Goal: To lay the foundation for integrating I&T solutions into traditional wetland management

Objectives: 

 - To introduce three proposed IoT applications to wetland stakeholders and I&T sectors 

 - To consult wetland stakeholders and I&T sectors for their views and comments 

 - To review potential IoT applications beneficial to the management of MPNR 

 - To identify and integrating relevant IoT solutions for gei wai operation and wetland research into MPNR  

Partnership with EMSD allows us to utilize GWIN network as a transmission layer for all sensors installed for this project at Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR) with no network recurring cost required.

The technology offers several benefits that make it well-suited for wireless data transmission in IoT applications. Its long-range capabilities allow data to be transmitted over a distance, making it ideal for vast rural areas like MPNR. Furthermore, LoRa’s efficient power consumption extends the battery life of battery-powered devices. LoRa data transmission also ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the data through secure protocols.

In this project, four GWIN LoRa gateways were installed by EMSD within Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR). The sensors installed at MPNR are connected to gateways via the low-power and private LoRa network and eventually connected back to the GWIN backend via the 4G network. Besides these four gateways specially installed for this project, other GWIN gateways near MPNR can further secure data transmission reliability. 

In return, these four gateways can also help receiving signal from the sensors installed by various government departments in the surrounding area. 

This building block outlines the findings and methodology of a nationwide field study conducted in 2022, which informed the Sparśa Pad Project. The research examined menstrual product usage, access, stigma, and user preferences among 820 Nepali women and adolescent girls in 14 districts across all seven provinces.

Using a structured face-to-face interview approach, the team employed ethically approved questionnaires administered by culturally rooted female research assistants. This method ensured trust, context sensitivity, and accurate data collection across diverse communities. The interviewers were trained in ethical protocols and worked in their own or nearby communities, thereby strengthening rapport and enhancing their understanding of local norms, power relations, and languages.

Key findings revealed a high reliance on disposable pads (75.7%) and ongoing use of cloth (44.4%), with product preferences strongly shaped by income, education, and geography. Respondents prioritized absorbency, softness, and size in menstrual products. While 59% were unfamiliar with the term “biodegradable,” those who understood it expressed a strong preference for compostable options, over 90%. Importantly, 73% of participants followed at least one menstrual restriction, yet 57% expressed positive feelings about them, seeing them as tradition rather than purely discriminatory.

These findings directly shaped the design of Sparśa’s compostable pads, informed the user testing protocols, and guided the development of targeted awareness campaigns. The accompanying link and PDFs include a peer-reviewed research article co-authored by the team and supervised by Universidade Fernando Pessoa (Porto, Portugal), as well as informed consent forms, a statement of confidentiality, and a research questionnaire. These documents are provided for practitioners' reference or replication purposes.

Why this is useful for others:

For Nepali organizations and local governments:

• The study provides representative national data to inform product design, pricing strategies, and outreach campaigns.
• It reveals regional, ethnic, and generational differences in attitudes that are essential for localized intervention planning.
• The questionnaire is available in Nepali and can be adapted for school surveys, municipal assessments, or NGO projects.

For international actors:

• The research demonstrates a replicable, ethical field methodology that balances qualitative insight with statistically relevant sampling.
• It offers a template for conducting culturally sensitive research in diverse, low-income settings.
• Key insights can guide similar product development, health education, and behavior change interventions globally.

Instructions for practitioners:

• Use the attached PDFs as templates for conducting your own baseline studies.
• Adapt the questions to reflect your region’s cultural and product context.
• Leverage the findings to avoid common pitfalls, such as overestimating awareness of biodegradable products or underestimating positive views on restrictions.
• Use the structure to co-design products and testing tools that truly reflect end-user needs.

The selection of a trusted community-based organization was vital for engaging local communities in rangeland restoration. ALOCA (Amboseli Land Owners Conservation Association) was selected due to its dual focus on protecting wildlife corridors and promoting Maasai cultural heritage. Since its inception in 2008, ALOCA has worked closely with Maasai communities in Amboseli, creating sustainable land management plans and implementing indigenous grazing practices that reflect the Maasai’s seasonal land use patterns. ALOCA’s experience and credibility with local landowners positioned it as an ideal partner to lead restoration efforts, bridge communication between stakeholders, and champion the sustainable use of rangelands. The area area is central to wildlife conservation being a  wildlife corridor.

L’identification des forêts sacrées potentielles se fait avec les chefferies et populations locales.  Il y en a deux types de forêts sacrées.  Les forêts sacrées du quartier et des forêts sacrées des chefferies.  Pour les derniers les règles sont plus strictes.  Les surfaces restantes de ces forêts sacrées vont de moins d’un hectare jusqu’à plus de 40ha et leurs dégrées de dégénération sont très diverses. 

Pour le choix des forêts sacrées à restaurer c’est surtout la volonté de la chefferie traditionnelle, mais aussi la volonté de la population locale qui sont crucial.  L’idéale c’est de lancer une pépinière locale de concert ou après l’élaboration d’une Convention Locale (CL) de gestion de  la forêts sacrées en question.  En tout cas il faut les responsabilités claires qui s’occupera de la pépinière.   

Dans le cadre du projet AREECA 3 forêts sacrées ont été identifié dont la chefferie s’intéressait de restaurer leur  forêts sacrées. Pour la forêts sacrées de Mekoup, parallèlement à l’installation de la pépinière une CL a été développé, dont la pépinière fait partie intégrante dans son texte.   

Les Conventions Locales sont des documents signés par la chefferie locale, Service Technique et la commune en question et des riverains des FS.  Pour la méthodologie d’élaboration des Conventions locales voir en bas Block 3 et surtout le Panorama spécifique « Développement de conventions locales pour la Gestion des Ressources Naturelles, Cameroun »

Une CL contribuera seulement à une amélioration si les riverains ou usagers voient un intérêt de changer ou d’améliorer la gestion de cette ressource. Le besoin doit donc être exprimé sous forme de demande par des personnes et groupes clés concernées par la ressource. 

Sur la base de la demande le cadre de concertation est défini : Qui facilitera le processus, avec l’appui de qui et avec quels moyens. 

Pour pouvoir identifier les acteurs et afin de pouvoir lancer une analyse ultérieure plus détaillée, un premier repérage forfaitaire de la ressource en question est important. 

Définir le site ou bien la zone en question, d’esquisser l’emplacement et le caractère des différentes sous zones ou ressources concernées et de fournir une première description approximative. Ces travaux se font avec des usagers et populations concernées. 

L’identification des différents acteurs et décideurs, l’organisation sociale des communautés et des utilisateurs permanents et temporaires ainsi que le type et l’intensité des relations qu’ils entretiennent indique des centres de décisions. Souvent des sites ou ressources naturelles disposent déjà des règles de gestion. Il s’agit ici de les identifier et de les analyser. 

Outils : Fiches descriptives, entretiens individuels et groupes, sorties terrain avec photos de base.

Une étude de base réalisée dans le cadre du programme AREECA au Cameroun a mis en évidence une grave dégradation des terres dans les zones situées au-dessus de 1 800 m. Les forêts montagnardes, réduites de 16 155 ha à 1 822 ha, ont été remplacées par des cultures vivrières, qui ont connu une expansion rapide (de 2 078 ha à 5 573 ha). Ces changements ont fragilisé les écosystèmes locaux et accru les pressions sur les ressources naturelles. 

L’approche pour ’élaboration des CL a émergé comme une solution pour établir un cadre collaboratif entre les parties prenantes et gérer durablement les ressources au niveau le plus proche à la ressource (subsidiarité). Ce processus repose sur des prérequis clés : une dégradation avérée des ressources, la reconnaissance de l’autorité traditionnelle, une zone cible limitée et un engagement volontaire des acteurs

L’objectif est d’identifier les problématiques principales (ex. : restauration forêt sacrée ou d’un cours d’eau), d’impliquer les parties dans des discussions pour établir des règles de gestion partagées et de définir un cadre formel de collaboration. Les résultats attendus incluent la meilleure compréhension des défis, la priorisation des zones à restaurer et cadrer les solutions pour réduire menaces identifiées. Sur cette base les CL seront proposés des usagers et riverains directes. 

The MTAKIMAU Mangrove Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) 2024–2028 guides the sustainable management of approximately 2,550 hectares of mangrove forest across Mtwapa, Takaungu, and Kilifi. Developed under Section 47(1) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016), the plan resulted from a highly participatory process led by the Mtakimau Community Forest Association (CFA), in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), WWF-Kenya, and other local stakeholders.

The process began with community barazas that restructured and registered the CFA. Stakeholders then formed and trained a Local Planning Review Team (LPRT), which conducted forest assessments, household surveys, participatory mapping, and community dialogues. Together, they designed the PFMP to define sustainable forest use practices, identify conservation priorities, and establish equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. The plan reflects community aspirations, ensures ecological integrity, and builds climate resilience. KFS and the CFA formalized their partnership by signing a legally binding Forest Management Agreement (FMA) based on this plan.

Successfully establishing and scaling a social enterprise like a pad factory requires careful coordination with government authorities and strict compliance with legal requirements. This building block focuses on creating a strong foundation by building trust, ensuring legality, and protecting the enterprise from future risks.

The first step involves informing local and national government bodies about your project plans and activities. Regular communication not only builds transparency and trust but also makes it easier to gain support when needed. It ensures that the enterprise is seen as a responsible and contributing part of the community's development.

Secondly, it is crucial to coordinate with local or provincial offices to confirm that the factory is located appropriately and meets all zoning, operational, and environmental requirements. Early consultation helps avoid future legal complications and promotes smoother project implementation.

Before any physical construction begins, the enterprise must complete all legal steps, such as securing land use permits, building approvals, and environmental clearances. This process prevents future disputes and ensures that the factory is legally protected at every stage.

If the enterprise plans to import machinery or raw materials from abroad (for example, from India and Chaina), it is essential to follow all import rules, including documentation and tax payments. Compliance with import regulations helps avoid customs delays, penalties, and additional operational costs.

Further, to operate legally in the market, the enterprise must register officially and gain approval to sell its products, such as sanitary pads. Official registration enhances the company’s credibility among customers, partners, and regulatory bodies, opening doors to wider distribution opportunities.

Finally, it is critical to insure the factory, machinery, and assets against potential risks like fire, natural disasters, burglary, or other damages. Having appropriate insurance coverage provides financial protection and ensures business continuity even during unforeseen events.

By following these structured steps, the enterprise not only secures its legal standing but also strengthens its reputation, improves sustainability, and creates a solid platform for growth and social impact.

Transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) are designated regions that extend across international borders and are collaboratively managed by multiple nations or administrative divisions. These areas are pivotal for biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity, serving as vital corridors for wildlife migration and fostering cooperation in preserving shared ecosystems. The significance of TBCAs is underscored by their role in addressing the challenges posed by habitat fragmentation and climate change, as they encompass large, ecologically critical regions that facilitate the movement of species and support the resilience of natural habitats.

International community has increasingly recognized the value of TBCAs, leading to the establishment of various initiatives and agreements to enhance collaboration among nations. Africa hosts at least 27 TBCAs, approximated to cover an area of 847,158 square km. TBCAs have become an important tool for promoting environmental sustainability and diplomatic relations between neighboring countries. These areas serve as platforms for dialogue and cooperation, addressing the paradox of globalization and the challenges posed by militarized interstate disputes in conservation efforts. 

The Kenya-Tanzania Transboundary Marine Conservation Area (TBCA) delivers ecological, socio-economic, and governance benefits. It links vital habitats like mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs, supporting biodiversity, species migration, and ecosystem resilience to climate change. The TBCA provides annual ecosystem services ranging between US$127–229 million/year (UNEP, 2023). Eco-tourism and recreational services contribute an additional US$65-117 million annually, improving livelihoods and advancing conservation efforts.