IPSI Case Study Booklet IPSI-2, Nairobi Kenya, March 2012 0 Contributors and Acknowledgements This booklet has been compiled by the staff of the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies as the Secretariat of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative in close consultation with the authors of these studies. For more case study information, please visit http://satoyama-initiative.org/en/ 1 Foreword The Satoyama Initiative promotes the maintaining and rebuilding of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes (SEPLs) where sustainable use of land and nature is practiced in accordance with regional characteristics and modern socio-economy, while recognising the value and importance of local traditions and cultures. The case studies have been collected from IPSI members in line with the Operational Framework, and in accordance with the IPSI case study guidelines. The case studies in this booklet have been selected to showcase the diversity of IPSI member activities and research on (1) useful information on effective approaches for replication that address benefits to biodiversity and human well-being or long-term interactions between humans and nature; and (2) tools that contribute to fostering synergies in the implementation of IPSI member activities. Sharing case studies can provide the basis for distilling lessons, initiating further research and strengthening collaboration as well as the respective activities of IPSI members. Hence, it is expected that this case study booklet will contribute to securing synergies and complementarities among IPSI members and other interested organisations. *Themes IPSI case studies are categorised according to the following ecosystems. Forests, agricultural fields, grasslands, inland water systems, coastal systems, urban fringes and others 2 Contents National and Local Governmental, other government affiliated organisation 1. Executive Secretariat of National Environmental Council for Sustainable Development … 5 (SE/CNEDD), Niger 2. Ministry of Environment, Cambodia … 9 3. Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) … 16 4. Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Nepal … 23 5. Ministry of Natural and Resources and Environment, Thailand … 32 6. Huascaran National Park, National Service of Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP), Peru … 38 7. Kenya Wetlands Biodiversity Research team (KENWEB) …43 8. Aichi Prefectural Government … 48 9. Hyogo Prefectural Government … 53 10. Nobeoka City (and Asahikasei Corporation) … 62 Non-governmental or civil society organisation 11. BirdLife International … 69 12. Conservation International (CI) … 84 13. Earthwatch Institute-Japan … 102 14. Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy (HELP) Davao Network … 106 15. International Agency for the Protection of Biocultural Landscapes and for a New Rurality (AGER) … 112 16. International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) … 119 17. M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Community Agrobiodiversity Centre …129 18. NGO Circle for Conservation of Natural Resources (ONG CeSaReN) … 136 19. Nomi Satoyama Conservation Society … 143 20. Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research … 151 3 Indigenous or local community organisations 21. Culture Identity and Resources Use Management (CIRUM) … 163 22. Indigenous Peoples' Biocultural Climate Change Assessment (IPCCA) … 171 23. Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education (TEBTEBBA) … 176 Academic, Educational and / or Research Institute 24. Centre for Resource and Forestry Policy Study (CFNRPS), Renmin University of China … 183 25. College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China … 197 26. Ecosystem Services Research Group, Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) … 203 27. Kanazawa University … 210 28. Kathmandu Forestry College (KAFCOL) …217 29. University of VIGO (UVIGO) … 229 Industry or private sector organisation 30. Asahikasei Corporation (and Nobeoka City) … 62 United Nations or other Intergovernmental organisation 31. International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) … 237 32. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) …240 33. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) … 245 34. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) … 250 4 Title: Management of the palm tree population in Gaya (Niger republic) Organisation: Executive Secretariat of National Environmental Council for Sustainable Development (SE/CNEDD), Niger Theme: grasslands, forests Summary Gaya palm tree populating is located in south western part of the Niger (Dosso state, Gaya local government, around 350 km from Niamey, the capital city). It is a populating mainly composed of Borassus aethiopum species. This tree is a splendid single trunked species which could reach around 20 m in height. Its life span is between 80 to 100 years. Gaya palm tree plantation covers an area of 32,000 ha and is made up around 2,100,000 trees. This plantation constitutes the most important agro forestry park in West Africa. Since 1974, this populating has undergone many conservation activities and projects in order to sustainably preserve its biodiversity and to promote community based management. This ecological zone lies between the isohyets 500 and 600 mm of rainfall per year and presents a rich and varied biodiversity favourable for the practices of agro sylvi-cultural activities. Characteristics of the resource The palm tree populating is composed of 9 blocks which cover around 32,000 ha. It is 85 km long and between 0,5 to 5 km wide with around 40 trees/ha as mean tree density. This density is relatively good to enable the practice of agriculture by peasants. The farmers derive many products and by products. Products obtained from palm trees Population depending mainly on palm tree and the socio-economy of the area The zone is found in a highly populated area due to the services it offers. The population density is around 42 inhabits/ sq km with a population estimated around 90,000 people spread over 78 villages. The high population growth rate leads to further encroachment by private investors. The space reserved for livestock husbandry is being reduced day in day out forcing cattle keepers to move towards less fertile lands. 5 Utilisation of palm tree in handicraft Usages of palm trees Palm tree (Borassus aethiopum) is the symbol of Dosso state and all interests are focused over this tree. It is considered as food provider by the local communities and its products and by products is exported in Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. In agriculture, palm tree is a provider of organic nutrients to the soils. - Immature or ripened fruits are used in human feeding. The axial hypocotyl known as «miritchi» is a well appreciated food by the local communities and is used as a powerful sexual arousal ingredient. - The flowers are excellent feed for the livestock. A study has proven that the flowers contain more nutrients than cowpea leaves or groundnuts leaves (Atta, 1997). - The roots are used in the production of fishing nets and ropes. - The leaves are used as fire fuel, roofing materials for traditional houses and bed. Different phases in the resource management Traditional management of palm tree Due to the wide range of products that palm tree offers, the local communities have decided to protect and conserve this tree by using a traditional knowledge to manage the populating. Management run Government During colonial era and after independence, government has taken it upon itself to protect natural resources. For the palm tree populating, the protection was carried out by the ministry of forestry. This structure was the sole to issue cutting permit. 6 The 1st pilot project dedicated for the conservation of palm tree was carried out through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project management was given by the Tropical Forestry Technical Centre. The local communities were not associated and this lead to the practices disastrous to the conservation of the populating. Informed about the frustration created, the administration intervened to prohibit illegal palm tree cutting either death or live. The local communities were concerted and associated in the management, even though the forestry administration and the donors did not appreciate the procedure. From administration run project to a community based management After the riots organised by the local communities, the government tried to correct by lunching a project in 1978 named “Reconstitution of Dallol Maouri Palm tree populating” funded by Niger government and the Cooperation Funds. This project was followed by another one in 1981 called “Dallol Maouri Palm tree population management Project”. This project was run until 1991. The approach used by these projects did not associate the local communities. Between 1984 and 1987 around 35,000 ha were planted with palm tree and around 300 ha with other tree species. After more than 10 years of project execution, it began evident that the actions carried out do not take into account the needs and aspirations of the local populations. Notwithstanding the amount of money spent by the projects, it was noticed a loss of tree in farmlands and households. Through the management of these projects, it is evident that government cannot sustainably manage natural resources without associating local communities, even though the partners are willing to fund the activities. The new approach aims to associate local populations with a broad partnership Government-Local populations-NGOs-private sector.