Integrated Management of Protected Areas in the Arid Regions of Mauritania (IMPADRA)

Objectives

To enhance the conservation of key species in Mauritania through the creation and sustainable management of a new Protected Area in the arid Wilaya of Adrar.

Other

Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.

Target Groups

1. The proposed project will support biodiversity conservation efforts to generate Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs) by creating and improving the management effectiveness of a new PA in an arid Wilaya of Adar. The global benefits associated with the Biodiversity focal area are the creation of and improved management effectiveness of 200,000 ha for conservation and sustainable natural resource use and 100,000 ha under sustainable land management in production systems in landscapes adjacent to the new PA. The 35,000 ha of El Ghallâouîya KBA will be extended towards the south-west where the KBA has the same contiguous landscape with the Guelb er Richatt Nature Reserve to create a 200,000ha terrestrial protected area. This will contribute to improving the conservation of the bird species in El Ghallâouîya KBA in Adrar Wilaya. The project will support conservation actions through changes in local community behavior and by improving and changing production practices in arid areas to be more biodiversity-positive with a focus on sectors that have significant biodiversity impacts such as agriculture and tourism, through technical capacity building and implementation of financial mechanisms. This approach will be scaled up to other areas in Mauritania, particularly the arid zones of the country. Socio-economic benefits from the project will include the improved livelihoods and reduced vulnerability of at least 1,775 community members. Furthermore, the project’s communication strategy will aim to reach at least 135,316 people through radio environmental education/awareness programs on the value of biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management. 2. Embedded in the principles of an integrated natural resource management approach, the generation of the aforementioned GEBs will consider the environmental conditions of the arid landscapes in Adrar Wilaya. The project will also consider existing production practices (including pastoral practices), how communities interact with the environment and the limited institutional frameworks, insufficient regulations and current land uses in Adrar. The rationale is based on an integrated approach to more holistically address underlying drivers of environmental degradation while simultaneously, addressing socio-economic concerns of local communities. In this regard, an integrated natural resource management approach will be valuable in ensuring economic, social and ecological sustainability in a resource-constrained and climate-impacted environment[1] as in Mauritania. [1] Sara J. Scherr, Seth Shames and Rachel Friedman. (2013). Defining Integrated Landscape Management for Policy Makers