The Dry Lands Component of EARP
Over 75% of the land area of Eastern Africa comprises arid and semi arid environments. Requests from Members for assistance regarding information on biodiversity status, environmental sustainable management options and support for policy development led the EARP to develop the Drylands Component in 2000. This was further reinforced by the resolution of the second World Conservation Congress that IUCN should develop a Drylands Programme worldwide. Our objective is for dryland ecosystems to be managed to sustain natural resources and conserve biodiversity with primary consideration towards enhancing people's livelihoods. In the initial planning period, we hope to address:
Awareness and Information Dissemination: The dynamics affecting use of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity in drylands must be understood and information should be made available to be used in development planning. We plan to assess biodiversity values (functions, goods and services); status and trends of drylands flora and fauna; and threats and opportunities affecting drylands biodiversity conservation and management systems. Additional assessments will address the economics of pastoral production systems and their contribution to local and national economies as well as evaluation of resource tenure systems, customary rules and regulations as well as local management systems.
Capacity Building: Management capacity of drylands must be improved to protect livelihoods of people while sustaining natural resources and conserving biodiversity. Activities supported by this component will include the promotion of rangeland biodiversity conservation procedures that build on local knowledge and the principles of scientific range management. IUCN will support capacity building of local, national and regional institutions while identifying financial support from non-traditional sources.
Strengthening policies and management: Natural resource use, biodiversity management and conservation policies for drylands must be strengthened. Planned activities include influencing regional governments to adopt national policies that support appropriate drylands biodiversity management systems. Projects in development include Eritrea and the IGAD region.
