Participatory Management of marine, coastal and terrestrial resources

projekt beendet

ContextEcosystems in Mauritania have been steadily degraded for over 30 years as a result of climatic, societal and economic changes combined with environmentally harmful practices in the use of resources. Inadequate governance and management systems are exacerbating these problems.Natural resources from bush, forest and grazing land are the sources of livelihood for around a quarter of the population. These resources are under threat as a result of overexploitation, climate change and relentless population growth. The vegetation cover is deteriorating. Areas where resources are locally managed by user associations are an exception. However, long-term financing for these associations is not yet guaranteed and their viability has not been enhanced.The two national parks, Banc d’Arguin and Diawling, play important roles in the context of global biodiversity and the conservation of marine and coastal resources. However, these parks are coming under increasing pressure as a result of industrial fishing, the oil and gas industry, gold mining, poor waste management, large infrastructure projects and the overall effects of industrialisation, urbanisation and climate change. Legal regulations and instruments for integrated climate-sensitive management of marine and coastal areas have yet to be fully implemented.As a result, the section of the population whose livelihoods depend on these resources is not yet adequately protected against the impacts of climate change (insufficient resilience of vulnerable population groups).ObjectiveResilience to the effects of climate change has been strengthened in vulnerable population groups that depend on marine, coastal and land resources.ApproachThe project follows on from the previous Management of Natural Resources project. It operates in three main fields of action: technical and policy advice, integrated climate-sensitive management and local user associations.The Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) is supported in establishing an online information system. This system records environmental data and other information required for decision-making. The project also promotes data sharing with other important partners and ministries.The management of marine and coastal resources needs to be better adapted to climate change. For this reason, the project supports the development of decision-making instruments, the strengthening of the legal framework, and cooperation between various stakeholders with civil society involvement. Local organisations that are active in the national parks and in the coastal zone will benefit the most. The Banc d’Arguin, and Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Trust Fund Limited (BACoMaB) is responsible for financing of the national parks. The Fund is supported with the aim of improving its management capacities. Both national parks are also assisted in implementing their development and management plans and in meeting eligibility criteria for BACoMaB funds. In this regard, the project works together with the GOPA/Eco Consult consortium of research and consulting firms.Finally, the project is strengthening local user associations for forest and grazing areas in the south of the country. This will improve local resource management. The project is expanding production chains for non-timber forest products in order to generate incomes from eco-friendly activities. Women in particular are to benefit from this.Results- MEDD is managing the new environmental information system with specific data for various regions and issues. This system is fully operational and freely accessible.- BACoMaB increased its capital resources to 26.6 million euros in 2018. The specification of strict eligibility criteria for financing is helping to improve national park management.- A number of instruments for the management of marine and coastal resources are being implemented, including a national environmental monitoring strategy and an early warning system for chemical pollution.- Thanks to the use of non-timber forest products, the estimated income of user associations has risen by more than 10 per cent.- 146 female members of user associations have implemented four climate-sensitive measures, including the processing of non-timber forest products.- The vegetation cover index, which quantifies the development of forest and grazing areas, is positive in 27 of 37 user associations.

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