Community Forestry and Restoration for the establishment of Nuratau-Kyzylkum biosphere reserve as a model for biodiversity conservation in Uzbekistan
| Location | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|
| Start | 2003 |
| Finish | 2005 |
| Client | UNDP |
Summary
Under a broader UNDP project, the LTS sub-project aims to address the biodiversity threats from forest loss/degradation, by developing sustainable forestry use and restoration models which are: easily replicable; founded as far as possible on traditional existing / historical practices and customs; and provide sufficient socio-economic benefits to make widespread adoption likely.
Problem
People in the Nuratau Mountains and Kyzylkum Desert have undergone two dramatic social upheavals in the last 80 years. The first was collectivisation introduced in the Soviet era and the second was independence, achieved in 1991. As a result traditional management practices have been forgotten. Important forest land of international biodiversity value is becoming rapidly degraded by 'emergency' livelihood strategies such as overgrazing of large livestock populations and pressure on wood and shrubs from growing populations.
Solution
LTS is providing project management and technical assistance to develop and implement sustainable community forestry and forest restoration initiatives in the project area. Specifically LTS will:
- Perform a participatory assessment of existing forest management systems;
- train and build capacity of local NGOs for community forestry;
- facilitate the establishment of community forestry institutions and community forests;
- facilitate planning and implementation of participatory forest management plans;
- undertake monitoring and evaluation.
Benefits
Activities will build ownership and responsibility within local communities and as a result be more likely to be sustained and supported in the long term. Emphasis will be placed on utilising traditional knowledge and customs as far as is practically possible, thereby building on existing skills and helping to ensure appropriateness of activities for local conditions. This project provides an exciting opportunity to introduce sustainable community forestry initiatives into Uzbekistan.
