Establishment of Community-based Models for Biodiversity Protection in Ecological Corridors in the Southern Caucasus (Armenia)

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Establishment of Community-based Models for Biodiversity Protection in Ecological Corridors in the Southern Caucasus (Armenia)

Establishment of Community-based Models for Biodiversity Protection in Ecological Corridors in Armenia

This project implemented in Vayots Dzor & Syunik Provinces, Republic of Armenia from 2014 – 2017 was funded by the KfW Development Bank on behalf of Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany and WWF-Germany

Establishment of Community-based Models for Biodiversity Protection in Ecological Corridors in Armenia

This project's objectives are to assist in diversifying livelihoods by creating incentives and monetary benefits for local communities to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services, thereby decreasing unsustainable natural resources use and overgrazing.

The project directly contributes to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Armenia as well as to National Strategy on Development of Protected Area System.

This project contributes directly to the BMZ/KfW-funded Government-endorsed Ecoregional Corridor Fund through piloting key approaches for sustainable management and protection of biodiversity in ecological corridors.

Southern Armenia in terms of biodiversity is the richest region in the country. Opportunities for communities to realize the potential social and economic benefits accruing from biodiversity are not utilized. Biodiversity is threatened by overexploitation of natural resources, unregulated tourism activity and habitat loss. Root causes include poor rangeland management, inadequate land-use planning and in the case of unsustainable wood/Non-Timber-Forest-Products harvest, the lack of alternative income and low incentives and capacity for local people to sustainably manage their natural resources.

Establishment of Community Based Conservation Areas (CBCA) will help counteract the negative effects of unsustainable use of natural resources. CBCA’s models will be set up based on ecosystem services that result in biodiversity conservation and additional income for local communities via well-managed protected areas, eco-tourism, processing and marketing of products, participatory range and habitat management.

It is anticipated that communities will recognize the direct monetary (e.g. from Non-Timber-Forest-Products) and non-monetary (e.g. clean drinking water) benefits they derive from functioning intact ecosystems and thus have stronger ownership for the natural resources on their community land.

Project activities are planned in two remarkable areas of Armenia – environs of spectacular Vorotan Canyon in Syunik Province and mountains of Vayots Dzor, holding vast amount of the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

Project Expected Deliverables:

Models of CBCAs in selected communities of Vayots Dzor (Gnishik Protected Landscape) and Syunik (Devil’s Bridge Nature Monument) regions, backed up with Management Plans and Land Use Plans (incorporating Pasture Management Plan).
Improved capacities of local communities in natural resource management through introduction of livestock grazing regime, rehabilitation of livestock watering facilities, establishment of soil erosion control sites.
Strengthened capacities of administration of the CBCAs through improved protection infrastructure, provided equipment for rangers and regular patrolling of protected areas.

Developed eco-tourism infrastructure with Information Center established in Tandzatap village, improved signage and information materials provided at observation point and trails at Devil’s Bridge Nature Monument and in Gnishik Protected Landscape. Increased number of visiting tourists contributed to increased income for local communities.
Improved communal infrastructure conditions in Gnishik Protected Landscape’s relevant communities through rehabilitated potable water supply, increased agricultural productivity through improved irrigation system in selected agricultural lands and introduction of techniques for improving energy efficiency.

Established Farming Service Center aimed at supporting farmers by providing artificial insemination services for increased livestock productivity, as well as affordable veterinary products and professional trainings in animal health and husbandry.
Increased income of CBCA’s communities is ensured through development and implementation of Business models for production and marketing of local products. A shop for selling the products and a collection point are established to complement planned installation of fruit & herb drying systems for CBCA communities. The facilities are equipped with labeling, packaging and storing equipment and community members are trained in maintaining the entire processing.