Greater Gombe Ecosystem Conservation Program Agreement No: 623-A-00-06-00009-00 Integrated Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation PHE JGI EXPERIENCE By Emmanuel Mtiti The Jane Goodall Institute, Tanzania
Overview» History» Environmental related problems» Lessons learned» Approach and synergies» Vision and Mission» Result framework» Dialogue and partnership» Determining PHE interventions» Factors determining integration» Challenges
History TACARE project: (Lake Tanganyika Catchment Reforestation and Education) The Project was established in October 1994 with its primary objective being: To Arrest the rapid degradation of the village land. The project was intensified in 2005 to focus on a bigger landscape scale conservation (Greater Gombe Ecosystem program)
Environmental related problems common to project villages Rapid degradation of natural resources Deforestation Soil erosion and low crop productivity Habitat loss Rapid population growth Population tripled within 45 yrs Frequent refugee influxes Highest annual population growth in the country rate: 4.8% (2002) Poverty and diseases Mtanga village, south of Gombe
Lessons learned: Assessments done by the project indicated high ranking priority needs of communities to be poor access to: Health services Education Clean and adequate water Capital (financial services) Poverty increased dependency on the natural resources Environmental degradation was not perceived as a priority problem. -PRA, 1999.
Conclusions: The interrelated issues of population, poverty and sustainable natural use need to be addressed together. Women play a central role in environmental conservation.
Integrated Approach to Conservation Socio-economic Development (micro-credit) Family Planning & AIDS education Sustainable Natural Resource Management Sustainable Forestry & Agriculture practices Water & Sanitation (UNICEF)
Synergies Forestry Agriculture Water and Sanitation Operational Linkages GGE Improved Conservation Health Population HIV/AIDS Cost/effort sharing Increased effectiveness Community Development Improved Livelihood/ Health Roots and Shoots Program review workshop, June 2005
Greater Gombe Ecosystem program Vision: That the natural resources of the Greater Gombe Ecosystem are healthy, flourishing and providing sustainable and equitable benefits to local communities.
The Mission Statement To ensure the survival of the native habitats and wildlife and other natural resources of the Greater Gombe Ecosystem through improving the standard of living of local communities.
: Change in focus 1994 1998/2005 To arrest the rapid degradation of village land. To ensure the survival of the native habitats and wildlife and other natural resources of the Greater Gombe Ecosystem through improving the standard of living of local communities.
Dialogue and partnership at community level Village Nursery Attendants and Forest Monitors Reproductive Health Agents AIDS/HIV care providers Maintain tree nursery and planting trees Deliver environmental education Monitor forests Refers farmers and forest users groups for health education and counselling Village government Distribute family planning methods Provide education and counseling Facilitate referral to health units Provide advise on environmental conservation to clients Provide home based care for HIV/AIDS affected
Determining PHE intervention Was achieved through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods: Participatory ranking of priority problems Participatory development of problem tree
Factors influencing PHE integration Addressing community priorities Regular and integrated monitoring Consistent and adequate funding for the PHE components Team work Regular reviews and feedback
Lessons learned from integration Cost effective and value added Increased credibility of the program leading to ability to discuss sensitive issues Enhances sustainability of the program
Challenges Institutional challenges Community Challenges Irregular funding for all PHE components High expectations by the communities
Always remember Only if the people living around the great wilderness areas like Gombe become our partners can we hope to save habitat and animals who live there Jane Goodall
Thank You!