2018-2024 Wildlife Habitat Management Plan of “Gndasar- West” Conservation Area of Zangakatun Community
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2018-2024 wildlife habitat management plan of “Gndasar- West” Conservation Area of Zangakatun 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 Armenia the “Eco-corridors Programme” is implemented by WWF-Armenia. 2. The lands of Zangakatun Community are located in the western part of Ararat Province 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 Azerbaijan (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, Urtsadzor Community to the North - 2.5 km; border with Gegharkunik Province is 18.9 km, of which with Verin Getashen Community to the North and East - 12.9 km, Madina Community to the East - 1.4 km and Geghhovit community to the East - 4.6 km; and finally with Yelpin Community in Vayots Dzor Province 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 animals, of which 27 species of higher plants and 36 species of animals (of which 5 invertebrates, 1 amphibian, 4 reptiles, 20 birds and 6 mammals) 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 Gnishik Protected Landscape and further to Azerbaijani (Nakhichevan) border. Armenian mouflon (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. 1 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 animal 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, Armenian Mouflon, 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 mouflons 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.