Bio-diversity

Project location:Tange-e Kushk-e zar, Eghlid, Fars(Lat/Long:30.813494-52.342987) Overall objective of this project is to protect the Char Tang-e Kushk-e Zar Wetland including its surrounding rangelands (mainly the upper part of the wetland) and efforts towards establishing a Community Conserved Area (CCA) through the involvement of the Kuhi Sub-tribe of Qashqai Pastoralists. Char Tang-e Kushk-e Zar is a wetland in the summering grounds of the Kuhi Sub-tribe of the Qashqai Nomadic Pastoralist Confederation of Iran located 20 Km away from the village of Aas-e Paas Plain near Eghlid Township. The project activities are aimed at the following goals: 1-Empowerment of the stakeholders towards establishing Char Tang-e Kushk-e Zar Wetland as a CCA; 2-Restoring the rights of the Kuhi to their customary range and the waters of the wetland as much as possible; 3-Empowering the people to realize the value of the biodiversity and follow up with stakeholders. 4-Developing a management plan for the CCA through discussions with stakeholders including villages and officials. The main project activities are: 1-Conducting communication workshop to raise awareness of the local community including women, children, teachers and the traditional elders for environmental, social and economic values of the wetland and the need to keep it in good health; 2-Gain the support of the Department of the Environment (DoE) in designating the upper part of the wetland as Hunting Prohibited Area and recognition of game guards from the Kuhi families to protect and patrol the area during the absence of the Kuhi Sub-tribe (from November to April). 3-Prepare a GIS map and GPS Cartography with the assistance of DoE (if DoE cooperates). 4-Prepare a descriptive booklet of the biodiversity of the wetland with native names, pictures and their local uses if applicable; 5-Prepare a booklet on a summary and processed socio-economic report on of the wetland related to CCA defining the indicators; 6-Negotiating between local communities of two parts of wetland (middle and upper part) to resolve the conflicts for the future CCA; 7-Documenting the farming system of the wetland area with the participation of different stakeholders. 8-Classification of pollution problems extracted by the local community and their proposed solutions. 9-Preparation of promotional/educational leaflets on water pollutants of the wetland based on the community s proposed strategy on using alternative biodegradable cleaning agents 10-Present an agreement on the system of water usage of the wetland; 11-Mid-term and final participatory evaluation with all stakeholders 12-To document and disseminate the processes and achievements of the project the following will be prepared: 1-A booklet on the project process and the lessons learned in English and Farsi 2-A short film of the project process in English and Farsi 3-And finally presenting the new IUCN guidance on establishing and strengthening local community s and indigenous people s participation in the management of wetlands to relevant governmental organizations.

Iran