NIGERIA MAB NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 NIGERIA MAB NATIONAL COMMITTEE ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PRESENTED AT THE 27 TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL OF THE MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME UNESCO HEADQUARTERS, PARIS, FRANCE.

2 1.0 Introduction Omo Biosphere Reserve started as a Forest Reserve until 1977 when its status changed to an internationally recognized biosphere reserve. 2.0 Activities Implemented 2.1 Biodiversity inventory Over 350 plant species had been identified (excluding the monocultural plantation). About 137 tree species, 52 climbers and 63 shrubs were enumerated. The number of tree and shrub species in SNR, J4 and J1-J3 were 80, 54 and 66 species respectively. The ground flora species were 15, 20 and 77 for SNR, J4 and J1-J3 respectively (Table 1). This trend shows that more plant species are enumerated in the relatively undisturbed forests (SNR) than in other areas which have been subjected to varying levels of exploitation. Table 1: Flora characteristics Trees and shrubs Ground flora spp Families Diversity Index spp Families Diversity Index J1J J SNR All sites Mammalian Fauna and Avifauna Diversity A total of ninety seven (97) bird species were recorded comprising of forest specialist (or forest interior bird species found only in the forest) and generalist (birds species found in the forest and other habitats like degraded areas, farmlands, plantations etc.), of which 68 bird species where observed to be common in the four survey sites while 29 bird species were not common. Forest specialist bird species were most abundant in the Strict Natural Reserve while forest generalists were most abundant in the transition zone. 2.3 Socio Economic Activities Farming is the major occupation of the dwellers. A small proportion are involved in other occupations like hunting, fishing, hired labor and timber contracting for income generation. Other secondary occupations include mechanics, tailoring, carpentry, blacksmith, food vending and herbalist work. A recent visit to the reserve showed that hunting, farming, fishing and the collection of NTFPs are the primary occupation for the majority of locals in OBR. At present, the major sustainable

3 enterprises in OBR include businesses on: Kolanut, Thaumatococus danielli (Ewe eeran), Gnetum africanum (Eru), Piper guineese (Uziza), Plantain, herbs, Honey production. 3.0 UNESCO-KOICA Project The Funds-in-Trust Agreement between KOICA and UNESCO was signed in June 2013 and major activities began in December The implementation of the Green Economies project supported by KOICA commenced with stakeholder consultations and an inception workshop in December The main activity discussed was the implementation of the Green Economies Project. 3.1 Inception Meeting. The GEBR Project inception meeting was held on 17 December 2013 at the Omo Biosphere Reserve (OBR), Ogun State, Nigeria. This meeting brought together all relevant stakeholders, to discuss the project objectives, activities, their roles and responsibilities. In attendance were: UNESCO staff from the Abuja Regional Office and HQ; Members of the MAB National Committee, Executive Director Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Representatives of Ogun and Osun State Governments, Community and Faith Group leaders, Women and Youth Group leaders, Omo Forest Conservation Club, Students and Indigenes from the 12 benefitting communities within the Biosphere Reserve- totaling 100 participants. 3.2 Activities for the Project include: Stakeholder Mapping, Consultation and Needs Assessment Inception and Review Meeting Socio-economic and Market Studies Biosphere Reserve Assessment and Inventory Market Survey and Product Analyses Annual local project progress review workshops Capacity Building in alternative livelihoods Operationalizing Business Monitoring, Performance Assessments and Evaluation In-country workshops to publicize outcome 3.3 Major Achievements so far Biodiversity inventory accomplished Stakeholder validation of the baseline studies Socio-economic studies have been completed 3.4 Trainings on livelihood businesses

4 Training in biodiversity businesses has commenced under the Green Economies Project. 3.5 Validation meeting The validation meeting of the outcomes of the socio-economic and market surveys was held on 28 th May, The meeting was well attended by 30 representatives of the targeted communities and Ogun State Forestry Department, 7 members of MAB National Committee and other stakeholders. During the validation meeting, 4 alternative livelihood businesses ((i) Grasscutter domestication (ii) Snail rearing, (iii) Aqua-culture (iv) mushroom cultivation were selected in collaboration with community leaders, potential participants and stakeholders 4.0 Participation in Regional Activities 4.1 Workshops for the managers of all biosphere reserves from the English-speaking African countries: Nigeria MAB participated in the workshop for the managers of all biosphere reserves from the English-speaking African countries: Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, and Nigeria. This workshop in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, July 2014, was co-organized with the Tanzanian National Commission for UNESCO and Tanzania National Parks. The project was funded by the German Ministry for the Environment, in cooperation with the German Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). 4.2 General Assembly of the African Network Of Biosphere Reserves (Afrimab): The Nigerian National MAB Committee members participated at the 3rd Session of the General Assembly of The African Network Of Biosphere Reserves (Afrimab). The theme of the assembly was: "The Role Of Ecosystem Services In Boosting Green Economies In Biosphere Reserves" held at Mensvic Hotel, Accra Ghana, September A paper was presented on Ecosystem Services & Green Economy (Case Of Omo Biosphere Reserve, Nigeria). 4.3 First International Project Workshop on Green Economy in Biosphere Reserves (GEBR): The Nigerian National MAB Committee members also participated at the First International Project Workshop on Green Economy in Biosphere Reserves (GEBR): A Means to Poverty Reduction, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in sub-saharan Africa held at Kumasi, Ghana, November Challenges/threats in the reserve. The following challenges were observed: Road: The road network is poor; most of the residents can only be reached by motor-cycle. Because of this, the cost of transportation is high and as such, produce is very expensive. Increase in population: The population within the reserve has greatly increased over the years. This has brought about increase in farm size and pressure on wildlife.

5 Conflicts: Conflicts in the reserve could be among the enclaves, farmers and forest officials, forest officials and timber contractors. Weak legislation: This encourages over exploitation of resources by locals. Lack of potable water: Majority of locals relies on water from the river for their domestic needs. 6.0 Acknowledgements Our gratitude goes to the Government of the Republic of Korea and its Agency, KOICA, for providing funds for the execution of the KOICA project which will no doubt improve the living standard and welfare of the communities at Omo Biosphere Reserve. We are also appreciating the Ghana MAB National Committee as well as the UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, Nigeria for their technical support.