Restoring and Conserving the Farasan Islands Protected Area: A Holistic Approach to Biodiversity Protection

The Farasan Archipelago, a unique terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystem in the southern Red Sea, has faced significant conservation challenges due to habitat degradation, unsustainable resource use, and invasive species spread. The Farasan islands protected area is home to the endemic Farasani gazelle (Gazella arabica farasani), diverse marine life, and critical blue carbon ecosystems. The National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) of Saudi Arabia implemented a comprehensive conservation program to address these threats. This included a biannual biodiversity monitoring plan, habitat restoration efforts, invasive species management, fisheries regulation, and enhanced law enforcement. The program has led to measurable conservation successes, including the stabilization and gradual increase of the Farasani gazelle population, improved coral reef and seagrass health, and heightened public awareness of biodiversity protection. The reserve now stands as a model for integrated conservation and balanced ecological sustainability.

Visit page

Related content

Adapting to climate change: Innovative techniques in the smallholder aquaculture sector

In response to challenges faced by small-scale aquaculture farmers due to climate change, the Global Programme Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (GP Fish), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), developed adaptation strategies for the sub-sector to mitigate these impacts. These strategies include the intermittent harvest method, the implementation of agroforestry practices, and digital climate information systems.

Gender transformative approach to promote women in fisheries and aquaculture

The Global Programme Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The aim of the programme is an increase of fish supply from sustainable and resource-friendly fisheries and aquaculture to boost a healthy and diverse nutrition. Sustainable production and processing techniques are promoted along the value chain in order to create jobs and income, with a special focus on youths and women. Local organisations are strengthened in their capacities to carry on programme interventions on a long-term basis. And policy advice is contributing to favourable framework conditions for a sustainable development of these sectors.

To recognize and address the unique needs and contributions of women in fisheries and aquaculture, the Programme took into consideration several gender transformative approaches. The experiences, practices and impacts of these are shared in this solution.

Saving the lions of the Mpem-Djim National Park, Center Cameroon

Lions appear to have dispersed over 400km to Mpem-Djim National Park (MDNP), in the Centre Region of Cameroon, an almost miraculous natural reintroduction in a rainforest-savanna mosaic. Lions and people are both adapting, and several livestock depredation events have occurred and proved challenging. This project on saving the lions of the MDNP was achieved by combining surveys of the local population, information gathered by local authorities, calling stations and camera trap techniques. Sensitization has been done in the targeted villages, and the local communities have been capacitated in boma techniques using local material like dry straw, earth brick, and tarpaulin. Since the start of the project activities in the area, human lion conflicts have been reduced by about 65% and the local communities are increasingly becoming tolerant to the presence of lions in the area. A major lesson learnt is that the participative approach in project implementation remains the most effective approach.

From bare to cover: Kasale Community roll up sleeves to dress up the deforested Mvai Forest Reserve

In Ntcheu District, Malawi, a Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) project, supported by FAO, IUCN, WRI, GIZ and funded by BMUV, empowers local communities to conserve Mpira Dam Catchment. The catchment is essential for the ‘life ‘of Mpira Dam which is source of drinking water for Ntcheu as well as surrounding Districts. The catchment is source of rivers that feed into Mpira Dam. Mpira Catchment also harbors the famous Mvai Forest Reserve. The reserve is 5600 ha. The reserve is divided into five blocks for ease of management. However, the blocks got deforested through unsustainable practices such as charcoal making and farming. Through the Forest Landscape Restoration under the Alliance for the Restoration of Ecosystems and Landscapes in Africa AREECA, the blocks committees and surrounding communities were strengthened to manage the reserve at block level through natural regeneration. One such block is the Kasale community who embarked on a journey to conserve the Kasale Block of 1400 ha.

Multi-Stakeholder Engagement for Improved Management of the Mvai Forest Reserve in Ntcheu District, Malawi

The AREECA project addresses severe encroachment and degradation in Mvai Forest Reserve, Malawi, to protect vital natural resources. A multi-stakeholder approach, initatiated by FAO and IUCN, was used to tackle encroachment drivers, including firewood collection, charcoal production, and farming expansion, which threaten Mvai’s ecosystem and the Mpira Dam’s water supply. Key interventions involved degradation mapping to assess impacted areas, the establishment of a Chief’s Forum to coordinate governance, the formulation of stricter by-laws with local enforcement, and demarcation of reserve boundaries with community input. Additionally, woodlot creation and alternative livelihoods such as banana, pineapple, livestock farming and bee keeping were introduced to reduce pressure on the forest. This collaborative approach, involving local chiefs, government bodies, and surrounding communities, has led to a reduction in encroachment and provided sustainable economic alternatives.

Entarara Forest: Establishment of community-managed natural forests

Entarara Forest, part of Kenya’s East Kilimanjaro landscape in Kajiado South, covers 23 acres and has been under threat from degradation and encroachment. The restoration project, led by WWF in partnership with local communities, Kajiado County, and the Kenya Forest Service, aims to rehabilitate and protect this small forest through the establishment of a Community Forest Association (CFA) and a participatory forest management plan (PFMP). The project’s goal is to restore forest cover, promote sustainable land use, and create livelihood opportunities. Community forest user groups were formed, including a beekeeping group, a tree nursery group, and an ecotourism group, with plans to enhance conservation efforts, fundraise, and develop eco-friendly infrastructure. This presents a model in Forest Landscape Restoration on how communities can be assisted take lead in embracing sustainable forest management.This solution was implemented by WWF under the AREECA project, a Consortium financed by BMUV through the IKI-fund.

2025

Biodiversity and responsible sourcing for wind and solar developments

The key aim of this report is to outline how developers can start to act on supply chain biodiversity impacts by improving traceability and sourcing practices through. It is primarily aimed at developers of wind and solar projects and transmission infrastructure, who primarily source composite goods (e.g. wind turbines and solar panels).

Increased population of the Beisa Oryx

The project’s overall objective was to protect and conserve the Beisa Oryx in Nakuprat-Gotu Community Conservancy in Northern Kenya through community buy in and stewardship. This was to be achieved through enhanced conservancy governance, improved wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching patrols by rangers, running conservation awareness programs within the community settlement areas and schools, sustainable land management, and providing alternative income streams for charcoal sellers and subsistence poachers. This project is part of the IUCN Save Our Species African Wildlife initiative, co-funded by the European Union.

Challenges that were addressed:

Poaching of the Beisa Oryx

Habitat destruction through the cutting of trees to produce charcoal

The Beisa Oryx population increased from a baseline of 719 at the beginning of the project to 881 after one year during the project. This was majorly because the project provided alternative livelihood options for community members through vocational training skills which dissuaded them

Forest Futures: JCDT's Vision for a Greener Blue and John Crow Mountains

The Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust has been actively engaged in reforestation and conservation efforts in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, with the goal of maintaining and enhancing the remaining areas of closed and disturbed broadleaf forest and protecting the plant and animal species that exist there.

Key activities include employing community members for planting and forest restoration, ongoing seedling collection, and refurbishing nurseries to increase capacity. We have planted over 300 acres of degraded land with native trees, and created and maintained 3.5 km of firebreaks.

Innovative approaches such as piloting an early fire detection system using LoRa technology have been implemented. Our strategic approach also involves partnering with others to conduct studies that guide the preparation of conservation strategies and plans, linking conservation plans to visitor management plans for key sites, and promoting research to guide the implementation of conservation programs.

Addressing marine invasive alien species in Turkish seas

Combatting invasive alien species (IAS) is an issue of global importance due to their severe negative impacts on ecological systems, the economy, public health, and public welfare. Türkiye’s unique geology, geography, and climate make it a hotspot for biodiversity, both on land and in the seas that border the country on three sides. However, this rich bounty of nature faces threats from 872 different invasive species that have intruded over past decades owing to the opening of the Suez Canal, the discharge of ballast waters from ships in transit, and the impacts of climate change.

To help the country tackle this threat, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye is implementing the “Addressing Invasive Alien Species Threats at Key Marine Biodiversity Areas” initiative in collaboration with the UNDP. The initiative is supported by US$3.3 million in funding from the GEF. The project is implemented between 19 October 2018 and 19 April 2025.

Making the Case for Fish

Fish plays a crucial role in global food and nutrition security, particularly for food-insecure households. In this solution, the GIZ Global Programme Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (GP Fish) highlights the significance of fish in combating malnutrition and promoting healthy diets. By integrating scientific research with extensive field data and practical solutions, the program offers a comprehensive overview of the current situation in various countries and suggests a way forward. Blue foods, such as fish from aquaculture, are identified as a promising source of protein and nutrients, especially in low-income and food-deficit regions. Smallholder fish production offers nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits, making it a vital component of the diets of vulnerable communities. The evidence underscores the need to boost the supply of fish in local markets. Fish from small-scale aquaculture not only addresses nutrition insecurity and poverty but also supports the sustainable transformation of food systems.

Roots of Change: Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration in Kenya

The mangroves of Lamu and Tana account for over 65% (40,610 ha) of Kenya’s mangrove forests, which cover 61,271 ha. These critical ecosystems have been and are currently under threat mainly from logging for poles and fuelwood, infrastructural development, urbanisation, pollution and climate change impacts. Although well-intentioned, mangrove restoration efforts by government, civil society organisations, communities, and the private sector often focus solely on planting. This approach overlooks factors like water flow, nutrients, sediment dynamics, governance, and socio-economic conditions, all of which are essential for long-term mangrove health and successful ecosystem recovery.

To address this, Wetlands International partnered with Kenya Forest Service and Mangrove Action Project in 2022 to introduce Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) on Kenya’s coast. CBEMR considers the ecological, social, and political aspects of mangrove ecosystems, prioritising conservation and natural regeneration over planting.