Conservation and Rational Utilisation of Sudan-Sahelian Ecosystems – phase 2 (CURESS II)

Project Background:

The Zakouma National Park (ZNP) was created in 1963 by presidential decree and is located in the centre of Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve which was created in 1964 and in theory, acts as a buffer zone. The Park is one of the last intact ecosystems of Central and Western Africa. This project will ensure the continuity of European assistance to the ZNP management started in 1989. This second phase aims at ensuring the viability of the Park through institutional reforms and diversification of funding.

Objectives:

General objective: The quality of environment is maintained and the population has adopted the sustainable natural resources management criteria.

Specific objective: The ZNP and Peripheral Zone (PZ) use sustainable management mechanism at ecological, financial, institutional and social levels.

The results are based on a consolidation of experience acquired during the first phase of CURESS project underlining the necessity to find a financial, management, institutional and legal solution which will allow a progressive autonomy from EDF.

Activities:

• Identify and assist the implementation of mechanism of sustainable financing and efficient management of the ZNP and its PZ and assist to improve the appropriation of such management of the ZNP and its PZ by Chadian administration, scientific institutions and NGOs
• Conservation and anti poaching control that the biological (biodiversity and natural functioning of ecosystems) and cultural patrimony is preserved
• Develop the monitoring and scientific research in biological and human sciences
• Develop the ecotourism, promote educational and training activities and raise public awareness
• Improve economic, social conditions of local populations based on sustainable natural resources management of the ZNP.

Furthermore the team gives assistance in the preparation of programme estimates; improvement of documentary and record-keeping systems; preparation of ToR and tender dossiers.