The project for ‘Landscape Management for Improved livelihoods-Transboundary Activity (LAMIL-TBA)’ advances novel approaches for integrating conservation of biodiversity and increased livelihoods through improvement ma nagement of transboundary landscapes. The project objective is to improve forest management in the bordering Ottamba Killimi National Park in Sierra Leone and Mamou and Madina Oula forests in Guinea between 2008 and 2009. This phase which took off in April 2008 is implemented by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in collaboration with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and National Forestry Departments of Sierra Leone and Guinea. Despite the ever challenging context since the beginning, the key results achieved include: Enhanced Productivity of Smallholder-Based Agriculture (Agricultural Sector Capacity) A rapid participatory diagnosis conducted in all zones identified community priorities, constraints to enhanced agricultural sector productivity, and potential solutions to be tested. Three thousands and six hundred and seven (3,607) households were reached through LAMIL in 4 target sites within the transboundary landscape of Guinea - Sierra Leone. Seven new technologies or/and management practices were tested and introduced to 106 farmer groups. Monitoring of results over one planting season indicate an average increase in yields estimated at about 50%. Twenty three (23) community nurseries were established. They supplied over 31,000 seedlings with 1419 individuals and 31 villages actively involved in tree planting campaigns on about 160 ha. Better governance and stronger institutions improve enabling environment for agriculture and forestry An analysis of governance structures and issues was initiated to determine constraints and gaps in the governance system that would influence implementation of co-management, and effective adoption of best practices for NRM in the Tr ansboundary landscape. At the same time the LAMIL-TBA project participated in a Forestry and Biodiversity policies and law review process organised by the Forestry Division with financ ial and technical support from USAID and the European Union. Introduction of the concepts of co-management, climate change and payments for environmental services were the key achievements through the participation of LAMIL. Improved Natural Resources manageme nt and Biodiversity Monitoring The key issues in NRM were to support the development of a vision for transboundary (TB) protection and management of biodiversity; and to develop guidelines for mainstreaming biodiversity management scenarios into multi stakeholder planning processes within the TB landscape. Joint advocacy was initiated through the establishment of a draft landscape map in conjunction with all stakeholders towards establis hing across borders of Peace Park. The overall impact of the project shows a gradual reduction of pressure on forest resources, allowing natural and assisted regeneration in target landscapes, alongside better consideration of women in communities. Finally, there is a great change of communities’ behaviour as they stated enforcement on traditional rules to regulate tree cutting, and have now adopted a positive attitude towards the presence of the national park and classified forests.
Publication year
2009
Authors
Ngendakumana S; Balinga M B P; Sunderland T C H; Tchoundjeu Z; Kalinganire A
Language
English
Keywords
biodiversity conservation, domestication, living standards, smallholders
