SMART Workshop
11-20 March in Astana 2019, ACBK conducted a workshop on SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) and its implementation in Kazakhstan. The seminar was attended by participants from protected areas, representatives from company OkhotZooProm, and ACBK. SMART experts Michiel Hoette and Igor Kolodin from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) introduced the audience to the structure and objectives of SMART patrol monitoring system. During the seminar, the following topics were especially discussed in detail: data collection, data processing, and data analyses, use of the SMART software, SMART-based patrol management.
CADI project supports the implementation of the SMART system in the State Nature Reserves Ustyurt and Barsakelmes.
METT Workshop for the Ustyurt State Nature Reserve
In October 2017, a workshop in the Mangystau region (Kazakhstan) took place. During the workshop, a Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) was used to provide an assessment of the existing management system of Ustyurt zapovednik. In addition, several proposals with regard to its functionality were elaborated. The workshop was moderated by Nigel Dudley, one of the developers of METT.
The workshop was organized by the CADI project in close cooperation with the UNDP/GEF project “Improving the sustainability of the protected areas system in desert ecosystems through the promotion of biodiversity-compatible livelihoods in and around PAs”. In the workshop participated staff of Ustyurt and Barsakelmes zapovedniks as well as representatives of UNDP, ACBK, and CADI.
Turkmenistan
METT Workshop for the Bereketli Garagum Nature Reserve
The current management of Bereketli Garagum Nature Reserve was evaluated as part of a workshop in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan). The assessment will serve as a basis for developing appropriate measures to improve the functioning of the protected area within the CADI project. It was the first assessment of the 2013 established desert reserve.
Participants of the seminar used the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) method. Nigel Dudley, one of the developers of the METT method, moderated the workshop
Representatives from the government and different nature reserves as well as scientists took part in the event.
On 06.06.2022 a further METT evaluation took place. The result increased by 20%, which indicates a success of the CADI project, as the management was constantly improved (trainings, infrastructure, management plan, etc.).
Bereketli Garakum State Nature Reserve, Turkmenistan: Characteristics
Management of Turkmenistan’s desert protected areas
In a CADI workshop on May 31 in Ashgabat, the status and further elaboration of the management plans for the Bereketli Karakum, Repetek, and Kaplankyr desert protected areas were discussed. The 5-year management plans are a mandatory part of the nomination dossier ” Temperate Deserts of Turan. “
The management workshop was attended by representatives of the Turkmen Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection and its subordinate structures: the Environmental Protection Service, the Land Resources Service, the State Nature Reserves of Turkmenistan (Bereketli Karakum, Repetek, Kaplankyr, and Köpetdag), and the National Secretariat for UNESCO in Turkmenistan.
