Project Detail

Conservation of "Trchkan Waterfall" natural monument through creating preconditions for community tourism development in Mets Parni

?Trchkan Waterfall? Natural Monument is located on the Chichkhan River (the highest waterfall of Armenia: 23.5m), in the administrative district of Mets Parni community of Lori region at a distance of 12 km from the village. In 2008 it received a status of a Natural Monument. According to the Status Passport the right to property as well as the responsibility of preserving of Trchkan Waterfall belongs to Mets Parni community. However, uncontrolled picnicking and tourist visitation to Trchkan result in littering of the natural monument area and degradation of the landscape environment. In the meantime, the waterfall area has a great potential for eco-tourism development implying certain economic benefits which can be used to preserve the Monument while improving livelihoods of local population. To address these issues the project plans to introduce a community-based sustainable model for ?Trchkan Waterfall? management for preservation and sustainable use of the natural landscape area.
The overall objective of this project is to preserve the ?Trchkan Waterfall? Natural Monument and the biodiversity of the surrounding area with the development of appropriate infrastructures and promotion of community-based eco-tourism in Mets Parni.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

SUSTAINABLE WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH ECOLOGICAL NGO

Country:

Armenia

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP6 -Y4 (Jul 18 - Jun 19)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 15,385.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 15,768.00

Project Number:

ARM/SGP/OP6/Y4/STAR/BD/19/20

Start Date:

6/2019

End Date:

6/2021

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

A kick-off meeting is expected to be held in Mets Parni community at the launch of the project. Mets Parni Community Council, Climate Revolving Investment Civil Fund will be the key partners in all phases of the project implementation and will be the main facilitator for easy communication with community residents. In the course of the project, community meetings will be organized periodically, depending on the process and requirements of the project, and ?Trchkan? Community Development NGO as a local CSO representative will periodically raise the community awareness.

Policy Impact

According to the Passport of ?Trchkan Waterfall? Natural Monument the right to property and preservation of the Monument belongs to Mets Parni community. However, Mets Parni community does not have a sustainable model of governance through which sustainable tourism can be managed and the natural monument conserved. The project is intended to organize this process through Climate Revolving Investment Civil Fund of Mets Parni Community, which can ensure the effective management of the Natural Monument and its unique landscape environment.

Notable Community Participation

Community Youth volunteers (students and activists), the majority of which are involved in rapid response group of community volunteers developed by the Armenian Red Cross Society have an active role in project planning, implementation and monitoring. They will be trained to act as local guides, information operators and engaged in other paid tourism services and associated co-benefits.

Replication of project activities

Community based model of Natural Monument Management, as well as the activities of Climate Revolving Investment Civil Fund can be replicated in other communities where such Funds are created, and Communities are responsible for the conservation and maintenance of Natural Monuments.

Policy Influence

Community based model of Natural Monument management and the results of the project will be presented to Local self-government bodies and the actions will be included in the five year development plan towards community development prospective. This is a new integrated approach in the nature-based community development, which can be later replicated in other communities that have similar natural monuments

Capacity - Building Component

Ecotourism and adventure tourism trainings will be held with active young people during the project. Together with the ecotourism experts the trainees will be involved in the preliminary observation of the trails. After studying of the Monument landscape, the experts will independently develop and map the area trails. The trail development and mapping methodology as well as techniques for acting as guides for tourists in the mentioned dimensions will be introduced to the trainees, as well as on how they can act as.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

N/A

Linkages gef projects

N/A

Planning gef grant

N/A

Planning non gef grant

N/A

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The following socio-economic activities are planned as part of the project: enhance essential skills of local population to feature, present and sell the tourism products and services; create equal opportunities for all groups of society to visit tourism area by making the infrastructure inclusive particularly for persons with disabilities; promoting local economic development and wellbeing of the community members by creating green jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities in tourism industry. Around 15 temporary and permanent jobs in tourism service sector will be created, which will reduce the number of working age unemployed residents by 3%, and labor migration rates by 2% (the total population of Mets Parni is 2210, out of which 950 are the working age residents. 65% (617) of the working age residents is unemployed). Mets Parni will increase its image and visibility due to the nature-based community development model introduced by the project.

Project sustainability

The successful project implementation will greatly influence all the vulnerable groups. The youth group involved in the project will gain adequate knowledge and skills in tourism services, which will enhance nature-based tourism visitations to the Trchkan area. The community members will get sustainable jobs and business development opportunities in tourism. The improved Trchkan waterfall recreation zone, infrastructures in the information center will foster the environmental conservation, improvement of the sanitary-hygienic conditions of the residents and will allow people with disabilities and women and children to be more involved in tourism. Community based model of Natural Monument Management to be operated by Climate Revolving Investment Civil Fund will ensure pay back of investments and finances returned to be further invested in the conservation of Trchkan Natural Monument and development of ecotourism in the community.

Gender Focus

There is a gender gap in employment and wages in Mets Parni community. The practical trainings on tourism hospitality services and sales to be carried out by the project will be delivered to both, women and men groups developed on the principle of gender equality. The community women will get adequate skills and opportunities to be equally engaged in the tourism, hospitality and sales services.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

With the participation of stakeholders concluding event will be organized, including the opening of the Community Ecotourism and Trade Center and Resort Zone, a series of events dedicated to the local products of Mets Parni Community, an exhibition-sale of agricultural products. A 3-day camp will be organized to test the package developed for schoolchildren. The project information leaflets will be distributed through cycling, horseback riding, sports, rock climbing and other clubs, tourism companies and internet portals. During the project, information about the project will be regularly disseminated through the Facebook page of the Sustainable Water Environment NGO.

Project Results

The project will produce the following results:
? ?Trchkan Waterfall? Natural Monument conservation and ecotourism management model is implemented through Climate Revolving Investment Civil Fund of Mets Parni Community;
? Infrastructures for preservation of Trchkan Natural Monument and promotion of sustainable tourism are established (ecotourism and information center, improved entrance area and parking, wooden bridges, pavilions, drinking water access, toilets, waste sorting bins, equipment for adventure tourism (rock climbing and river crossing), road maps and signs).
? Eco-trails (12-15 km) are developed creating new job opportunities for local youth to serve as guides.
? Local population have gained adequate knowledge, skills and capacities to provide tourism hospitality and sale services.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Hectares of globally significant biodiversity area protected or sustainably managed by project 5

Empowerment

Innovative financial mechanisms put in place through SGP project 1

Livehood

Number of households who have benefited* from SGP project 15

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