Key Project: Specially Protected Natural Areas

Focused on biodiversity protection and community development in southern Armenia, the Specially Protected Natural Areas project involves strengthening and expanding the official Protected Areas (PAs) in Armenia, focused initially in Southern Armenia. South Armenian PAs are vital for securing the survival of the threatened Caucasian leopard, the flagship species of the South Armenian ecosystems.

The project will develop a national awareness-raising campaign for the preservation of the leopard, as well as local community programs around the two main existing Nature Reserves (NRs), Khosrov and Shikahogh.

The involvement of local stakeholders and communities is of particular importance, as caring for nature involves caring for the people who must also be engaged in protecting their direct natural environment. A community development strategy for increasing livelihood in these regions will be implemented, focused on ecotourism and the sale of local produce and crafts.

Spearheaded by WWF-Armenia, this project also serves to assist the Ministry of Nature Protection in strengthening the Shikahogh Nature Reserve (NR) in Southern Armenia, as part of the "Strategy on Development of Specially Protected Areas and National Action Plan." A management plan with a focus on a monitoring program will be developed and could then serve as a model throughout Armenia. Basic infrastructure development is also a part of the plan, to help facilitate tourist access to select areas.

Already in its first phase, the project will be carried out over the next 3 to 5 years. During the first year, focus will be placed on the existing Khosrov NR and Shikahogh NR. In next phases, focus will move to spreading PA best practices and community development activities to the planned Arevik, Noravank and Zangezour PAs. This will secure follow up of the Ecoregional Conservation Plan in South Armenia.

Project Objectives

The main goal of the project is to help ensure effective protection of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources in southern Armenia, providing an operational model that can contribute to development in the Caucasus region.

The project objectives are as follows:

Assist administration of Khosrov NR in development of a visitors program according to international criteria, in order to attract local and international tourists, generate additional income, and create more space for involvement of local communities
Strengthening Shikahogh NR in order to effectively protect biodiversity, manage protected area in a sustainable manner, and integrate concerns of the local population and public.
Awareness raising on biodiversity issues and community development by target PAs.

Project Outcomes

Khosrov Nature Reserve

Visitors program developed and submitted for integration in management plan
Visitor infrastructure and basic equipment in place
Information and advertising materials published and made available to public
Local guides have been trained
Establish working relations with key tour-operators in Armenia

Shikahogh Nature Reserve

Management plan for Shikahogh NR submitted to the Ministry for Nature Protection
Basic infrastructure and equipment has been provided
Monitoring program has been established and submitted to the Ministry for approval

Awareness raising and community development

Awareness raising activities for school children have been carried out
Campaign-plan has been developed
Report with recommendations is available for follow-up in next phases of project

Planned Activities

The planned activities for each reserve are as follows:

Khosrov Nature Reserve

Develop a visitors program and integrate it into the NR’s management plan
Develop visitor infrastructure and provide necessary equipment
Produce information and advertising materials in Armenian and English languages
Select and train local guides
Establish working relations with key tour-operators in Armenia

Shikahogh Nature Reserve

Develop a management plan for Shikahogh NR
Assist in upgrading basic infrastructure and equipment
Establish monitoring program

Awareness raising and community development

Awareness raising campaign for school children in communities around target PAs
Develop a plan for a nation-wide campaign for protection of the endangered leopard
Study on community development potential in villages around target PAs

WWF-Norway will participate in the project team, transfer relevant knowledge and experience from Norway as well as previous and current projects in Central and Eastern Europe (Poland, Bosnia, Georgia). Part of the project will be co-financed by WWF and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, a joint initiative of Conservation International, Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank.

The project is aligned with national, regional (Ecoregional Conservation Plan, Kiev Resolution on Biodiversity), international (Convention on Biological Diversity), and Norwegian priorities for biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

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