Integrated management of mangrove ecosystem and expansion of social protection

The project will enhance national and state capacities in mangrove rehabilitation, conservation, utilization and management, raise awareness on the role of mangroves for a sustainable ecosystem, built capacities of government agencies on the use of technologies for ecosystem restoration and expand social protection for fisheries/forest-dependent communities through synergies and coherence between forestry and social protection.

Under outcome 1 comprehensive assessment of the economic, social, cultural and environmental value of mangrove ecosystems will be conducted to inform decision making on ecosystem restoration and conservation. Local Awareness will be raised in the demonstration sites and community stakeholders shall be organized and mobilized for integrated mangrove fishery ecosystem management planning, implementation and monitoring. A workable mangrove Ecosystem management plans shall be developed with inputs from stakeholders. The plans shall be implemented in the selected communities with the capacity building activities organised for the state officials specifically to identify sensitive ecosystem and undertake protection measures from pollution from oil and chemical spills.

Under the outcome 2 the project shall introduce alternative livelihoods in integrated mangrove fishery ecosystem using the FAO framework. The project will also support the replacement of mangrove fuel wood with alternative fuel sources including fabrication of Thiaroye Processing Techniques (FTTThiaroye) for efficient and sustainable fish processing. It will also organise and operationalized public-private partnership arrangement to catalyse investment on the alternative nature-based livelihoods and value chain in the target communities.

Under outcome 3 the project will engage the relevant government institutions to review and strengthen the institutional framework for coastal ecosystem management. This will include a review of existing integrated coastal management policy of the state and build capacity of the state officials to implement the plans. The capacity gaps of the state and local government officials shall be assessed and needed capacity shall be provided. Training shall be provided on the restoration and maintenance of climate-resilient mangrove ecosystem and conservation. The capacity of the Cross river ministry of environment on the use of Technologies to monitor deforestation and emission complaint of industries in the region shall be built through trainings, workshops and meetings.

Under outcome 4 awareness shall be created about the major achievement of the project and the lessons learnt for dissemination to the public and development communities.

The project will ensure that mangrove resources are rehabilitated, conserved and sustainably managed to provide ecosystem services with an expanded social protection program that improves socioeconomic inclusion, resilience and management of natural resources for forest dependent-communities through strengthened coherence between forestry and social protection. Impacts expected to be achieved during implementation In 12 months, the project is expected to strengthen biodiversity conservation and reduce degradation of the mangrove ecosystems, and ensure that people living in communities in and around mangroves areas have improved social protection through the introduction of sustainable livelihoods activities.