Regular Patrols and Protection

Coordinate joint patrols between Community Scouts and relevant departments (DNPW/DF) to monitor and safeguard the forest consistently.

Volunteer Mobilization

Support communities to identify and organize volunteers committed to protecting the forest and catchment areas. Close collaboration with local authorities and local governmental structures such as the Department of National Parks and Wildlife or Department of Forestry (DNPW/DF).

Community Consultation

Assess how many GVHs are located in the critical areas. Visit the local authorities to listen to their needs, concerns, and ideas for sustainable livelihoods linked to forest conservation.

Assess the Area and Engage Stakeholders

Identify the mountain’s location, natural and human challenges, and its economic potential (e.g., tourism). Engage existing partners working on the mountain and collaborate to secure funding.

Multi-pronged capacity building efforts is essential for sustain the interest of fishers to effectively utilize and take the Fisher Friend Mobile Application (FFMA) forward.

The adoption of FFMA among fishers through awareness and capacity building using multi-pronged strategies like awareness campaigns at the village level, conducting mass campaigns at the harbour level, promoting community level fisher friend ambassadors and master fishers for peer to peer learning, announcing top users for every month and audio and video visuals to spread the importance of FFMA in day to day fishing activities etc. All these positivly reflect on the adoption of FFMA. 

 

Training fishers on using smartphones and navigating the app ensures they can fully leverage its features.
Capacity building enables fishers to understand and apply the information provided by FFMA, such as weather forecasts, market trends, and fishing advisories.
When fishers are confident in using FFMA, they are more likely to adopt and regularly use the features they want in the application.
By understanding how to use FFMA, fishers can make informed decisions about fishing operations, safety, and market engagement. Capacity building empowers fishers to troubleshoot issues, provide feedback, and contribute to the application's ongoing development and improvement.

 

By investing in capacity building, fishers can maximize the benefits of FFMA, leading to improved livelihoods, safety, and sustainability in the fishing 

Edge AI + LoRaWAN Infrastructure

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI uses on-device Edge AI models and LoRaWAN communication to process data locally and transmit alerts even in low-connectivity regions. This low-power, scalable network allows instant wildfire detection, animal tracking, and real-time environmental monitoring.

  • Flexible integration of open-source LoRaWAN technology and compact AI models
  • Low latency communication ensures rapid response in emergencies
  • Collaboration with embedded system experts for optimized hardware-software synergy
  • Local capacity building ensures long-term reliability and system maintenance
  • Intelligent alert routing and data filtering are essential to avoid signal noise
  • Redundant communication strategies strengthen system resilience
WildGuard AI Sensor Ecosystem (Bio-Acoustic + Chemical + Climate Sensing)

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI integrates bio-acoustic microphones, air quality sensors (CO, VOC), and hyperlocal climate monitors to detect wildlife movement, forest fires, and ecological disturbances. This system enables real-time environmental intelligence for conservation, climate resilience, and human-wildlife conflict prevention.

  • Deployment of rugged, energy-efficient sensors suited for field conditions
  • Scientific validation in collaboration with academic and environmental institutions
  • Pilot deployments across Western Ghats and Northeast India
  • Sensor effectiveness improves with community-informed placement strategies
  • Continuous environmental calibration enhances precision over time
  • Environmental durability must be prioritized during design and testing phases
Interinstitutional coordination for the management of the ZEPA

The purpose of interinstitutional articulation is to involve all the
actors with relevant competencies to coordinate actions that
allow effective management of the ZEPA and to address the
impacts of industrial fishing in the area. The creation of the
Expanded Interinstitutional Roundtable made it possible to
manage this effectively.

The existence of a court ruling ordering the creation of an
Expanded Interinstitutional Roundtable that brings together the
competent entities, communities and allied organizations.

The articulation processes are complex because different
interests converge and this requires openness to dialogue, the
constancy of the communities, the proper planning of the spaces,
among other factors. These are long-term processes that do not
generate immediate results.

Legal accompaniment and consolidation of the legal framework that supports the figure

The legal accompaniment was aimed at guaranteeing a fair
defense of the fishers's rights that were being violated, as well as
promoting the extension of the ZEPA figure. Thanks to this
support, the filing of the legal action was initiated in 2012,
leading to a favorable ruling in 2019 and, subsequently, a final
decision in second instance in 2020.

The support of civil society organizations with legal expertise
with the capacity to demand the rights of the communities
through legal channels.

Legal support must go hand in hand with a relationship of trust
with the communities, and everything proposed in the legal
framework must be discussed and approved by the communities.

Capacity Building and Regional Training Programs

Building local and regional expertise in DNA barcoding and metabarcoding is vital for sustainable biodiversity conservation. Supported by BBI-CBD funding, our training programs target conservation practitioners from Lebanon, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Jordan, including those without prior molecular biology experience. These hands-on workshops cover sample collection, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and interpretation, empowering participants to independently apply molecular tools in their contexts. Capacity building democratizes access to innovative technologies, fosters regional collaboration, and ensures continuity beyond the project lifecycle.

Funding from BBI-CBD and institutional backing by Saint Joseph University enabled program development. Experienced trainers and tailored curricula accommodate diverse backgrounds. Regional participant selection promotes cross-country knowledge exchange. Ongoing support and follow-up strengthen learning outcomes.

We learned that successful capacity building requires flexible training models that accommodate participants’ varied expertise. Hands-on practice combined with theoretical knowledge improves retention. Establishing a regional network fosters peer learning and collaboration. Follow-up support and refresher sessions are important for sustained impact. Training must be paired with accessible resources and tools to enable real-world application. Engaging trainees as future trainers multiplies benefits and contributes to national and regional self-sufficiency in biodiversity monitoring.