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Curral Velho, Ramsar Site of International Importance, 109005; Reserva Natural Ponta do Sol; Reserva Natural Boa Esperanca; Reserva Natural da Tartaruga; Parque Natural do Norte.
Action Plan for Sea Turtles in West Africa 2017 – 2022 (initiated by MAVA Foundation)
The overall aim of the project is to reduce poaching of endangered sea turtles on Boa Vista. This will be done though the implementation of two new techniques aimed at better protecting sea turtles: Conservation Dogs and Night-Vision Drone. Both projects are designed to provide technical, logistical, and strategical support to the “Sea Turtle Surveillance Task Force” (STSTF) initiative, initiated by the Cape Verdean Ministry for Agriculture and Environment. The priority will be to improve patrol operations teams by the acquisition of field equipment and devices and training.
The first project activity is focused on the purchase of two vehicles, one for the drone team and the second for the dog team as these are particularly suitable for their specific needs. The vehicles will allow both teams to become more independent and to reach their full potential.
Given that the female sea turtles come to the beaches to lay their eggs at night, all direct protection measures have to occur at night. Even under bright moonlight conditions, it is impossible to detect poachers hidden between bushes and dunes with the naked eye or conventional binoculars. For this reason, two thermal imaging binoculars for night-vision will be purchased. These will help a part of the Sea Turtle Surveillance Task Force, who mainly support the drone team during night operations.
The second project activity aims at enhancing the Sea Turtle Surveillance Task Force capacities through trainings. A driving training safety will be offered to employees, in order to provide them with a safe driving feeling, and also to protect the vehicles so as to give them the longest possible life duration. The second training will be for the ground team rangers on the use of the night-vision devices – these are highly technical devices and it is important for the team to use them correctly and strategically.
Thanks to the new equipment and training, the Sea Turtle Surveillance Task Force (STSTF) will be able to increase effectivity of beach protection through improved, independent, and unrestricted mobility. Beaches can be monitored more frequently during the sea turtle nesting season while increasing the range of patrolling activity. The expected result is to cover 55 single beaches from 7 geographically distinguish beach-areas with a total of 15 km2.
The new equipment and the training will not only make the work of the teams safer and more efficient and will allow for strategic improvements in night-time beach surveillance, some of which would not even be possible without them. Taken together, both the temporal and spatial coverage of beach protection by the STDTF teams is significantly increased and the quality is improved.
Thanks to the support of BIOPAMA it is expected that poaching activity will continue to decrease on Boa Vista quickly, effectively, and sustainably. This would be a major contribution to the recovery of the endangered sea turtle population in Cape Verde.
Download the project infofiche.
Fundação Tartaruga Cabo Verde; Turtle foundation Germany
Lésio-Louna Reserve, 99862
RAPPAM evaluation; Parcs and reserves of Congo; Protected area management effectiveness evaluation
The project addresses two priority needs for the Lésio-Louna Reserve:
The operational capacity of field staff and eco-guards will be strengthened by:
The improvement in the performance and services of the ecotourism infrastructure will be achieved by:
The ability to conduct motorized patrols will enable eco-guards to regularly undertake missions covering a wider area of the reserve, and the development of field staff to using the SMART system will enable the project results to be verified and analysed on a larger scale whilst maintaining a high level of detail and accuracy. The capacity for data collection is also increased with the camera traps. These changes will significantly impact on the level of protection for the reserve and will result in an increase in the number of arrests and interruptions of illegal activities. The enhanced data collection will also increase knowledge of the range of species within the protected area.
The improvements to the eco-tourism infrastructure will enhance the visitor experience. The installation of the new solar energy system will reduce noise and pollution by an estimated 83% compared to the existing system and, together with the improved access via the Lefini river, it should lead to an increase in visitor numbers. There are 23 villages surrounding the Lésio-Louna Reserve, with over 17,000 residents, who could ultimately benefit as tourism revenue is used to support local communities and contribute to financing the protected area.
Download the project infofiche.
The Aspinall Foundation
Etendeka Concession, 555542988
Palmwag Concession, 555542988
Uibasen Twyfelfontein Communal Conservancy, 555542921
Huab Communal Conservancy, 555542924
Sesfontein Communal Conservancy, 555542943
Sorris Sorris Communal Conservancy, 555542957
Torra Communal Conservancy, 555542951
Anabeb Communal Conservancy, 555542941
Doro nawas Communal Conservancy, 555542916
Khoadi-Hôas Communal Conservancy, 555542922
SMART patrol report
The project will enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations through strengthening on-site infrastructure/equipment for patrolling, controlling poaching, developing capacity of staff. Furthermore, the project will support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people while effectively contributing to protected areas management.
SRT has long recognized the importance of conservation as a rural and sustainable development tool. To this end SRT has included support to communal conservancies as a core pillar in the strategic plan, in line with the national CBNRM policy. Rhino tourism earned around US$250,000 for communal conservancies in 2017. Over the years we have developed a rhino trekking viewing protocol which is grounded on conservation principles of low disturbance and guest interaction with locally employed rhino trackers. SRT has helped to facilitate three contracts between communal conservancies and private sector partners and has worked to support these relationships to ensure that maximum income reaches conservancies. This income provides a sustainable income based on conservation principles and has helped to diversify the livelihoods of a large number of community members who are directly and indirectly engaged in conservation and tourism. At a local and more practical level, support from this project will ensure that rhino tourism and the rhino ranger program remain sustainable. The rhino ranger programme has been noted as one of the most innovative community based rhino conservation initiatives in Africa (link). SRT believes that the approach of incentivising local participation in conservation has contributed significantly to the reduction of poaching in the landscape. In terms of climate change adaptation, we believe that income from rhino monitoring has provided a sustainable form of alternative livelihood income for the approximatively 50 community based rhino rangers currently working in the region. These rangers form part of the beneficiaries of the project.
Through the support of the BIOPAMA project, SRT will purchase SMART capable devices and train staff and rhino rangers to use them during field patrols. The devices are a key component to ensuring accurate rhino monitoring data which is captured in the longest running black rhino database around the globe. The project will further focus on training for SRT trackers and rhino rangers in advanced rhino monitoring and securing the scene of crime if they come across a deceased rhino to ensure forensic evidence is secured for the investigation team. Funds will also be utilized to purchase a much needed radio communication system and complete work on field camps used by the monitoring teams to safely overnight in the field during their 21 day patrol cycles.
The project will help develop a conservancy rhino conservation recognition scheme which promotes national and international recognition for conservancies directly contributing to the rhino ranger programme. A similar recognition scheme will be introduced for private sector tourism operators who are conducting rhino tracking. Through BIOPAMA’s support, SRT Namibia will continue hosting conservancy workshops on the rhino ranger programme to actively promote ways to improve the sustainability of the program. Other activities include assistance in drafting of a rhino tourism policy, and a rhino ranger programme strategic plan, focused on financial sustainability.
The implementation of the project will strengthen the monitoring efforts of black rhino in ten targeted protected areas which covers approximately 20, 000 square kilometres. Eight protected areas which consists of communal conservancies will become less reliant on donor funding for monitoring of black rhino and become more self-sustainable. Through policy development, the project will mitigate potential negative environmental and social impacts.
Download the project infofiche.
Rugezi Burera Ruhondo Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance; 109095
R-METT (Ramsar Site Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool)
The project will address the following priority needs:
• To enhance the role of local communities in the protection of Rugezi Marsh and its iconic Grey Crowned Cranes, with the ultimate goal of building their sense of ownership so that they can play a greater role in managing the marsh, ensuring its sustainable use , and protecting biodiversity and,
• To improve the protection of Rugezi Marsh and law enforcement so that illegal activities are reduced, and the Grey Crowned Crane population is able to recover.
This project will implement a range of activities to address conservation problems, while engaging and involving community members in the management and protection of the Marsh. RWCA will recruit and train additional Community Rangers at Rugezi Marsh to carry out patrols, report illegal activities, educate community members and monitor populations of Grey Crowned Cranes and breeding activities. Community campaigns and other educational events will be organised to raise awareness among community members about key conservation messages. The team of Marsh Rangers also increase awareness by educating community members during their patrols. The project will involve community members in conservation actions including the restoration of two islands within the Marsh planting 6 000 indigenous trees. There will be opportunities for paid work for community members to plant the trees. RWCA believes in the idea of ‘growing trees’ rather than just ‘planting trees’ so communities will also be involved in follow up activities. Additional activities will work to strengthen law enforcement through workshops with local leaders, joint patrol exercises with stakeholders, organising meetings of the Inter Agency Committee for Illegal Wildlife Trafficking and a workshop for police and other agencies introducing the new wildlife law in Rwanda.
Rugezi Marsh is a Ramsar protected site of international importance and this project will bring about a number of key changes to improve its management and protection. Engaging and involving communities in the management of the Marsh will increase its protection in a sustainable way. As RWCA strengthens its team of Community Marsh Rangers, this will reduce the number of illegal activities t hat take place around the Marsh. Education is key to engaging communities and changing attitudes towards conservation issues. As the project raises awareness, communities will show increased knowledge of conservation issues which will increase their collaboration and involvement in the management of the Marsh. Additionally, increased protection will come from the strengthening of law enforcement efforts which will also reduce the risk of illegal trade of Grey Crowned Cranes. Information gathered about Rugezi Marsh will be shared with international stakeholders and databases which will help to improve and develop management plans. Overall, as a result of the holistic approach that targets the problem from many angles, the result will be an increase in biodiversity and an increase in the population of Grey Crowned Cranes at Rugezi Marsh which will be a good indicator of the health of the ecosystem.
Download the project infofiche.
Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association
Blue & John Crow Mountains National Park, 28856; Blue & John Crow Moutains World Heritage Site, 555555555.
METT Scorecard 2015/16 and National Park Management Plan 2017/18 – 2026/27
Decrease encroachment through boundary marking, improved enforcement & compliance programme, enhanced community awareness and sustainable livelihoods opportunities and forest restoration.
The activities of this project are divided by three main areas of work:
1. Boundary Marking (at key areas): Install firebreak, small signs, paint on trees, ribbon of trees (where there are no trees) and forest restoration in deforested areas immediately behind the boundary. This work will be focused on the most encroached boundary (on the southern slopes of the Blue Mountains). The same small signs and paint on trees will be placed along other boundaries that are easily accessible. GPS tracking will be used to ensure the park staff install the signs/symbols at the correct locations. This activity will be implemented by the Park Manager and Ranger Corps.
2. Enhanced Enforcement & Compliance Programme: improve/expand Ranger Stations; Procure & use: vehicles, equipment & gear including camera traps and drones and other technology; Conduct Ranger training. These activities will enhance the ability of National Park Rangers to promote compliance and deter against illegal activities in and around the National Park.
3. Raised community awareness, knowledge and Improved sustainable livelihood practices: Involve community members and volunteers in work of the National Park; Community Outreach activities e.g. fairs, public education; Sustainable Livelihoods and National Park management training. In addition, there will be a strategic effort to improve communications and facilitation of sustainable livelihoods based on lessons learned, studies conducted over the last three years and best practices.
The vehicles, equipment and gear will significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of management of the National Park and protection of its core Preservation Zone, which is a World Heritage Site. In particular, it will ensure greater presence of the National Park Rangers and improved observation of any breaches of the protected area or other environmental legislation. Along with the more organised training of the National Park Rangers and the improved Ranger Station conditions, this will improve the morale within the National Park Ranger Corps. The boundary marking, particularly along the most encroached boundary, will result in the improved visibility of the boundary, making it easier to defend and for local farmers to obey, therefore reducing encroachment. There will also be activities aimed at addressing land tenure in the area, with other additional funding. Reduced encroachment and consequently reduced damage to the forest within the boundary as well as restoration of forest on degraded land inside the National Park boundary will improve the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the area. The community outreach and facilitation of sustainable livelihoods is aimed at changing behaviour as we have found from recent studies that community members are quite aware of best environmental practices however they require more of an on-going, mentoring approach in addition to incentives and enforcement action.
Download the project infofiche.
Green Jamaica JCDT and Blue Mountain National Park
Lac Sofia, Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance, 555624846
Madagascar is a global conservation priority due to its high level of species endemism and the magnitude of threats to its biodiversity. Extreme poverty, exacerbated by rapid population growth and climate change, are accelerating environmental degradation. Since 1960, over 60% of Madagascar’s wetlands are estimated to have been lost. Those remaining are subject to an array of pervasive threats including sedimentation, pollution and overharvesting. The Lake Sofia catchment in north western Madagascar is home to a wealth of threatened biodiversity and supports the livelihoods of some 10,000 local people, who rely heavily on the natural resources and ecosystem services provided by the lake. Unsustainable farming practices, burning of land for cattle grazing, and the over harvesting of natural resources have severely degraded the lake. These challenges are compounded by the site’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, which are predicted to increase in number and severity over the coming years. The responsibility for the management of the lake has been transferred to local communities, with nine community structures in place across the catchment, all working together under a Watershed Management Group. These new structures are laying the foundations for a sustainable community led management system for the Lake Sofia catchment, but they require further support to enable them to operate independently in the future. Lake Sofia is one of twenty Ramsar Sites in Madagascar. Few have Ramsar Site Management Plans and conservation managers have little support to generate information on the condition of, and threats to, their sites. An effective, standardised approach for assessing the management effectiveness of protected wetlands is required in order to generate a baseline for the national comparison of sites and help monitor conservation progress and changes to threats. A National Ramsar Committee (CONARAMS) does exist in Madagascar but has no funding nor a plan of action, so it has been effectively dormant for several years. This has resulted in missed opportunities to influence decisions around planning and regulatory frameworks around wetland systems. A strong and well organised committee is essential for ensuring vitally important wetland systems are represented in the future.
The project aims at enhancing biodiversity, livelihoods and climate change resilience through improved management of protected wetlands in Madagascar. More specifically, the first objective is to strengthen the capacity of community associations to implement an agreed community based management plan at the Lake Sofia Ramsar Site and surrounding catchment, tackling the highest ranking threats of over harvesting of natural resources, habitat clearing through over burning, and water extraction and pollution from unsustainable agriculture. The second objective is to build capacity within Ramsar Site managers and the National Ramsar Committee (CONARAMS), providing a baseline of conservation management effectiveness through diagnostic tools (notably Ramsar Management Effectiveness Tracking Tools/ METTs) which informs a consolidated CONARAMS action plan and training and support for Ramsar Site Managers to plan for long term climate resilient management.
The project will improve biodiversity habitat and provide more secure and resilient ecosystem services for 10,000 local people living in the Lake Sofia catchment, by strengthening the capacity of community associations to develop and implement a comprehensive community based management plan at site. The work at Lake Sofia will act as a showcase for improved management of wetland systems in Madagascar. The project will also empower a well organised National Ramsar Committee to promote sustainable use of wetland systems whilst supporting a better informed network of wetland managers to enhance the long term resilient management and governance of Ramsar Sites across the country.
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Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT), Asity Madagascar (AM), Organisation de soutien pour le development rural a Madagascar (OSDRM)
Niokolo-Koba National Park, World Heritage Site, 2580
Strategic documents at the protected area, national and regional levels (e.g. management plans, KBAs and key landscapes for conservation analysis).
All the actions developed through this project are ultimately aimed to strengthen on-site capacity of the Direction of National Parks (DPN), to conduct wildlife surveys in a scientifically sound manner and to establish an ecological monitoring system for better management of Niokolo Koba´s key wildlife and habitats. To achieve this, the project will develop the following activities:
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 .
Download the project infofiche.
Panthera Wildlife Trust Limited & Direction des Parcs Nationaux du Senegal (DPN)
