Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on

© Copyright 2014
PHE Ethiopia Consortium
Phone: + 251-11-663 0833/ + 251-11-860 8190
Fax: + 251-11-663 8127
P.O.Box - 4408 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
www.phe-ethiopia.org
Prepared by :
EWCA and PHE EC
Edited by:
Kabtamu Kebede
Tadesse Hailu
Negash Teklu
Financed by the SCIP Fund: The SCIP Fund is financed by the
Governments of the United Kingdom (UK), Norway and
Denmark.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary................ 5
2. Welcoming Speech................ 6
3. Opening Remarks................ 6
4. Presentations................ 7
4.1. Protected Areas Management, Challenges and Opportunities................ 7
4.2. Wildlife Crime, Challenges, Legal Framework & Cooperation on
Wildlife Trafficking................ 8
4.3. Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) in Reference to Protected
Areas in Light of SDG, GTP and CRGE of Ethiopia................ 11
4.4. Climate Change and Protected Area in light of MDGs,
GTP & CRGE of Ethiopia................ 12
4.5. An Overview of Strategic Climate Institutions Programme (SCIP)................ 13
4.6. Overview of SCIP in Awash and Simien Mountain National Parks................ 14
4.6.1. SCIP’s Project in Awash National Park (ANP)................ 14
4.6.2. SCIP Project in Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP)................ 15
5. Questions and Answers................ 16
6. Roles and Significance of National Taskforce................ 17
7. Formation of National Task Force................ 18
8. Annex 1: Workshop Schedule................ 19
3
Acronyms ANP
APEC
CRGE
CITES
CSBCE
EU
EWCA
FDRE
FZS
GTP
HPR
ICCWC
IEC
IGA
MDG
MEF
NGO
NTF
PA
PHE EC
RTF
SCIP
SDG
SMNP
UNODC
WCO
WEN
WSD
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Awash National Park
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Climate Resilient Green Economy
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Climate Smart Biodiversity Conservation Education
European Union
Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority
Federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Frankfurt Zoological Society
Growth and Transformation Plan
House of People Representative
International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime
Information, Education and Communication
Income Generating Activity
Millennium Development Goal
Ministry of Environment and Forest
Non Governmental Organization
National Task Force
Protected Area
Population, Health and Environment Ethiopia Consortium
Regional Task Force
Strategic Climate Institutions Program
Sustainable Development Goal
Simien Mountains National Park
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
World Customs Organization
Wildlife Enforcement Networks
Wildlife for Sustainable Development
Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
1. Executive Summary
A
national level conference entitled “National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife
Management was held at Adiss Ababa, Ghion Hotel on May 22, 2014. The conference was organized
by Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) and the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) in
collaboration with Population, Health and Environment Ethiopia Consortium (PHE EC).
Climate change, environmental degradation and exposure to natural disasters are at present among the
greatest challenges we are nationally and globally facing. Consequently, high level of awareness and massive
actions are required to restore natural resources in our protected areas that are essential for the stabilization
of the natural system. With this understanding and aim of building the capacity of resilience, mitigation
and adaptation of Awash and Simien Mountains National Parks to Climate Change, PHE EC and its project
implementing partner organizations are implementing a pilot project called SCIP funded project that provides
a participatory management option for the diverse stakeholders in these protected areas and lead to improved
park management and climate resilience building.
The project is being implemented in partnership with EWCA and two NGOs: Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)
operating in Simien Mountain National Park, and Wildlife for Sustainable Development (WSD) operating in
Awash National Park. The main aim of the project is to establish functional multi-stakeholder management
taskforces that will ensure partnership and collaboration among government and community stakeholders for
better park management and leadership.
To this end, a national consultative meeting was held at Addis Ababa which brought together a total of 118
participants drawn from various regional and federal institutions, house of people representatives, civil society
organizations, NGOs, donor organizations, wildlife development and safeguarding voluntary ambassador,
journalists and parks adjacent communities.
The objective of the conference was to form the national level taskforce responsible for Ethiopia’s protected
areas and wildlife management in giving overall policy guidance to the regional and woreda level taskforces to
enable them effectively work and improve protected areas and wildlife management in a way these protected
areas rehabilitate and deliver economic benefits and also combat the impacts of climate change.
The workshop started with welcoming and introductory speeches of Ato Dawud Mumie, Director General of
EWCA and H.E Ato Amin Abdulkadir, Minister, MoCT, respectively. Before the establishment of the national
taskforce, different papers were presented and discussed. All presentations stressed the importance of a
multispectral taskforce and the need for partnership for sustainable management and well being of protected
areas.
Finally, a national taskforce which is composed of 44 organizations has been established with a role to safeguard
protected natural environment and wildlife. In addition, the taskforce is responsible to take corrective measures
up on receiving reports about violations of conservation and management rules, mobilizes technical and
financial resources necessary for effective park management and monitor the effectiveness of the regional level
taskforce implementing proposed action plans. Remarks were then made by Ato Dawud Mumie, on behalf of
the MoCT.
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2. Welcoming Speech
A
to Dawud Mumie, Director General of Ethiopian Wildlife
Conservation Authority (EWCA) welcomed the conference
participants and delivered a welcoming speech and keynote
addresses. After welcoming everyone, he expressed his pleasure
for having the opportunity to welcome and deliver a keynote
speech on the occasion of the formation of national taskforce
for protected areas and wildlife management, and continued
explaining Ethiopia’s potential of vast natural resource,
biodiversity, conducive climate and variety of landscapes, and
vast wildlife resources. Even though there are immense natural
resource potential, the country has not been able to use its
resources, as desired. Government organizations, development
partners, community based organizations and national and
international NGOs are making significant progresses to resolve
these problems. However, many development practitioners
are engaged primarily in single sector approach some of
them focusing on food security, others on natural resources
conservation and still others on reproductive health and family
planning. As a result, programs are not implemented in an
integrated way, resulting in loss of opportunities for synergy
and duplication of efforts. To tackle this problem, PHE EC is
committed to working with different partners to contribute
toward Ethiopia’s sustainable development through the
integration of population, health and environment.
3. Opening Remarks
F
ollowing the welcoming speech, H.E Ato Amin Abdulkadir,
Minister for Ministry of Culture and Tourism being invited
by Ato Dawud Mumie opened the conference. In his speech,
he highlighted that Ethiopia is endowed with spectacular
landscapes, diversified ecological zones, species of wild fauna
and flora and endemic species, but has not well managed and
developed these assets for its social, economic and ecological
benefits. The Minster explained that the quality of the
environment has deteriorated over time and over exploitation
of natural resources, climate change impacts, illegal activities
in protected areas, pollution, wildlife crimes, among others are
critical problems which posed huge impacts on the country’s
environmental sustainability and economic development. H.E
Ato Amin also emphasized on the importance of integration
of different sector by exemplifying the results of SCIP project in
Awash and Simien mountains national parks. Hence, protected
areas and wildlife management require collective efforts’ and
multi-sectoral partnership and participation at all levels. He also
underlined that stakeholder’s involvement in the management
of the protected areas and wildlife will greatly contribute to the
environmental sustainability and economic development of
the country.
Finally, appreciating the efforts of Population, Health and Environment Ethiopia Consortium and the project
implementing partners for their valuable contribution in mainstreaming population, health and environment
in cross-sectoral development efforts of the country and complementarities towards the effectiveness of
policies and strategies. His Excellency ended his speech by officially opening the national taskforce formation
conference on protected areas and wildlife management.
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Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
4. Presentations
F
ollowing the official opening speech of H.E Ato Amin Abdulkadir, Minister for Ministry of Culture and Tourism,
the following five papers, which raised the participants awareness on Strategic Climate Institutions Program
(SCIP) were presented and discussed prior to the establishment of the National taskforce:
 Protected areas management, challenges and opportunities,
 Wildlife crime, challenges, legal framework & cooperation
 Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) in reference to protected areas,
 Climate change and protected areas in light of GTP, CRGE and SDG, and
 An overview of SCIP project implementation in Awash and Simien Mountains National Parks. The highlights
of each presentation are indicted bellow:
4.1. Protected Areas Management, Challenges and Opportunities
The first paper entitled ”Opportunities and challenges of
protected areas and wildlife management” was presented by Dr.
Fanuel Kebede of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.
According to Dr. Fanuel, the main challenges of protected areas
are climate change, lack of land use policy, increase in human
population, lack of income and resource scarcity, unsustainable
exploitation of natural resource, lack of awareness, lack of
benefit sharing, un integrated investment, lack of collaboration,
agricultural expansion, illegal killing of wildlife, road kill, disease
transmission or out-break, overgrazing, bush encroachment,
very weak low enforcement, lack of tourist facilities, lack of
infrastructure, lack of skilled man power, pollution and budget
insufficiency.
Apart from challenges, Dr. Fanuel also mentioned the
opportunities that the country as follows:
1. Boasting of spectacular landscape including law lands
and depressions, high mountains, chain of mountains,
impenetrable forest cover, grasslands/wet lands, rivers,
waterfalls, lakes and hot springs,
2. Comprising of wildlife resources such as diversified ecological zones, diversified species of wild fauna and
flora, and endemic species,
3. Possessing established different categories of PAs which includes National parks, wildlife sanctuaries,
wildlife reserves, controlled hunting areas, community conservation areas and wildlife ranches which are
managed by federal, regional, community and private authorities.
4. Having good will and commitment to conserve the wildlife resources (Government of FDRE and Regional
Governments).
Attaining all those promising opportunities and conservation activities going on, PAs are not effectively managed;
the country does not receive expected economic return from wildlife conservation; wildlife conservation is not
well integrated with other forms of land use/investment and protected areas are not well protected from illegal
activities compared to other land use types.
Dr. Fanuel concluded his presentation by emphasizing on the need to use those opportunities and on the
importance of collective efforts and practical actions from Federal and Regional governments, partners, research
institutions, local communities, Nationals and international stakeholders and private sectors for efficient and
effective PAs and wildlife management.
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4.2. Wildlife Crime, Challenges, Legal Framework & Cooperation on Wildlife Trafficking
Ato Fetene Hailu, from EWCA, presented on wildlife crime, challenges, legal framework and the importance of
cooperation. Before starting his presentation, Ato Fetene recalled the participation of Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister,
H.E. Dr. Tewodros Adhanom, in London Conference on illegal wildlife trade, hosted by the UK government
on 13th February 2014 and the conclusion of London conference’s resolution by world governments to take
practical steps to end the wildlife crime. Ato Fetene also reminded key words that were part of the speech
delivered by the International football star Yaya Touré on 29 October, 2013 “Poaching threatens the very
existence of the African elephant and if we do not act now we could be looking at a future in which this iconic
species is wiped out,” “I became a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador to spread the message that poaching and other
forms of wildlife crime is not only a betrayal of our responsibility to safeguard threatened species, but a serious
threat to the security, political stability, economy, natural resources and cultural heritage of many countries,” said
Mr. Touré.
According to Ato Fetene, wildlife crime has become a serious threat to the security, political stability, economy,
natural resources and cultural heritage of many countries. “Wildlife crime undermines social and economic
development, national and international security, poses risks to global health and destroys ecosystems and
legitimate livelihoods,”
It is an economic crime often committed by criminal syndicates operating in the most remote regions of our
globalized world, exploiting local people and lack of law enforcement for personal gain. Wildlife crime now
ranks among trafficking in drugs, arms and human beings in terms of profits (www.cites.org, IFAW, 2013,WWF,
2012).
Illegal wildlife trafficking doesn’t just happen in Africa and Asia only, it is a global issue with far-reaching
consequences for both people and wildlife. Wildlife crime is the fourth largest illegal activity in the world, after
drug trafficking, counterfeiting and human trafficking, with an annual turnover of at least US$ 19 billion.
What is wildlife crime?
Ato Fetene defined the term wildlife crime in different ways. According to his explanation, wildlife crime may
start with illicit or illegal exploitation of natural resources, such as the poaching of an elephant, uprooting of a
rare plant species, unauthorized logging of trees, or unlicensed netting of fishes. It may also include subsequent
acts such as the processing of fauna and flora into products, their transportation, offer for sale and possession.
It also includes the concealment and laundering of the financial benefits made out of these crimes.
Some of these crimes will take place solely in the country of origin, whilst others will also occur in the country
of destination, where live fauna or flora specimens, or their parts and derivatives are finally consumed.
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Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
At the international level, crime also involves violations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates exports, imports and re-exports of wildlife.
He also presented the challenges to effective law enforcement such as inability of the staff to effectively
respond to poaching pressure due to lack of basic equipment, infrastructure, i.e. transportation, camping
rations, camping equipment, ammunition; limited training opportunities; inadequate legislation/interpretation;
legal penalty unrealistic for convicted poachers; high staff turn-over in the wildlife services; limited appreciation
among prosecutors and the judiciary of the seriousness of wildlife crime and difficulty accessing modern
enforcement tools like intelligence-gathering and analysis and forensic science support and government drop
in investing in the wildlife sector greatly affect conservation of the resources.
The International Consortium on Combating
Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) which was launched
in November, 2010 is a new partnership with
great value and which will give great impetus
to collective action. Those partners are CITES
Secretariat, INTERPOL, United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Bank, and World
Customs Organization (WCO). Representatives
from the ten wildlife enforcement networks or
groups operating within Africa, Asia, Europe,
North and South America; and from the proposed
networks under discussion, Central Asia, West Asia
and Oceania/Pacific region. On the conference,
wildlife law enforcement officers shared their
experiences at combating wildlife crime and ways
of further enhancing cooperation discussed.
The fight against trans boundary wildlife crime
received a boost at the recently concluded G8
Summit held from 17 to 18 June 2013 at Lough
Erne. G8 Leaders recognized the need to tackle
criminal trafficking and to strengthen border
security, including in relation to illegal trafficking
of wildlife noting the links to governance and the
rule of law and sources of funding for terrorists (G8
Summit 2013).
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President Obama’s Executive Order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking
Executive order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking issued by the
President of the United States, Barack Obama, on 1 July 2013, addresses
both its domestic and international response to the current surge in
wildlife trafficking, establishes a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife
Trafficking, to be co-chaired by the Secretary of State, Secretary of the
Interior, and the Attorney General (Co-Chairs), or their designees, who
shall report to the President through the National Security Advisor,
with certain tasks assigned to it and also order, sends a very powerful
message both domestically and internationally on the need to treat
wildlife crime as a serious crime on a part with narcotics and arms
trafficking (www.cites.org).
Duke of Cambridge and David Beckham join forces to fight illegal
wildlife trade (The Telegraph, Sept 12, 2013)
The Duke of Cambridge has enlisted David Beckham
in the fight against illegal wildlife products as he
launched a new global conservation organization
(United for Wildlife). United for wildlife will initially
focus on the illegal wildlife trade. David Beckham
famous footballer in UK, & Yao Ming, one of the
biggest sports stars in China joined the Duke in the
effort. On February 2014, EU has given significant
support to initiatives against wildlife trafficking,
such as improved management of protected areas,
capacity building, and international enforcement
cooperation.
The Bali Declaration, agreed by the Leaders of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Bali,
Indonesia on 8 October 2013, to combat wildlife trafficking.
In response to these challenges, APEC Leaders committed,
under paragraph 18 section h, to “combat wildlife trafficking
by enhancing international cooperation through Wildlife
Enforcement Networks (WENs) and other existing mechanisms,
reducing the supply of and demand for illegally traded wildlife,
increasing public awareness and education related to wildlife
trafficking and its impacts, and treating wildlife trafficking
crimes seriously”. The Secretariat of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), welcomes the Bali Declaration,
Finally, Ato Fetene summarized his presentation by asserting the following points as the way to combat
transnational wildlife crime:
1. Treat wildlife crime as serious crime - in legislation and through relevant agencies.
2. Law enforcement efforts must result in seizures, arrests, prosecutions, convictions and strong penalties
3. Improve investigative techniques
4. Exchange information on illegal wildlife trade between source, transit and destination countries
5. Use the full range of general enforcement tools such as forensics, controlled delivery, anti-money
laundering and asset recovery
6. Strengthen wildlife enforcement cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies and
wildlife authorities at sub national, national, sub-regional, regional and global levels
7. Raising awareness about wildlife trafficking and related demand
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Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
4.3. Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) in Reference to Protected Areas in Light of SDG,
GTP and CRGE of Ethiopia
Ato Abate Getenet from MEF presented on green house gas emission, impacts of climate change, CRGE vision
and strategies. According to his explanation, climate change is a change of climate which is attributed directly
or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to
natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.
Ato Abate, in his presentation showed in comparison the average temperatures on three planets as follows:
He mentioned the causes for the increased effect of GHG to be
deforestation, urbanization ,change in land use, transport and
natural gases.
He also presented
the effects of rise in
global
temperature
on millions of people
particularly
those
poor who will likely be
exposed to an increased
incidence of droughts
and floods, food and
fresh water shortages,
disease and loss of
livelihoods and homes,
failure of economy,
loss of biodiversity and
disturbance of usual
way of living.
From the above-summarized rainfall variability and GDP growth (1982-2000) graph, he concluded that, if
important measures or actions are not taken, the GDP of the country will be reduced from 0.5-2 % annually.
Source: World Bank 2008
In addition, his presentation has indicated that the following are characteristics of conventional growth path:
 Fossil fuel dependency (Dependency on imports, Increased pollution)
 Deforestation/degradation of forests (Land erosion, Health issues from fuel wood smoke)
 Unsustainable agriculture( Reduction in soil fertility, Increased vulnerability to drought and floods)
 Rapid growth of conventional transportation ( Congested cities with polluting vehicles, Dependent on oil
import)
 Unsustainable practices in growing industry (Increase of air and water pollution, Exhaustion of resources)
11
He also explained the main components of Green Economy Strategy that include Power supply, Transport,
Buildings and green sites, Industry, Forestry, Soil and Livestock production.
The Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) initiative follows a sectoral approach and has so far identified
and prioritized more than 60 initiatives, which could help the country achieve its development goals while
limiting 2030 GHG emissions to around today’s 150 Mt CO2e, around 250 Mt CO2e less than estimated under
a conventional development path. To achieve middle-income status before in 2025, the strategy is based on
four pillars:
1. Improving crop and livestock production practices for higher food security and farmer income increment
while reducing emissions
2. Protecting and re-establishing forests for their economic and ecosystem services, including as carbon
stocks
3. Expanding electricity generation from renewable sources of energy for domestic and regional markets
4. Leapfrogging to modern and energy-efficient technologies in transport, industrial sectors, and buildings.
Finally, in conclusion to his presentation, Ato abate has showed that the ongoing national relentless efforts
of establishing railway system, innovation of energy saving technologies, expansion of sugar industries and
financial institutions in all corners to meet the CRGE target could be exemplary to neighboring countries in
particular and to the globe in general.
4.4. Climate Change and Protected Area in light of MDGs, GTP & CRGE of Ethiopia
Ato Negash Teklu, Executive Director of PHE EC, presented on
climate change and protected areas in light of Millennium
Development Goal (MDGs), Growth and Transformation Plan
(GTP) and Climate Resilience Green Economy (CRGE) of Ethiopia.
He started his presentation by highlighting on the consequence
of population increase, high proportion of younger people
lessthan 15 years, high mortality rate, high orphan vulnerable
children and high number of livestock with low productivity.
All these contribute to severe environmental degradation,
open grazing, deforestation, food insecurity, drought, famine,
migration, Lakes dying, water coverage of the rivers declining
which is the main source of conflict, and protected areas are
highly affected and impacted.
After remarking on the existing protected areas of the country,
he discussed the importance of protecting and managing
protected areas so as to ensure their contribution for energy
and agricultural development of the country in general through
raising the water table of rivers in addition to its contribution to
tourism revenue taking Awash and Tekeze river as examples.
He also emphasized the importance of protecting natural resources of the country by underpinning that “As
Blue Nile is the principal value to Egypt, security to Israel, protection of natural resources is a value to Ethiopia”.
Furthermore, Ato Negash elaborated challenges of protected areas, poverty in Ethiopia, the possible impact of
climate change on Africa and Ethiopia, and GTP target up to 2015. To minimize and /or eliminate the multifaceted
problems of the community, he recommended the need of multi-sectoral partnership and collaboration as a
single sector by itself, however it bears excellence, cannot meet GTP targets.
According to Ato Negash, the critical challenges of multi-sectoral integration approach includes: the limitation
of capacity to make use of the new opportunities including the population dividend, reluctance for multisectoral integration approach, the complexity of the problem, lack of comprehensiveness and systemic thinking
and lack of coordination between line ministries, regional bureaus, and offices.
After presenting the opportunities and lessons of the approaches, Ato Negash concluded his presentation by
recommending the following in order to improve the lives of more families and to save protected Areas (PAs):
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Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
 A need to achieve the GTP targets, and CRGE in a sustainable way,
 Coordinate activities multi-sectorally,
 Rehabilitate our natural resources,  Empower & invest on women & youth, and
 Inject our national & regional policies in SDG approach.
4.5. An Overview of Strategic Climate Institutions
Programme (SCIP)
Ato Tadesse Hailu, SCIP Project Coordinator, presented on SCIP
project being under implementation in Awash and Simien
Mountains National Parks by focusing on the rationale of the
project, project intervention areas, funding organization,
project implementers, project general and specific objectives,
project components, project implementing strategies, major
project activities and outputs.
The SCIP project entitled “Building Institutional Capacity and
Participatory Leadership in Awash and Simien Mountains
National Parks for Resilience, Mitigation and Adaptation to
Climate Change (BICAS-RMACC)’’ was developed under the
framework of Strategic Climate Institutions Program (SCIP). It
was developed by Population, Health and Environment Ethiopia
Consortium (PHE EC) and its partner organizations, Ethiopian
Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), Frankfurt Zoological
Society (FZS) and Wildlife for Sustainable Development (WSD).
The project aimed at improving park management and
leadership capacity of concerned institutions and developing
appropriate climate change adaptation, mitigation and
resilience strategies in Simien Mountains and Awash National Parks. It was developed in accordance with
government strategies, communities’ needs and international climate change agenda. As a strategy, multisectoral PHE integration approach, partnership and networking, awareness raising interventions, capacity
building trainings, livelihood empowerment, experience sharing programs, communication and documentation
were used for the implementation of the project.
Ato Tadesse elaborated the importance and goal of establishing protected areas and wildlife management
taskforces at woreda, regional and national level with their responsibilities in addition to revealing the below
mentioned major accomplishments of SCIP project for the last one year:
Conducted stakeholder analysis
 Established taskforces at various levels,
 Conducted experience sharing visits,
 Conducted climate related need assessment and training
 Produced various information, education and communication (IEC) materials, manuals and guidelines
 Established school environmental clubs and provided necessary materials,
 Produced documentary films on Awash and Simien Mountains national parks
 Conducted feasible studies on eco-friendly IGAs
 Provided training on family planning, climate resilience green economy and conflict resolution,
 Provided capacity building training for women’s and youth associations,
 Identified problem solving research areas and prepared proposal
 Conducted and documented evaluative researches in both national parks
Finally, Ato Tadesse concluded his presentation by calling for stakeholders’ commitment to feel responsible,
make joint decision, work in a coordinated way and make a difference, and hand over well managed and
protected natural resources base for the coming generation.
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4.6. Overview of SCIP in Awash and Simien Mountain National Parks
Strategic Climate Institutions Program project is being
implemented jointly by Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS),
Wildlife for Sustainable Development (WSD) and PHE Ethiopia
Consortium in the two National Parks of Ethiopia.
After presentation on general overview of SCIP project by
Ato Tadesse, overview of the SCIP project implementation in
Awash and Simien Mountains National Parks was presented
by Dr. Yirmed Demeke, Executive Director of Wildlife for
Sustainable Development (WSD) and Dr. Zelealem Tefera,
Country Representative for Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS),
respectively.
4.6.1. SCIP’s Project in Awash National Park (ANP)
Dr. Yirmed Demeke, Executive Director of Wildlife for Sustainable
Development (WSD) presented the lessons drawn from SCIP project implementation in Awash National
Park (ANP). He emphasized the importance of working with taskforces, major challenges of the park, and on
further priorities that need attention such as strengthening the existing taskforces and improvement of park
management capacity of the park staff.
According to Dr Yirmed, due to its exceptional resources (Fauna, flora, scenic landscape, community & culture), its
old history of establishment, its economic role and consideration of national & international obligations, Awash
National Park was given due attention by SCIP project. Despite all these, the park is facing many challenges and
some of the major challenges are free grazing, deforestation, road kill, poor park management, Awash River
pollution and invasive plant species encroachment.
To tackle these problems, activities such as project development & sharing of responsibility, identification of
relevant stakeholders, and analysis of baseline data, taskforce formation at 3 levels, climate related training
needs assessment, feasibility studies on climate smart biodiversity income generating activities, identification
of source & nature of conflicts & its management techniques and useful awareness raising documents such
as brochures, posters, guidelines, films and toolkits production and distribution to various stakeholders and
institutions have been performed.
According to Dr. Yirmed, due to the different capacity building and awareness creation training activities being
undertaken, common understanding on the essence of the SCIP project & the situation of the park have been
created among the wider communities.
Finally, Dr. Yirmed suggested three further priority areas, which likely ensure the sustainability of the project in
order to safeguard and properly manage the park. These priorities include: strengthening existing taskforces,
focussing on alternative livelihood options and ecotourism development and project proposal development to
maintain the positive project outcomes.
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Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
4.6.2. SCIP Project in Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP)
Dr. Zelealem Tefera, Country Representative of Frankfurt
Zoological Society – Ethiopia, started presenting the experience
generated from SCIP project implementation in SMNP by
explaining the history, past & present condition of the park. He
said SMNP is located in the north Ethiopia where Ethiopian’s
highest Mountain is found, and it is the prime National Park with
incredible scenery and unique wildlife that include Walia ibex,
Ethiopian Wolf, and Chelada Baboon and biodiversity hotspots.
The park was registered as World Heritage site in 1978.
According to Dr. Zelealem, the major threat to SMNP is settlement
(436 houses residing in park) and expansion of agriculture
in the park (3.6% of the area is under agriculture). In addition,
over grazing is the other bottleneck in the park. It is estimated
that Shoats represent 81 % (243,494), cattle 14% (41,686), and
equines 5% (15,703) livestock population.
Therefore, he noted that he SCIP project was intended to build institutional capacity of stakeholders that will
pave the way for mitigation of the impact of climate change and ensuring climate adaptation and resiliency
through generating alternative livelihood.
Multi-stakeholders taskforce formation and participatory management of the Simien Mountains National Park
was the major activity accomplished to bring increased climate resilience. That is bringing together stakeholders
that include local communities, private sectors, policy and decision makers and higher educational institutions
on board to be instrumental for Parks management. Taskforces are responsible for formulating strategies that
assist to attain the stipulated objective of park management. This strategy can be put in effect through the
formation of taskforces at National Taskforce (NTF), Regional Task Force (RTF), and Park level Task Force (PTF).
Dr. Zelealem further discussed the major activities accomplished in Simien Mountains National park as follows:
 Conducted Experience sharing visits among multi-stakeholders.
Conducted various capacity building trainings on climate change issues at all level
 Established/strengthened school environmental education clubs
Carried out feasibility study on climate smart biodiversity IGAs
 Conducted capacity building trainings for women, youth groups and local community on CSBCE
 Identified and promoted traditional conflict management mechanism for natural resource use
 identified action oriented research topics and produced project proposal on climate change adaptation
mitigation , and
 Produced a documentary film on lessons learned and existing situation of SMNP.
Finally, Dr. Zelealem concluded his presentation by explaining some of the lessons drawn from the
implementation of SCIP project at SMNP, which includes that forgotten partners are brought together as a task
force, capacity enhanced for conservation partnership, conservation compatible livelihood improvement and
experience feedback to the management of PA elsewhere in the country.
15
5. Questions and Answers
T
he afternoon session was dedicated for questions
and answers and was facilitated by H.E W/ro Tadelech
Dalecho, S/Minister, Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Q: How did Dr. Fanuel, on his presentation, dare to say that
there is no commitment with people at lower or grassroots
level unlike that of peoples at higher hierarchy or top
leadership?
A: Government has tried to fulfill the required manpower
and contributed a lot for the establishment of PAs. By
looking at the development progress of protected areas at
country level, all of you feel that the natural resources of the
country are in danger. It is because of this that I dare to say
that, those people at grass root level were not cooperative
to protect our natural assets and provide due attention for
its conservation. However, still we have a chance to save our
natural resources if we all are committed.
Q:
Currently, in a situation where human beings are
marketed how could we save wildlife from different crimes?
A: In our country, for human trafficking there is established
taskforce, for arms/weapons trafficking there is a government office which is responsible, whereas there is
nobody to care for wildlife except the government institution responsible to manage wildlife. Therefore, if
there is coordination and concerted efforts among the stakeholders/sectors, wildlife and wildlife products
illegal trafficking will be avoided. In addition to this, if we develop sense of ownership for the resource through
awareness creation program at national, regional, zonal, kebele and at household level, it is possible to minimize
the existing problem.
Q:
What is the contribution of protected area to CRGE?
A: Expansion of protected areas is a target for CRGE strategy. As SCIP project works on this issue, and the
project evaluation findings will in the future show how PA’s contribution to CRGE.
Q: The word ‘Taskforce’ refers to a committe assigned for a specific task to be accomplished within specific
period of time; so if this taskforce is said to be a long lasting one, why should we name it a taskforce?
A: Our focus is not on the naming, but on how we bring partners together and form multi sectoral partnership
and collaboration in order to jointly address the PAs and wildlife management challenges/issues. Regarding the
sustainability issue, NGOs are working towards bridging government gaps but not to replace the government
activities. The sustainability issue becomes in question mark if government works independently without the
participation of NGOs, universities and private sectors in areas where they are needed. Now, there is a good
start by PHE EC, where PHEEC is working in collaboration with EWCA and other partners in Simien and Awash
National Parks. Therefore, EWCA will be responsible in scaling up good practices drawn from SCIP’ project
implementation to other protected areas by either looking for donor funding or including operation cost in its
annual budget plan.
Q: Why house of peoples’ representative (parliamentarians) is not supportive in solving the challenges of
protected areas and wildlife management?
A:
EWCA does not accept this concern as the parliamentarians have good track record in supporting EWCA
and making continuous follow-up on the Authority’s performances beside dealing with different issues related
to protected areas and wildlife management.
Q:
From the paper presented, I understand that much of the anti-illegal wildlife trafficking task was done by
world INTERPOL, what measures were taken locally to address cross country illegal wildlife products trafficking?
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Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
A:
Within the country, information network and security agency, police and crime protection agencies have
good relationship, and as a result in Bole airport daily on average one person engaged on illegal wildlife products
trafficking is seized and confiscated.
After questions and answers carried out by conference participants, W/ro Tadelech Dalecho summarized issues
raised as follows:
 It is difficult to solve or manage the challenges of protected areas and wildlife management in short period
of time since it directly relates to the livelihood of the rural communities, and hence needs repeated awareness
creation forum to change communities’ attitude.
 It is out of reality to say that our government has not rendered any attention to protected areas, but the
problem lies on how to bring about attitudinal changes, and there is a hope that things will be gradually
changing if concerned stakeholders work in a coordinated way and seek solutions for the challenges.
 As far as infrastructures such as railway, road, and other schemes like sugar cane plantations, are concerned,
it is necessary for the concerned parties to come together and play their corporate responsibilities for the
betterment of protected areas management. Therefore, the main important thing is to hold discussion among
stakeholders and making joint decisions before the problem occurs and gets intensified.
 Lessons learnt from SCIP’s project implementation is encouraging and EWCA need to scale up documented
best practices to other protected areas through the involvement of other conservation partners.
6. Roles and Significance of NationalTaskforce
B
efore the establishment of national level protected areas and wildlife management taskforce, Ato Dawud
Mumie, Director General of EWCA, presented on the role and significance of the national taskforce, and
accordingly the National Taskforce shall have the following responsibilities:
 Plays an advisory role, provide necessary guidance to the regional level taskforces and takes required decisions
pertinent to the improvement of the Park conditions,
 Takes timely and appropriate corrective measures upon receiving reports on any violations of conservation
and management rules,
 Monitors the effectiveness of the regional level taskforces at implementing proposed action plans,
 Evaluates the work progress of the regional level taskforces,
 Provides feedback on regular reports that it receives from the regional taskforces,
 As deemed necessary, scrutinizes and approves recommendations given by the other taskforces pertinent to
the better management of the Parks,
 Plays roles in mobilizing technical and financial resources necessary for effective Parks management,
 When challenged with issues beyond its scope of decision, it shall forward the issues to the Prime Minister
Office for intervention,
 Shall be involved in any other activities necessary for the proper management and Development of wildlife
resources and related issues.
 The established taskforce will take corrective measures up on receiving reports about violations of
conservation and management rules,
 Mobilizes technical and financial resources necessary for effective park management, and
 Monitors the effectiveness of the regional level taskforce implementing proposed action plans.
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7. Formation of National Task Force
A
fter revealing the composition of the national taskforce, Ato Dawud requested the participants to comment
and amend his proposal. Then after thorough discussion and making some amendments on his proposal,
it was agreed that the national level taskforce should include Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Chair), Ethiopian
Wildlife Conservation Authority (Secretary), House of Peoples Representatives (HPR) Standing Committee for
Culture and Tourism, House of Peoples Representatives (HPR) Standing Committee for Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Environment and Forest,
Ministry of Justice, Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity, Ministry of Agriculture, National Planning Commission,
Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of
Federal Affairs; Ministry of Women, Youth and Children, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of water, Irrigation and
Energy, Ministry of Science and Technology, Federal Police Commission, Ethiopian Revenue and Customs
Authority, National Central Bureau-Ethiopia (INTERPOL), Regional Bureaus of Culture and Tourism (11+), Oromia
National Regional State Forestry and Wildlife Enterprise, Afar National Regional Stste Bureau of Pastoralist and
Rural Agricultural Development, Ethiopian Sugar Corporation, Ethiopian Road Authority, Ethiopian Tourism
Organization, Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopian Science Academy, Ethiopian Investment Authority, Ethiopian
Agricultural Investment and Land Administration Agency (EAILAA), Ethiopian Railways Corporation, and
Members of the Wildlife Partnership Forum (7).
Following the agreement reached on the composition of the national taskforce, the taskforce members
undertook a brief meeting to discuss and determine how frequently they meet and review their work progresses.
Accordingly, they decided to meet bi-annually to hear reports on their six months work accomplishments and
develop work plan for the following six months, Finally, with the financial assistance (sponsorship) of Horn of
African Regional Environment Center (HoAREC), they agreed to meet shortly and discuss on how to go about
and also develop the first action plan that functions for the first six months.
At last, Ato Dawud Mumie, Director General for EWCA, expressing his appreciation for the blessed day that
brought together wider stakeholders and realized the formation of the national level protected areas and
wildlife management taskforce, he announced that the meeting is concluded by offering his heartfelt thanks to
all participants of the conference.
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Proceedings of the National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas and Wildlife Management
Annex 1: Workshop Schedule
National Taskforce Formation Conference on Protected Areas
and Wildlife Management
Date: May 22, 2014, Venue: Ghion Hotel
Time
Description
Responsible
Facilitator
8:30 - 9:00
Registration of participants and Film
Show
Organizers
EWCA/PHE EC
9: 00 - 9:05
Welcoming speech
9:05- 9:15
Opening speech
9:15-9:35
Protected areas management,
challenges and opportunities
9:35-10:00
Wildlife Crime, Challenges, Legal
framework & Cooperation
Fetene Hailu, EWCA
Discussions
Participants
Tea/Coffee Break
Organizers
H.E W/ro Tadelech
Dalecho
Organizers
11:00 -11:20
Climate Resilient Green Economy
(CRGE) in reference to Protected
areas
Ato Abate Getnet, MEF
EWCA, PR
11:20-11:40
Climate change and protected areas
in light of SDG, GTP and CRGE of
Ethiopia
Ato Negash Teklu, Executive
Director, PHE EC
EWCA, PR
11:40 12:00
An overview of Strategic Climatic
Institutions Program (SCIP) project
Ato Tadesse Hailu, PHE EC
EWCA, PR
12:00-12:30
Overview of SCIP Project at Awash &
Simien Mountains NPs
Dr. Yirmed Demeke, WSD/ Dr.
Zelealem Tefera, FZS
EWCA, PR
12:30- 1:30
Lunch Break
Organizers
Organizer
1:30-2:15
General discussion on protected
areas and wildlife issues, past
experience and the way forward
Participants
H.E Ato Amin/H.E
W/ro Tadelech, Ato
Dawud
2:15-2:45
Roles and Significances of National
Taskforce
Ato Dawud Mume, Director
General, Ethiopian Wildlife
Conservation Authority
EWCA, PR
2: 45- 3:45
General discussion on the Roles and
significances of Taskforce
Participants
3:45-4:00
Tea/Coffee Break
Organizers
4:00-4:15
Formation of National Task Force
H.E W/o Tadelech & Ato
Dawud Mume
EWCA, PR
4:15-4:30
Nominated Task Force members
discuss and present the way forward
Task Force Member
EWCA, PR
4:30-4:45
Key notes and Closing remarks
H.E Ato Amin Abdulkadir,
Minister, Ministry of Culture
and Tourism
EWCA, PR
10:00-10:45
10:4511:00
Ato Dawud Mume, Director
General, EWCA
H.E Ato Amin Abdulkadir,
Minister, Ministry of Culture
and Tourism
Ato Zeleke Tigabe/ Dr Fanuel
Kebede EWCA
EWCA, PR
Ato Dawud Mume,
Director General,
EWCA
EWCA, PR
EWCA, PR
H.E Ato Amin/H.E
W/ro Tadelech, Ato
Dawud
Organizers
19
[email protected]
www.phe-ethiopia.org

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