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PHASE I (Round 2) |
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OUTCOME 1: Ecological gap assessment |
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Specific actions |
Description |
Progress snapshot |
Steps taken this quarter (JANUARY-MARCH-2010) |
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Activity 1.1a |
Establish working group to analyze existing data |
4 = activity completed |
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Activity 1.1b |
Select focal conservation elements and set targets |
4 = activity completed |
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Activity 1.2a |
Create spatial data base |
3 = significant progress, nearly complete |
The works on the creation of the spatial database of target species of biodiversity are finished. Flora and fauna species of Armenia registered in the Red Books have been taken into account as target spieces. The new Red Books have been approved by the Government of RA in 29.01.2009. The results of analysis of presentation of fungi, higher plants, invertebrates, vertebrates in PAs which are registered in the Red Book prove, that the species of higher plants have low level of presentation(36.7%). Much higher indices have been recorded with fungi(82.5%), and the presentation of invertebrates and vertebrates accordingly is 61.9% and 65.4%. The electronic database is by Excel format, which includes the ecological characteristics of these species by state reserves, Natinal parks and state sanctuaries. The filled database is on the disk and the password protects it from inadmissible access. The creation of database is in the final stage and will come to an end in 10 days, then will be submitted to you. The Report on the “The presentation of biodiversity of Armenia in the PAs” currently is in the final stage, the complete version of the latter will be also submitted to you. |
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Activity 1.2b |
Evaluate and map occurrence of conservation elements |
4 = activity completed |
The existing maps in cartographic formats have been subdivided into 3 groups: 1. numerical – corresponding to standards of GIS system and containing exact geographical coordinates, where the maps of “Sevan” and “Dilijan” NPs have been also included, which contain detailed cartographical infrastructures and thematic maps, 2. numerical - not corresponding to GIS system standards, where the maps of “Khosrov Forest”, “Shikahogh” and “Erebuni” reserves, “Arevik” and “Arpi lake” Natinal parks, as well as the maps of some sanctuaries are included, where the exact geographical coordinates, the territorial-functional zones and thematic maps are not represented. 3. territories represented by plan schemes, which don’t have numarical base, which includes the maps of majority sanctuarries, which don’t have environmental and biodversity thematic maps. |
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Activity 1.2c |
Present all maps to key ministries and NGOs and incorporate comments |
4 = activity completed |
Based on the three map groups which are stated in the activity 1.2b, appropriate proposals on the cartographic works have been developed, that will be completely reflected in the National Action Plan. |
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Activity 1.3a |
Produce updated map of existing PAs |
3 = significant progress, nearly complete |
The present PAs map of Armenia is renewed in the GIS system: the territories of 3 state reserves, 4 national parks and 25 sanctuaries have been set. The picture of the map is attached to this Report. The works of introduction of appropriate data on biodiversity presentation into the GIS system for obtaining thematic maps are in the final stage. |
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Activity 1.3b |
Assess studies of PA management effectiveness |
4 = activity completed |
In the result of efficiency assessment of management of PAs of Armenia, the existing gaps have been revealed, which refer to the necessity of implementation of joint policy of management of PAs, processes of participatory management by involvement of stakeholders, technical, human and financial capacities of PAs management system, the implementation of Management plans. In order to abolish the revealed gaps appropriate strategic courses and the Action plans have been developed, which are completely reflected in the National action plan. |
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Activity 1.4a |
Analyze existing PA maps with focal biodiversity and id gaps |
3 = significant progress, nearly complete |
The works of introduction of PAs data and creation of thematic maps are in the final phase. For the species studied recently the coordinates of habitats have been determined in field conditions using GPS, and for early collections the coordinates have been determined by the method of inserting data on topographic maps. |
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Activity 1.4b |
Quantify gaps and use software to prioritize |
3 = significant progress, nearly complete |
Analysis of implementation of management plans of PAs has been carried out. The anlysis shows, that the activities envisaged by the PAs managemnt plans of 2007-2010 have not been completely fulfiled, particularly, in terms of structural reforms of SNCOs, which should be the basis for management reforms according to the Management plan. Furthermore, the “Sevan” National Park” and ”Dilijan” National Park” SNCOs have not signed the Contract of Collaboration with the communities adjacent to the National parks and consulting bodies have not been established. Thus the participatory management processes have been prevented by this. The activities envisaged in the sections “Development of Tourism and recreation”, “Introduction of biodiversity monitoring system”, “Population awareness raising”, “Improvement of Water ecosystems” (For “Sevan NP”) have been carried out incompletely. The main reason of the situation is the lack of financial, technical and human resources. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the assistance rendered by the Ministry of Nature Protection and to establish close cooperation with scientific institutions, as well as other interested organizations, particularly, with Local Self-governing Bodies. |
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Activity 1.4c |
Develop draft action plan to eliminate gaps |
3 = significant progress, nearly complete |
The activities for development of Action plan for abolition of gaps are in the final stage. The Action plan contains 7 sections: improvement of legislation, institutional development, scientific research and monitoring, implementation of management plans, ecological education and public awareness, regulation of tourism and creation of infrastructures, establishment of new protected areas. |
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Activity 1.5a |
Present results at stakeholder workshop |
2 = activity fully underway |
The “Round table” on the management of PAs existing in the central sector of Armenia has been organised in 26.02.2010. The “Khosrov forest” State reserve, 3 state sanctuaries and 11 Nature monuments function in Central Armenia. The authority of “Khosrov forest” State reserve, the manager of environmental projects of UNDP, leaders of 10 communities, representatives of marzpetarans and local NGOs have taken part in the "Round table". The organization of next “Round table” is envisaged in South Armenia. |
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Activity 1.5a |
Present results at stakeholder workshop |
3 = activity fully underway |
The “Round table” on the management of PAs existing in the central sector of Armenia has been organised in 26.02.2010. The “Khosrov forest” State reserve, 3 state sanctuaries and 11 Nature monuments function in Central Armenia. The authority of “Khosrov forest” State reserve, the manager of environmental projects of UNDP, leaders of 10 communities, representatives of marzpetarans and local NGOs have taken part in the "Round table". The organization of next “Round table” is envisaged in South Armenia. |
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Obstacles faced in implementing Activity 1: |
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Lessons learned in implementing Activity 1: |
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OUTCOME 2: Test and promote models of community-managed PAs |
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Specific actions |
Description |
Progress snapshot |
Steps taken this quarter (JANUARY-MARCH-2010) |
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Activity 2.1 |
Analyze PA governance types for Armenia |
4 = activity completed |
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Activity 2.2 |
Analyze willingness of communities to manage PAs through questionnaires |
4 = activity completed |
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Activity 2.3 |
Select 3 communities and 3 nature monuments as test sites |
4 = activity completed |
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Activity 2.4 |
Hold workshop with local communities to discuss community-managed PAs |
4 = activity completed |
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Activity 2.5 |
Discuss at community council measures, plans and resources |
4 = activity completed |
Report on the “Management models of Nature monuments and plan of its introduction” has been developed in the result of discussions.The Report has been also discussed in the Ministry of Nature Protection. The latter will be brought to the final shape and presented to you with this Report. |
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Activity 2.6a |
Develop regulation on community-managed PAs |
4 = activity completed |
The draft laws have been included in the Report on the “Management models of the Nature Monuments of Armenia and programme of activities on how to apply them” (see annexes 1,2,3 of the Report). Furthermore, the proposals on the preparation of draft law for making appropriate amendments in the RA Law on the “Nature Specially Protected Areas ” have been developed (see the Action plan of the Report). |
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Activity 2.6b |
Prepare a plan for further replication |
4 = activity completed |
The Action plan has been developed, which is the part of the Report on “Management models of the Nature Monuments of Armenia and programme of activities on how to apply them”. The Report is included in the “State strategy of PAs development and Second National action plan”. |
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Obstacles faced in implementing Activity 2: |
There were no obstacles during the implementation of Activity 2. The communities have been actively involved in discussions and express their readiness for processes of conservation and utilization of nature monuments. |
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Lessons learned in implementing Activity 2: |
The lessons gained during the implementation of Activity 2 are the following: 1. The present capacities of communities don’t enable to implement completely the competences stipulated by the legislation in the processes of nature monuments management. 2. The level of collaboration between communities and other stakeholders in the PAs management processes is very low. 3. Though the communities are well informed of the PAs existing in their administrative territory, the level of awareness of the values of the latters, as well as of the legislation in force is very low. 4. The gaps existing in the legislation don’t enable the implementation of the management of Nature monuments in a proper way. |
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OUTCOME 3: Establish national PA capacity building programme |
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Specific actions |
Description |
Progress snapshot |
Steps taken this quarter (JANUARY-MARCH-2010) |
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Activity 3.1 |
Develop PA training curricula |
2 = activity fully underway |
In order to develop the curriculum for training the personnel of PAs the assessment of knowledge and the study of needs of personnel have been implemented in 3 state reserves and 2 National parks of Armenia - “Sevan” and “Dilijan” NPs (personnel of new established NPs-“Arevik” and “Arpi Lake” is not formed yet). The assessment has been implemented in the following 4 groups of the personnel: Administrative staff, staff responsible for protection, scientific staff, staff of Tourism and recreation field. The appropriate questionnaires for each group had been developed (about 70), which have been filled in by group members. It turned out, that the Administrative staff members show sufficient knowledge regarding the management of their organizations, but they don’t completely take into consideration the specifications of the latters as environmental and research structures. Particularly, the employees are not familiar with the NPs management plans, and are not well aware of their institutional responsibilities. They have no idea about systematised approaches of collaboration with stakeholders, particularly with local communities. The employees responsible for protection are aware of the normative base of their activity on the whole. It is necessary to raise their qualification regarding the legal basis, collaboration with local population. Situation is the very complicated in scientific staff. In many cases the staff of appropriate divisions are not filled, there are gaps regarding general issues (principles of organization and implementation of research, maintaining of NSPAs monitoring and cadastre, etc.), as well as regarding specific ones (methodology of observations, acquisition and keeping of materials, determination of species both in field and laboratory conditions, principles of data registration, etc.). As for the tourism and recreation, there are appropriate specialists only in Khosrov, Dilijan and Sevan. The employees show high level of awareness of their NSPAs, including the potential routes, the nature and cultural monuments. At the same time the general theoretical qualification is unsatisfactory, including the general principles of organization of tourism and recreation, the normatives adopted in this shpere (particularly, possible extent of loads on the ecosystems), principles of marketing and other. |
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Activity 3.2 |
Prepare training materials based on best practices |
0 = not yet begun, no progress |
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Activity 3.3 |
Implement 4-5 trainings |
0 = not yet begun, no progress |
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Obstacles faced in implementing Activity 3: |
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Lessons learned in implementing Activity 3: |
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