Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management

This is a pilot project to strengthen Syria’s capacity to protect and sustainably manage biodiversity in an area of global importance. The proposed project site is under severe threats from continued agricultural expansion, grazing, firewood collection and recreational activities. Proposed activities would integrate sustainable use of natural resources through management schemes and define and implement alternative livelihoods for local communities with the objective of reducing population pressures at the site. Management activities would also include zoning and demarcation of the managed area, monitoring and research, species conservation, and strengthened enforcement in order to increase capacity for biodiversity protection and management. Sound integrated management practices are likely to provide a basis for replicability in other important areas in the country and region and serve to increase public awareness of biodiversity issues in the region.