The Project “Demonstrating New Approaches to Protected Areas and Biodiversity Management in the Gissar Mountains as a Model for Strengthening the National Tajikistan Protected Areas System", known as Gissar Biodiversity Project is being currently implemented by the UNDP Communities Programme. The project is financed by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
The project aims at supporting development of the system of three protected natural areas as a key part ofTajikistan’s overall development effort in accordance with international best practices. It will do this by introducing modern approaches for protected areas management and through the training of relevant government agencies. An important aspect is the future involvement of local communities living in or around the protected areas and the combination of efforts to improve the sustainability of their livelihoods, with conservation of natural resources.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Gissar Biodiversity Project goal is to improve conservation of globally significant biodiversity in Tajikistan through demonstration of new mechanisms and approaches to undertake the effective management of Protected Areas and their natural resources. The project’s objective is to strengthen the management effectiveness and sustainability of the three selected Protected Areas located on the southern slopes of the Gissar Mountains, and thereby provides models and best practices replicable throughout the national PA system. To achieve the goal and objectives, the project is undertaking activities under the following three outcomes:
Outcome I -Strengthened environmental governance provides a more sustainable land-use context for the PA system. Outputs and activities under this outcome have been designed to reduce legal and policy barriers hampering effective PA management, sustainable use of resources, and enforcement of the regulatory framework.
Outcome II– New management practices are introduced and capacity built in target PAs; overall management effectiveness and sustainability of the PA system substantively improved.
Outcome III -Practical examples for stakeholders of how to achieve environmentally sustainable livelihoods around target PAs. Under this outcome, the Project plans to test and demonstrate approaches and methods to improve sustainability of livelihood practices in the productive landscapes both around and inside the target PAs. Particular attention is being paid to catalyzing alternative livelihoods and small business, improving energy security and energy efficiency, and facilitating local planning efforts to manage natural resources through demonstration of practical and viable examples.
Within this context the project is facilitating the establishment of 4 Jamoat Resource centers (JRC’s) where the pilot PA’s are located (Jamoats of Tursunzoda, Gissar, Shahrinav and Vahdat districts), as well as a micro-lending institution. The JRC’s will provide a viable local instrument by which reach the local communities in order to test and demonstrate alternative sustainable livelihoods.
Project Partners: The State Committee on Environmental Protection and Forestry; State Special Inspection and Control Department; Tajik National Parks; leskhozes; National Biodiversity and Biosafety Center; Khukumats of rayons; Association of Forests and Wildlife Protection; Child Ecological Society “Zumrad”; Youth Ecological Center, and Support to Civil Initiatives Foundation.
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