature. Using such traditional wisdom is an essential asset for many issues that often pave the way for possible interventions. Thus, building a good rapport with the elders, and creating a space for sharing and learning with them, is one of the strengths of the process.

The elders are old but wise; make friends with them and gain knowledge.
Relying only on theoretical knowledge is not sufficient. Therefore, strolling around the jungle with the elders and listening to various sounds of birds and animals has more practical relevance and creates bonding with nature.

Basic digital skills and storytelling training

Basic training on the use of technology.

Creativity and narrative building skills.

Storytelling skills.

Digital media skills.

Video editing skills in software.

Active participation of local youths

Capacity building

Importance of local food systems documentation

Folklore and its significance in our communities

Strengthening of culture and identity is required

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Knowledge exchange, documentation and catalogue

Transmission of knowledge from elders to youths.
Local food plants are documented among youths to increase awareness about the rich biodiversity.
Through documentation, catalogues can be developed in the form of ABD books and recipe books.

Access to technology for documentation.
Strong social media presence for dissemination of information for such activities.
Interactive stories.
Podcast.
Youth seminars and workshops.

Capacity development
Knowledge for investment
Policy support

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Visit to different Food Production Systems

During the Agrobiodiversity (ABD) Walks, youths are taken to nearby biodiversity hotspots within the community. During the ABD walks, the youths and local knowledge holders collect and identify a number of species and wild food plants that make their local food production system.

One local knowledge holder from the community is involved in facilitating these visits in the food production system.
The knowledge holder identifies particular species found in the food production system.
The process is being recorded and stored in archives for future references among the youths in the community.

The youths are required to imbibe this knowledge to understand on how to further enhance our local food production systems.
There is a need to expand local youth networks to strengthen such activities.
Within the youth network there should be capacity building within the framework of such field visits for media documentation.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials can also be one of the major contributions towards growth and development of interest within the urban youths that can be propagated via different social media channels and field visits.

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Video Documentation skills

Training on various phases of videography is important and is the foundation. Here, training sessions with various modules keeping in mind the importance of local communities’ documentation is needed. Basic skills on the various phases of filmmaking such as story boarding, script writing, shooting and video editing are important for setting the foundation.

1. Experts on the various phases of videography to impart training.

2. Access to equipment.

3. Identification of potential yet passionate implementors who can be trained.

4. Access to stories that cover diverse topics related to culture and biodiversity, such as, indigenous peoples' food systems, traditional songs, traditional knowledge and many more.

5. Sense of ownership among the community youth who will be creating these videos.

Passionate youth from communities have the most potential. They are willing to learn to their full capacities.

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