At the end of the workshop, all the points of the model agreement were validated by the stakeholders present. The next stage of this important activity was therefore the organization of meetings with the communities of the various villages concerned in the Bouna and Nassian sectors to discuss any difficulties they might have in implementing the convention for access to the PNC for the purpose of worshipping sacred sites, followed by the signing of the convention in the villages visited.A meeting tour with the communities of each village whose representatives were present at the December 2022 consultation workshop was carried out to discuss the implementation of the convention for access to the PNC in the context of the adoration of sacred sites, and to proceed with its signature. The tour was attended by the OIPR/DZNE (the North-East Zone Director, the Project Manager, the Riparian Measures Manager, the Chiefs of the sectors and rural animators concerned) and the Biodiversity and Forests Expert from GIZ/Pro2GRN. There was a massive response from the local population, with village and land chiefs and their notabilities warmly welcoming the delegation.

The workshop to validate the agreement on access to the PNC as part of the worship of sacred sites was attended by a number of players, including the prefectoral authorities, GIZ, the villages bordering the Bouna and Nassian sectors, and local radio stations. This meeting required perfect coordination between the DZNE and its partner GIZ/Pro2GRN.

The first stage focused on carrying out a study to identify cult sites in the PNC and surrounding villages.

OIPR's North-East Zone Management plans to boost ecotourism in the Comoé National Park (CNP). To this end, a strategy has been defined to promote the traditional practices of local residents for tourism purposes. Taking into account the history of the creation of the PNC, it is known that it inherited sacred sites in the interior, for which little information is available. With this in mind, a study by the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët Boigny entitled "Contribution des pratiques socio-culturelles à la relance de l'écotourisme au Parc national de la Comoé" (Contribution of socio-cultural practices to the revival of ecotourism in the Comoé National Park) was initiated, with the aim of gathering information on cultural sites and attractions that could contribute to the revival of ecotourism in the CNP.

The establishment of the Golden Monkey Monitoring and Research Base at Northwest University and the Zhouzhi Substation for the National Field Scientific Observation and Research of Biodiversity for Giant Pandas and Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, in collaboration with various institutions such as the Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Northwest A&F University, Beijing Forestry University, and Northwest University, serves as an internship base for graduate and doctoral students. These partnerships facilitate joint efforts in wildlife surveys and other scientific endeavors, thereby promoting high-quality development within the region.

Research projects have been implemented to conduct extensive surveys, resulting in the creation of a comprehensive database of rare and protected species such as the Giant Panda, Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, Golden Takin, Himalayan Yew, and Kingdonia uniflora. This has led to the compilation of 13 specialized survey and monitoring reports, including the "Giant Panda and Its Habitat Monitoring Report" and the "Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Survey Report," earning two second-place awards for scientific and technological advancements from the Shaanxi Forestry Department.

Since 2012, infrared cameras have captured approximately 40,000 photographs and 5,000 video clips of rare wildlife activities, including Giant Pandas and Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys. Remarkably, the Zhouzhi Nature Reserve has recorded three leopards foraging together on three occasions, as well as footage of two wild Giant Pandas playing, and the first recorded appearance of a brown Giant Panda. Additionally, images of the Asiatic Golden Cat have been documented in various areas within the jurisdiction. In 2019, footage of the Golden Takin garnered the "Best Video Award" on CCTV's "Eyes of the Secret Realm." In 2023 alone, the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation efforts has been reported 16 times by provincial and national-level media.

In close collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Fishing and the Blue Economy of Diana, with whom we developed an action plan for the implementation of all the activity, mutually approved and signed.

The ACReSAL project collaborates with three key ministries: Environment, Agriculture, and Water Resources. It operates across multiple institutional levels, including state, national, local, and community levels. This approach ensures that project implementers at all ministerial levels have their capacities strengthened, thereby sustaining the project's investments and efficient landscapes management.

Enhance community's capacity to manage the environment, recognizing that over 80% of environmental issues occur in rural areas. This underscores the importance of upskilling and empowering them to improve environmental management.

The integration of sustainable agriculture and landscape management practices in land restoration efforts is crucial in conserving soil and water, promoting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. This approach also improves livelihoods, enhances ecosystem services, and builds resilience. To achieve this, we conducted thorough assessments, engaged local farmers and other stakeholders, developed context-specific plans, provided training, monitored progress, and foster policy support. This ensures a holistic and sustainable restoration of degraded lands, benefiting both people and the environment, including water resources. It's important for the community to collaborate, contribute, and learn effective environmental management approaches to ensure the project's long-term sustainability and unsustainable agricultural practices.

The project involved engaging the local community in a baseline survey to assess the hydrological conditions and the appropriate restoration approach. The survey aimed to gather information on water flow, salinity levels and mangrove health, which are necessary for designing effective hydrological restoration strategies.

Stakeholder mapping involves reviewing the diverse interests of stakeholders across various sectors at both local and national levels. This process should be as comprehensive as possible, mapping out existing influence and power structures to determine who to engage directly or indirectly. Prior to stakeholder mapping, a thorough analysis of existing policies is conducted to fully understand the issues and why they matter to the community. This understanding then informs the stakeholder mapping activity, making it clearer who to engage with.