Component Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation in Central Asia (ERCA) Bishkek Project is financed by the European Union

Objective & Results Objective: Promoting an active dialogue between the EU and Central Asia; demonstration and dissemination of ecosystem- based management approaches on regional, sub- regional and sub-national levels support conservation and restoration of biological diversity in the region

Objective & Results Results: Result 1: Networks for information sharing and knowledge exchange on biodiversity and eco-system restoration between and within the CA countries are functioning and are strenghened Result 2: Regional collaboration and political dialogue on biodiversity conservation and governance is strengthened based on existing good practices on biodiversity governance and ecosystem restoration

Inception Phase Inception missions and workshops in all 5 countries: Fragmented institutional structure for SLM and biodiversity in the 5 countries Difficulties of partners to focus their priorities („wish list“) high interest to collaborate with FLERMONECA Low awareness of partner countries on EURECA (2009) Rather modest interest in the regional character of the programme diverse interests in ERCA in individual countries  Inception phase as a first step towards regional policy dialogue

ERCA component in Kyrgyzstan

Pasture management

Wildlife management

Sustainable use of natural resources -Ecosystem restoration -Minimize conflicts for resources (in pasture and wildlife) -Fair benefit for local communities (hunting, forestry, land use/pasture community-based management) -Strengthen capacity for environment conservation (legislative, management, monitoring, decision- making, inter-sectoral communication, regional cooperation, international agreements implementation) -Working knowledge system

Thank you for your attention!

Dana Yermolyonok Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 1 October 2013 ERCA in Kazakhstan

A significant portion (160 million hectares ) of the world’s natural steppes are found in Kazakhstan. They belong to the temperate grasslands, the most altered and least protected ecosystem on Earth.

1.Improve wildlife monitoring systems and set scientifically based hunting quotas 2.Improve conservation measures in and outside protected areas, including ecological corridors 3.Integrate wildlife to the EIA processes

4. Use the adoption of the Green Economy concept to improve legislation and develop policies and strategies

…and make it doable!

Ecosystem Restoration and Adaptation to Climate Change through Sustainable Pasture Management in Tajikistan Sabrina Ulmasova Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan October 2013

Problems with Pasture Management in Tajikistan Reduced pasture mobility, no seasonal rotation Little awareness on the ground about sustainable pasture management Overgrazing in close-by settlements and under-using of distant pastures Degraded pastures leading to erosion Fodder shortage Privatization of land Unclear situation with water use rights Lack of institutions for effective community-based pasture management Lack of Synergy in Ecosystem Restoration and Land Reform Activities Degraded pasture lands in Muminabad, Khatlon Area, Tajikistan. Photo by CARITAS Muminabad.

Stakeholders Involved in Rural Development & Integrated Natural Resource Management

Our Goals: Contribute to poverty reduction Facilitate closer regional cooperation within and between CA countries, and with EU Improve conservation of ecosystems considering the needs of local communities and the requirements for adaptation to climate change

Our Objectives Strengthen regional dialogue and knowledge exchange on ecosystem and bio-diversity restoration Create a “hub” of knowledge & tangible information on pasture management for Tajikistan Promote existing good practices on pasture land reform, allocation and management Develop appropriate pasture management approach in the vicinity of protected areas Enforce political dialogue on sustainable pasture management

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION!

ERCA Turkmenistan Bishkek Project is financed by the European Union

Overview 488,100 Km 2 Desert Continental climate Rich in oil and gas Agriculture: cotton, wheat Livestock – 24% of agricultural production

80% of Turkmenistan is desert

Mountains occupy less than 10%

Threats to biodiveristy Loss or degradation of habitat through direct conversion or exploitation of natural ecosystems. –Unregulated deforestation –Drainage of wetlands –Overgrazing by domestic livestock Loss or degradation of habitat through indirect effects of changing land use patterns.

Planned ERCA activities in Turkmenistan Support forming national expert working groups in planning the new pasture code Supporting policy dialogue in drafting the new pasture code and necessary by- laws for the pasture code Support of international science journal on Problems of Desert Development Assist synchronizing UNCCD strategies with the national action plans

ERCA UZBEKISTAN Regional Meeting FLERMONECA; Bishkek 1 October 2013

Ecosystems Total area: km² (incl. lakes км²) Relief: 78,7% – lowlands/plains 21,3% - hills+ mountains

Ecosystems Total area: km² (incl. lakes km²) Relief: 78,7% – lowlands/plains 21,3% - hills+ mountains Type of ecosystem AnimalsPlants EndangeredExtinctEndangeredExtinct Steppe and Deserts46360 Mountains

Land resources

PASTURES Total area20,7 km 2 Чуль 16,9 km 2 Адыр 2,8 km 2 Тау 0,6 km 2 Яйлау 0,2 km 2 78% of area is degraded

→ SUSTAINABLE PASTURE MANAGEMENT !!! → SYNERGIES with the Pasture Management Project in Uzbekistan

NATIONAL PARTNERS State Committee of Nature Protection (political partner) GEF-UNDP Project – “National schedule in Biodiversity in Support of the implementation of the CBD - Strategic Plan in Uzbekistan in “ CACILM - National Secretary and Coordination Council - dialogue platform, NAP alignment Needs for Capacity Development Economic assessment / value of ecosystem services

Activities UZ IVIIIIIIIVIII Support of National Coordination Council and Secretary of CACILM as an intra- and inter-sectoral policy dialogue platform for elaborating a joint vision/strategy of sustainable pasture management approaches among relevant stakeholders in UZ Support of National Coordination Council and Secretary of CACILM as an intra- and inter-sectoral policy dialogue platform for elaborating the new NAP for UNCCD implementation in UZ Support of National Working group in elaborating the National strategy and action plan of CBD in Uzbekistan (in cooperation with UNDP) Case-Study (based on representative pilot area in Uzbekistan) on economic values of ecosystem services of pasture ecosystems (biodiversity, soil erosion, water supply) and assessment of economics of land degradation Elaboration of models for PES in pasture areas for Uzbekistan Capacity building for political decision makers on economics of (pasture) land degradation

Thank you for your attention!