Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems of Egypt

Saint Katherine Protectorate

• In 1996, SKP declared as full protected area , 4350 km² & World Heritage Site by UNESCO

• Unique combination of natural resources, especially high altitude ecosystems with diverse fauna and flora.

SKP Globally Significant Endemic MAP Species

• 472 plant species

• 44% of the total endemic plant species of Egypt

• 14 GSMAPs

• Long history of Bedouin traditional use of MAP resources

SKP Globally Significant MAP Species

• Unique Eco-geographic settings

• Climatic conditions

• Habitat & Micro habitat Diversity

•

Threats facing MAPs Conservation

1 -Feral Donkeys (invasive species)

2 -Destructive Harvesting Techniques:

3 -Over harvesting4 -Tourists Intrusions

5 -Overgrazing6 -Collection for Scientific

Research7 -Urbanization and Settlements

In addition to Climate Change and drought cycles.…

Project Overall Objective & Outcomes

The main Objective of the project is the “Conservation and sustainable use of globally significant medicinal plant biodiversity in SKP ”

Which will be achieved through the reorganisation and rationalisation of the Project’s interventions to achieve 5 Outcomes:

Outcome 1: Conservation management of SKP MAP resources strengthened

Outcome 2: MAP products market value chain strengthened and sustained

Outcome 3: Pressure on target resources reduced by alternatives

Outcome 4: MAP conservation and management enabling environment strengthened

Outcome 5: Learning, evaluation, and adaptive management increased

Outcome 1: Conservation management of SKP MAP resources strengthened

CBNRM (Community Based Natural Resources Management)

Rehabilitation & Restoration Program

Living Collection & Gene Bank

Communication, Education, Participation & Awareness

Community Based Natural Resources Management CBNRM

CBNRM Negotiations with community in SK

Scenario planning

Building trust with Bedouin women MAP collectors Women liaison points

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) is a systemic approach to conservation that allows those closest to the resource, and who bear the costs of conservation, to manage the resource and benefit from its management and use

Rehabilitation & Restoration Program

Rehabilitation sites selection MAPs rehabilitated in the selected sites

MAP rehabilitation sites monitoring

Living Collection & Gene Bank

MAPs living collection MAPs seedlings

Preservation of MAPs seedsMAPs greenhouses

Educating the Future Community of Saint Katherine 1.The Green School Program

2.Biodiversity Education Activities

3.Drawings From the Environment Program

4.Environmental Awareness Activities & Campaigns

Indicators

8 green schools

545 participants at competitions

20 schools involved in EAEP

100 children participated at summer activities

Almost 1000 visitors to the greenhouses per annum

The green school program

Biodiversity Education

Environmental Awareness and Education Program (EAEP)

International tourists visitors to MPCP greenhouses Field studies – Biodiversity education activities

Drawings from the environment program Competition and Rewards

Educating the Future Community of Saint Katherine

Environmental Awareness and Education Program (EAEP)

Outcome 2: Developing and strengthening Saint Katherine Medicinal Plants Value Chain

The goal of adapting a value chain approach for natural resource management is to motivate the business community to ‘think globally’ and ‘act locally’ with respect to biodiversity and sustainable development aspects.

Why value chain approach• Improve Quality • Increase Efficiency • Differentiate Products • Identify and develop strategic

partnerships necessary for the initiative’s growth

• Improving access to markets

• Identify economies of scale ensuring a more efficient product flow

• Ensuring that all actors in the chain benefit

• Meet the requirements for certification and national or international standards

• Achieve sustainable use, fair-trade and benefit sharing principles

Saint Katherine's Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Value Chain

Strengthening the Value Chain

Developing SKP MAP Value Chain

1. Identifying SKP MAP Value Chain Partners

2. Bringing Whole System in Room for First Time

3. Building Relationships

4. Establishing Common Goals

5. Establishing SKP MAP value Chain Action Plan

6. Selecting a Steering Committee

7. Initiating Agreements and Contracts

Building relationships

Bringing Whole System in Room

Establishing common goals and action planInitiating Agreements

Strengthening the Value Chain

1. Sustainable plant sourcing

2. Improving the Enabling environment

3. Improve quality

4. Vertical &horizontal linkages & cooperation

5. Improve communications and awareness

6. Improve market access

Quality control

Sustainable plant sourcing

Improve market accessCapacity building Apply international standard

Traditional handicrafts support and product development

The pharmacy

Outcome 3:Pressure on target resources reduced by use of alternatives

Butane cookers Revenue generation

Bee hives for Honey Production

Social and economic development

Fodder Distribution Outlet

Outcome 4: MAP conservation and management enabling environment strengthened

Nationwide surveys & National strategy ABS legislation

Meetings with MAP collectorsHerbalists school

Outcome 5: Learning, evaluation, and adaptive management increased

MAP database & Digital Herbarium

MPCP website GIS and MAPs distribution analysis

Outcome 5: Learning, evaluation, and adaptive management increased

Social and economic benefits of the MPCP

• Local community economic development i.e. microfinance schemes (more than 100 loans), products development, market access improvement, value chain development, eco-tourism related activities support, CBNRM

• Revenue generation and business opportunists i.e. bee hives projects, packaging & labeling of medicinal plants, medicinal plants cultivation, traditional crafts support

• Generation of direct and indirect job opportunities (108 direct job opportunity)

• Social services i.e. establishment of a pharmacy (serving more than 2500 local citizens), butane cookers, fuel wood

• Social development i.e. establishment of 2 NGOs, gender equality• Cultural support i.e. herbalists school support (15 young

herbalists), ABS law• Direct and indirect contribution to local and national economy

through project expenditures • Education and awareness activities i.e. biodiversity education,

green school program, summer activities, art classrooms

Strategic Long-term Objectives Strategic Programs for GEF-4 MPCP Relevance

1: To catalyze sustainability of protected area (PA) systems

1. Sustainable financing of PA systems at the national level

2. Increasing representation of effectively managed marine PA areas in PA systems

3. Strengthening terrestrial PA networks

2: To mainstream biodiversity in production landscapes/seascapes and sectors

4. Strengthening the policy and regulatory framework for mainstreaming biodiversity

5. Fostering markets for biodiversity goods and services

3: To safeguard biodiversity

6. Building capacity for the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

7. Prevention, control and management of invasive alien species

4: To build capacity on access and benefit sharing

8. Building capacity on access and benefit sharing

MPCP relevance to GEF Biodiversity Strategic Long-term Objectives & Strategic Programs for GEF

Project Contribution to the MDGs

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

• Micro Finance• Production

development• Marketing• Business opportunities• Job opportunities

Gender empowermentEconomic development Social participation

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

• CBNRM• Promote social

participation and involvement

• Handicrafts program

Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability

• Conservation & sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services

Conserving Global Biodiversity

ByDeveloping Local ccCommunities

Medicinal Plants Conservation Project