Monitoring | PANORAMA

Pasture Governance

Improvement of the legal framework

Tajikistan faces a major problem of unsustainable grazing pressure from high livestock numbers and insufficient pasture management. The country is in dire need of better pasture governance based on a solid legal basis. Therefore, GIZ Tajikistan has worked on the improvement of the legal framework and facilitated a dialogue between different stakeholders.

Additionally, and institutional analysis on pasture management in Tajikistan that outlines the institutional and legal set-up and distribution of roles and responsibilities in the pasture management sector of Tajikistan has been conducted together with other organisations to support the governance process in the future.

Further, a Pasture Management Networking Platform has been supported. The objective of the PMNP is to contribute to the sustainable management of pastures in Tajikistan. The objective is pursued through national dialogue and knowledge exchange based on practical and on-the-ground experiences of the pasture management network members.

1. Conduct an institutional analysis on pasture management in Tajikistan

2. Support a strong law on Pasture and feasible by-laws

3. Support the establishment of Pasture User Unions (PUU)*

*Pasture User Unions (PUU) are comprised of pasture users and are established at the jamoat (rural municipality) level with members from several villages. It is a formal organisation, replete with a statute and legal registration, stamp and bank account.

When improving the pasture governance the following should be considered:

Inform all stakeholders on the pasture law and support the enforcement of the by-laws;
Specify the roles and responsibilities in pasture management and ensure all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities;
Identify entry-points for future improvement of the legal framework;
Ensure good donor coordination;
Support the creation of Pasture User Unions (PUU) and Commission on Pastures (CoP);
Encourage knowledge transfer of good practices.

Pasture Law Tajikistan

Involving local communities in conservation process

Stakeholder consultation workshop, at Keibul

WII

Advocating for Sangai conservation during the State Board for Wildlife meeting

WII

Animal health camp organized for villagers as trust building exercise

WII

Human health camp organized for villagers as trust building exercise

WII

To garner political and local support for Sangai conservation in KLNP, advocacy was done with all stakeholders. In addition, appropriate measures are being undertaken to improve the awareness of the local people for conserving the species and promote Sangai as the mascot of sustainable development through various capacity building programmes.

1. State forest department's interest.

2. Sangai is an important cultural symbol in Manipur, and hence is considered as pride of Manipur, by local people and Government of Manipur.

3. Supportive Government of India, which provides funding and other support.

1. Multi-stakeholder dialogue builds transparency and trust.

2. Addressing livelihoods of local communities dependent on resources is indispensable .

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Subnational

Securing existing population in Keibul Lamjao National Park

Sangai in its habitat, the floating meadows

WII

Capacity building of frontline staff

WII

Cultural significance of Sangai

Various sources

The existing population of Sangai is being secured through integrated management plan, implemented by the Manipur Forest Department. Integrated management plan involves continuous habitat management strategies, habitat and population monitoring, enhanced patrolling strategies, genetic studies and involvement of local communities and different stakeholders at KLNP.

1. State forest department's interest.

2. Sangai is an important cultural symbol in Manipur, and hence is considered as pride of Manipur, by local people and Government of Manipur.

3. Supportive Government of India, which provides funding and other support.

1. Rigorous field work is critical for identification of habitat requirement of Sangai, and other related aspects of population management.

2. Continuous monitoring ensues long term success.

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Subnational

National

Local ranger program

To effectively carry out conservation measures, projects require dedicated, skilled and trained people in the field and the community. The establishment of a local ranger program called “Caretakers” was identified by ECF as an important step in ensuring conservation objectives were enforced in the field and understood in the village. Caretakers are local people with knowledge and understanding of their local environment, the ability to communicate with locals and visitors, and self-motivated to protect nature. They are identified through the FPA process and later employed by CBOs. They are trained in conservation methods, equipped with communication equipment, uniforms and sometimes means of transport but do not have the legal rights of (governmental) protected area staff or forest rangers. They may inform and educate people, and report infringements to the relevant authorities. Caretakers assist with the monitoring of biodiversity, educate/raise awareness and perform CA management tasks. They are responsible for data collection, ongoing wildlife monitoring and the submission of progress reports to the ECF. Caretakers are a key point of contact (trusted and respected) in the community, and act as an example of the socio-economic benefits of nature conservation.

Prudent selection means chosen individuals are trusted, have the capacity to learn new skills, openness to accept new ideas, and responsibility to report/carry out objectives
Involving caretakers in all aspects of capacity building with local institutions and authorities involved in land management and nature conservation, including forest agencies, municipalities etc.
Participation in training sessions using the tools/skills required of the position as well as fostering strong ethics, honesty and commitment to the nature conservation objectives

Outmigration of young people is a barrier to finding a suitable caretaker for long term project goals and application.
Educating communities on ecosystem-based management practices and applications will challenge previous perspectives of wildlife while demonstrating how conservation can benefit the community and develop respect for the caretaker position.
Community capacity building leads to a supportive atmosphere for caretakers to operate in. Local authorities and community organisations are institutionally weak so general institutional strengthening and capacity building is encouraged.
The role of caretakers is initially misunderstood by local and authorities. Effort and coaching is required to establish the understanding that policing and enforcement represents only a minor part of the scope of work of stakeholders and that main emphasis should be on raising awareness, providing information and guidance, and leadership within the local community.
Ensuring caretakers receives education and training means the tools and resources employed can be accessed and utilized.

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Establishment of community-based organizations (CBOs)

Establishing a community-based organization (CBO) is the step between the FPA process and signing a Conservation Agreement. CBOs are created with ECF’s guidance and are responsible for:

i) securing and implementing a Conservation Agreement

ii) the fair and equitable distribution of benefits among the community

iii) acting as the legal entity representing the community in a Conservation Agreement.

CBOs are formed under the national law that is appropriate to its purpose, country and region. If creating a CBO is not possible, an NGO can act as a CBO in the Conservation Agreement.

To establish a CBO the local community must make a long-term commitment to cooperation and take responsibility for conservation actions. In this way the CBO contributes to strengthening the social capital and increasing sustainable land-use practices. CBO’s help build community connectedness, communication and resilience related to nature conservation efforts. CBOs are encouraged to consider biodiversity as part of the local economy and work closely with ECF to agree on sustainable land-use. CBOs are encouraged to seek other sources of funding for community projects and to develop their activities as a sustainable business during the implementation period of the Conservation Agreement.

Self-organisation of communities is initiated or strengthened through the FPA
Negotiation of terms with representatives of the community to provide a clear, long-term Conservation Agreement
Dialogue, negotiation and involvement with all segments of the community: elders, decision makers, influential community members, women and youth
Identify and include all user groups within a community: herders, farmers, hunters, healers
Involvement of local authorities
Strategic engagement with institutions at regional and national levels

Lack of community level governance, lack of environmental awareness and negative wildlife interactions require education/community awareness campaigns.
Small, locally-led projects encourage community capacity building, communication and implementation of conservation strategies.
Establishment of CBOs represents FPA progress and a qualitative improvement in terms of local self-organisation.
Do not impose an organisation model on the local community; decide on a model together.
Capacity building related to management and governance of CBOs is critical to secure initial success and reduce dependence on external support.
Involvement of the CBO with acquisition and organization of baseline information on livelihood-related issues, natural resources and land-use secures relevant information and contributes to CBO’s capacity building.
Accepting community members’ views when designing project goals ensures projects serve the entire community.
Involvement of local governments link the applications of ecosystem-based management to larger themes like climate change and disaster risk reduction.

Local ranger program

Prudent selection means chosen individuals are trusted, have the capacity to learn new skills, openness to accept new ideas, and responsibility to report/carry out objectives
Involving caretakers in all aspects of capacity building with local institutions and authorities involved in land management and nature conservation, including forest agencies, municipalities etc.
Participation in training sessions using the tools/skills required of the position as well as fostering strong ethics, honesty and commitment to the nature conservation objectives

Outmigration of young people is a barrier to finding a suitable caretaker for long term project goals and application.
Educating communities on ecosystem-based management practices and applications will challenge previous perspectives of wildlife while demonstrating how conservation can benefit the community and develop respect for the caretaker position.
Community capacity building leads to a supportive atmosphere for caretakers to operate in. Local authorities and community organisations are institutionally weak so general institutional strengthening and capacity building is encouraged.
The role of caretakers is initially misunderstood by local and authorities. Effort and coaching is required to establish the understanding that policing and enforcement represents only a minor part of the scope of work of stakeholders and that main emphasis should be on raising awareness, providing information and guidance, and leadership within the local community.
Ensuring caretakers receives education and training means the tools and resources employed can be accessed and utilized.

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Establishment of community-based organizations (CBOs)

Establishing a community-based organization (CBO) is the step between the FPA process and signing a Conservation Agreement. CBOs are created with ECF’s guidance and are responsible for:

i) securing and implementing a Conservation Agreement

ii) the fair and equitable distribution of benefits among the community

iii) acting as the legal entity representing the community in a Conservation Agreement.

CBOs are formed under the national law that is appropriate to its purpose, country and region. If creating a CBO is not possible, an NGO can act as a CBO in the Conservation Agreement.

Self-organisation of communities is initiated or strengthened through the FPA
Negotiation of terms with representatives of the community to provide a clear, long-term Conservation Agreement
Dialogue, negotiation and involvement with all segments of the community: elders, decision makers, influential community members, women and youth
Identify and include all user groups within a community: herders, farmers, hunters, healers
Involvement of local authorities (i.e forest department)
Strategic engagement with institutions at regional and national levels

Lack of community level governance, lack of environmental awareness and negative wildlife interactions require education/community awareness campaigns.
Small, locally-led projects encourage community capacity building, communication and implementation of conservation strategies.
Establishment of CBOs represents FPA progress and a qualitative improvement in terms of local self-organisation.
Do not impose an organisation model on the local community; decide on a model together.
Capacity building related to management and governance of CBOs is critical to secure initial success and reduce dependence on external support.
Involvement of the CBO with acquisition and organization of baseline information on livelihood-related issues, natural resources and land-use secures relevant information and contributes to CBO’s capacity building.
Accepting community members’ views when designing project goals ensures projects serve the entire community.
Involvement of local governments link the applications of ecosystem-based management to larger themes like climate change and disaster risk reduction.

Establishment of Friends of Group

Community effort

greenspace scotland - https://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/news/creating-a-new-urban-park-at-fernbrae-meadows

A Friends of Fernbrae Meadows group was set up to contribute to the on-going activities in the park and the maintenace of the site.

Engagement and enthusiasm from the local community

Involvement of Community Links officer made sure that locals were inspired and empowered to create and maintain long-lasting change

The contrasting needs and perceptions of communities surrounding the park proved an issue during the development and implementation stages of the park. If this project was repreated, the Friends of Fernbrae Meadows group could engage more effectively with all communities surrounding the park and the dis-engaged community could involve themeselves in activities and events in the park to increase the social cohesion of the two communities.

Monitoring program for effectiveness and program outcomes

Monitoring is an essential component of any adaptive management program. To understand whether the artesian spring management program was successful, a suite of monitoring and assessment was undertaken. This involved photographic monitoring and condition assessments of the springs based on the amount of grazing, ground disturbance and visual water condition. Biological assessment of species diversity of plants and endemic gastropods were carried out.

Develops land management outcomes and knowledge.
Evaluates management effectiveness.
Documents program outcomes.
Resources (time and staff) to undertaken monitoring.
Skills to undertake monitoring and assessment.

Effective monitoring programs create better and more sustainable engagement by program stakeholders, reduces costs and allows for more effective use of project resources.
Monitoring needs to be adaptive to ensure the desired outcomes are being measured.
Results need to be easy to understand and readily available so that all stakeholders can appreciate how the program is achieving the desired program outcomes.

Monitoring

Subnational

Implementation of PNAPO

Family farmer selling his products

SEAD

The National Policy (PNAPO) has been implemented in Brazil since 2012, aiming at fostering sustainable agricultural practices and healthy food consumption habits; empowering family farmers, traditional communities, women and youth; and promoting sustainable rural development through specific programs and financing for smallholder farming. It is a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder interdisciplinary policy on a federal level, whose initiatives have been implemented throughout the five Brazilian regions, with verifiable results.

Some programmes and initiatives currently included in the flagship of PNAPO already existed before its creation. Nonetheless, with the establishment of the policy and the creation of CNAPO, those programmes have been strategically articulated and integrated into PNAPO’s general objectives and working plan, guaranteeing more participative planning, implementation and monitoring processes.

One of the PNAPO’s main instruments is the National Plan for Agroecology and Organic Production (PLANAPO), which must always include at least the following elements: overview/diagnosis, strategies and goals, programmes, projects, actions, indicators, deadlines and a management structure (Article 5 of Federal Decree 7,794).

The main goals and initiatives of PLANAPO are to strengthen agroecological and organic production networks, increase the supply of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ATER), focusing on agroecological practices; increase access to water and seeds, strengthen government procurement of products, increase consumers’ access to healthy food, without the use of agrochemicals or transgenics in agricultural production, thus strengthening the economic value of the farming families. PLANAPO seeks also to expand access to land.

Despite “civil society proposals have not been fully included in the final version of the PLANAPO, there is a general consensus on the fact that the Plan marks an historic moment, an important step forward in the direction of a more sustainable peasant agriculture, especially in a country such as Brazil where the agribusiness model still keeps on maintaining a great influence on government policies, due to its economic importance”.

According to ANA, there are several good points to be highlighted in the first PLANAPO (2013-2015). Among the positive aspects are the actions that had a budget for implementation and which made an important contribution to the advancement of agroecology. Among the negative aspects of the first PLANAPO are the very small budget for policies such as the Ecoforte Programme and Technical Assistance and Rural Extension.

Implementation

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

National