Project Ouadi Rimé - Ouadi Achim (POROA)

For the development of the Ouadi Rimé - Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve, and the sustainable management of its biodiversity

Overview

The goal of the project is to preserve the biodiversity of the Ouadi Rimé - Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve in an integrated and sustainable way.

History

Sahara Conservation has been working with the Chadian authorities to conserve the biodiversity of the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve (OROAWR) since 2001. Various missions and studies have shown the need to improve the management of the OROA wildlife reserve and the management of its biodiversity.

In 2015, Sahara Conservation and its partners began the reintroduction of the Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah). The long-term success of this reintroduction and its extension to other species is based on effective and sustainable management of the OROAWR.

In 2016, the Ministry of the Environment of Chad and Sahara Conservation signed a Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at "strengthening relations between this Ministry, through the Directorate of Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas ( DCFAP), and Sahara Conservation, for the conservation of wildlife, habitats and the natural heritage of the Sahara and Sahel in Chad."

European Support

The project « Support for the development of the Ouadi Rimé - Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve and the sustainable management of its biodiversity (POROA) » is part of the support program for the preservation of biodiversity and wildlife and fragile ecosystems of Central Africa (ECOFAC VI) funded by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).

Expected Results

The socio-economic and sectoral activities of the OROAWR and its bordering areas are coordinated in an integrated way with a landscape approach that ensures the sustainable availability of ecological services for stakeholders
Effective management systems of the OROAWR are developed and operational
The OROAWR and neighboring populations are associated with the integrated management of natural resources and benefit from them
The management structure of the OROAWR and its staff are strengthened
Experiences and knowledge are shared and capitalized at the landscape and regional levels

The long-term survival of the Reserve’s fauna and the integrity of its habitat, but also the preservation of this pastoral area of high economic and vital value for a large number of pastoralists depend on finding solutions that reconcile pastoralism and conservation.

ACTIVITIES

Co-management of the reserve and its natural resources

1) Creation of the co-management unit of the reserve

2) Ecological monitoring

3) Development and implementation of a Management Plan of the reserve

4) Application of the Law

5) Fight against bush fires

6) Creation of appropriate management infrastructures

Participatory governance and coordination

1) Diagnosis of the socio-economic and cultural context

2) Establishment of Regional Advisory Councils of the Reserve (advisory and guidance role to the Unit of Co-management - UC - Reserve) with active participation of the local population

3) Coordination with the different key players (ecological connectivity between the Protected Areas at the regional level, lobbying for environmental impact studies - EIA, feasibility studies for integrative and participative valorisation of natural resources, community health missions, etc.)

4) Information and Awareness: Environmental Education Caravans and Communication Campaigns

METHODOLOGY

1) Capacity building of reserve managers: training, equipment, running costs, management tools, etc.

2) Consultation with the local population and the administrative and technical actors: advisory councils, community agents, collaboration with development actors, etc.)

3) Socio-economic support to the local population: health mission, jobs, etc.

4) Development of a system of local and decentralized governance and management: advisory councils, co-management unit, consultation with local development bodies, etc.

5) Consolidation of integrity and the role of RFOROA: new delimitation, new statutes and decree, PAG, landscape classification / cartography, communication and extension, etc.

6) Scientific approach based on a good knowledge of biodiversity and natural resources, RFOROA users and their needs and strategies (EIA, socio-cultural studies, inventory, ecological monitoring, mapping, modeling, etc.)