Prioritisation and planning

Prioritisation and Planning took place in three categories:

  1. Basic prioritisation: Combines results of the assessment to identify areas that are threatened and under-protected.
  2. Multi-criteria approach:  Uses criteria to identify important sites for biodiversity, drawing from the foundational datasets and results of the assessment.
  3. Systematic conservation planning: Identifies a portfolio of biodiversity priority areas based on biodiversity targets. Can include a range of additional data on ecological processes, ecosystem services, constraints and opportunities.
  1. Partnerships
  2. Stakeholder engagement
  3. Financial resources

Team work is important. Mapping and prioritisation of biodiversity can only effectively and efficiently happen when people, organisations work together.

  1.  
Assessment

Risk status and protection levels  of the ecosystems and species were assessed. 

  1. Collaboration
  2. Partnerships
  3. Financial resources
  1. Timely and meaningful engagement of relevant stakeholders is key in developing and implementing solutions
  2. Partnerships, collaborations and regional projects provide opportunities for cross-border conservation initiatives
Spatial Datasets

All the countries collected  spatial data sets that included:

  1. Baseline map of ecosystem types
  2. Map of current extent and condition
  3. Map of protected and conserved areas
  4. Maps of species occurrence

1..An agency that can play a coordination role (leadership). SANBI and UNEP-WCMC provided the crucial leadership roles

2. Establishing a strong community of practice that promotes peer learning and sharing.  The project brought together experts from across the implementing countries. 

3. Making clear links to government priorities and processes, to inform national policy. The project secured high level buy in from the government through rengagement with government entities in the implementing countries.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the approach presented in this guide lies in the intuitive understanding and wide range of information that can be conveyed in a few maps. Maps give geographic meaning to a biodiversity assessment, and provide focus areas that can be prioritised in the real world. They are able to communicate important messages about pressures on the natural environment and conservation imperatives to a range of relevant stakeholders

4. Leveraging Expertise for Advocacy, Knowledge Sharing, and Technological Integration:

It is understood that effective conservation necessitates continuous knowledge exchange, unwavering policy advocacy, and the smart integration of modern technology.

Actionable Step: Actively utilize established platforms and networks to disseminate crucial information and influence policy. The role as Regional Vice Chair at IUCN CEESP, contributions to environmental law blogs, and appearances in environmental awareness videos are instrumental in this endeavour. Furthermore, focus will be placed on integrating 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) to create advanced conservation strategies. AI can analyse vast datasets on ecological patterns, climate change impacts, and biodiversity trends, while TKS provides invaluable localized, nuanced understanding of ecosystems and sustainable resource management. This synergy can lead to more precise conservation interventions and predictive models.

Areas of Focus: Continue to lead international webinars and symposiums on critical environmental topics such as "Rights of Nature in the Anthropocene" and "Science and Environmental Law Interface." Dedication to advocating for environmental causes at international conferences and universities, fostering regional and global collaboration, is paramount.

In conclusion, by strategically intertwining environmental law and policy with the profound wisdom embedded in cultural practices and Traditional Knowledge Systems, and by judiciously integrating advanced technologies like drones for reforestation and AI for enhanced analysis, a more sustainable and equitable path to biodiversity conservation can be forged. This framework, passionately designed offers a powerful means to engage communities, influence policy, and ultimately secure a healthy planet for all future generations.

3. Integrating Cultural Practices and Festivals for Environmental Conservation

It is contended that Hinduism, with its diverse pantheon symbolizing aspects of a single reality ("Truth is One, the wise call It by many names"), inherently promotes reverence for nature.

It is contended that Hinduism, with its diverse pantheon symbolizing aspects of a single reality ("Truth is One, the wise call It by many names"), inherently promotes reverence for nature.

For Example:

  • Nature Worship: It is observed that nature worship is a fundamental part of human society, with divinity ascribed to various natural elements. This community-based practice is increasingly vital for effective nature and natural resource conservation.
  • Symbolism of Deities and Vahanas: The portrayal of Hindu deities with animal or bird "vahanas" (vehicles)—such as Ganesha with his rat (Mooshika), Shiva with the bull (Nandi), Durga with the lion or tiger, and Vishnu with Garuda—instills deep respect and protection for these animals. This cultural veneration fosters a natural inclination towards animal welfare and conservation.
  • Festival Connections: Many Hindu festivals incorporate elements that inherently promote environmental consciousness, ranging from the ceremonial use of specific plants to rituals honouring natural elements. Highlighting these connections strengthens the cultural impetus for conservation.
2. Cultivating "Grow Natives" through Cultural Practices and Innovative Technology

It is believed that the inherent harmony with nature, so central to Indian culture where mountains, rivers, trees, flowers, and animals hold sacred significance, can be powerfully harnessed. This deep reverence for nature is a potent force for promoting the cultivation and preservation of native plant varieties.

Actionable Step: Actively encourage and facilitate initiatives to "grow natives" by directly connecting them to deeply rooted cultural and religious practices. This can be significantly amplified through the strategic use of technology. For instance, drones can be employed to deploy seed bombs in challenging terrains like mountains, facilitating large-scale afforestation and restoration efforts in areas otherwise difficult to access.

For Example:

  • Sacred Plants: The immense cultural and religious significance of plants worshipped since the Vedic era is highlighted. The "Panchvati" – the combination of Banyan, Peepal, Fig, Bilva, and Amla trees – described in "The Ramayana," symbolizes health, medicinal value, and enhanced cognitive well-being. Other sacred trees such as Ashoka, Bael, Bamboo, Banana, Bhang, Coconut, Lotus, Mango, Neem, Red Sandalwood, and Tulsi are associated with deities and hold significant medicinal value, showcasing their multifaceted importance.
  • Deity Associations: It is emphasized how specific native plants are linked to various Hindu gods, goddesses, and planets, such as Tulsi with Vishnu and Krishna, Bilva with Shiva, and Lotus with Lakshmi and Saraswati. By promoting the planting and nurturing of these species through the lens of spiritual devotion, significant contributions to biodiversity can be made, complemented by technological solutions for wider reach.

Prophet/Holy Men Associations: Trees like the Banyan, Sala, Peepal, and Ber, which are revered due to their association with prophets and holy figures across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, are highlighted. Work in this area includes supporting the establishment and protection of groves featuring these trees, reinforcing both cultural heritage and biodiversity

1. Elevating Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) into Binding Laws:

It is recognized that Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) offers highly effective, community-based approaches to nature and natural resource conservation. These practices, often rooted in socio-religious and anthropological contexts, are now widely acknowledged for their efficacy.

Actionable Step: A key priority is to transition these "soft laws" of TKS into binding legal frameworks. This involves leveraging expertise in legal research and analysis to draft policy briefs and vigorously advocate for the formal recognition and inclusion of TKS in both Indian and international environmental legislation. My doctoral thesis on "Sustainable Development and Laws Relating to Bio-Diversity and Forest Conservation: An Analytical Study in Indian Perspective" provides the foundational research for this critical work.

 

For Example: The legal protection of India's Sacred Groves is specifically championed. These communally protected tracts of pristine forest, like those safeguarded by the Bishnois community of Rajasthan state in India, demonstrate how religious beliefs can effectively prohibit hunting and logging, thereby preserving diverse flora and fauna. Formalizing their protection offers a powerful model for integrating TKS into law.

By strategically intertwining environmental law and policy with the profound wisdom embedded in cultural practices and Traditional Knowledge Systems,a more sustainable and equitable path to biodiversity conservation can be forged.

Using the SIREN App to Raise Awareness and Strengthen Community Connections

The SIREN app is a mobile tool developed by AMMCO to collect data on marine wildlife sightings, strandings, and bycatch, while simultaneously serving as an educational and engagement platform for coastal communities. Beyond data collection, SIREN helps raise awareness among fishers and youth by delivering marine conservation messages directly through mobile technology.

What makes this approach unique is the dual function: it informs and empowers users to act as citizen scientists, while also fostering a sense of community through shared environmental responsibility. Users, mainly small-scale fishers and local conservation volunteers are connected through common reporting goals and periodic in-person exchanges (e.g. during trainings or events like the Street Whale Symposium), enhancing trust and collaboration across regions.
The app is introduced through outreach sessions in coastal villages.
 

To implement SIREN, we apply the following steps:

  • Users receive basic training on species identification and reporting procedures.
  • Each report (sighting reported through the app) is reviewed by AMMCO staff, who provide feedback and clarification.
  • Educational content (Virtual Reality, posters, storybooks, videos) is developed based on the reports, and delivered through schools or fisher meetings.
  • Shared results and feedback loops build trust and stimulate user engagement and connections.
  • User-friendly mobile interface with offline capability
  • Existing trust between AMMCO and fishing communities
  • Regular communication and in-person follow-up
  • Integration of local languages and culturally adapted visuals
  • Low literacy and limited smartphone access require regular in-person engagement and the use of visual/voice features.
  • Incentives and recognition (e.g. being invited to events or featured in newsletters) help maintain motivation.
  • Community ownership improves when feedback is timely and reports lead to tangible conservation actions.
Localized Reference Library Development

The creation of a comprehensive, open-access DNA reference library of native plant and animal species was foundational to our solution. Recognizing that global databases lacked coverage for many Eastern Mediterranean species, we built the first Lebanese library encompassing plants, mammals, and now expanding to insects, birds, and fungi. This reference database improves the accuracy of DNA sequence matching and enables precise identification of species present in environmental samples. It also fills a critical regional data gap and facilitates ecological studies, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation planning. By publishing the library openly, we promote transparency, collaboration, and the potential for adaptation in similar biodiversity hotspots.

Strong institutional support from Saint Joseph University, collaboration with local taxonomists, and access to specimens were vital. Funding from initial grants allowed sequencing efforts. Commitment to open data principles ensured broad accessibility. Support from iBOL facilitated integration into global databases, enhancing utility and visibility.

Building a reliable reference library requires significant coordination between molecular scientists and taxonomists. Accurate species identification depends heavily on quality-verified voucher specimens and metadata. The process is time-consuming but indispensable for meaningful metabarcoding results. Sharing the library openly generated interest and collaboration but also highlighted the need for continuous updates and expansion to cover more taxa. Engaging local experts fostered ownership and increased the scientific credibility of the data, ensuring the library’s sustainability as a national resource.

Hybrid training & conservation advocacy

This building block provides hands-on training for researchers and conservationists in Benin and South Africa (offline) and globally (online via Zoom) on using Declas. The sessions cover:

  • Software use: Uploading data, interpreting AI-generated results, and integrating findings into conservation strategies.
  • Conservation advocacy: Raising awareness on vulture decline and AI’s role in scalable monitoring.

Trainees will learn to deploy Declas in field surveys, reducing reliance on manual counts while improving data accuracy. The hybrid approach ensures broad accessibility, empowering local teams with cost-effective technology.

  • Reliable internet and power for online/offline sessions.
  • Local partner support for logistics and engagement.
  • Pre-training preparation (materials, software setup).