With the presence of critically endangered species (i.e. Caribbean numbfish, Narcine bancroftii), of endemic Caribbean species (i.e. the Caribbean reef shark, Carcharhinus perezi), and of many nurseries and breeding areas, the French West Indies have an important role in the conservation of shark and ray populations.

However, the protection of species that have a negative image remains a challenge, even more so due to the accidents that take place each year on the French island of La Reunion.

This project aims to propose the first measures for the conservation of sharks and rays: adaptation of fishing regulations, development of sustainable tourism practices, ect.

Volunteers are strongly involved in communication processes to seek changes in society, thereby fulfilling four functions: informing, persuading, entertaining and educating.

Communication work is crucial for society to find out about and value natural resources, in order to increase environmental education and awareness and to contribute to a better conservation of natural areas.

A crucial element of the strategy was to ensure that participating farmers were constantly hand-held and provided with both technical and material support to achieve what they had started. Each farmer was in constant touch with representatives of the implementing partner agency and this enabled them to address issues that arose along their efforts to ground the pilots.

The awareness and exposure exercises were instantly followed by grounding and establishing pilot demonstration plots at the participating household farms. These pilots served as training grounds of appropriate natural farming technologies with the objective of enhancing the hands-on-skills to adopt and replicate the new farming techniques.

A three-day exposure visit to Bethany Society located in Shillong and which involved an eleven hours road journey was organized. Participants for this exposure included members of households who volunteered to pilot the various techniques on their own plots. It was during this visit that various technologies of Sustainable Climate Smart Agriculture which included techniques like key-hole gardening, square foot gardening, the various composting techniques such as bokashi, vertical and vermicomposting, housed within Bethany Society establishment were demonstrated. A visit to a full-fledged farm where these techniques have been installed on a commercial basis was facilitated. This exercise supplemented their confidence in the productivity of this practice. 

Series of awareness programs were organized where participants from the village, representatives of the village council, and officials from the Block Office of Reiek Block participated. These programs focused on highlighting the value of home gardening for food security and nutritional enhancement which can be achieved by incorporating simple natural farming techniques. The techniques can be easily implemented and practiced by all villagers. It was during such programs that queries were explained through a close interaction between the community and members of Bethany Society, the implementing partner for the project.

Knowledge is the basis of protection. Prepare visual material to send to smartphones. Use radio, social and mass media. Check national curricula for primary and secondary schools, if they include lessons on pollinators and pollination. If not, discuss with the curricula unit of Ministry for Education. Start a dialogue with Ministry for Agriculture to recommend FAP as farming practice, to develop a more ambitious national regulation for agricultural chemicals or a ban of imported managed bumblebees (which can transfer diseases and pests to indigenous species). Clarify with Ministry of Interior, if they can better protect hedgerows and old wood in agricultural areas. Discuss with national universities and Ministry for the Environment, if they can monitor pollinator diversity and include the results in their national reports to CBD, or what kind of capacity building they might need in advance. Clarify with Ministries for Tourism and Urban Planning, if they can conduct a yearly competition for the best performing rural and urban area concerning pollinator protection and promote the winners for ecotourism. Conduct a national pollinator round table with various ministries. Join Promote Pollinators (https://promotepollinators.org/). Read more in: Christmann 2019b

The demonstration of the Jhum optimization measures in the farmers field on pilot basis involving the community would show results which will convince the farmers how small modification on the present system of jhum management would make a difference in terms of conserving soil, increasing fertility level and improve soil moisture while increasing crop yield and improving eco system services.The outcome of the positive results would built their confidence and encourage the land users to adopt in larger area and finally incorporate them in their system in managing their jhum field.

Inorder to create awareness on the measures of jhum optimization already being practiced by the farmers of Nagaland,  a 2- days workshop was organised at project village for the community leaders , farmers  and field functionaries of forest department. Although jhum was being practiced for generations by the villagers, they were not aware of the measures for jhum intensification and its optimization. Benefits of these measures in increasing their farm income  and  improving biodiversity and ecosystem services were explained through a participatory process and a power point presentation. Involving community leaders and community elders  along with women and youth leaders in the training programme was an added advantage as this leveraged the urgency of the programme and its implementation . 

FFS have been proven to have successful outcomes all over the world. They bring together aspects of agroecology, adult learning methods and community development and are widely adapted by NGOs, governments and international agencies. Overall there are some aspects that need to be considered to have successful outcomes:

• Gradual learning process: Changing processes and mindsets needs time and enough space within the workshops. Problems occur in real time and good solutions need to be practiced. This gives everyone the experience of positive outcomes and advantages in changing their perspective. Seeing something new work with success usually starts an open thought process.
• Farmers need to take the lead and define the programme.
• The learning process should be done in a structured and practical oriented process with regular meetings.
• Trainers need to facilitate rather than teach: Adult education needs to be considered by heart and supported by facilitators.
• Group processes need to be established. Therefore, training should focus on:
  • Practical group work with exercises in the field
  • Critical and analytical skills
  • Planning skills
  • Evaluation and feedback skills
• Situational and locally adapted approach during workshops.
• Fitting training fields need to be available.