Local | PANORAMA

Use of a drone to complete the mapping of the Reserve's shallow waters

Orthophotography Peyrefite

Réserve Marine

The shallow depth near the coast precluded the use of sonar in these areas, which have sufficient water transparency to allow remote sensing. In order to complete the mapping of the shallow waters during this survey, the use of a Phantom 4MD drone during one outing enabled a clear interpretation of the Peyrefite area in terms of Posidonia, particularly in view of its shallow depth. A second outing enabled us to obtain further orthophotos along the "Tynes" coast. Due to lack of time and poor weather conditions, the Pin Parasol area did not benefit from orthophotos. Using a drone, we were able to obtain an orthophoto that accurately revealed seagrass beds or dead matte through water transparency.

The choice of using these systems is due to the characteristics of the study sites. The Albères coast has one of the lowest water transparency levels in the Mediterranean. The combined use of these three monitoring systems made it possible to obtain surface data for the various locations and thus determine their evolution. Knowledge of the area also contributed to the smooth running of the monitoring program.

It is necessary to adapt the equipment to the different conditions of the study area. For this survey, the combination of the 3 pieces of equipment was validated for 2 of the 3 sites. The third site, where the meadow was the deepest, did not allow the use of the drone. However, the 2 other methods, combined with ground truthing, produced very satisfactory and complementary results.

Monitoring

Local

A responsible business partner

Shea Warehouse in Murugu

Daryl Bosu

In order to realise the benefits of producing shea in the landscape, it was important to find and partner with a reliable company to fill two roles: develop value chains for women who collect and sell shea nuts, and support the community in conservation actions. This entailed looking at various opportunities, early preparation work with the company and framing it in a way to understand the needs of local communities. It was then that the Savannah Food Company (SFC) was identified and brought on board this journey.

Since the CREMA community was now more aware of nature’s benefits, they preferred to collaborate with a company that would be more than just a business partner, and actually contribute to their vision. Furthermore A Rocha Ghana ensured that SFC would pay good premiums for the women who collect shea, which also touched addressed the social component of the vision.

It is important to find a company that sees its role in society as more than just a profit-making enterprise, but also as a sustainability actor. SFC wanted to see an existing governance structure and an organised groups to make the contracting arrangement easier.

Implementation

Entirety

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A clear vision and management plan

shea nuts

A Rocha Ghana

Out of the CREMA initiative came a management plan tailored for the specific target community. The plan helped to shape a vision with all stakeholders in the community of how to manage together natural resources. The plan and the vision helped to solidify the importance of protecting nature and the benefits that come with doing so. Short-term benefits to improve livelihood were identified such as beeping or providing farmers support to increase their harvests. This highlighted the necessity to identify more durable revenue sources: the traditional commodity shea was integrated as a component of the shared vision.

People need to understand both the short-term and long-term benefits that they will reap by protecting nature, and how each activity/block of the plan they came up with builds up to a greater goal.

A vision and management plan needs to be very clear not only to ensure that every stakeholder is taken into account, but that it is also clear enough for each actor to find their place and sees the value in their respective responsibilities.

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A clear governance framework

Community gathering for shared governance

Daryl Bosu

The Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) is a governance and management framework, which aims to build the capacity of local communities to manage sustainably natural resources in off-reserve areas. The CREMA provided a structure to gather traditional authorities and communities and find common solutions to increase their income sources without threatening natural resources in the Park.

A governance management framework has to be rooted within the culture and structure of a community. It should rest on previously collected information on the relationship that people have with natural resources around them and the dynamics between individuals regarding the use of these resources. In order to fully integrate this framework, the community needs to see that the end goal and mechanisms are about them, and driven by them.

The CREMA framework most importantly helped to build trust between the various stakeholders; this was essential to convince them of the importance and benefit of collectively developing a framework to manage and monitor natural resources, and address threats to national parks in their areas.

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Biodiversity protection

To conserve one of the most biodiverse sites in the world and contribute to the increase of populations of bird, fish, mammal, etc. species.

Institutional support and commitment - public agencies.
Protected areas service committed and functioning.
Communities convinced of the benefits of conservation.
Continuous field support through allies, such as civil organizations and governmental institutions.

To implement a successful measure that aims to protect and conserve the territory, it is important to give a value to the territory. In this case, the ideal formula was found by giving value to the fruits of the forest. This measure has allowed the inhabitants of the forest to care for and prevent deforestation in the area. In addition, it has helped foster the local economy and improve people's quality of life by providing them with an option for development and growth.
A comprehensive vision of land management is needed. To implement a project of this type and ensure its success, it is desirable that those who design it understand that everything in nature is interconnected.
It would be desirable that all companies in the world become models of circular economy and thus avoid millions of carbon emissions.
Alliances with different institutions and organizations strengthen the project.

Community empowerment

The communities that inhabit the reserve should lead the protection and conservation of the forest while at the same time improving people's quality of life.

The project seeks to empower the communities, providing them with tools for the responsible management of their resources. Part of the focus is also to facilitate the development of sustainable businesses from them, with the possibility of forming cooperatives so that they can market their products together.

The training and tools provided are focused on good practices and management plans that allow and encourage forest conservation.

Pay fair prices to generate income that will prevent their migration and allow them to protect the forest.
To have a constant market for the products (to boost supply-demand).
Ensure that fruit harvesting is sufficient and constant to meet the company's demand.
Train producers in good practices and conservation.
Adequate management plans
Ensure that the supply chain is sustainable.

It is necessary to be permanently close to the communities.
Have a lot of patience. Projects take time.
Do not generate expectations that cannot be fulfilled.
It is a long-term project.
It is important to diversify the offer with parallel projects, in this case, other than forest fruit gathering. For this reason, we are developing other options, for example, the "turtle egg collection" where turtles are protected and released into the rivers for their reproduction and growth. We have managed to release 6,000 turtles into the river.

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Reducing water runoff

Locals practices of agroforestry systems in an abandon land, Damdame, Kaski

Sudipti Parajuli

Pond Conservation

Anu Adhikari

The purpose of restoring water sources, especially community ponds, is to increase water infiltration by lowering the rate and volume of water runoff during the rainy season and to store rainwater for use during the dry season. The project supported the protection, repair, and rehabilitation of springs and old ponds, thereby improving the water supply. Panchase receives a high volume of rainfall during the rainy season, so these ponds store water for later use rather than letting it run off. This water is used well into the dry season to irrigate crops and as drinking water for domestic and wild animals. By reducing runoff, the project also reduced soil erosion and landslides in the area. Additionally, the measure increased water infiltration and contributed to ground water recharge, which benefits areas downstream, as well as the overall ecosystem.

Technical knowledge of water source restoration before engaging the community groups in implementation of activities
A strong rapport between the communities and the project team
The project focused on developing measures that addressed issues already considered problematic by the communities, which helped ensure strong community support for the measures
Ponds were chosen for restoration based on priorities determined by the communities themselves

Use of local knowledge regarding water source location and resource use

Using a participatory approach to address community problems ensures more interest in and ownership of project interventions
Handing over the project implementation responsibility to community groups increases community ownership and commitment, but technical and managerial training must be provided before transferring responsibility
Perennial water sources are necessary to ensure a year-round supply of water and therefore effective water-retention.
Interventions should be integrated with other relevant activities, such as agriculture, to ensure sustainability
To protect community ponds from damage due to rural road construction, it is important to enforce appropriate safeguard measures

Implementation

Local

Promotion of green infrastructure using local resources

Water Resources Protection, Ranpu Parbat

Anu Adhikari

Local water management, Tindhara Pandhero

Dil Bhattarai

The first step of this measure was to collect information about existing water resources, as well as to explore the potential for new water bodies within the sites. Using maps, direct field observations, and community input, the project mapped different water bodies. Further, resources were prioritised on the basis of site vulnerability, extent of potential damage, possibility of groundwater recharge, risk of water-induced disaster, risk of water scarcity, and priority for the communities. After prioritization, the project used easily available local resources to rehabilitate ponds and water sources. The project staff, local government, and communities applied their knowledge (both traditional and technical) to rehabilitate ponds and water sources. The use of context-specific, locally available, and affordable materials (such as bamboo) helped to promote the sustainability of the intervention.

Establishing trust within local communities and between the communities and the project team
Communities’ active leadership and involvement in the implementation of activities is crucial for developing a sense of project ownership
Use of local knowledge and resources
Community labour contribution
Financial contribution of the project to the activities
Promotion of infrastructure based on the degree of vulnerability and community prioritisation

Community interest and participation plays a key role in the successful implementation of activities
Advance planning with clear roles and responsibilities helps ensure the successful implementation of activities
Integrating local knowledge with scientific knowledge is more effective than applying a purely technical approach
It is essential that the communities’ priorities are respected and integrated into the design of the measures
Working with groups is more effective than working with individuals
Community leadership and labour contribution in building infrastructure creates ownership and commitment within the communities
Using local resources to promote green infrastructure is more cost-effective, faster, and more sustainable
The integration of a variety of complementary activities, such as planting species that promote water recharge within the periphery of rehabilitated water infrastructure is sustainable and effective

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Creating awareness and knowledge about EbA

World Environment Day celebration with local organisations and government

Dil Bhattarai

Community and school children participating in the World Environment Day celebration

Dil Bhattarai

Local youth conserving water sources, Makwanpur, Kaski

Anu Adhikari

Because Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) was a completely new concept to the stakeholders and communities, it was essential to build awareness about EbA and its potential benefits. Prior to this, the communities’ model of development was deforestation and overexploitation of plant species, which negatively impacted biodiversity. Training on EbA was first given to local partner organisations and then to community members, with a focus on how the EbA approach addresses climate change and helps communities address other issues such as income generation. After the trainings, a series of awareness-raising activities were conducted, including the publication of brochures, signboards, posters, and other materials. The objective was to demonstrate the different activities to be implemented, such as conservation of community water ponds, and their positive impacts. After creating awareness about the EbA concept and its practice, the community took a leadership role in implementing activities and was empowered to integrate their local knowledge and skills in water source and pond conservation. Technical experts supported the communities’ local knowledge with technical and scientific expertise.

Active participation of governing bodies, implementing agencies, local communities and other stakeholders
Communication tools such as interactive maps, posters, and videos
Integration of local knowledge and past experience in the construction of ponds (type of materials, suitable locations, etc.)
Practical demonstration of activities
Promotion of citizen scientists as bridges between the project and local communities
Communities leading implementation

Community engagement is crucial. In Panchase, the project targeted engaged community leaders, who in turn motivated other community members to participate.
Participation of diverse groups increases the potential for success and the equitable distribution of benefits. The project sought the participation of community forest user groups and other community groups, including mothers’ group, homestay groups, and agricultural groups.
The project team should have a clear understanding of the environmental, socio-economic, and political context of the area. Tourism in Panchase helped determine the intervention. Increasing the viability of homestays provided an entry point for additional measures.
Maintaining a good rapport with communities and stakeholders fosters trust. Both IUCN and the local NGO regularly visited the site and communities and developed a strong rapport through frequent positive interactions.
Local knowledge: the project used the communities’ local knowledge about pond restoration, water conservation, and water management to develop the intervention.

Implementation

Monitoring

Documentation and dissemination of results

Local

Promotion of public awareness

Since 2006, more than 100 research papers on the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey have been published in academic journals, 30 papers were included in the Scientific Citation Index, and 2 papers were published in the Nature. Five national patents have been acquired, six books have been published, and three achievements have won the provincial award for progress in science and technology.

Every year more than 5,000 university students and researchers visit the Research Base for practice or research. Exhibition centers were built to display images, materials, popular science articles and live video of the species so that visitors can see the monkeys without disturbing them. The species was listed in the Top 10 Animals in the News in 2009, many photos have won domestic and international photography awards, famous documentaries have taken shots in Shennongjia, and dozens of major media companies have released stories of the species.

The locals are now well aware of the importance of the species and human activities threatening the habitat greatly reduced, many locals and visitors have become volunteers, and donations have been received for the conservation of the species. The population of the species and the area of its habitat have significantly increased.

Publishing research achievements to promote the species and its conservation, inviting media to tell the stories, and use the research achievements for popular science education, to promote the public awareness on the species and its conservation.

1. Research achievements needs to be transformed into easy-to-understand popular science education materials.

2. The research base should not be open to general tourists. Only researchers, study-tour groups and media staff are allowed to enter the base after disinfection. All visitors should wear disinfected outfit and stay on the trail to keep distance with the monkeys.

3. Visitors whom the monkeys in the base are not familiar with are not allowed to touch the monkeys.

4. The number of visitors must be controlled and they must be required to keep quiet so that the monkeys won't be frightened.