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Home , Ararat Province, Armenian mouflon, Geghhovit, Urtsadzor, Vayots Dzor Province, Verin Getashen

2018-2024 wildlife habitat management plan of “Gndasar- West” Conservation Area of Community

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. The “Eco-Corridor Fund for the Caucasus (ECF) – Partnership for Living Landscapes” is implemented by WWF Caucasus Programme Office with funds provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank and WWF-Germany. In the “Eco-corridors Programme” is implemented by WWF-Armenia.

2. The lands of Zangakatun Community are located in the western part of of Armenia and are fully included in the South-eastern Lesser Caucasus Ecological Corridor.

3. The total area of Zangakatun Community is 10375.4 ha, including: lands of agricultural importance – 10,193.4 ha (of which arable land – 748.3 ha, grassland – 101.4 ha, pastures – 8,843.9 ha, other agricultural lands – 488.0 ha, orchards – 11.8 ha), other lands (settlements, communications, water, etc.) – 182.0 ha.

4. The total length of the community border is 76.3 km, of which the state border with (Nakhichevan) to the South is 5.0 km; border with communities of Ararat Province is 39.6 km, of which with Paruyr Sevak Community to the Southwest - 6.6 km, Urtsalanj Community to the Southwest - 4.4 km, Vardashat Community to the West - 11.0 km, Lusashogh Community to the West - 15.1 km, Community to the North - 2.5 km; border with Province is 18.9 km, of which with Community to the North and East - 12.9 km, Madina Community to the East - 1.4 km and community to the East - 4.6 km; and finally with Community in to the Southeast - 12.8 km.

5. The Zangakatun Community has long term cooperation with the Fund for Biodiversity Conservation of Armenian Highland (hereinafter Fund) and expresses its interest to continue partnership with the Foundation within the Eco-corridor Programme.

6. Zangakatun Community and the Fund have agreed to cooperate with WWF-Armenia to implement respective conservation measures within the framework of the ECF. The Fund will be in charge of management of western part of Gndasar Community Conservation Area (hereinafter Gndasar-West CA).

7. Gndasar-West CA and its surroundings provide habitat for numerous species of plants and , of which 27 species of higher plants and 36 species of animals (of which 5 invertebrates, 1 amphibian, 4 reptiles, 20 birds and 6 ) are listed in the Red Book of Armenia).

8. Gndasar-West CA contains suitable habitat for all four target species of South-eastern Lesser Caucasus Ecological Corridor:

 Bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus) inhabits the cliffs and rocky areas stretching across community lands to the North from the Zangakatun Reservoir and along the border with Paruir Sevak and Urtsalanj communities; the community area is an important route for seasonal migrations from Khosrov Forest State Sanctuary to community managed Protected Landscape and further to Azerbaijani (Nakhichevan) border.  Armenian (Ovis orientalis gmelinii) used to seasonally inhabit sub-alpine and alpine meadows of upland areas, crossing Zangakatun community lands during spring and autumn migrations from Urts Ridges to Nakhichevan border.  Brown bear (Ursus arctos) is common in the area, especially in woodlands, mountain steppes and meadows. Bear’s invasions in the orchards and bee-gardens became more frequent during the recent years.  It is assumed that Caucasian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) is very rarely passing through the area.

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9. The main current threats to the target species are:

 Poaching is practiced by local community members and by outside guests with the support of locals. There is evidence that the pressure of poaching is somewhat less than in the past, but it may increase in the future once wildlife populations have increased.

 Poorly managed cattle grazing on Zangakatun community lands, adjacent to and within the envisaged Gndasar-West CA. This leads to over-use of pastures around the village and temporary summer settlements in the northern part of the community lands, and an under-use of other pastures. Under-using pastures means vegetation succession towards shrubland and hence a loss of the vegetation mosaic structure of the landscape, sporadic presence of cattle across the landscape causing disturbance to wildlife, as well as lower productivity of cattle breeding. However, any sporadic disturbance decreases the area of undisturbed habitats available to wildlife. And the loss of the mosaic structure of the landscape decreases the carrying capacity for Bezoar and Mouflon, and thus also of Leopard.

 Fundamental land use change (such as mining or intensive husbandry organised by commercial companies) are real threats in the absence of sustainable traditional economic use of community land.

 Illegal collection of firewood threatens already scarce shrubs and single trees in the landscape.

 The collection of edible and medicinal plants has a long and largely positive tradition. At present it does not have a major impact on biodiversity. But in the absence of other economic opportunities for the local population, traditional uses may be replaced by unregulated, large-scale commercial collection.

10. The intended purpose of land use of the lands is not subject to change; the lands continue to be community or state owned lands. Hunting, haymaking and grazing are restricted in core zones of Gndasar-West CA with total 1,897 ha area, and the collection of edible and medicine plants here is not restricted. In addition, Gndasar-West CA has Sustainable Use zone, where some restrictions on resource use exist to enhance the overall conservation value of the protected area.

11. The wildlife habitat management activities under this conservation plan will be implemented on the community-owned pastures, other agricultural and arable lands and on the state-owned pastures, other agricultural lands and hayfields. In total, this will be 7,170 ha including the pond (see map in Annex 5).

12. In addition, the Qaralich Pond, which currently serves for cattle watering, and thus severely polluted, will be restored for the recreational and tourist purposes, while an alternative watering place will be constructed in the vicinity.

13. The final beneficiary will be the population of Zangakatun Community. The benefit for the local population will be annual installments as compensation for restrictions, increased productivity of animal husbandry through improved pasture infrastructure and management, as well as additional workplaces in the Gndasar-West CA (caretakers), which will reduce the rural poverty.

II. CONSERVATION PURPOSE

14. The purpose of the planned measures is to secure ecologically sustainable land use in the South-Easter Lesser Caucasus ecological corridor in Armenia. This is to contribute to the land use and sustainable use of biological diversity in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia without reducing the income of the local rural population.

2 15. A high biodiversity landscape will be maintained as the habitats of Bezoar goat, , Brown Bear and Caucasian Leopard by implementing management actions in a controlled mosaic pattern.

 Bezoar goats seek rocky habitats to avoid disturbance, but also depend on the overall grassland productivity within their range. Once the degree of disturbance is limited and sufficient carrying capacity is available, it is expected that the Bezoar goat population will expand along the corridor outside the Gndasar-West CA.

 The main Mouflon habitats are open mountain grasslands with limited disturbance by humans or domestic animals. At the moment, Mouflon reportedly still occurs here in increasingly diminishing numbers almost entirely during the seasonal migrations. But when poaching is mitigated in the future, Mouflon may increase its population in the no- use and no-disturbance zones established within the Gndasar-West CA.

 Brown bear depends on landscape diversity for its habitat and the availability of diverse wild plant and animal species for its food.

 Leopard depends on diverse habitats for cover and on herbivores for food. It is expected that an increase in Mouflon and Bezoar populations will lead to increase of presence of Leopard in this area.

16. Main services and coverage of the Gndasar-West CA caretakers will be in core areas but also extended to the sustainable use zone. This will prevent and combat poaching and illegal collection of firewood, and regulate grazing.

17. Regular cooperation between the inhabitants of Zangakatun Community and Gndasar- West CA will be established, which will strengthen the ability of Gndasar-West CA to perform its conservation function. In particular, active village group of friends of Gndasar-West CA for leopard, bezoar goat and mouflon (engaging young people) will be established. The friends of Gndasar-West CA will assist caretakers in detecting poaching, patrolling and monitoring activities. They will closely cooperate with the Fund, WWF and the Regional Environmental Inspectorate. The friends of Gndasar-West CA will be also responsible in organizing of public awareness raising and educational events in the community.

III. INDICATORS OF SUCCESS OF OBJECTIVES OF CONSERVATION MEASURES

18. By 2024 increase the range of Bezoar goat by 15% and the number by 70%. The area might harbour some 50 of 200-300 bezoar goats observed on the Gndasar Massif. The expansion of their range outside the current range depends on absence of poaching and the availability and productivity of their habitat.

19. By 2024 secure the presence of resident population in the area, increase the range and the number of Armenian mouflon by 70%. Currently the area might harbour about 5-15 Armenian but these animals can hardly be regarded as residents. The area is typical mouflon habitat, but the number of mouflons is far below the habitat capacity for the reasons of poaching, disturbance of mouflon habitat by livestock and humans, including mine fields on the border zone with Nakhichevan.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF CONSERVATION MEASURES TO BE CARRIED OUT

20. Zoning of Gndasar-West Conservation Area

Gndasar-West CA will consists from core and sustainable use zones:

- The Core zone is devoted to wildlife habitat conservation and to protection of flora and fauna and landscape it contains. The Core area has strict protection status. To

3 achieve the purpose, human activities in the core areas need to be limited as much as possible. This may require an agreement with the past and present users and visitors of the area to stop or modify their activities (possibly in conjunction with other conservation measures) as well as effective monitoring and control of access by caretakers (e.g. patrolling) and/or electronic means of surveillance (e.g. camera traps). Depending on the character of the area, some activities may be allowed, especially activities related to monitoring scientific research. They may also include visits for recreational or traditional purposes preferably along pre-defined trails, transit of domestic animals if this is the only feasible option, and low impact economic activities, such as collection of edible or medicinal plants or bee-keeping. The exceptions need to be clearly justified and defined in the management plan. - The Sustainable Use zone surrounds and adjoins the core areas and used to support sustainable development (mainly traditional grazing), environmental education, ecotourism, and applied and basic research.

21. Establishment of no-use, no-disturbance zones.

Core zones of Gndasar-West CA will be no-use, no-disturbance zones: plot C1 – 208 ha, plot C2 – 889 ha, plot C3 – 123 ha, plot C4 – 457 ha, and plot C5 – 220 ha (see map in Annex 5).

22. Establishment of a regulated grassland management system.

Community-owned pastures and other agricultural lands will be divided into management categories and plots (see map in Annex 5). The Core zone is closed for grazing. In the Sustainable Use zone the use of pastures will be regulated on altitude basis, as to allow sufficient growth of grass in spring and thus increase pasture productivity while reducing soil erosion due to overgrazing and trampling (see map in Annex 5):

Open for grazing livestock from May 1 Plot S3, S8 and S9 1317 ha

Open for grazing livestock from May 15 Plot S2, S4, and S7 1466 ha

Open for grazing livestock from June 1 Plot S1 and S6 1017 ha

Open for grazing livestock from June 15 Plot S5 1468 ha

Closed for grazing livestock Plots C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5; 1897 ha

23. Anti-poaching control

The coverage of Gndasar-West CA caretaker service in relation to wildlife management and poaching will cover Core and Sustainable use zones.

24. Monitoring

To verify the success of the conservation measures or in case of failure to adapt them, an impact monitoring system will be established by the Fund with the technical support of WWF, which will include regular counting and observation of wild animals. The monitoring results will be included in the annual reports.

4 Annex 4 Wildlife habitat action plan of “Gndasar-West” Conservation Area of Zangakatun community for 2018-2024

Purpose Objective Description of measures to be Responsible Performance indicators Impact indicator carried out body Short-term measures (investments)

Fund for Purchase of: Biodiversity  Cross-country vehicle Conservation  Office of Armenian Purchase of Thanks to increased  Office furniture set Highland Presence of technically equipment for technical capacity the Equipment  Office equipment set Fund for maintained equipment for habitat conservation measures are Binoculars Biodiversity habitat conservation conservation  implemented.  Photo cameras Conservation  Video-cameras of Armenian  Trap-cameras Highland/The Fund/ The More effective exploitation Fund/with Setting up of Construction of livestock watering Presence of gravity water of remote pastures, less Pasture assistance of livestock point, laying of pipelines, supplied to livestock presence of cattle in Bezoar infrastructure Zangakatun watering point earthworks watering point and Mouflon habitats and Community around Qaralich Pond. (work force) The Simple Fund/with Better conditions for hosting Setting up the Cleansing works on surroundings Presence of recreational recreational assistance of tourists, better environment recreational and of Qaralich Pond, creation of and tourism point with and tourism Zangakatun in and around Qaralich tourism area camping and picnic place simple infrastructure infrastructure Community Pond (work force)

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Purpose Objective Description of measures to be Responsible Performance indicators Impact indicator carried out body Long-term measures The Caretaker and friends of Prevent Fund/with Gndasar-West CA patrolling Number of Bezoar Goats Anti-poaching poaching in assistance of Number of illegally killed regarding wildlife habitat and Mouflons in Gndasar- control Gndasar-West local friends wild animals conservation and poaching on the West CA CA of Gndasar- territory of Gndasar-West CA West CA Absence of cattle in the Cattle access to the pastures in plots S3, S8 and S9 Community plots S3, S8 and S9 before May 1 of each year on 1317 ha Absence of cattle in the Cattle access to the pastures in plots S2, S4, and S7 Community Improved productivity and plots S2, S4, and S7 before May 1 of each 5 biodiversity of grasslands year on 1466 ha through prevention of Regulated Regulation of Absence of cattle in the trampling and overgrazing. grassland Cattle access to the pastures in plots S1 and S6 before grazing Community management plots S1 and S6 June 1 of each year on 1017 ha Absence of cattle in the Cattle access to the pastures in Community plot S5 before June 15 of plot S5 each year on 1468 ha Absence of cattle in the Cattle free habitats for Cattle access to the pastures in plots C1, C2, C3, C4 and Community wildlife, natural succession the plots C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 C5 starting from 2018 for of habitats 7 years on 1897 ha Smooth implementation of Day to day management and Caretaker work months the Habitat Management Verification of coordination, caretaker and input per year Monitoring The Fund Plan implementation friends of Gndasar-West CA Managers work months Better prevention of illegal presence in the area input per year activities (poaching, logging

6 Purpose Objective Description of measures to be Responsible Performance indicators Impact indicator carried out body etc.)

Setting up constant plots for The Fund summer (post-parturition) and Report on methods plots, Enable monitoring of with early winter (rutting period) counts observation plots and Bezoar goat and Armenian assistance of of Bezoar goats and Armenian equipment in the field mouflon population WWF mouflons Summer (post-parturition) and Demonstrate impact on early winter (rutting period) The Fund Annual reports bezoar goat and Armenian Collecting impact counting of Bezoar goats and mouflon populations indicators Armenian mouflons The Fund Setting up observation methods Report on methods plots, with Enable monitoring of and sites for brown bear and observation plots and assistance of animal populations leopard equipment in the field WWF Demonstrate impact on Observation and reporting of The Fund Annual reports populations of target brown bear and leopard species

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2018-2024 wildlife habitat management map of Gndasar-West CA

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Statement of costs for wildlife habitat management plan of Gndasar-West CA for 2018- 2024 Short-term measures (investments) Unit costs No of Measure Category Unit Total in € in € Units One-off costs Off road vehicle 14,000 1 14,000 Office room renovation Office furniture set 4500 Office equipment set Equipment and Binocular 200 2 400 Purchase Photo/video camera 500 1 500 infrastructure for of goods habitat conservation Camera Trap 200 5 1,000 GPS 300 1 300 Road block 300 2 600 Preventive signs 100 5 500 Uniform 250 2 500 Pasture Construction of livestock watering Lump sum 4,000 1 4,000 infrastructure point alternate to Qaralich Pond Total 26,300

Contingencies 5% of Sub-total 1315 Total 27,615 Long-term measures Unit costs No of Measure Unit Total in € in € Units Annual costs Maintain high biodiversity habitats No cattle access to Person-month of the pastures in the Cost norm caretaker for 2 Core zone caretakers during 1 year 2*200 3 1,200 Improve the productivity of animal husbandry of the village community Land rent payments Cost norm Hectare of pasture 3.6 430 1,548 Compensation to the village for Cost norm Hectare of pasture 5,452 5,452 conservation measures Regulation of grazing Person-month of season and calendar Cost norm caretaker of use of pastures 2*200 1 400 Prevent poaching and monitoring in Gndasar-West CA Caretaker patrolling and monitoring in Person-month of Core and Cost norm caretaker Sustainable use zones 2*200 8 3,200 Project management expenses Vehicle Maintenance Cost norm Per month 200 12 2,400 Manager salary Cost norm 300 12 3,600 Accounant salary Cost norm 120 12 1,440 Office running cost Cost norm 50 12 600 Total per year 19,840 Total 7 years 138,880 Long and Short Grand Total 166,495 Term

9 Annex 7 Sample reporting format

Reporting period … (monthly for short term measures, annually for long term measures) Indicators of implementation of the wildlife habitat action plan of Gndasar-West CA Purpose Objective Description of measures to Performance indicators Value

Short-term measures (investments)

Purchase of: Cross-country vehicle Office Purchase of Office furniture set equipment for Presence of technically Equipment Office equipment set YES/NO habitat maintained equipment. Binoculars conservation Photo-cameras Video-cameras Trap-camera Setting up of Presence of gravity water Pasture Construction of livestock watering point, livestock supplied to livestock YES/NO infrastructure laying of pipelines, earthworks watering point watering points. Maintained clean coast of YES/NO/partial Qaralich Pond Simple Setting up the Cleansing works on surroundings of Presence of simple recreational recreational Qaralich Pond, creation of camping and recreational and tourism and tourism and tourism picnic place infrastructure (signs, YES/NO infrastructure area camping and picnic places, garbage bins, etc.)

Purpose Objective Description of Indicator Value Reference measures to (supporting be carried out document in annex) Long-term measures

Caretaker and friends of Gndasar-West CA patrolling Prevent Number of Anti- regarding poaching in illegally poaching wildlife habitat No. Gndasar-West killed wild control conservation CA animals: and poaching on the territory of Gndasar- West CA Absence of Cattle access cattle in the Regulated Regulation of to the pastures plots S3, YES/NO/partially grassland grazing in plots S3, S8 S8 and S9 No of ha management and S9 before May 1 of each

10 Purpose Objective Description of Indicator Value Reference measures to (supporting be carried out document in annex) year on 1317 ha

Absence of cattle in the Cattle access plots S2, to the pastures S4, and S7 YES/NO/partially in plots S2, S4, before May No of ha and S7 15 of each year on 1466 ha Absence of cattle in the Cattle access plots S1 to the pastures and S6 YES/NO/partially in plots S1 before No of ha and S6 June 1 of each year on 1017 ha Absence of cattle in the Cattle access plot S5 YES/NO/partially to the pastures before No of ha in plot S5 June 15 of each year on 1468 ha Absence of cattle in Cattle access the plots to the pastures C1, C2, YES/NO/partially in the plots C3, C4 and No of ha C1, C2, C3, C4 C5 starting and C5 from 2018 for 7 years on 1897 ha

11 Purpose Objective Description of Indicator Value Reference measures to (supporting be carried out document in annex) Caretaker work Day to day months management input per and year … work months coordination, Managers … work months caretaker Verification of work presence in months implementation the area input per year Documenting and reporting Annual implementation YES/NO reports of grassland management Setting up constant plots for summer Report on (post- methods parturition) and plots, early winter observation YES/NO (rutting period) plots and Monitoring counts of equipment Bezoar goats in the field and Armenian mouflons Summer (post- parturition) and early winter Collecting (rutting period) Annual impact YES/NO counting of reports indicators Bezoar goats and Armenian mouflons Report on Setting up methods observation plots, methods and observation YES/NO sites for brown plots and bear and equipment leopard in the field Observation and reporting Annual YES/NO of brown bear reports and leopard

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