Armando Bermúdez; Cabo Cabrón; Cabo Francés Viejo; Cabo Samaná; Cotubanamá; Dunas de Las Calderas; Manglares de Bajo Yuna; Humedales del Ozama; Jaragua; José del Carmen Ramírez; La Caleta; Isla Catalina; Lagunas Cabarete y Goleta; Los Haitises; Nalga de Maco; Salto El Limón; Salto de Jimenoa; Sierra de Bahoruco; Sierra de Neiba; Villa Elisa
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Through this Small Technical Grant Assessment for improved protected areas management and governance, the Dominican Republic intends to update information and analyses on protected area management, focusing on the 20 prioritised protected areas, thus resulting in more likely actionable measures. These areas underwent important management and personnel changes, with the new administration. Being able to record and document their change as well as the impact of our actions is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Priority need addressed
Evaluation of current management measures and the effects of recent decisions within the protected area administration. This evaluation will allow the central government to canalize better fitted resources for the needs of each protected area evaluated aiming to a better management of the protected values and ensuring the livelihoods of those depending on the protected area services.
Project activities
The project will focus on the following:
Develop a working plan jointly with co-applicant Consorcio Ambiental Dominicano (CAD) to distribute tasks and information needs.
CAD will contract the consultants.
CAD will train Ministry staff in the use of the latest electronic version of the METT.
Consult with the respective protected area managers about the ideal candidates to fill out the METT forms.
CAD, Ministry staff, and consultants will jointly fill out the worksheet for each protected area through shared online folders.
Carry out remote and face-to-face meetings to adapt and discuss work adjustments or emerging issues.
Conduct validation workshops with relevant staff on draft assessments to obtain final assessment versions.
Conduct a final workshop to present and discuss all results and analyses, focusing on actionable, short-term recommendations.
Publication of final reports on CAD´s and Ministry of Environment webpages
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
The METT evaluations on management effectiveness will offer a paradigm shift in how the needs of protected areas are managed, guiding the planning and actions of the central government. These evaluations will identify the needs related to the availability of resources and the technical capacity of the managers of the protected areas and their teams. In this sense, having a clear perspective from the actors directly involved in the management of the protected areas and the resources they harbor will provide the Ministry of Environment and all the involved agencies with a more accurate and effective vision for decision-making and strategy implementation.
Enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations (supporting new PAME/PAGE assessment tools)
Priority need addressed
Assessment is carried out to identify prevailing management effectiveness gaps in order to improve management regime for better socio-economic development and conservation outcomes.
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
This Small Technical Grant Assessment project will identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of management effectiveness using IMET. The project is pertinent to unravel gaps and risks as key output towards the realization of desired outcomes of biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development.
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Protected and conserved area(s) concerned
Burunge Wildlife Management Area
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations (supporting new PAME/PAGE assessment tools
Priority need addressed
Assessment is carried out in Burunge Wildlife Management Area (BWMA) to identify prevailing management effectiveness gaps in order to improve management regime for better socio-economic development and conservation outcomes.
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
This Small Technical Grant Assessment project will identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of management effectiveness of Burunge Wildlife Management Area (BWMA) using IMET. The project is pertinent to unravel gaps and risks as key output towards the realization of desired outcomes of biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development. The project will also benchmark the priorities for action to strengthen the management of Burunge WMA. Results from IMET assessment will provide basis for the planning, monitoring and assessment of Burunge WMA and development of short-term plans. This project therefore contributes to the overarching goal of improving effectiveness of protected and conserved areas management and governance.
Enhance the management and governance of priority areas by addressing existing limitations
PCAs with improved WDPA
PCAs benefiting of training efforts
PCAs with improved participatory planning and decision-making
Priority need addressed
The Covid-19 pandemic brought significant challenges to the forest conservation and management, at a scale that was previously not imagined. Revenue streams for nature reserved that relied mainly on conservation trust funds, philanthropy donations, research fees and ecotourism were severely cut throughout 2020. Rise in illegal forest harvesting and reduction in capacity of Tanzania Forest Services to institute effective law enforcement may have jeopardized the overall management capabilities of forest nature reserves. The current proposed assessment will unveil the post-covid situation of the protected areas, which are designated as forest nature reserves across the country. The results will inform the status of management effectiveness and its attribution to the negative impacts of the pandemic. This will trigger developing appropriate onsite strategies and establish policy actions that are geared towards recuperating from the pandemic and promoting post-pandemic management strategies on these protected areas.
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
The results will inform the status of management effectiveness and its attribution to the negative impacts of the pandemic. This will trigger developing appropriate onsite strategies and establish policy actions that are geared towards recuperating from the pandemic and promoting post-pandemic management strategies on these protected areas
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Protected and conserved area(s) concerned
Burunge WMA and Wakame WMA
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people whilst effectively contributing to protected areas management
Enhance the management and governance of priority areas by addressing existing limitations (supporting new PAME/PAGE assessment tools, strengthening on-site infrastructure/equipment for patrolling, poaching control, developing capacity of staff)
Priority need addressed
Provide good governance and communications tools essential to ensure equity and transparency in WMA governance. When communities understand and see a value in the WMAs, they can contribute to the protection of these natural resources.
Honeyguide’s overarching goal is to deliver both Makame WMA and Burunge WMA to sustainability by 2023.
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
Fundamental to a sustainable conservation area, good governance is making sure that the leadership is effective, can hold the management accountable and ensures the benefits are shared equitably. The SAGE will provide a road map for the management and governing bodies of these protected areas to improve their governance. Improvement of people participatory in planning and decision making. It is critical for a community to conserve and value the initiatives. The score sheet will enable the WMA governing members and the management to prioritize their actions to strengthen governance. The project will be able to bring WMA:
To understand the meaning of Site-level Governance and Equity assessment tool and its importance in conducting the leadership assessment.
Be able to explain the importance of using of each of the principles in the assessment of WMA leadership.
Be enabled to use of SAGE tool in the assessment of the WMA leadership in terms of strengths, weaknesses and give recommendations on the improvement
WMA will be to Identify actions to take in the improvement of the WMA leadership to be included in the WMA’s Annual work plan
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Protected and conserved area(s) concerned
Niokolo Koba National Park
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations (strengthening on-site infrastructure/equipment for patrolling, poaching control, developing capacity of staff)
Priority need addressed
Provide survey (baseline and/or monitoring) of a minimum number of key elements before any management decision on key species and ecosystem services; Minimise the threats to the PA: poaching, nomadic grazing, invasive species, etc
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
Protected Areas of regional/global importance such Niokolo Koba National Park generally have comprehensive monitoring programs which keep track of the health status and trends of key natural assets, permitting an early warning and the formulation of corrective measures should a specific species, biome or important habitat feature come under threat. All such mechanisms are currently lacking in Niokolo-Koba, and the park authorities depend on outside assistance to produce relevant updates on the status of key wildlife and habitat features.
In the context of the BIOPAMA AC objective “to enhance the management and governance of priority areas by addressing existing limitations” the proposed project will strengthen the ability of the DPN to effectively (and eventually autonomously) manage the park´s irreplaceable biodiversity assets by generating relevant and updated ecological information and by providing the DPN with the tools and the capacity for an appropriate, comprehensive, standardized and easily replicable park monitoring system, targeting all key wildlife species and habitat features.
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Protected and conserved area(s) concerned
Nsumbu National Park
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Enhance the management and governance of priority areas by addressing existing limitations;
Support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people whilst effectively contributing to protected areas’ management.
Priority need addressed
Protection of the natural resources of the Iyendwe Valley, through community-led wildlife and natural resource protection alongside the development of community-driven, conservation-based livelihood opportunities.
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
The capacity of the CICP is strengthened through trainings on financial and human resources management. These capacity development trainings will be underpinned by mentoring provided by the Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme (NTCP), helping to organize trainings and providing oversight. The expected outcome is strong management support for the benefit of the community, protected wildlife and better managed natural resources. A strong CICP will enable the effective implementation of this project and future projects to come.
Wildlife and terrestrial natural resources are protected through the recruitment of five individuals from the community who will be trained as community scouts. The basic field ranger training will provide the scouts the skills to protect wildlife and natural resources through effective law enforcement patrols, reducing poaching incursions into Nsumbu National Park (NNP) via Eastern Boundary. The anticipated outcome is increased wildlife numbers both within NNP and the Iyendwe Valley, which will be captured through SMART technology where data will be collected, and assessed to maximise patrol effectiveness.
Aquatic natural resources are protected through engagement with the Department of Fisheries and other key partners on the most appropriate fishing use regulations for the Lufubu river. Communities will be engaged on regulations (several of which already exist) and scouts will enforce regulations. Sustainable fishing practices will ensure better fishing management and protection of fish breeding areas for long-term protection of the resource.
Conservation-based livelihoods are created in the Iyendwe Valley through the development of a community campsite and fee-paying services for fishing and natural resource use. The fees will be developed by the CICP with input from the community and relevant government departments to generate small amounts of revenue and ensure sustainable resource use. Expected outcomes include motivation for ongoing conservation through fund generation and sustainable natural resource use.
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Protected and conserved area(s) concerned
Zambia’s Lake Tanganyika waters sitting in Nsama district surrounding Nsumbu National Park
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Enhance the management and governance of priority areas by addressing existing limitations;
Enforce the legal framework required to achieve effective biodiversity conservation in protected areas; and
Support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people whilst effectively contributing to protected areas’ management.
Priority need addressed
Reduce the use of illegal fishing gear in community fishery management zones; 2. Prevent fishing in illegal areas including Fish Breeding Areas
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
A community-driven fishery management plan, supported by Zambian legislation which enables the community to protect and conserve fisheries for improved livelihoods and long-term sustainability.
Better understanding of communities of government legislation and understanding by government departments of community needs.
Awareness raising of the contents of the Fisheries Management Plan, and a roadmap for future communities to protect and conserve their fisheries.
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Protected and conserved area(s) concerned
Nosy Hara National Marine Park
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Enhance the management and governance of priority areas by addressing existing limitations;
Enforce the legal framework required to achieve effective biodiversity conservation in protected areas;
Support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people whilst effectively contributing to protected areas’ management
Priority need addressed
There are several pending priorities outlined. The first are demonstrated by the results of the METT from December 2021: The Park’s 2021 METT Score was 78% with the following weaknesses identified:
Lack of surveillance against illegal mangrove harvesting,
Lack of habitat restoration activities (mangroves)
Illegal catch of octopus and crab leading to a decrease of 20% in annual yield since 2018 – this situation is urgent, especially in specific communities. The basis of concern for management is a knowledge of life cycles, ecology, threats and sustainable harvesting techniques as well as abiding by closed periods, and maximising the yields and profits through improvements in harvest, handling, storage and transport for sale.
Lack of public outreach and education about the park, the marine systems and regulations much has been done on the level of individual villages, but this will be the first time all 21 villages are impacted as well as news disseminated nationally and internationally via traditional media (radio, film) and social media (website, Facebook, Twitter, BIOPAMA portal).
Lack of monitoring and surveillance equipment for CLPs
One of the key drivers for the first two problems, is the immigrant fishers from the Nosy Be region coming to exploit Park resources illegally compounded by the limited capacity of CLPs for surveillance and enforcement. This project will ensure wide scale registration of legal fishers with issuance of identification cards to ensure that enforcement is facilitated.
Currently the CLP representatives on the CBO do not even have a list of current CLP members in their own communities. It is therefore urgent to set up a simple and effective database system that is sustainable and transparent.
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
The project aims to enhance management effectiveness of regionally critical marine habitats and biodiversity (mangrove, seagrass, reefs, dugongs, turtles, birds and fish) through capacity building of CLPs in marine ecology, threats and monitoring and surveillance. Wide scale public outreach, registration of CLPs (notably increasing women’s participation in MPA management) and registration of legitimate fishers will ensure higher compliance with Park rules and regulations and easier processes for eliminating illegal and unregulated fishing. Active restoration of mangrove forests by communities and improvements in their income from octopus’ fisheries will improve their overall wellbeing and sustained motivation in MPA Management.
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Implementing organisations
Protected and conserved area(s) concerned
Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park
The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed
Enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations.
Priority need addressed
COVID-19 had a large impact on the sustainable financing of the Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park. The Park is funded through a voluntary fee, which is largely generated from international visitors and when Fiji’s borders closed in March 2020, there was no income generated in 2020 to help support the preservation and operation of the park.
The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)
There are four primary changes the project will be able to contribute towards:
Awareness raising activities with communities with customary rights to the Park to build their understanding of: the conservation objectives of the Park; how the Park is managed and benefits for communities; how funds are generated through a partnership with the tourism sector; and how funds are used for park management and to support an education fund for secondary and tertiary students from Nakorotubu District.
Education and awareness raising activities with fishers from within and outside of Nakorotubu District on the VIRCP, to build understanding of the benefits of the Park, how the Park is governed and managed, as well as the management rules that apply. This will hopefully contribute to less poaching within the Park boundaries.
Patrolling and monitoring of the VIRCP to ensure there is compliance with the Park rules, and to address poaching concerns. This includes building the capacity of the recently appointed fish wardens to undertake monitoring and surveillance in close coordination with the Management Committee and the Ministry of Fisheries.
Improve the capacity of the Management Committee to oversee and manage the Park, by providing focused training, assisting with the development of standard operating procedures, as well as opportunities to further implement Park management activities.
