Project Detail

Biodiversity of lakes (Conservation of the biodiversity of the delta lakes of the pre-Aral zone with active participation of the local communities and local authorities)

As a center of global biodiversity the Aral Sea basin is comparable with such unique reservoirs as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal and Great African lakes. However, where African lakes are declared national monuments, and Baikal and the northern part of the Caspian Sea are conservancy areas, the Aral Sea is a zone of environmental disaster. The lakes biodiversity of the Syr Darya delta is a unique ecosystem and a place for concentration of 30 species of primarily indigenous fishes; 12 species of mammals and more than 300 species of birds. The freshwater lakes of the delta attracted huge numbers of migrant waterfowl and other shore birds. The delta and the eastern Aral coast supported numerous colonies of pelicans, cormorants and various gulls. The most part of the biodiversity is in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan.
One of the key elements in the process of biodiversity loss is the prolonged selectivity of anthropogenic initiatives. Intensive and targeted fishing of some species can

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result in an increase in the number of others, and shooting of certain bird species creates a threat to the wetland biodiversity. Any decline in the genetic diversity of the fish and bird populations will result in a significant imbalance in wetland ecosystem.
The environmental problems of recent years have been aggravated by an economic crisis in the areas surrounding the wetlands. As a result of total unemployment, and the suspension of industrial activity and factory work, the economic income of the residents depends mainly on the railway and any fishing which is conducted in the 13 delta lakes. There are 68,497 residents in Aralsk District. 14,973 of these people live in 30 settlements directly adjacent to the delta lakes. The anthropogenic impact on the lakes is so great, and the current fishing rate so intensive, that the near future will most certainly bring significant environmental problems. This situation would result in the decrease and ultimate disappearance of rare bird and fish species of extreme natural value to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Since the population?s current economic income is mainly derived from fishing, it is necessary to urgently introduce techniques and methods of food production which would provide for the needs of the community, while also protecting the crucial biodiversity of the region.

The project is aimed at environmental conservation and the restoration of biodiversity in the Syr Darya River delta and lakes through: 1) developing a special mode for the utilization of the bioresources of the delta lakes to ensure the conservation and subsequent regeneration of suppressed species; 2) decreasing the anthropogenic impact on the lakes by encouraging fishermen, through improved infrastructure provision, to fish on the Small Aral Sea; 3) changing local community attitudes toward the delta lake ecosystems through public information and involvement in the project.

Expected outcomes:
1. Determination of the most important habitats for rare species and the places of main concentration of migrant waterfowl. Elaboration of priority measures for avoidance of the negative impact of fishing on these territories.
2. Development and implementation of the program to gradually transfer trade fisheries from the delta lakes to the northern and western water areas of the Small Aral Sea.
3. In collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Protection of Environment and its regional structures, development of the Statute on Regulation and Rational Utilization of the Bioresources of Aralsk District.
4. Implementation of a set of measures aimed at raising the local population's awareness of a global significance of the wetland "The Syr Darya Delta and Adjacent Water Area of the Small Aral Sea" wetlands.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Aral Tenizi PA

Country:

Kazakhstan

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 183,707.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 27,650.00

Project Number:

KAZ/00/06

Start Date:

6/2000

End Date:

4/2004

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Capacity - Building Component

In order to strengthen local capacity, 3 seminars will be held. Seminar 1. "Development of a Strategy of Concerted Action to conserve and restore the globally significant wetland biodiversity in Aral Sea region" with active participation of all the concerned parties. Seminar 2. "Evaluation of the influence of the project on the environmental situation in the region, discussion of the related documents, next steps in the project and local perspectives" Seminar 3. "Project outcomes: Evaluation of the impact that the project had on the environmental situation in the region", discussion of the standard legal document and the prospects for the continued implementation of the memorandum". The Project promotes 1) partnership development between the local population and NGOs as well as the creation of new environmental NGOs; 2) partnership with the executive local bodies, and participation of the local community in the creation, and subsequent lobbying of, the document on the special utilization mode for the bioresources of the delta lakes; 3) continuous progress on regional development and environmental conservation; 4) encouraging the local administrative bodies to create a basis for implementating and duplicating the project.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Public awareness activities will be implemented by 1) involving all the concerned parties in the implementation of project activities 2) placing articles in the newspapers, 3) distributing leaflets and booklets 4) presenting a video film TV, 5) placing an information board about the project in villages, 6) organizing site-visits with the participation of local authorities and potential donors.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The active participation of the fishermen and local community in the project gives them an opportunity to receive a sustainable income from the sale of fish, which will raise their standard of living. In addition, the operation of the new fish-processing plants will give workers the opportunity to receive income from the fish processing industry.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The local population will carry out the following activities within the project's framework: 1) participate in protecting the lakes against poachers; monitor the project; participate in environmental activities; assist in organizing the fishing camps; 2) participate in developing the Memorandum on joint work with the local administration and NGOs at the first Seminar; remain actively involved in dialogue with all interested parties (administrative, supervising and executive bodies); 3) participate in a seminar to evaluate the environmental impacts of the project and to define further steps; 4) participate in a seminar on the project's accountability, to determine the impact of the project's on the local region.

Project Results

Research of the ecological situation with Syr-Darya delta lakes has been lead. On the basis of the data gathered with support and active participation of local population, local authorities, NGOs a special normative document to validate creation of a special protection area in the region has been developed. The document is adjusted with the state nature protection bodies and then submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture. The substantiation is accepted and will be considered by the government during reconsideration of the state fishery rules and regulations.

Infrastructure for fishery development on the Aral Sea has been created: entrances to the sea in two places, a pier, pontoon bridge have been constructed, refrigerators for freezing, storages and transportations of fish have been established in two places.

A large-scale information campaign and educational work with local population (meetings, seminars, interrogations, participation in monitoring of the project) promoted wide informing of the population about the problem and development of measures to improve the situation. Besides, local consultants and experts have been involved into the project activities.

In November 2003 fish processing factory has been set up in Aralsk. The staff is about 30 people. 200 tons of fish have been processed and sold for a short period of time. Infrustructure development nesr to the Aral sea and opening of the factory has given one more impetus to revival of fishery on the Aral Sea, development of business-sector and improvement of the local population livelihood, on the one hand, and has decreased antropogenious press on the delta lakes, for the other one. Also owing to financial support of the factory the NGO Aral Tenizi has got opportunity to continue information work with local communitites.

Realization of the project and cooperation with DANIDA considerably promoted solution of a complex of social and environmental problems, having given, on the one hand, alternative to local population to prove livelihood and to conserve biodiversity of the lakes, on the other one, by means of development and implementation of the nature resources rational use system.

The project has made the local state nature protection bodies? control activities more intense. The staff of inspectors has expanded.

Local NGOs actively participated in the project activities, and this contributed to strengthening the role of NGOs of the region in solution of environmental and social problems.

The project has stimulated nature protection activities of the local authorities, which has provided a basis for duplication of the project.

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