Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Value Ecosystems in Lake Sevan Basin for Multiple Benefits

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ABOUT THE PROJECT

The five-year project aims to strengthen the capacity of Sevan National Park, a region of global biodiversity significance, by enhancing biodiversity monitoring, patrolling, and the development of eco-friendly, socially responsible ecotourism. The project also seeks to map the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) and Important Bird Areas (IBA) outside the park and integrate their spatial needs into land use planning.

The project is supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF) through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by Environmental Project Implementation Unit (EPIU) State Agency, with WWF Armenia as a responsible party for the project’s Component 2.

Key Activities

Assessment of biological and landscape diversity status including the Project indicator species and key habitats (wetlands and juniper woodlands)

Preparation of technical and popular information materials on biodiversity and its monitoring, habitat restoration and keeping a balance between biodiversity and land use outside of protected areas

Development of monitoring and patrolling capacities (equipment, staff, database) in Sevan National Park and EcoPatrol Service (for patrolling in the Lake Sevan basin)

Development of business plan and ecotourism capacities (infrastructure, staff) in Sevan National Park

Development of local community capacities in conservation

Development and implementation of novel financial support mechanisms and public-private partnerships

PROJECT OUTPUTS

Output 1

Improved management effectiveness of Sevan National Park through compliance and enforcement of protection regime, strengthened infrastructure of protected areas, development of climate-sensitive integrated monitoring database, and improved capacities for patrolling, research and monitoring.

Output 2

Business plan and strengthened tourism infrastructure in Sevan National Park, innovative financing mechanism for biodiversity protection, and public-private partnerships for valorization of Lake Sevan’s natural values.

Output 3

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), Important Bird Areas (IBA) and other hotspots outside of protected areas are identified, mapped, assessed and proposed for conservation measures mainstreamed into the Integrated Spatial and Land Use Plans (ISLUP).