The objective is to preserve South Caucasus ecosystems by adopting sustainable natural resource management practices and to alleviate rural poverty. The project will help avert further deterioration of natural resources.
The project involves the RA Gegharkunik and Tavoush regions.
Project duration: 2002-2008
Project beneficiaries are local self-governing bodies, local and state governmental and non-governmental environmental organization, community members, users of forest resources and organizations dealing with agricultural marketing.
The project components are
1. Management of catchments at involved communities
2. Management of state forests
3. Management of protected areas
Management component of catchments at involved communities
The works were implemented in 40 micro-catchments of 100 communities according to the management plan of each micro-catchments.
The following works were fulfilled within the scope of the component:
1. Management of pastures and meadows
Improvement of 6291ha community pastures and 2879 ha meadows, demarcating works with 36km length, 103 water collecting points for animals were constructed.
2. Illustration and introduction of up-to date technologies for cultivation of autumn and spring barley in not irrigation conditions
Autumn and spring barley sowing covering 1144ha area.
3. Contributing to additional means of income for the poorer layer of population
551 families were provided with 2260 beehives with all the necessary equipments and bee groups.
4. Initiation and development of community substructures
Roads with 782 km length through fields were reconstructed, 414 water release pipes and 256 points gabions were installed, 12 small dams were constructed, 22 equipments for biogas production were provided to the communities.
5. Biodiversity preservation
220ha tree planting was done and 74km fence was build in the degraded territories
6. Provision of small grant projects for biodiversity conservation
28grant projects were fulfilled.
7. Creation of sustainable base of fodder
2282ha of alfalfa and sainfoin sowing.
8. Management of community forests
Community forest management plans were developed for 7communities, on the bases of which there was done 16.2ha forest restoration and 2550m fence construction.
9. Raising public awareness and level of competences
“Sustainable agricultural development” and “Biodiversity conservation” trainings were conducted in all the communities involved in the program.
Management of State Forests
The following works were fulfilled within the scope of the component:
1. Forest management plans were developed and approved for 5forests of “Hayantar” SNCO
2. Forest legislation was developed, later approved by the RA General Assembly
3. National forest project was developed
4. The management plan of “Zikatar” educational center was developed
5. Forest institutional improvement project was developed
6. Short term program on financial assistance to “Hayantar” SNCO was developed
7. Forest management regulation book was developed
8. The RA Forest construction and forest management plans was developed
9. Monitoring system was developed on the bases of which “State Forest Monitoring Center” was formed
10. Administration buildings were build for “Sevqar forest agriculture” and “Ijevan forest agriculture” branches of “Hayantar” SNCO and “Noyemberyan forest agriculture” branch administration building was renovated
11. Administration building of “Zikatar” educational center was completely repaired
12. Forest restoration and fence modeling was done for the territory preservation covering 560ha area
13. Office furniture, forest agricultural equipments and tools, technical instruments, transport means were acquired for “Hayantar” SNCO, Zikatar” educational center and “State Forest Monitoring Center”.
Management of Protected Areas
The following works were fulfilled within the scope of the component:
1.Management plans of ”Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks were developed, later approved by the RA Government.
2. The new law on “SPAs” was developed, later approved by the RA General Assembly
3.”Monitoring order at SPAs” and “Cadastre conducting order at SPAs” were developed, later approved by the RA Government.
4.”Introduction of biodiversity monitoring system”project was developed, later approved by the RA Minister of Nature Protection
5. Websites of national parks were developed
6. Cadre trainings were done at”Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks
7. Administration buildings were completely renovated, local and branch offices were constructed, announcement boards, border signs were installed and fences and barriers were placed in reservoirs.
8. Sphere, laborator, office and restoration appliances, furniture, transport means were acquired for the stuff of ”Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks.