Yayu Co31ee Forest - PDF document

1 1 Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reser
1 Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Plan Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Plan 2 YAYU COFFEE FOREST BIOSPHARE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN Oromia Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority and Oromia Forest and WildLife Enterprise Facilitated and supported by:Production coordinator: Zerihun Dejene Layout Design: Philmon Press P.l.c Consultant: Motion Consultancy and Training P.L.C 4 Approval Page Oromia Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority and Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise have approved this management plan to be used in Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Area. Stamp and Signature: Oromia Environment Forest and Climate Change Authority:Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise: 6 Acknowledgmenthis management plan would not have been possible without the leadership support and professional guidance of Oromia Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority and Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise. Both took their time, expertise and values to guide and enrich the management measures proposed by this management plan. Especial thanks to Illu Aba Bora Zone Administration, Zonal OFWE, Illu Aba Bora Zonal sector oces, Doreni, Alge sachi, Nopa, Hurumu, Doreni, Yayu and Chora woreda administration and sector oces in each woreda. We are most grateful to all of them,We also extends our deepest thanks to all participants of the one hundred focus group discussions at village level as well as the stakeholder workshops participants at woreda, zonal and regional level. The core of the management plan is made of the shared information, data, insights, views and recommendations of these participants.PHE EC, the community in Yayu Biosphere Reserve and the government would like to gratefully acknowledge the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for its nancial contribution for the realization of this management plan. We are also grateful to the funding received through UNIQUE/NABU consortium from GIZ to support the development of this management plan. Table of ContentsLIST OF TABLES ............IXACRONYM............XIIIEXECUTIVE SUMMARY............1PART I- INTRODUCTION............31.1 BACKGROUND1.2 CONSERVATION AND S

2 USTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- THE CURRENT STAT
USTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY1.3 THE CURRENT STATE OF FOREST CONSERVATION IN ETHIOPIA1.4 THE CONCEPT AND IMPORTANCE OF BIOSPHERE RESERVE1.5 BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN ETHIOPIA1.6 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR BIOSPHERES IN ETHIOPIAPART II: YAYU COFFEE FOREST BIOSPHERE RESERVE2.1 BACKGROUND2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA2.3 BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF YCFBR2.4 MAJOR CHALLENGES OF YCFBRPART III: METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN’S DEVELOPMENT3.1 METHODS3.2 APPROACH3.3. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONPARTIV: MANAGEMENT PLAN SPECIFICATION............394.1 INTRODUCTION4.2 VISION, MISSION, AND GOAL OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN4.3 PRINCIPLES AND VALUES4.4 MAJOR OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES4.5 SECTOR WISE PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS4.6 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES4.7 STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT AND THEIR ROLE4.8 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT4.9 RESEARCH, MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION4.10 RESOURCE MOBILIZATION4.11 INDICATORS, MONITORING AND REVIEWPART V: CONCLUDING REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS............705.1 CONCLUDING REMARKS5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS 8 List of TablesTable 1. Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve ZonationTable 2. List of woredas and population of Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserveTable 3. Tourism potential sites within the BiosphereTable 4. Population growth of the six woredas found in the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere ReserveTable 5. Number of participants participated in the community conversation about the BR management planTable 6. Management plan outcomesTable 7. Recommended Actions for Conservation and Natural Resource Management and Tourism in the YCFBRTable 8. Recommended actions for Agriculture activities in the Yayu Biosphere ReserveTable 9. Recommended actions for Green Entrepreneurship in Yayu Forest Coee Biosphere Reserve including Investment, EIA and Climate ChangesTable 10. Recommended Actions for Research, Monitoring and Communication Table 12. Stakeholder Analysis and Interest Groups Table 13. Stakeholders of YCFBR identied and their roles (expected activities and actions)Table 14. Indicators to monitor the implementation of participatory management

3 agreement List of Figures
agreement List of FiguresFigure 1 Status of terrestrial ecoregionsFigure 2 MAB principlesFigure 3 Woredas surrounding the YCFBRFigure 4 Kebeles surrounding the YCFBRFigure 5 Model for engaging stakeholders in community management planningFigure 6 Land use/Land cover in the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere ReserveFigure 7 Process of Management Plan PreparationFigure 8 Schematic methodological ow chartFigure 9 The BR management planning cycleFigure 10 Proposed Management Structure List of AnnexesAnnex: 1 Summary of BR Management Plan Proposed by the Community and Compiled by the Kebele Management TeamAnnex: 2 Summary of Stakeholders’ Perspective at Zonal and Woreda LevelAnnex: 3 Annex List of restricted activities in the buer Zone and Core areaAnnex: 4 Data Collection Guide for the Community Planning TeamAnnex: 5 Checklist Employed During the Transect Walk Acronym ABS ccess and Benet Sharing ADLI griculture Development-Led Industrialization BI ersity International BMP e reserve management Plan BR e reserve CA onservation Agriculture CAADP omprehensive African Agricultural Development Program CBD onvention on Biological Diversity CBOs ommunity Based Organizations CBNRM ommunity Based Natural Resource Management CI onservation International CITES onvention on International Trade in Endangered Species CRGE te Resilient Green Economy CSE onservation Strategy of Ethiopia CSO ivil Society Organization DFID epartment for International Development EIAR thiopian Institute of Agricultural Research EIB thiopian Institute of Biodiversity FAO ood and Agriculture Organization FRC orestry Research Centre GE een Entrepreneurship GEF vironmental Facility GEMS vironmental Monitoring System GIZ eutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GTP owth and Transformation plan Ha tare IBC nstitute of Biodiversity Conservation ICSU nternational Council for Science IFAD nternational Fund for Agricultural Development IPGRI nternational Plant Genetic Resources Institute IUCN nternational Union for Conservation of Nature M

4 AB an and Biosphere MANR inistry
AB an and Biosphere MANR inistry of Agriculture and Natural Resources MEFCC inistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MELCA ovement for Ecological Learning and Community Action MoCT inistry of Culture and Tourism MoST inistry of Science and Technology MWEI inistry of Water, Energy and Irrigation NABU ture and Biodiversity Conservation Union NBI ile Basin Initiative NCS tional Conservation Strategy NEPAD artnership for Africa’s Development NGO Governmental Organization NTFP Timber Forest Product OCFCU omia Coee Forest Cooperative Union OEFCCA omia Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority OFWE omia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise ORS omia Regional State PASDEP lan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty PES ayment for Environmental Services PFM articipatory Forest Management PHE-EC opulation, Health and Environment- Ethiopia Consortium 10 PPP ublic-Private Partnership PRA articipatory Rural Appraisal RCS egional Conservation Strategy REDD+ educing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and the role of conservation SDG evelopment Goal SDPRP evelopment and Poverty Reduction Programs SEDA terprise Development Agency SNV lands Development Organization UNCCD onvention to Combat Desertication UNCED ed Nation Conference on Environment and Development UNDP ed Development program UNEP ed Nations Environment Program UNESCO ed Nations Educational, Scientic and Cultural Organization UNFCCC ramework Convention on Climate Change USAID ed States Agency for International Development WNBR orld Network Biosphere reserve WRI orld Resources Institute WWF orld Wide Fund for Nature YCFBR ayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve Executive Summaryegistered in 2010, Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve is one of the ve UNESCO’s registered biosphere reserves in Ethiopia. It is located in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, in Ilu Aba Bora and Bunno-Bedele Zones. The Biosphere is part of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot and one of the largest and most

5 important forest areas with the wild pop
important forest areas with the wild populations of Arabica coee. In agreement with Article 4.7(b) of the statutory framework of the world Network of biosphere reserves and modern conservation principles, this management plan integrates the three functions of the biosphere reserve. It incorporates conservation strategies of the biodiversity resource, the sustainable ways of achieving the development goals of the local communities by considering the traditional, cultural and spiritual aspects and the possible logistic functions. The management plan represents a guiding document for all stakeholders engaged with Yayu Biosphere Reserve over the next ten years, but to be revised in ve years, forms the basis on which activities, plans and implementation undertaking in the Biosphere must refer to. This plan was developed through extensive participation of the local communities, government oces, civil societies, institutions, private sector representatives and representatives from major investments in the area. About ten thousand community members have been part of community conversation on the management of the biosphere and identied challenges, proposed actions and described community roles and responsibilities. In addition, a technical team at regional level from eleven dierent oces including MOST, MEFCC, OEFCCA, OFWE, ECFF, GIZ/UNIQUE/NABU, PHE-EC and EWNHS has followed the process of the management plan preparation and provide guidance throughout the planning periodThe planning process was driven by the desire to have a plan for the YCFBR due to its unique values, threats towards its conservation and the need to address various management constraints. There are also considerable environmental and economic values that support livelihoods of the communities within and adjacent to the BR and beyond. The plan embraces collaborative and participatory approaches in conservation and management of natural resources that will lead to ownership of the initiatives by the stakeholders. The plan supports sustainable utilization of natural resources by promoting environmental friendly activities, while enhancing biodiversity conservation. Consultations were convened at

6 regional, zonal, woreda, and kebele leve
regional, zonal, woreda, and kebele level and a consensus was reached among the participants through workshop and discussions. Through the discussions, key problems which mainly related to socio-economic, conservation, coordination and communications were identied with their potential directions. Accordingly, the following vision and mission were developed for the coming ten years (2018-2028). Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve management is envisioned to create:Healthy, integrated and well-functioning biosphere reserve that supports the livelihood of the local community in a sustainable way by 2028.And its mission statement is:Promote a sustainable balance among the conservation of biodiversity, compatible economic use, and cultural values, through public and private partnership interdisciplinary research, education and communication.Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve has the potential to play a signicant role for the local community, the region and the nation to experiment sustainable development. It is a high value community asset, not a commercial commodity, and requires a special attention, approach and eort to realize its immense importance. The objectives of this management plan are therefore destined to address these unique aspects. The general objective is to support and strengthening of responsible management activities and decisions and realizes conservation of the biodiversity and natural resources of the Biosphere reserve and to ensure sustainable and equitable use of the resource thereof. The specic objectives include: 12 Promote conservation of landscapes, ecosystem, species and genetic resources. Foster economic and human development that is socially, culturally and ecologically sustainablePublic-Private Partnership (PPP) Established and StrengthenedRecognize the Seville strategy and advance the overall goals of the Lima action plan program. Communication and Public Relationship Strategies DevelopedMajor actions proposed to be implemented by multiple actors include the establishment of a management unit, completed physical demarcation, continuous monitoring and evaluation, information sharing, job creation, agricultural improvement exte

7 nsion programs, provision of alternative
nsion programs, provision of alternative energy sources, provision of basic infrastructure and social services, mitigation of illegal settlement by controlling immigration at macro and local levels, and strict realization of family planning. Accordingly, cutting trees illegally for timber production, coee plantations in the buffer zone, in the core area, rewood collection, charcoal production, settlement/residence, farming expansion into buer zone and core area, grazing/browsing of domestic animals, investment and illegal hunting of wild animals in buer and core areas are restricted activities. The management plan proposed an establishment of a biosphere desk at regional level, a management unit at zonal level, and focal experts at Woreda and Kebele level that promotes eective Biosphere reserve (BR) implementation process and empowerment and coordination of stakeholders. The unit is proposed (by a team of consultants who have done institutional analysis) to be coordinated and supported by Oromia Environment Forest and Climate Change Authority and/or Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise. All stakeholders, partners, community segments/institutions, government, private, and CSOs (stakeholders’ analysis) were listed with their respective roles for the conservation of YCFBR (actions and deliverables).The plan has four conservation and development programs, namely conservation and protection, sustainable economic development, private-public partnership to enhance green entrepreneurship and communication including human capital and research& monitoring program. Each program has specic management objective/deliverables with corresponding activities targets and year of implementation. PART I - Introduction1.1 Backgroundopulation, Health and Environment Ethiopia Consortium (PHEC EC) in collaboration with Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE) has implemented a project in Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve (YCFBR) with an intent to improve the management of the Biosphere reserve so that conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions will be improved while enhancing the livelihood of the community living in and around the biosphere. As o

8 ne instrument, participatory biosphere m
ne instrument, participatory biosphere management is introduced using a multi-sectoral multi-stakeholder task-forces as platforms. Task-forces have been established starting from kebele to zonal level to actively participate in the biosphere management and make joint decisions concerning the biosphere reserve. The Ilu Aba Bora zonal task-force which consists nearly all stakeholders working in the biosphere, has found preparing a management plan for the biosphere would help the task-forces eort as well as to guide all stakeholders actions in the biosphere. The process enacted and PHE EC took coordination role as well as nancial contribution. GIZ Biodiversity Program through UNIQUE/NABU consortium has also shares this necessity and joined PHE EC to contribute nancially and technically. Accordingly, the process outlined and agreed, technical committee at regional level established, consultant hired and the process began. In the middle of the process, Oromia Environment Forest and Climate Change Authority (OEFCCA) joined OFWE to provide eective leadership and both make the wonderful end possible. 1.2. Conservation and Sustainable Development- The current state of playFollowing the Brundtland Report “Our Common Future” in 1987 that has given birth to the earth the term sustainable development has become the top agenda of the development programs of nations. Sustainable development is dened as “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Nonetheless, for the last 25 years, the impact of climate change alarmed the world leaders with various issues that cannot be managed with the conventional approach. Currently, population growth and patterns of consumption, which lead to increased demand for ecosystem services and energy, are the most important drivers threatening biodiversity resources. These drivers result in pressures that have direct impacts on ecosystems, species and genetic resources. Given energy is a fundamental requirement for supporting development in all economies, the challenge to sustainable energy is also one of the major challenges dr

9 iving the loss of biodiversity. In Septe
iving the loss of biodiversity. In September 2015, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and its partner countries endorsed the 17 sustainable development goals that replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with the objective of achieving its 17 sustainable development goals by 2030. The new set of goals, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aims to end poverty and hunger by 2030. World leaders, recognizing the connection between people and planet, have set goals for the land, the oceans and the waterways. Among the 17 SDGs, the goals 13, 15 and 17 are directly linked to the objective of YBR management objectives in our context. Furthermore, the other SDGs are also linked with the vision of the Biosphere reserve management objectives that outlined by UNESCOThe destruction of forest and loss of biodiversity has signicant negative impact on ecological, economic as well as social aspects. The problem is further aggravated by the prevailing climate change and unsustainable investment and development path. The drivers and pressures of change have created a great strain in most of the Eco-regions in Sub-Saharan Africa that put the region under serious threat (Figure 1). Tropical moist forests contain by far the highest number of threatened species, followed by tropical dry forests, montane grasslands, and dry shrub-lands. 1. At the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held at Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 in which Ethiopia was represented at Prime Minister Level, leaders of the world urged development at global and country levels.2. http://unesco.de/leadmin/medien/Dokumente/unesco-heute/uh2-07-p37-39.pdf 14 Figure 1 - Status of terrestrial ecoregions The current rate of species extinction is 100 times higher than the baseline rate shown by the fossil record. The losses are mostly associated to a range of pressures related to land-use change and habitat destruction. Responses to the continuing loss and degradation of biodiversity are varied and include further designation of protected areas. There are recent signs of an emerging consensus that biodiversity conservation and sustainable development are inextricably linked. This calls for eecti

10 ve and innovative approaches for simulta
ve and innovative approaches for simultaneous achievement of conservation and development goals.1.3. The current state of Forest conservation in EthiopiaBrief description of Vegetation composition of Ethiopia Ethiopia is endowed with a large variety of plant and Livestock species. The ecological regions of Ethiopia are characterized by a great biodiversity of birds and wild animals supported by numerous species of plants. The ora of Ethiopia consists of many types of vegetation, owers, and plants depending on altitudinal gradients. The dierent climatic and geological zones of Ethiopia provide dierent types of plant species. Alpines and evergreen plants dominate the country’s ora. Some of the plants of Ethiopia are briey described below.The Ethiopian vegetation is broadly divided by Friis, Demissew& Van Bruegel (2011) as desert and semi-desert scrubland, Acacia-Commiphora woodland and wooded grassland of the Rift valley, wooded grassland of the western Gambella region, Combretum–Terminalia woodland and wooded grassland, dry evergreen Afromontane forest and grassland complex, Moist evergreen. Afromontane forest, transitional rainforest, ericaceous belt, Afroalpine vegetation-Sub/Afroalpine habitat occurs at a high altitude, riverine vegetation, freshwater lakes (including lake shores, marshes, swamps and oodplain vegetation), and salt water lakes (including lake shores, salt marshes and pan vegetation). Accordingly, the forest in YCFBR is part of the moist montane rainforest such as humid broadleaved and lowlands semi-evergreen forest of Ethiopia (Friis 1986, Gole et al 2007). The Afromontane rainforests occur in the south-western plateau and in the south-western part of the south-eastern highlands at altitudes between 1500 m and 2600 m. The Afromontane is the only remaining coee forest which is source of Coee arabica. The specic vegetation composition for YCFBR is described in PARTII. Conservation status 3. Most of the ecoregions in Ethiopia fall under critically endangered or vulnerable (Source: UNEP 2007)4. Friis, I.B., Demissew, S. & Van, Bruegel P. (2011) Atlas of the Potential Vegetation of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa Univer

11 sity Press and Shama Books, Addis Ababa
sity Press and Shama Books, Addis Ababa 307 pp.5. EBI/IBC (2005). National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. In the era of climate change, sustainable management of resources is not only an option for preserving biodiversity but also an insurance to sustain livelihood at community level. Unlike the “conventional conservation approach” that disconnect the community from their resources, several options have emerged during the last three decades in connection with the natural resources protection, conservation and utilization. Accordingly, the Biosphere reserve concept was introduced to ensure the conservation of biodiversity resources while ensuring the involvement and benet of the community. It is an approach of ‘’ conservation-through utilization’’. Due to the complex topographic features, environmental heterogeneity and edaphic and climatic factors, Ethiopia has immense ecological diversity, and its habitats are suitable for a wide range of life forms. The number of vascular plants is estimated between 6000 and 7000 species, of which about 12% are endemic. Vegetation types in Ethiopia are highly diverse ranging from afro-alpine to desert/semi desert vegetation (Demel Teketay, 2004Dierent sources indicate that about 35–40% of the country’s land area used to be covered with forests at the turn of the 19th Century, although there is still controversy about the exact past cover of forests in the country (FRA, 2015 , Million Bekele (FOSA), 2001 ; FAO, 2010 ). However, rapid population growth, extensive forest clearing for cultivation and over-grazing, movement of political centers, and exploitation of forests for fuel wood and construction materials, without replanting, has reduced the forest area of the country to 16% in the 1950’s and to less than 2.7% (EFAP, 1994 )in 1994. Consequently, large areas of the country are exposed to heavy soil erosion that has resulted in a decline in fertility and productivity of the land and the drying of many perennial rivers and lakes. Soil loss through erosion has been estimated at a rate of about 2 billion tons per year (EFAP, 1994), resulting in a massive environmental degradation

12 and serious threat to sustainable agric
and serious threat to sustainable agriculture and forestry. However, according to World Bank report, at present, the coverage improved to 12.5%The situation is exacerbated by pressure from poverty and an ever-increasing population. The few remaining moist Afromontane forests, mostly concentrated in the southwest of Ethiopia, are still under a serious threat and require rescuing. The southwestern Afromontane forests, including the cloud forests, are among the few remaining moist high forests of the country. The Afromontane cloud forests are rare forests in tropical mountains which have not received adequate attention despite their exceptional concentration of biodiversity and freshwater. The southwest Ethiopian Afromontane forests are considered as invaluable genetic resources. The wealth of biodiversity includes the wild relatives as ad source of genetic diversity of our staple crops such as beans, potatoes and coee (UNEP-WCMC, 2004). Specically, it is known as the center of origin and diversity for Coee arabica and other plants species that have immense value for the local communities. However, this unique and fragile ecosystem is suering from anthropogenic pressure including unsustainable resource extraction and management.Recognizing the signicance of the ecosystem and magnitude of the prevailing problems and 6. Friis, I.B (1986). The forest vegetation of Ethiopia. Acta Univ.Ups.Symb. Bot. Ups.XXVI:2, 31-47. Uppsala, ISBN 91-554-7.Tadesse WoldemariamGole, Thomas Borsch, Manfred Denich, DemelTeketay (2007). Floristic composition and environmental factors characterizing coee forests in southwest Ethiopia8.Teketay D. 2004. Forestry research in Ethiopia: Past, present and future. In: Balcha G, Yeshitela K, Bekele T (eds), Proceedings of a National Conference on Forest Resources of Ethiopia: Status, Challenges and Opportunities (2729 November 2002). Addis Ababa: IBC and GTZ, pp. 139.9.Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015. Ethiopia Country Report to FAO.10. Million Bekele 2001.Forestry Outlook Studies in Africa. 11.FAO 2010. Global Forest Resources Assessment, Ethiopia Country report.12.Ethiopian Forestry Action Program (EFAP). 1994, Volume

13 III. The Challenge for Development. Mini
III. The Challenge for Development. Ministry of Natural Resources, Addis Ababa.13.Forest area (% of land area) in Ethiopia was reported at 12.5 % in 2015, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from ocially recognized sources (https://tradingeconomics.com/ethiopia/forest-area-percent-of-land-area-wb-data.html). 16 threats, PHE-EC in Collaboration with UNIQUE/NABU, Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE), Oromia Environment Forest and Climate Change Authority (OEFCCA), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Zone and Woreda administrations and in Collaboration with UNESCO Man and Biosphere(MAB) program, has introduced a new conservation approach with the aim of protection and sustainable utilization of the remaining forest biodiversity. The project envisages a signicant contribution to the preservation of biological diversity particularly that of the wild Coffee arabica. It also targets at reducing Green House Gases (GHG) emission, secure carbon storage capacities as well as receive allocation of ecosystem services and benets for the local population and reduce vulnerability to climate change. Hence, the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve (YCFBR) is an area of global signicance owing to both its natural components (natural capital) and its human inhabitants and their cultures and traditions (human capital).The primary challenge the Biosphere Reserve facing is to balance the management and utilization of the inherent natural capital and the human capital of the area with the goal to ensure long-term sustainability. Building the capacity of the local community is the high priority in this regard. Considering this rational, the participatory management plan is developed to promote the management and sustainable development of YCFBR to optimize its social and economic benets while safeguarding the conservation of the remaining forest biodiversity.The sustainability of Biosphere reserves and other conservation issues depends on to what extent the society is oriented towards sustainability which require the empowerment, support and active participation of the local community. This can be achieved through participatory

14 approaches following both formal and in
approaches following both formal and informal ways. The current management plan therefore, aimed at creating a platform for active engagement among the relevant stakeholders for sustainable utilization and management of the biosphere reserve. Furthermore, this management plan provides guidance in presenting the local community and relevant institutions about the Biosphere Reserve concept, process, sustainability and management strategies for Yayu and enables them to act locally while understanding the global context and eects of their decisions now and in the future. The management plan was designed in a way to help the local community and implementing government institutions to understand both the ecological, economic and social dimensions of the biosphere reserve biodiversity resources at local, national and global context.1.4. The concept and importance of Biosphere reserveThe Concept of Biosphere ReserveBiosphere Reserves (BRs) are sites recognized under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere reserve(MAB) Program to promote sustainable development, integrated science and conservation of biological and cultural diversity through partnerships between people and nature. The worldwide network of biosphere reserves, (UNESCO, 2008), provides an international framework for education and research, as well as the demonstration and implementation of sustainable resource use. Currently there are 699 biosphere reserves in 120 countries, including 20 transboundary sites. Among this biosphere reserves, 75 are found in 28 African countries of which 5 are found in Ethiopia. Biosphere reserves principally have three zones: core area, Transition area and buer zone. Over the last four decades biosphere reserves have evolved from conservation sites to model areas for sustainable development. In the beginning, little attention was paid to the Transition area, the outer territory of the three zones of biosphere reserves, where activities relating to the development role could take place. One major reason for this was the fact that, while one authority usually managed core areas, the buer zones and Transition areas were owned and managed by a variety of public and private actors (Batisse

15 ,At the International Conference on Bios
,At the International Conference on Biosphere reserves in Seville in March 1995, biosphere reserves were envisaged as guides to the 21st century, “showing a way to a more sustainable future” (UNESCO, 1996, p.3 ). Such statements indicated a further shift from traditional nature conservation towards the integration of global environmental aspects and resource use in the concept of biosphere reserves. In the Seville Strategy for Biosphere reserves, three primary functions were identied: conservation, development, and logistic support. Further, the strategy sets four overarching groups of goals and three lists of implementation indicators for the international, national, and individual reserve levels. At least ve of the 24 indicators on the individual reserve level refer directly to the potential role of biosphere reserve administration as an initiator and coordinator of eorts to make planning more organized and participatory. These indicators,among other things, call for the biosphere reserve administration toMake a survey of stakeholder interests, Create mechanisms for managing, coordinating, and integrating its own programs and activities, Establish a local consultative framework, Ensure the existence of a local educational and training program, and Involve the local community in planning and managing the biosphere reserve.What is a Biosphere Reserve?A cornerstone of the concept of sustainable development is the conviction that nature and humans can co-exist in a harmonious way. This is a paradigm shift from the traditional conservation approach that separates the community from its resource. Biosphere reserves are natural protected areas included in a global network organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientic, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Participating countries propose land and water sites within their boundaries as potential Biosphere reserves, and accepted sites are designated at the international level by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Reserve(MAB) Program with the policy support from Ministry of Science and Technology and regional stakeholders. To qualify for acceptance as a BR, a protected area must have global and/or

16 regional signicance for biological
regional signicance for biological conservation, one or more inviolate core areas, and one or more surrounding buer zones or transition areas where human communities utilize natural resources in ecologically sustainable ways. UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Reserve (MAB) Program was launched in 1971 with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary research, training, and communications in the eld of ecosystem conservation and the rational use of natural resources.The concept of BRs as it was articulated at the Man and the Biosphere ReserveConference in Seville in 1995 presumes that BR, besides being instruments for conservation of biological diversity, research, and educational activities, should be treated as model areas to test the idea of sustainable development. Biosphere reserves should become models for the implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies which address the threats of climate change. 14.UNESCO. 2008. Complete list of biosphere reserves. www.unesco.org/mab/BRs/BRlist.shtml15. www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserve16.Batisse, M.1986. Developing and focusing the biosphere reserve concept. Nature and Resources 22/3: 2–11.17.UNESCO.1996. Biosphere reserves: The Seville Strategy and the statutory framework of the world network. Paris: UNESCO MAB. 18 Figure 2 MAB principlesSource:UNESCO, 1996 Why do we need a Biosphere Reserve?Biosphere reserves have multiple functions that include conservation, sustainable development, research and monitoring, training and education. The concept of biosphere reserves has inuenced the overall understanding of the relationship between humans and nature and has emphasized the need to nd a balance between nature conservation and sustainable use. Biosphere reserves have a great inuence on socio-economic issues and therefore play an important role in relation to poverty reduction and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In many cases, biosphere reserves are sources of hope for local communities that perceive them as a viable option for enhancing their livelihoods.Implementing the ConceptFunctionally, BRs implement the MAB co

17 ncept at local context through: In situ
ncept at local context through: In situ conservation of the diversity of natural and semi-natural ecosystems and landscapes,Establishment of demonstration areas for ecologically sustainable resource use, andProvision of logistic support for research, monitoring, education, and training related to conservation and sustainable development.Making biosphere reserves more functional in conserving biological diversity is a major international objective. Many BRs are involved in conservation, research, and environmental education activities that are particularly emphasized in the national parks and research reserves that comprise most of the current BR network. Activities requiring a high degree of stakeholder cooperation- i.e., local participation, integrated planning, and sustainable development-are being undertaken by a much smaller number of BRs. Finally, only a few BRs are involved in national and international cooperative activities that are required for BRs to achieve their full potential in addressing global conservation and development issues.1.5. Biosphere reserves in EthiopiaTo date, there are ve BRs in Ethiopia including Yayu BR which was registered in 2010, Kafa, Sheka and Tana and the recently established, Majang ForestBiosphere reserve. The preparation of the YCFBR management plan do not startfrom the scratch rather ittook an advantage and supplemented from the previous BR management plan process and approaches and tried to improve some of the drawbacks of the management plan process.However, the sharing of experiences is limited to some extent due to socio-economic and environmental contexts of the biospheres 18. UNESCO, 1996. Biosphere reserve. The Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework of the World Network UNESCO, Paris in dierent parts of the country. Nevertheless, much can be learned from the Kafa and Sheka BR than Tana BR. The Tana BR is dierent in socio-cultural and environmental settings of the biosphere reservewhereas Sheka and Kafa share some communality with YCFBR. The consultant has been reviewed the management plan of other BR prior to design and start the management plan for YCFBR.The key elements that was consulted regarding methodolog

18 icalapproaches and implementation strate
icalapproaches and implementation strategies. 1.6. Policy and legal Frameworks for Biospheres in EthiopiaThe overall policy and legal frameworks, in which various conventions and conservation endeavors are embedded and that determines the wider decision-making context, consists of the following strategies and policies (for further reading refer to UNESCO 2011): Article 52 of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia states that all nations and nationalities have the right to live in a clean environment.Ethiopia´s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper called Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programs (SDPRP) was prepared in 2002, prioritizing the following areas for action: land degradation, the strengthening of regulatory and institutional capacity, and the enhancement and protection of biodiversity. Build on this, Ethiopia prepared a Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP) in 2005 which “aims to mainstream environmental concerns into development, to strengthen city and regional governments for environmental protection and to develop regulatory frameworks and systems for alleviating deforestation and soil degradation, which are major causes of food insecurity and poverty in Ethiopia “(IFAD 2007: 9Ethiopia´s role in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD),the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) aims at fostering a broad-based agricultural-led economic growth in African countries by focusing on enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness. In this context, Ethiopia has issued the Agriculture Development-Led Industrialization (ADLI) strategy as being the country´s core economic development strategy (MoA, 2009With respect to water policies, Ethiopia is a member of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) of the Nile riparian countries as equal members in a regional partnership to promote economic development and ght poverty throughout the basin. It is guided by the vision “to achieve socio-economic development through the equitable utilization and benet from the common Nile Basin water resources” (NBI, 2011). As the tributary of the Blue Nile, the YCF

19 BR plays a crucial geopolitical role in
BR plays a crucial geopolitical role in utilization and conservation of the Nile water resources. Ethiopia has a wide range of national policies that commit the country to a comprehensive and integrated management system for the protected areas and institutions mandated for promoting sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Box 1: Overview of key policies, conventions and institutions for BR related issues 19. UNESCO (2011): World Network of Biosphere reserves 2010: Sites for Sustainable Development. Paris, France20. IFAD (2007): Community-Based Integrated Natural Resources Management Project in Lake Tana Watershed-Ethiopia. IFAD Project Document (Third Draft: 31. August 2007), Government of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia & International Fund for Agricultural Development21. Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) (2009): Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program. Ethiopia Study. Volume II. Addis Ababa 20 Conventions:  Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): -EBI engaged in the conservation of ora. This institution can play role in plant and Livestock gen pool conservation  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): - helps to control illegal wildlife trading  UN Convention to Combat Desertication UNCCD)rehabilitation and regeneration of naturalof natural resources  UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): -climate change adaptation and mitigation such REDD+Policies:  Environmental policy: issued in 1997 for a sound management and use of natural resources and enforce the need for Environmental Impact Assessment that ensure the health of the natural environment;  National Policy on Biodiversity Conservation and Research Policy (1998);  National Conservation Strategy (NCS) of Ethiopia 1997: umbrella strategy that comprises all relevant sectors (agriculture, forestry, wildlife, sheries, soil, water and minerals); sets main objective for biodiversity conservation;  Biodiversity Conservation and Development: Strategy and Action Plan for Ethiopia, December 2005, by the IBC;  Rural Development Strategy (2002);  National Food Security Strategy (2003) and Progra

20 m and National bio-safety  Forest pol
m and National bio-safety  Forest policy and strategy  Wild life policy and strategy  Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI): established by proclamation; objectives: ensure appropriate conservation, research, development and sustainable utilization of biodiversity in Ethiopia;  Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA): Protected Area System focus on management and conservation of large fauna; Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE), established bylaws to conserve, protect and sustainably utilize natural resources in Oromia region  Forestry Research Centre (FRC):  National Herbarium: established in 1959, managed by Addis Ababa University  Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR):  Ethiopian Forestry Action Program (EFAP): issued in 1994. Oromia Environment Forest and Climate Change mandated to coordinate and facilitate environmental conservation and climate change adaptation The country has committed itself to issues pertaining to sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in a number of international conventions (box1summarized, conventions, polices and institutions, which are synergetic with the objectives of the MAB program, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Convention to Combat Desertication (UNCCD).The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Heritage Convention (heritage sites as core areas) are institutions who emphasized on climate change mitigation and adaptation, look after natural and cultural heritages and promote the conservation of important wetland resources respectively and can play a signicant role in Biosphere reserves. These conventions could in parts be fullled by the tool of biosphere reserves by developing showcase projects under the BR umbrella. Protocols between the MAB program and the respective conventions have already been established (UNESCO, 2011:15-18). Ethiopia ratied the UN Convention to Combat Desertication (UNCCD) in 1997 and developed a National Action Program (NAP) in 1998 focusing on the management of natural resources, the intensication and diversication of agriculture, the promotion of alternative liv

21 elihoods and rural credit to improve ins
elihoods and rural credit to improve institutional capacity, particularly at the community level. Accordingly, in 2002 the Oromia Regional State government through the Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE) prepared a Regional Action Program (RAP) to Combat Desertication, within the framework of the NAP. The federal and regional governments enacted a wide range of policies, strategies, action plans and programs against land degradation (IFAD 2007: 9). The country ratied the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994 and developed its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2005 to meet the planning requirement of Article 6 of the convention. In addition, the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety was ratied in 2003. A “Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia” (CSE) was developed in 1997 with the help of World Conservation Union (IUCN) and accordingly, the Oromia Regional State (ORS) formulated and developed a Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS) in 1999 with the overall objective of conserving and protecting the natural resources and environment of the region. As a party to the CBD and in fulllment of its obligation, Ethiopia prepared the nal draft of its biosafety law in 2007. “The NBSAP document denes the current status of, pressure on, options for, and priority action to ensure the conservation, sustainable use, and equitable share of benets accrued from the use of biological diversity of the country” (IFAD, 2007: 9). In the face of the still ongoing serious deforestation and overall environmental degradation, Ethiopia issued a 20 years Ethiopian Forestry Action Program (EFAP). In line with this, ORS developed the Oromia Forestry Action Program (OFAP) in 1999 with the objectives of (a) increasing output of forest products on a sustainable basis; (b) increasing agricultural production through reduced land degradation; (c) increasing soil fertility; (d) conserving forest ecosystems as well as coee and other genetic resources; and (e) improving the welfare of rural communities (IFAD, 2007: 9). However, these objectives were not realized on the ground due to lack of appropriate organ primarily responsible

22 for implementing the plan by identifying
for implementing the plan by identifying restricted activities and zonation of the biosphere reserve.The country has also developed the second Growth and Transformation plan (GTP 2) for the coming ve years, with the objective of reaching to middle income countries by 2025 and ensures sustainable development by all sectors. In addition, the country launches Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) in Durban, South Africa in 2011. CRGE is aimed to achieve reaching the middle-income country by 2025 through building climate resilience economy and reducing green 22 PART II: Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve2.1 Backgroundhe Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve is one of the 5 UNESCO registered biosphere reserves in Ethiopia. It was designated as UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2010 in order to conserve and sustainably use the wild populations of Arabica coee (coee arabica) and associated forest biodiversity. The forest is part of the Afromontane rainforest in south-western Ethiopia, and the largest and most important forest area with the wild populations of Arabica coee.The Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve is one of the largest and ecologically most important in Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, and global interest for coee gene pool, indigenous plants, Animals and bird species. Numerous rivers surround the whole biosphere reserveows into the Blue Nile basin year-round. Despite the immense socio-economic signicance that can be exploited through sustainable management of the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve, these resources are currently under severe pressure due to mismanagement, water and land-based human activities, jeopardizing the natural services that they provide. The ever-increasing human population coupled with unwise land use and farming systems, unsustainable forms of agricultural intensication, and catchment degradation has resulted in serious degradation of these important forest resources. These coupled with the impacts of climate change leads to economic destabilization and habitat destruction and loss. This calls for urgent conservation action undertakings in the Yayu forest biocultural resources as a cure against the

23 prevailing high risk and the resulting
prevailing high risk and the resulting tremendous eects overall Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve territory. To restore and sustain the ecological functioning of forest resources, the introduction of participatory sustainable Biosphere reserve management and oering alternative use options for coee forest resources in the proposed biosphere reserve area could be an appropriate option.2.2 Description of the areaThe Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserveis located in the Illu Abba Borand Buno-BedeleZones Administration of the Oromia regional state, Southwest, Ethiopia. The Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reservein its current format covers approximately 167,021 ha. The entire biosphere reserve is stretched over six woredas: Doreni, Yayu, Bilo-Nopa, Algie-Sachi, Hurumu and Chora. Doreniworeda is fully falls within the boundary of the biosphere reserve, and the transition areas of this woreda falls right in between two blocks of the buer and core areas of the biosphere reserve (Figure 2). Over 50% of the core area of the biosphere reserve also falls within this woreda. Hence, the communities residing in this woreda play an important role on the fate of the biosphere reserve. The proposed management plan covers all six Biosphere Reserveeco-regions to ensure its sustainable management and economic benets. 23 Figure 3 Woredas surrounding the YCFBR Source: ECCF Archiveand adopted in 2016 by AndreasSchubert from Biodiversity and Forestry ProgramYayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve consists of a single contiguous area covered by a matrix of interrelated land use zones. These zones or areas comprise core conservation areas linked together and protected by a network of interrelated buer zone and transition areas.Core AreaThe core area is a strictly protected reserve area where all kinds of human interaction should be avoided, except for research and monitoring of the natural vegetation dynamics. The areas to be selected for such zones should also undisturbed high forest with wild coee population structure and composition of other plants (Gole et al 2002 ).The designated core conservation areas consist of the ve Woredas within the IlluAbba Bor Z

24 one and one woreda in Buno-Bedele Zone,
one and one woreda in Buno-Bedele Zone, Oromia Regional State of the Federal Government of Ethiopia. The total extent of the core conservation area is approximately 27,733 ha. The designated core conservation areas comprise entire ecosystems and habitats, or meaningful portions thereof, including the following:Patch of the world’s only remaining intact of Eastern Afromontanerainforest within which 22.Tadesse WoldermariamGole, M. Denich, DemelTeketay and P.L.G. Vlek (2002). Human Impacts on the Coee arabica gene pool in Ethiopia and the Need for its in-situ Conservation. Managing Plant Genetic Diversity eds J.M.M. Engels, V. Ramanatha Rao, A.H.D. Brown and M.T. Jackson 24 the endemic and critically endangered Coee Arabica L. (Rubiaceae) grows wild,b) The East Afromontane Biodiversity hotspot which is one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots,c) Rare wetland habitats and marshes, including riparian vegetation,d) Unique avifaunal biodiversity sites, e) Endangered habitats of the endemic fauna such as Gentle Monkey, De Brazza’s Monkey and Guereza (Colobus monkey).f) Conservation-worthy, river systems and streams including those ooded into Blue Nile basin.The key functions and characteristics of the core conservation areas are as follows:(i) The core area comprises and protects a variety of representative ecosystems and habitats of various endemic and/or endangered species,(ii) It represents benchmarks (‘a base-datum of normality or wildness’) as standards for environmental health and self-sustaining ecosystems,(iii) It provides secure refugee for source endemic and unique populations and biodiversity,(iv) They are managed in such a way as to allow natural processes to continue without undesirable human interference,(v) It contains ecological, geological, cultural or other features of scientic, education, scenic, historical or cultural value, and(vi) It provides opportunities for long and short-term research and monitoring programs, as well as non-consumptive use.Buer ZoneBuer Zone is slightly disturbed forest zone, where collection of non-timber forest products and honey is allowed. Collection of wildcoee is also

25 allowed. But, the users are not allowed
allowed. But, the users are not allowed to manipulate the canopy or ground vegetation to enhance coee production or other forms of agricultural activities. In addition, settlement is not allowed.The designated buer zone is approximately 21,552 ha in extent and is under administration of the Oromia Regional State and the respective woreda administrations. The designated buer zones comprise highly conservation worthy vegetation types and habitats, such as:a) Evergreen Mountain Forest: This complex vegetation type covers much of the highlands to midlands situated within the proposed core area and Buer zone of the Biosphere reserve. b) Afromontane Habitat: The Afromontane forests occur between an altitude of 1500 and 2600masl and are of global conservation signicance due to the occurrence of wild Arabicacoffee L. (Rubiaceae). In addition to deforestation for cereal-based agriculture, timber extraction is also a cause for great concern .c) Humid broadleaved forest of the southern western part and lowland-semi-evergreen forest of western d) Aquatic Habitat: A few wetland systems and rivers occur within the proposed buer zone 23.www.UNESCO.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environemnt/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserve/africa/ethiopia/yayuand Gole T. et al. 2009: Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form24. Gole,T (2003). Vegetation of the Yayu forest in SW Ethiopia: impacts of human use implications for in situ conservation of wild coee arabica L. populations. Ecology and Development Series No. 10, 2003. of the Biosphere reserve. These sensitive aquatic ecosystems are of the utmost importance in terms of satisfying the basic human needs of the local communities by for example providing materials for building shelter, grazing of cattle, etc. It is therefore also under intense development pressure.The buer areas have a very important function in that they form virtually important linkages between the statutory conservation areas. The rehabilitation of degraded river systems to create ecological corridors as part of the buer can therefore play an important role in connecting conservation areas that have been isolated by human activities

26 . Portions of the designated buffer area
. Portions of the designated buffer area are used for non-consumptive uses or sustainable harvesting of natural resources (e.g. coee, honey, spices and low-impact grazing). The BR should encourage a symbiotic relationship between conservation and nature related economic activities in the buer area which implies that a portion of benets derived from the use of natural resources is to be invested back into conservation. The specic activities are recommended in the section of management plan specication for each biosphere reserve zone. Transition AreaIn the transition zone, the traditional forest coee production system, garden coee and agricultural practices and human settlement are allowed. Habitat restoration/rehabilitation and research can be carried out on those areas that were highly degraded. The farming practice should involve the traditional agroforestry system, without total clearing of the forest vegetation. Local communities are also allowed to manipulate the coee populations in areas under their possession, using local landraces. The transition area of approximately 117,736 ha comprises a diversity of landscapes, ranging from tracts of natural vegetation, to highly modied man-made (cultural) landscapes, where the most intensive land-uses, such as urban settlement and its associated human activities occur. In the transition zone, we have productive agricultural landscape connected with matrix of nature. It is in this area where people engage in agriculture and other types of livelihood modalities. The transition area represents the urban-rural interface, which largely aects the sustainability of both the rural and the urban environments. Hence, an intervention in helping residents to improve their socio-economic lives in the transition zone contributes to the core and buer zones to be protected and preserved. This transition landscape includes:Moderately and intensively cultivated agricultural areas,Plantation belts of exotic species such as eucalyptus for economic uses,Urban areas and villages, which accommodates a range of intensive land-uses, such as manufacturing industries (e.g. Yayu fertilizer factory), road and dam

27 construction, etc.Important Riverine an
construction, etc.Important Riverine and Wetland Areas. The transition area accommodates the high-impact and consumptive economic land uses that form the economic backbone of the region. A host of proclamations, laws, strategies and policy provide guidance pertaining to the maintenance of the sustainability of such land uses, including the following:Enhancement of the environmental integrity or rehabilitation of unutilized farmland and plantations,Ensuring sustainable use of water from rivers, marshes and dams by urban settlements and villages,Eradication and control of invasive alien species, which threatens indigenous vegetation with encroachment, removes vast quantities of groundwater, and promotes soil erosion.Controlling natural resource use (e.g. coee, honey, spices) through subsistence harvesting, etc.Restoration and preservation of various sites and/or features of historical and cultural signicance. 26 The vegetation resources can oer alternative development opportunities through integration with other economic sectors such as apiculture to diversify income sources and optimize resources. Table 1. Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Zonation DescriptionArea/ZoneCriteriaManagement objective   Natural forest-including wild coee forest  Maintains the ecological integrity and ecosystem services of the protected areas  Preservation of the water catchment function  Ecological research and educationCore   Nature reserves  Biodiversity hot spots  Wetlands and water sources  Wild coee gen pool   Strict conservation of ora and fauna with only non-destructive use for beekeeping, wild coee collection and research in ecologically non-sensitive areas   Conservation-including buer zone activities  Restoration of degraded forest areas and coee  Preservation of the water catchment function  Development of ecotourism & Nature based enterprise  Controlled utilization of wood and  PFM/CBNRMBuer   Natural forest, coee, NTFPs and glades not zoned as protected area  Patches of indigenous trees and medicinal plants   Strict conservation of rare or endangered &#

28 29;ora and habitats with possible non-de
29;ora and habitats with possible non-destructive use of NTFPs and no expansion of current commercial agricultural and forestry activities, esp. coee and tree plantations   Commercial production and extraction of wood  PFM/CBNRM  Commercial forest and coee management  Promote on-farm tree growing  Promote income generating activities  Support community institutions in forestry program  Protection of riparian belt and hilltop aorestation  Infrastructure developmentTransition   All areas that will be designated or has been already designated for commercial forest and coee production by land use and land administration unit of the Illu Abba Bor and Buno-Bedele Zones.   Diversication and intensication of agriculture and forest land use, emphasizing watershed protection and sustainable land use practices, esp. organic and conservation farmingDemography and Socio-Economy Trends of the Biosphere reserveA report from Oromia Regional State,BoFED(2016) shows that the boundary of the IlluAbbaBorzone covers the western part of the region and lies between 340 52’12’’ E to 410 34’ 55’’E longitudes and 70 27’ 40” N to 90 02’ 10” N latitude. The zone is surrounded by two regional states and three zones of Oromia National Regional State. The zones and regions bordering Ilu Aba Borare; to the West by Gambella Region, to the East and Southeast by Jimma Zone, to the North by West Wellega, to the North-East by East Wellegaand to the South by Sheka zone of South Nations and Nationalities Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS). Currently, the zone covers a total area of 16884 km2 (1,688,400 hectares). According to Ethiopian Statistical Agency population projection, the total population of the zone in 2013 was 1,545,820 (774,350 male and 771,470 female) including the Buno-Bedle zone before they split into two zones (Illu Abba Bor and Buno-Bedele). Agriculture is the dominant form of making a living in the zone. According the zone Finance and Economic Development oce, the major parts of the population of rural dwellers entirely depend on Agricultural practices. In terms of land use, agric

29 ultural oce of the zone estimated t
ultural oce of the zone estimated that from the total land of the zone, 38.51% is agricultural land, 11.55% is grazing land, 36.75% forest cover and the remaining percentage is 13.19% is swampy and marshland, arable land degraded area. Six woredas are located in the biosphere reserve, namely, Alge-Sachi, Bilo-Nopa, Chora, Doreni, Hurumu and Yayu. Overall, rapid population growth and uncontrolled and unrestricted land use in the area become a major threat to the biosphere reserve by shrinking the forest lands.Table 2 below presents list of woredas, number of kebeles in each woreda, total land area, population size and population crude density in the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve.Table 2. List of woredas and population ofYayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserve ZoneWoredaNo. of Total land cover (kmPopulation sizePopulation crude density per kmIlluAbbaBorAlge-SachiIlluAbbaBorBilo-NopaBuno-BedeleChoraIlluAbbaBorDoraniIlluAbbaBorIlluAbbaBorYayuTOTALSource: BoFED, 2016 Figure 4 Kebeles surrounding the YCFBRSource: ECCF Archive and adopted in 2016 by Andreas Schubert from Biodiversity and Forestry Program 28 2.3 Benets and Opportunities of YCFBRSocio-Cultural and Economic FunctionsThe biosphere reserve is rich in the variety of ecosystems such as plant and Livestock species and enhances nature’s ability to carry and benet humans with provision of basic services like food, water, air, shelter, soil and natural resource. The local people in the biosphere, obtain benets from forestry, farming, tourism, shing and indigenous medicinal practices. There are also many visible and invisible functions including the climate regulation, ood control, carbon storage and aesthetic values. Culturally, it also benets religious, social, spiritual and indigenous values. Communities living around YCFBR have strongly connected to the YCFBR to make a living. To economically sustain themselves, they obtain products and services from the biosphere reservesuch as rewood, fuel, building materials, honey and bees wax, spices, coee and wood for making furniture, houses and other household and farm items. They generally depend on the natural resources (plants

30 and Livestock) in the biosphere reservea
and Livestock) in the biosphere reserveas a means of making a living. It is considered as an “Economic engine” of the area- for the community, government and private institutions. It is a center of production where people produce honey (traditional or modern ones), collect spices and other agricultural products. The main economic activity of people in the area is coee cultivation. They mainly rely on cultivating coee on both transition and buer zones and use of natural coee in buer and core areas. Hence, coee has been the dominant source of their income by which they sustain their life if its use clearly stipulated and supported, example by making clear demarcation and supporting farmers (producers) in restricted areas such as transition areas.The main source of food and income for the community, next to coee, come from honey production. Honey produced within the biosphere reserveis highly valued by the local communities. The honey is used both as a source of food and income through selling it at the local and national markets. People keep the bees in traditional beehives using wood from trees or sometimes use the modern ones buying it from the local government particularly, oce of agriculture and natural resource. Local people use forest trees to construct houses through illegal means or by permit for domestic use from some community administrations. In addition, they use trees to make household furniture and farm equipment. Beyond using dierent tree species such as Wadessa for making house furniture, extract the raw materials in large volume for market from buer and core areas.Forest trees are also used for making charcoal and rewood. Firewood is the most popular energy source for cooking, lighting and heating in all rural households. Most kebeles in the biosphere reservehave no electric power and as a result, entirely rely on wood as source of energy. In addition to household energy consumption, people use it as a source of income by selling it to local markets, transporting it to the nearest towns by livestock (donkey) and car. Tourism Potentials of the Biosphere ReserveThere are tourist attraction sites although

31 it is not well promoted, and its potenti
it is not well promoted, and its potential is not realized. There are several dierent tourist attraction sites in IlluAbba Borzone. For instance, the zonal nance and economic development oce (2016) listed down tourist attraction sites in the YayuBiosphere Reserve. Table 3 below presents tourism potential sites within the Biosphere; 25.http://www.oromiabofed.gov.et/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=45&Itemid=62 26.Wodessa is an indigenous tree known by its scientic name ‘Cordiaafricana’; because of the high exploitation for timber production, it is one the endangered species identied among the indigenous trees found in Ethiopia. Table 3. Tourism potential sites within the Biosphere WoredasList of tourism potential resourcesBilo-NopaDense natural forest with original organic coee and wild animals and variety of plant speciesCaves such as MaruEkelekebeles and Abu kebeles found in northern part of the woreda which can accommodate up to 500 people at once.DoreniDense natural forest with original organic coee and wild animals and variety of plant speciesMountain hills with rich ora and fauna such as Ke’a, Dimtu hill, Mechale hill, Sibo hill, Wagalcho hill and Dubeta.Waterfalls which is found in Cheberekebele that drops from high cli of more than 40 meters highCaves which are found in “Sonta” kebelewith “100” meters long and “40” meters high which is made up of natural rock, Natural forest like Sayi natural forest and milu manmade forest(40hec), Hot springs found in Sayi forest and around ‘Gaba” areas Lutheran Abba Gamachis or HikaAwajji or OnesmosNesib Who was born in Hurumu named Ogee Warago. He was the man who translated the Holy Bible from English Version to Oromo language for the rst time in the history of Oromo people. YayoAba Alenga eld, ChaliShono and Agar Gudo funeral place, Holkeinichini cave, Agaro Cave,Nono Cave, Seri Cave, Gera Cave, Boni Cave, Wama, CaveYayu naturalThe role of Oromo Cultural Values in Conserving NatureNature has a unique place in Oromo culture. Forest, rivers, streams, trees, human beings, livestock species among Oromos are res

32 pected. The Gadaa system, the socio-cult
pected. The Gadaa system, the socio-cultural and political organization of Oromo, distinguished sacred events and areas, which everybody believes and practiced. For example, some of the plants found in the forest have cultural and spiritual functions. Odaa (Ficus species) for example, is a plant used as rituals under which elders gather, discuss community aairs and pray for peace, rain and prosperity. There are also other types of trees which are recognized for dierent ritual purposes, such as Oomii (Pygeumafricanum), Laaftoo (Acacia albida), Birbirsa (Podocarpusprocera) and Harbuu (Ficus sur). Hence, Oromos have indigenous biodiversity management mechanisms. For example, cutting trees and demolishing streams is forbidden and a violation of this rule results in serious punishments ranging between marginalization, paying compensation, and detention. Recognizing these indigenous values as part of a strategy of the biosphere reserve, a 60 years old resident in Alge-Sachiworeda, Adare kebele expressed that the use of these cultural and community-based institutions is eective in managing the biosphere reserve and nature in general. For instance, he described a forest management committee in his kebele, a committee comprising kebele leader, local elders, youth and women representative, security ocer and development agents. He specically, corroborates that local elders and religious leaders are eective in teaching and enforcing indigenous forms of conserving nature.Thus, considering these potentials, the rationales for implementation of Biosphere Reserve planning and implementation in Yayu Coee Forest includes: It is the largest remaining coee forest fragment worldwide,It comprises an extraordinary landscape mosaic of forest, agricultural land, wetlands and settlements, 30 The area is center of origin and diversity of several plants with high versatility, such as Aframomumkororema, Pipercapense, discoreasp, Cocciniaabyssinica (Anchote), Placterantus edulis (Oromo dinich) besides coee and many more,According to BoFED (2016), over 70% of local income is derived from coee production. Hence, the biosphere reserve approach can act as an impo

33 rtant pilot site for enhancing sustainab
rtant pilot site for enhancing sustainable forest coee use and sustainable livelihood development,The site is located on the economically important regional watershed, the Nile Basin and secure the smooth functioning and longevity of the newly being constructed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, requires an integrated management approach at landscape level via UNESCO-MAB concept, As to its cultural values, the proposed area also harbors historical sites such as the Gada Assembly of the Iluu Oromo –a key landmark in Oromo people’s political culture.The importance of the forest for livelihood and the existence of traditional resource management institutions helped to maintain forest cover with little change over time. The traditional resource management rule like the territory based informal administrative institutions (tuulla, xuxee and shane) and elders’ councils (mucho, salgii and jaarsabiyya) can play a role in conservation and sustainable use of the coee genetic and other forest resources. Accordingly, any management plan should consider these values and other similar traditional institutions to ensure sustainability of the conservation plan. Hence, the tasks of biosphere reserve are typically cross-sectoral and link to the responsibilities of various administrations and institutions. These includes Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE), Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Land Administration, Oromia Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority, Culture and tourism, cooperative, as well as local governments including customary institutions. In addition, all relevant regional and federal government institutions and ministries have stakes in the sustainable biosphere reserve management (see table 12and 13). Organizing, coordinating and enhancing cooperation among various administrations, authorities and stakeholders can be considered one of the main tasks of biosphere reserves to properly address the management plan in way that provide a clear resource governance structure with clear roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, the indigenous institutions and traditional system in the coee forests biosphere reserve which have been contribu

34 ting a lot in the conservation and use o
ting a lot in the conservation and use of naturalresources including forest coee and natural forest, need to be included and integrated in the institutional framework of the management plan. The regular integration of the local initiations can be done through various ways such as establishing community consultation platforms and PFM together with community benet sharing schemes such as Access and Benet Sharing (ABS). Research on natural research management indicates that neither the free ride approach nor the conventional conservation that completely separates the local community from the resource was eective and sustainable. It is high time to have a paradigm shift and introduce a management approach which includes the community as a central element in the conservation process. The Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve is introduced as a model to promote this concept. The picture below depicts these facts that emphasize the need for consultation of all relevant stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management of the natural resources. Figure 5 Model for engaging stakeholders in community management planningOther Benets of the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere ReserveMoreover, the biosphere reserve has become a center of knowledge generation. Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserveis a center where researchers and students learn and use as a lab setting. It serves as a laboratory setting for universities and research institutions such as Mettu, Wollega, Jimma, Gambella, Addis Ababa Universities and beyond. It also serves as a habitat for animal species. It creates the best conducive living place for human being and animals; protect threatened/being disappeared species; and generally, can protect livestock/plant from extinction. 2.4 Major challenges of YCFBRPopulation Dynamics and DeforestationThe community reported that the population growth has one of the main threatening factors of the YCFBR. The population of the area is growing at an alarming rate due to two main factors: natural growth and settlement/population immigration-illegal/informal/unregistered movement of people to the area from dierent parts of the country. As a result, the proportion of

35 natural resources particularly, land and
natural resources particularly, land and with forest cover has been diminishing. The proportion of land owned by people/family members is declining and resulting competition over access to land has become tough. This experience further threats boundary/zonation-expanding of transition areas towards buer and core areas. This was mainly due to weak institutional arrangement responsible for managing the biosphere reserve. Rapid population growth is a number one challenges of the residents; threatening the biosphere reserve. This implies that family planning methods and control of immigration especially in the six woredasthat are found in the biosphere reserve is found pertinent. Table 2 below presents population growth in the six woredas. 32 Table 4. Population growth of the six woredasfound in theYayu Coee ForestBiosphere Reserve No.WoredaPopulation size (1994)Population size (2007)Population Size (2014)population growth Increment rate (%) Risk indices Natural Resource (low, Medium, High)Alge-SachiHighBilo-NophaHighChoraHighDorani*HighHighYayu*HighSource: Adopted from BoFED (2016) and CSA (2007, 1994)* The three woredas were not independent until 2007Declining Socio-economic well-being of the CommunityThe economic and social well-being of the community is declining. Lack of alternative sources of livelihood and job opportunities is one of the root causes of forest decline. In addition to the increasing concentration of people due to lack of alternative means of survival, people overexploit forests and cut them down for dierent reasons such as food, energy, construction materials and living space. The economy of the communities solely depends on production of coee, spices, honey and cereals which are extracted from the biospherereserve. However, due to declining productivity of these products and increasing trend of population, they are not fully beneted from the landscapes. In addition, as these products are original/organic, they are not certied and recognized at national and international level to get a better price so as to benet primary producers, the community living in the biosphere reserve. The declining productivity of these products and other

36 agricultural practices in the transitio
agricultural practices in the transition area enforced people to engage in coee cultivation causing more deforestation. Consequently, clearing forest particularly in transition and buer zones to expand coee cultivation is one of the main causes of deforestation. Farmers cut down trees or burn the forest to make space to plant coee and other crops. In addition, newly born/younger household members become married and own plots of land by clearing more land, often on the edge of forests and settle there. There are also new immigrants to the area, by using the local ocials or local residents as a channel to enter the area and permanently reside by clearing more lands. Consequently, clearing forest particularly in transition area and buer zoneto expand coee cultivation is one of the main causes of deforestation. Farmers cut down trees or burn the forest to make space to plant coee and other crops. In addition, newly born/younger household members become married and own plots of land by clearing more land, often on the edge of forests and settle there. There are also new immigrants to the area, by using the local ocials or local residents as a channel to enter the area and permanently reside by clearing more lands. In general, the declining economic and social well-being of the communities in all six woredas found in the biosphere reserve contributed to the depletion of the biosphere reserve. In all woredas, it was noticed that agricultural productivity is declining. Its marketability, sustenance of household subsistence was dramatically declined. The existing technological advancement to improve its productivity was far from reality. The declining productivity of these products and other agricultural practices in the transition area enforced people to engage in coee cultivation causing more deforestation.Incomplete Demarcation and Lack of RegulationThe biosphere reserve is divided into three functional units: Core area, buer zone and transition area. Generally, the biosphere reserve covers an area of about 167,021 hectares. In principle, the core area is dense forest covering 27,733 ha, and is set aside primarily for the conservat

37 ion of the coee genetic resources a
ion of the coee genetic resources and associated forest biodiversity in situ. The area is characterized by rich species diversity. Close to 300 species of plants were recorded from few sample plots within the area (Gole, 2003). In total, 450 higher plants, 50 mammals, 200 birds and 20 amphibian species have been reported in all habitat types within the biosphere reserve (ibid).However, lack of complete physical demarcation indicating the stated zones were one of the main issues in some kebeles, particularly in Doreni and Alge-Sachiworedas. The three zoning-buer, transition, and the core of the biosphere reserve are not completely physically demarcated at least to the understanding of the community. In addition, in all kebeles where boundaries were set, there were no strong regulatory organs and commitment particularly at local levels to strictly follow and manage according to the stated rules. More specically, the issue of demarcation was the main administrative problem of the biosphere reserve in Alge-Sachi woreda. Consequently, in addition to lack of clear physical demarcation, there was a dilemma of ownership, i.e., the community members were thought that they allowed using coee and other natural products in the buer zone of the biosphere. In this regard, part of the buer zone has no private ownership; everybody can access and use it as much as they can, which imply for the depletion of its resources, an assumption which validate the theory of the tragedy of the commons. Timber Production and TradeTimber business was one of the main threats to forests around the biosphere reserve. The production of timber leads to forest destruction and degradation that have implications for future climate concerns and loss of biodiversity and much of the country’s timber dense forest specially core and buer zones. Cutting trees in this case can damage indigenous trees leading to loss of biodiversity.One of the major triggering factors of timber production and trade is the high demand for timber products nationally and locally. The demand for wood and wood products has rapidly increased in recent times all across the country. Some private business and indiv

38 iduals who engaged in wood work in the s
iduals who engaged in wood work in the surrounding towns of the biosphere reservemake their base in the biosphere reserve and engaged in producing and transporting forest products to the urban centers such as Bedele, Mettu, and Jimma.Fuel Wood Consumption and TradeFuel wood collection and charcoal making for local consumption and petty trade was another threat to forests around the biosphere reserve. The residents in all six woredasfound in the biosphere reserve solely rely on wood for their energy requirement. Every household collects wood from the forest to prepare their food. In addition, many households living adjacent to roads collect wood in high volume and sell it to the surrounding market/towns. They use this business as additional source of income for their living. The participants in the management plan believed that all these activities lead to forest destruction and degradation, which have implications for future climate concerns and loss of biodiversity. Cutting trees to make a charcoal or rewood in high volume amounted to the dramatic increase of population can decline forest coverage and leading to loss of biodiversity. 34 Large Scale Development ProjectsThe emergence and implementation of large-scale development projects have adverse eects on the biodiversity of the area if not properly managed. For instance, Yayu fertilizer factory, Yayu coal industry and Geba hydroelectric power are some of the upcoming largescale projects in the Biosphere Reserve that have potential impacts in the biosphere reserve. These projects are planted some inside and some adjacent to the biosphere buer zone and transition area. To some extent, depletion of natural resources such as land, forest, water, soil, etc. is inevitable. As a result of the project expansion to the buer and core areas, its forest cover has been declining. Particularly, the establishment of Yayu fertilizer industry resulted in the establishment of smaller towns in the area. Witate town could be an indication of its implication. The factory attracted many people (workers) with their large families to the area. It is assumed that the factory will create job opportunities for more than 30,000 workers.

39 These workers are coming to the area wi
These workers are coming to the area with their accompanies. It is also expected that they intend to sustain their living depending on the natural resource of the area, which further implicate the loss of biodiversity. During the transect walk participants from Yayu woreda, Witate kebele told the consultant team, an area where Yayu fertilizer factory is located, uniquely raised that the establishment of Yayu fertilizer industry as the main reasons for the dramatic increase of the population, which imply urban growth and competition over resources. They thought that the industry is attracting many people from dierent parts of the country. As a result, the town is horizontally expanding to the periphery of the forest depleting many hectares of land. For instance, a 35-old resident in the kebele described that the main reason for the population pressure is the arrival of new comers in search of job. They are attracted by the job created from factory and coee plantations. Regarding the Yayu Fertilizer Factory (YFF), we have been informed by the factory personnel there is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study document with MEFCC, even though not accessible to the consulting team during the management plan drafting and nothing is said about Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Nevertheless, it is found important to consider the company as a potential stakeholder to work together concerning the Biosphere Reserve. For example, the company can fund the biosphere reserve to escalate reforestation program and promote woodlots in the transition zone as well as to carry out enrichment planting of indigenous species in open spaces in the buer zone. In consultation with the concerned government authorities at federal, regional and zonal level, it would be good to have at least a map showing the spatial location of the current and planned mining sites and their overlaps with BR zones.Further, the establishment of these factories was not initiated by the local communities and not in consultation with the local government. For instance, the zonal and woreda administrations were not aware of how YFF and Coal factory were established in the area. As a principle, all development pro

40 jects, both private and government, shou
jects, both private and government, should submit the environmental and social impact assessment report to the Bureau/oce of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority and get approval prior to the project. Conversely, in practice EIA documents are left on the shelf. Along YCFBR, the construction of roads, such as the road from Bedele to Mettu and from Mettu to surrounding woredas, gave people access to the forest to cut trees for timber production, in addition to destroying certain areas of land resources. The road construction, electric power and telecommunication distribution requires large stretches of land to be cleared. This can be devastating for the forest as it is fragmented, habitats are divided, and the rate of soil erosion and water sedimentation increases.Large-scale government and private investments did not give priority for the residents for job and other opportunities, which created negative attitude towards. Participants mentioned that private and government investments such as YFF, Bedele-Mettu road project and Geba hydroelectric power did not prioritized residents in creating job and paying reasonable compensation or replacement. They mentioned that the project owners more preferred to bring professionals from outside the project area and daily laborers than using locally available labor, which created a tension between local residents and projects. Lack of Institutional ArrangementIdeally, Ethiopia has established Biodiversity Development and Management (BDM) program in 2009 with the aim of implementing the Man and the Biosphere Reserve Program where a national committee has been established from the representatives from various ministries, agencies, research and academic institutions of the Federal and Regional States and is chaired by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Again, in principle, a biosphere reserve should have its own management system to ensure its functions and objectives. However, YCFBR has no management unit of its own. Lack of institutionalized organ responsible for permanent management and conservation of the biosphere reserve was the main concern. As a result, there was no integration among dierent organs, the management

41 of the biosphere reservewas based only o
of the biosphere reservewas based only on voluntary services, the involvement was not sustainable and there was duplication of responsibility and eort. Although there were some organizations who have direct stake such as Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, Oromia Environment Forest and Climate Change Authority at regional, zonal and woreda level and NGOs such as PHE-EC and Ethio-Wetlands, and ECCF level as such there was no a unit primarily and permanently responsible for coordinating, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The participants in the discussion also seriously mentioned that lack of integration and duplication of eort in managing the biosphere reserve, which led to confusion, conict of interest and lack of commitment. For instance, the OFWE ocers at zonal and district levels admitted that although their oce is primarily responsible for managing the biosphere, they faced a claim that other organs are simultaneously responsible. Uniquely, they mentioned duplication of function and a conict of interest between them and other organs such as Zonal Forest and Environmental Protection Authority Oce, Land Management Oce, and Agricultural Development Oce. This led to lack of specic organ primarily responsible for coordinating and integrating multiple organs particularly at Regional, Zonal, Woreda, and Kebele level towards a collective end. Land use / land cover in the YayuBiosphere ReserveAccording to (Gole et al, 2009 ), agriculture has a long history in Ethiopia in general and Yayu area in particular and is described by smallholder existence cultivating with livestock tractive force (oxen plough). Because of little productivity, taking full advantage of production to meet the need for the ever-growing population has been at the expense of forest areas. The same source added that in earlier times, people used to practice shifting cultivation to prevail over the problem of low soil fertility. Nonetheless, this has now become history, owing to shortage of land, resulting from population growth. In the proposed biosphere reserve management plan, the land use type outspreads throughout the plateaus, in between the ri

42 ver valleys, having a higher altitude an
ver valleys, having a higher altitude and gentler slope, which is more convenient for cultivation. 27. Gole, T., Senbeta, F., Tesfaye, K., and Getaneh, F. 2009. Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form 36 Figure 6 Land use/Land cover in the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Source: Gole et al., 2009Other challengesLand degradationExpansion of farm landsForest reLegal issues List of restricted activities in the buer and Core ZonesDiscussion with the local communities and stakeholders in the area identied some social and economic activities that may have adverse eect on the biosphere reserve. Although further activities should be identied using scientic study in addition what is identied in annex 3. PART III: Methodology and Approach of the Management Plan’s Development3.1 MethodsField visits to Illu Abba Bora and Buno-Bedele zones, where the biosphere reserve found, were conducted in four phases starting from March to July 2017 with a team of consultants consisting of Socio-economist, Ecologist, Natural Resources Expert and Environmentalist and experts from the client. The purpose of the trip was to gather Information about attitudes, aspirations, activities, and knowledge pertinent to the consultancy assignment with the relevant stakeholders at the project sites and discuss with communities. Meeting, community discussion, and informal discussion were used to gather information. For the preparation of the YCFBR management plan, primary and secondary data were gathered at local, woreda and zonal levels via a multi-stakeholder working teams including the one hundred community planning team from twenty selected sample Kebeles within the biosphere reserve. Combination of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and methods including focus group discussion, stakeholders’ workshops, participatory observations (transect walk) were employed for collection of the required data for understanding of the existing situation, projecting future scenarios and identication and prescription of management plans and activities.Major activities conducted by the study teamDuring the whole Consultancy sessions, the team conducted th

43 e following major activitiesProvided awa
e following major activitiesProvided awareness raising training on the need for the conservation and protection of the natural resources at zonal, woreda, and kebele level.Series of community discussion on the major issues to be addressed and possible solution which is accompanied by dierent important and valuable questions and suggestion/recommendationTransect walk in the randomly selected eight kebelesStakeholders meetings and conferences from region to woreda levelThe rst meeting with pre-selected “community planning team” was conducted at Metu town. The participants were selected from the neighboring Woredas as part of the community planning team for the development of YCFBR management plan. During the session, the experts briefed the major activities and challenges in project implementation. The consulting team was communicated with the pre-selected “community planning team”. Medium of communication was Afaan Oromo-local language. The community planning team has been trained by the consulting team on the concepts of biosphere reserve, plan preparation, data collection and reporting. The reports from 20 kebeles were compiled and analyzed to produce the nal comprehensive management plan of the biosphere reserve. 3.2. ApproachHistorically, the conventional approach of managing biodiversity is focused on protection of large-scale ecosystems like protected and areas. Its objective is to conserve and manage entire ecosystems and to prevent loss of biological as well as cultural diversity. It basically protects unsustainable human intervention to a biosphere reserve. However, the applications of this approach become highly controversial. There is also much debate about the appropriateness of this approach when it comes to the ideas of considering the diverse socio-economic settings. It was 28. Planning teams were established by woreda administration in consultation with OFWE and PHE to facilitate the biosphere reserve management plan preparation at community level. To this end, the planning teams were established and assigned in each kebele to mobilize the community by ensuring the participation of all segment of the population and by providing t

44 hem technical support. 38 Figure 7 Proce
hem technical support. 38 Figure 7 Process of Management Plan Preparationhighly criticized as being colonial origin, displace dwellers, and a guarding/policing mechanism cannot lead to sustainably manage the nature and its biodiversity. Hence, the current management plan preparation gives due attention on appropriate participation of the relevant stakeholders, particularly local communities and sectors at all stages. Studies and experiences indicate that the top-down approaches did not sustainably preserve natural resources and biodiversity. Historically, indigenous and local communities typically have been consulted only on limited issues such as cultural heritage issues. Local knowledge, experiences and resources were often overlooked in biodiversity conservation. Therefore, a consensus was reached among the participants of YCFBR stakeholders’ workshop and community discussions that Oromos have indigenous means of conserving nature. According to their religion and culture, nature such as water, tree, and Livestock species have safuu, sacred. Accordingly, communities have the capacity to engage on broad biodiversity. Hence, it was generally believed that engaging with local communities on biodiversity management indicated that exploring practical mechanisms is more likely to be eective. If communities can be engaged at a local and practical level, then this would lead to opportunities to exchange information on broader biodiversity issues. Accordingly, this planning process identied actors including the local communities, determine their interest in biodiversity management, and assess capacity and constraints to their being involved in the envisaged biodiversity conservation activities. In sum, the biosphere reserve management plan preparation followed a bottom-up approach. The team of consultants went to the community without pre-planned ideas 29. Something which is taboo and acceptable by the community regarding the biosphere reserve problems and solutions. The community themselves identied the problems and their potential mechanisms to address them. The team of consultants compiled and analyzed the data and organized into themes, which were targeted at addre

45 ssing four general aims, namely biospher
ssing four general aims, namely biosphere reserve conservation, socio-economic development, research and communication, and collaboration, coordination and partnership.Community Planning team, Practice and its Implication for the Overall Management PlanA biosphere reserve management is about achieving sustainable use and management of natural resources in YCFBR. Natural resources include all types of physical resources (water, air, climate, soils and minerals) and biological resources (ora, fauna, agricultural produce, ecosystems and people-culture, institutions). These resources are essential to the survival of Yayu Biosphere Reserve community well-being and quality of life. Unfortunately, natural resources all around the world are under pressure from the unattainable activities and demands of humans. It is imperative that the communities begin to use and manage natural resources in a sustainable way so that they will continue to support the livelihood.Everyone who lives in YCFBR including private sectors, government, NGOs or other organization that operates here, is a user and a manager of the natural resources of the area. So, it is up to the whole community, every individual and every organization, to ensure that the resources are not wasted, depleted or over-exploited and sustainably managed not only for the sake of local community and future generations but also for global interest.Increased participation of the community in land, water and vegetation management, and environmental conservation is an eective way to change on-ground practices and guarantee that the natural resources are used in more sustainable ways. However, natural resource management is just as complex as it is important, so we need strategic direction-a Plan-to do the best job we can.The Yayu Coee Forest Management is a means to:Establish a framework for community action and involvement that addresses real priorities efciently and eectively;Consolidate and optimize the resources available for community and government projects including community fund raising platform;Improve the community’s communication and collaboration with government, NGOs, private sectors and industry in mat

46 ters relating to land, water and biologi
ters relating to land, water and biological resources; andImprove the co-ordination and co-operation of community, government and industry ventures.Therefore, YCFBR management plan aims to articulate the concerns and priorities of local community in YCFBR for protecting and managing local natural resources bases. The entire activity of the plan preparation was packed and handled under various components that were conducted in four phases. The four phases are described below and with the dierent components illustrated in Figure 7. This is a preparation phase in which important activities for the study were planned and done. This includes: -Identication and review of all relevant secondary information;Identify and recorded all stakeholders that was involved in the study process;Set up of platform and communication procedures with the relevant bodies in line with the biosphere reserve planning and management. This is the phase in which eld mission was conducted in the study areas, to collect all important and relevant primary and secondary data through, stakeholders’ interview, discussions and PRA (transect walk) and own compilation of data to establish the platform of the planning and 40 management work. And, at the same time a series of consultation and training at dierent level; zone, woreda and kebele, was conducted. This is the phase in which the collected data was substantiated, triangulated and analyzed meticulously. Phase IV: In this last phase, management prescription, report production, feedback and communication with relevant stakeholders was conducted. Presentation on the main ndings of the study in line with the planning of the biosphere reserve management was presented accordingly in the presence of top government ocials at Region, Zone and Woreda levels as well as NGOs and the donor. Figure 8 Schematic methodological ow chart Secondary Data Review and AnalysisBefore the stakeholders’ consultation, secondary information from previous works including reports, research publications and consultancy reports were collected and thoroughly analyzed. A general insight was gained and relevant data was gathered from the secondary source

47 s on the biophysical data on the forest
s on the biophysical data on the forest structure and compositions, institutional, socioeconomic and cultural contexts of the biosphere reserve. The federal and regional policies, strategies and CRGE, GTPII, and SDGs documents were reviewed. In addition, the Yayu Coee Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form document was consulted regarding land use/land cover map, map of Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve and Zonation map of the three functions of the Biosphere reserve of Yayu Coee Forest. Stakeholders’ Consultation and TrainingsBefore the stakeholders’ consultation, secondary information from previous works including reports, research publications and consultancy reports were collected and thoroughly analyzed. A general insight was gained and relevant data was gathered from the secondary sources on the biophysical data on the forest structure and compositions, institutional, socioeconomic and cultural contexts of the biosphere reserve. The federal and regional policies, strategies and CRGE, GTPII, and SDGs documents were reviewed. In addition, the Yayu Coee Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form document was consulted regarding land use/land cover map, map of YCFBR and Zonation map of the three functions of the Biosphere Reserve. Stakeholders’ Consultation and TrainingsFor primary data gathering and compilation, a series of meetings were conducted with major stakeholders from local to zonal and regional (OFWE oce) levels. It was conducted twice at region level, once at the zonal level, and twice at the woreda level. An extensive discussion was also made with kebele representatives. During these discussions, problems the biosphere reserve facing, and its opportunities were thoroughly discussed. In addition, major points which should be considered in the management plan were identied by the participants, which include improvement of socio-economic well-being in the transition zones such as employment creation and agricultural productivity. Moreover, the relevant stakeholder oces were consulted for ocial data and institutional aspects. The stakeholders at the zonal level also stipulated the need for clearly indicating formal establishment of

48 management organ for coordinating stakeh
management organ for coordinating stakeholders and plan implementation and stipulation and follow-up of restricted activities in core and buer zones of the biosphere reserve. Training for the Community Planning TeamTwenty planning teams were established by the local government administration in twenty sample kebeles in the YCFBR. They were established to conduct community conversation in the targeted kebeles about the management options of the biosphere. Before they go to community conversation and collect community perspective, they were provided training. The training content includes: biosphere reserve concepts and their zonation, how to conduct community conversation, PRA tools, data collection. The trainings were conducted for Hurumu and B/Nopa planning team at Mettu Town, for Chora and Yayu planning team at Yayu, for Doreni planning team at Elemo town and Algie-Sachi Planning team at Algie-Sachi town.After the training, the planning team conducted about one hundred community conversations at villages’ level and collected community perspectives from 9066 participants indicated below in table5. The participants include local elders, kebele representatives, youths, women, religious leaders, kebele administrators, and representatives of dierent stakeholders such as OFWE, OFECCA, Agriculture and Natural Resource Oce, and land management. Table 5. Number of participants participated in the community conversation about the BR management plan Name of woredaNo of kebeles No of people kebelesActual no of people participated in the DoreniAlge-SachiYayuChoraBilo-NopaTotal 42 Field Observations (Transect walks)The consultancy team had visited the communities (randomly sampled kebeles and villages) and made transect walks through the dierent zones of the biosphere reserve to make direct observations which is essential to gain an insight and triangulation of data collected by dierent methods.There were also in-depth interviews with community members which help the team to compliment and triangulate the ndings obtained from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Issues that need special attention during the observation was captured using came

49 ras and recorded on formats developed fo
ras and recorded on formats developed for the purpose.Some of these issues include farming and its encroachment to the buer zones, increasing settlement around the biosphere reserve, unemployment, and coee plantation around/in the buer zones. Validation workshop and Review of the management plan at Woreda and Zonal LevelExpert opinion and Validation workshopwas conducted at zonal level. The participants were represented from zonal dierent sectors including the zone administration, woredas, kebeles private sectors, and Mettu University. Information obtained from the dierent sources (community, relevant woreda experts, woreda and kebele executives) was validated using triangulation techniques and their feedbacks was included in this management plan (Annex 1 and 2). The local community representatives, experts, stakeholders, andresponsible authorities evaluated the feasibility of the planned management. Validation workshops in the Six WoredasAfter community perspectives collection and summarization, validations of the same were taken place in the six Woreda. These were important because the collected data were from sampled villages and kebeles. Therefore, all community representatives including from the non-sampled kebeles were called to validate the collected community say. Women, religious leaders, inuential people, youths, teachers, local government ocials,CBO leaders, cooperatives were intentionally invited to these workshops. The summery of the data were presented to participants and validated by the participants. Zonal level Stakeholders perspective about the management plan of Yayu Coee Forest BiosphereAt zonal level, more data were collected from government sector oces and administration oces. About 19 sector oces representatives participated in a workshop and provide technical, legal and strategic level inputs. Data were also collected from other stakeholders such as institutions including Mettu University (MU), NGOs, and private sectors such as YFF who have stake in the biosphere management. During this workshop, apart from providing their perspective in every issue raised, there was an encouraging pledging from diere

50 nt organizations to support the eec
nt organizations to support the eective implementation of the management plan. The Mettu University (MU) for example, has shown a keen interest to support the community during implementation by conducting researches that could address the problem of the community.3.3. Data Analysis and InterpretationCareful transcription, analysis and interpretation of the relevant information collected by the respective expert teams lead to prescription of management activities on to the core, buer and transitional zones of the biosphere reserve and the preparation of the management plan. The full participation of the multiple stakeholders, involvement of expert teams at local, the visions, values, priorities and objectives of the biosphere reserve. In the course of the discussions, issues that dominated most of the discussions were the naming of the YayuBiosphere reserve, Branding of products from the biosphere, physical demarcation of the three functional zones(Core, Buer, and Transition), the fate of coee in the buer zone, youth unemployment, declining of livelihood options due to population pressure and the implication of projects/factories/(YFF, Geba hydroelectric power) constructions inside the biosphere reserve.This assures an appropriate decision on management actions, organizational elements, action plans and indicators for monitoring of the YCFBR management plan implementation. PARTIV: Management Plan Specication4.1. IntroductionThis section presents vision, mission, goal, and objectiveof the Management Plan (MP)and implementation strategies of the biosphere reserve management plan. It species core objectives, expected outputs, specic activities and actions, and stakeholders involved in the implementation of the plan. The scope of the assignment is to develop a management planthat will be implemented within the coming 10 years (2018-2028) which is subjected for necessary intermediate amendments whenever needed.This management plan shall be implemented within the six YCFBR woredas. Detailed issues such main threats, priority activities that should be implemented soon, the current funding available for such priorities, a more urgent need for fundra

51 ising will be discussed later in the upc
ising will be discussed later in the upcoming sections and alternative options will be recommended.This management plan does not seek to replace any of the other strategies and plans relating to dierent aspects of forest and environmental managements and published by ocial administrations. For example, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the Agricultural and Rural Development Policies and Strategies or Development and conservation strategies of various woreda administrations covering the area remain key documents for Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve. Rather, the management plan seeks to complement these documents and build on the ideas they contain. The plan aims to be in line with the national interest as well as current global directions of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources (see legal framework section for more details). It is also understood the goals and objectives of the GTPII that Ethiopia strives to achieve by 2025. At the same time, it provides a strategic direction and priority actions that focus clearly on local sustainable development of the area and the conservation of its bio-cultural diversity, in the specic framework of the biosphere reserve.4.2. Vision, Mission, and Goalof the Management PlanVision: To see healthy, integrated and well-functioning biosphere reservethat support the livelihood of the local community in a sustainable way by 2028.Mission: Promote a sustainable balance among the conservation of biodiversity, compatible economic use, and cultural values, through participatory public and private partnership interdisciplinary research, education and communication. Goal of the Management PlanAccording to Oromia Forest Development, Conservation and Utilization Proclamation, forest management plan is a plan for development, conservation and utilization of a natural or manmade forest.The central goal of the plan is to guide and co-ordinate the work of all stakeholders with an interest in the biosphere reserve and in delivering the biosphere reserve functions. It applies to the entire YCFBR and shall be followed by all relevant stakeholders related to YCFBR, at all levels.The management plan provides infor

52 mation about YCFBR strategic direction f
mation about YCFBR strategic direction for the future and clear direction and details for the development and implementation of programs that advance YCFBR as a living and learning place for coee gene pool, bio-cultural diversity and sustainable development. The management plan does not seek to replace any of the other strategies and plans relating to dierent aspects of forest and environmental managements and published by ocial administrations. For example, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the Agricultural and Rural Development Policies and Strategies or Development and conservation strategies of various woreda administrations covering the area remain key documents for Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve. Rather, the management plan seeks to complement these documents and build on the ideas they contain. The plan aims to be in line with the national interest as well as current global directions of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources (see legal framework section 44 for more details). It is also understood the goals and objectives of the GTPII that Ethiopia strives to achieve by 2025. At the same time, it provides a strategic direction and priority actions that focus clearly on local sustainable development of the area and the conservation of its bio-cultural diversity, in the specic framework of the biosphere reserve.Overall ObjectiveThe overall objective of the management plan is to improve the management and conservation of YCFBR using a multi-sectoral-integrated approach by developing 10 years management plan for the biosphere reserve following the ecosystem approach principles in agreement with the objectives, needs and priorities of the biosphere reserve in terms of conservation, sustainability and livelihood.The multi-sectoral-integrated approach is opted for this project so as to create cooperative responsibility among all involved stakeholders and bring them together to have collaborative eort towards the sustainable management and conservation of the Biosphere reserve. Therefore, one of the activities to achieve this aim is to develop management plan to YCFBR and its implementation strategies. The purpose of

53 the management plan is therefore, to con
the management plan is therefore, to contribute to the conservation of the biodiversity and natural resources of YCFBR and to ensure sustainable and equitable sharing of benets and responsibilities.Specic Objectives Conservation and protection of Yayu coee forest biosphere reserve promoted Sustainable economic development enhancedPrivate-Public Partnership (PPP) established and strengthenedCommunication and public relationship strategies developed4.3. Principles and ValuesThe design and implementation of the YBR management plan shall be guided by the following core principles:Basic principles for implementation1) Transparency: all aspects of the BR management plan from the design, implementation and monitoring should be discussed and communicated transparently to all stakeholders at all levels, and any decision needed should be taken collectively in consultation with communities. All stakeholders should have full and equal access to information pertaining to BR management and benet sharing. 2)Inclusiveness: the BR management program should identify and involve all ranges of stakeholders. It should include various social groups such as marginal groups, women and youth. All stakeholders at various levels in towns and inside and around the BR should be involved and have equal voices and decision-making power on issues concerning sustainable management of the YCFBRand equitable benet sharing.3)Participatory: the project’s decision making should avoid informing and dictating, rather must involve stakeholders in a truly participatory style. It should incorporate voices and concerns of all into planning and implementation of the BR.4)Open and two-way dialogues: information obtained, and views of community should be respected equally as that of professional at federal and regional levels. Therefore, two-way exchange of information and consensus building approach should be persuaded.5)Flexibility: the BR management plan implementation should learn by doing and be exible enough to incorporate new ideas (re-planning), approaches and stakeholders as they emerge and found necessary to include.Put in place mechanism for grievance redressing: stakeholders shoul

54 d have a system where they can reec
d have a system where they can reect their concern and grievances at any time and be heard. Any conict arising in the process of implementing the BR management actions should also be resolved and redressed immediately using an established and transparent system. Key Principles for Management Plan Preparation‘SMART’ planning i.e. specic, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.The biosphere reserve management plan targets should relate to national, regional and zonal BMPs.Holistic: The planning viewsnature from broader perspective include coee forest, water, trees, livestock species, air, human, etc.Integration and Partnership: The long-termsustainabilityofthebiodiversity management shall be ensured through appropriate partnerships, resourcing and engagement of multiple stakeholders.The BMP shall be aligned with the sites’/zonation plan, environmental management system and Participatory-The planning process is inclusive regardless of ethnic, religion, sex and age dierence.Transparent-BMP is responsive, transparent and inclusive.Relevance-Biodiversity conservation is topical issue of the globe and local community.Monitored plan-The plan will be used as a road map, site plan, and as a guide against which every actions and interaction is evaluated and monitored.Easily practical- it is a participatory and bottom-up approach which does not require much cost and technology. It should be easily practicable by using existing knowledge and capacities of the community and the local government.Add values to existing knowledge-the BMP has the capacity to increase the local capacity while contributing to the national and international knowledge management.4.4 .Major Outcomes and DeliverablesThe management plan outcomes are aiming about achieving sustainable use and management of natural resources in YCFBR. Natural resources include all types of physical resources (water, air, climate, soils and minerals) and biological resources (ora, fauna, agricultural produce, ecosystems services and people-culture, institutions). These resources are essential to the survival of communities around the YCFBR, well-being and quality of life. It is imperative th

55 at the communities begin to use and mana
at the communities begin to use and manage natural resources in a sustainable way so that this will continue to support the livelihood of current and future generations. 46 Table 6.Management plan outcomes OutcomesResponsible Organ/Line oceMAB principles on BR realized and implemented Yayu wild coee gen pool conserved Biocultural diversity rehabilitated and conserved Carbon sequestration potential of YBR enhancedNational and International scientic research and education promoted in YayuBiosphere reserveRegional and zonal OFECA, OFWEand MoSTRegional and zonal OFECA, OFWE and EIBZonal tourism oce and MEFCCOromia REDD+ (Program)Mettu University in Collaboration with other Universities.The local livelihood enhanced and diversiedSustainable use of NTFPs promotedYayu forest coee conserved, branded and internationally marketedWater, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) and sustainable waste management promoted Clean and Renewable energy sources promotedZonal and woredas’ Agriculture and Natural Resource,zonal shery and livestock ocesTea and Coee Development Authority Water, Energy and Irrigation oce Established and strengthened functional PPP to enhance local entrepreneurshipGreen entrepreneurship developed Investment on modern and improved coee handling technologies promoted Zonal and woreda CooperativesZonal and woreda Cooperatives and Agriculture and Natural Resource ocesZonal Tea and Coee Development Authority and zonal and woredas’ Agriculture and Natural Resource oces.Coordination and Collaboration through research and awareness enhancedParticipatory resource use and decision-making system enabled through scientic research and training Raised awareness on the environment and development and raised public funds.Mettu University in Collaboration with other UniversitiesRegional and Zonal OFECA andOFWE4.5. Sector wise Proposed Management Actions (Table 7 to 11)Establishment of management unit, an organ responsible for the plan handover, implementation, monitoring and performance evaluation;Completing the physical demarcation of all boundaries in the biosphere reserveand handover to the management unit;Ac

56 cording to the plan/demarcation, demonst
cording to the plan/demarcation, demonstrate and monitor that there has not been any loss of known plant or livestock species; Awareness, knowledge, and information dissemination in all localities;Ensuring the well-being of the community through job creation, and agricultural improvement extension programs by giving special attention to the woredas located in the biosphere reserve;Demonstrating the number of employed and empowered youths and women in all woredas located in the biosphere reserve;Providing alternative energy sources such as electricity, solar power, biogas production, fuel saving stoves etc.;Creating market strategies and linkages for the six woredas to enable them to get optimum benet from their agricultural and non-agricultural products;Promoting the original products from the biosphere reserve such as wild coee and honey products. Providing them special brand and certifying them so that the local community in the biosphere reservecould be beneted and competent nationally and globally;Provision of basic infrastructure and social services such as schools and health facilities to make all kebeles found in the biosphere reserveaccessible;Mitigating illegal settlement by controlling immigration at macro and local levels;Establish community resource mobilizing and fund-raising strategies; andEstablish formal monitoring and reporting system for YCFBR;Serious realization of family planning to balance uncontrolled population growth is also recommended by the community planning teams. 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 o avoid the issue of fund/budget shortage, each concerned line oce should include in its yearly budget plan some amount of money for the implementation of the above stated major activities depending when the planned activities are implemented (see table 10 to table 12). The other nancial source for the implementation of the activities in the biosphere reservecould be facilitation and creation of linkages with micronance institutions and the Mega projects such as Yayu fertilizer Factory considering as a potential stakeholder. To use the budget centrally, either it should be under the control of the regional government (concerned line

57 bureau) or the Zonal administration.Est
bureau) or the Zonal administration.Estimated Budget= 700ETB/ha*167,021ha*10years=1,169,147,000.00ETB. It needs a detailed budget for each activityand deliverables.4.6. Management StrategiesThe management plan is intended to cover the coming ten years (2018-2028) and will come into operation following approval and endorsement by the Regional, Zonal and Woreda Council, and will cease to have eect ten years after commencement, unless revoked sooner or replaced with a new plan. If appropriate, the management plan may be amended periodically in the future, by incorporating lessons learned from practices and research. This adaptive approach shall be conducted by the Biosphere Reserve’s Management Units (BRMU) and strengthened by community and stakeholders’ consultation and approval.The following tables outline the major activities, deliverables and responsible bodies for each BR sustainable management. The following discussion denes proposed sustainable forest management objectives and summarizes implementation in tabular form. This strategy is developed with the cooperation of relevant and strategic stakeholders at dierent scales. Conservation and Protection of Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere reserveThis can be achieved by the following specic strategy and activities at community levelThis plan is also aimed to address the following issues that complement the sustainable development and environmental conservation of Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve.Education: To advance understanding of sustainable biosphere reserve management, a publication could be developed by YBR management team for target audiences including forestry workers, students and the public who might not fully understand the importance of environmentally sound coee forest management for the communities. Contributions would be invited from selected experts. The publication would discuss the green economy development’s history and importance to our communities, principles of sound forest management, biodiversity, Integrated Resource Management (IRM), climate change and sustainable economic development, while promoting environmental governance and business cooperation. Enhan

58 cing sustainable economic developmentIn
cing sustainable economic developmentIn order to improve the quality of livelihood of the local community who are reside around the biosphere, the management plan has proposed the following activities. This proposed action was based on the inputs from the communities. The implementation of the proposed action points will be guided based on the principles of the three pillars of sustainability that ensure the balance between them. Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs . In the extensive discussion and use of the concept since then, there has generally been recognition of three pillars of sustainable development that enhance the implementation of the management plan ; these are: Economic, Environmental and Social sustainability. Therefore, the implementation of this management plan is guided by the following principles of sustainable development. The principle of environmental Management: this promotes the conservation and management of the natural resources while satisfying the sustainable human consumption. This principle promotes the restoration and rehabilitation of the ecosystem and maintains the biological diversity.The principle of Social sustainability: it is aimed to improve the quality of human life, including poverty alleviation and recognize the extent of cultural diversity and respond accordingly. It is also aimed to protect and promote human health through a healthy environment. Implement skills training and capacity enhancement for all people who are depends on the coee forest resources for their survival.The principle of Economic sustainability: This principle is aimed in addressing the economic development of the local communities through sustainable utilization of natural resources within the allowable biosphere reserve zone. This principle ensures the implementation of MAB principles of balancing the human welfare and environmental conservation. To realize this objective, the following core activities expected to be implemented:Ensuring the well-being of the community through job creation, and agricultural improvement extension programs by givin

59 g special attention to the woredas locat
g special attention to the woredas located in the biosphere reserve;Demonstrating the number of employed and empowered youths and women in all woredas located in the biosphere reserve;Creating market linkages for the six woredas to enable them to benet from their agricultural and non-agricultural products;Promoting the original products from the biosphere reserve such as wild coee and honey products. Providing them special brand and certifying them so that the local community in the biosphere reservecould be beneted and competent nationally and globally;Provision of basic infrastructure and social services such as schools and health facilities to make all kebeles found in the biosphere reserve accessible;Guidelines for Implementation of Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Plana) Ecient Use of Resources: encouraging and facilitating development and application of systems for proper resource pricing, demand management and resource allocation together with incentives to encourage ecient use of resources; and employing full-cost accounting to provide better information for decision makers.b) Public Participation: establishing forums which encourage and provide opportunity for consultation and meaningful participation in decision making processes of stakeholders; endeavoring to provide due process, prior notication and appropriate and timely redress for those adversely aected by decisions and actions; and striving to achieve consensus amongst stakeholders with regard to decisions aecting them.c) Access to Information: encouraging and facilitating the improvement and renement of economic, environmental, human health and social information; andd) (b) Promoting the opportunity for equal and timely access to information by all YBR stakeholders.e) Waste minimization and substitution: encouraging and promoting the development and use of substitutes for scarce resources where such substitutes are both environmentally sound and economically viable; and (b) use the four Rs’-reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering the products of society. 30 World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). Our Common Future.31Se

60 e e.g. Holmberg ed. (1992), Making Devel
e e.g. Holmberg ed. (1992), Making Development Sustainable, Chapter 1; Reed ed. (1997), Structural Adjustment, the Environment and Sustainable Development, Chapter 2 60 f) Research and Innovation: encouraging and assisting the researching, development, application and sharing of knowledge and technologies which further YBR economic, environmental, human health and social well-beings. Encourage the local research and academic institutions in the research and innovation.4.7. Stakeholders’ Engagement and their RoleThe existence and sustainability of the biosphere reserve is highly inuenced by the interaction between dierent actors operating in the area. There are institutions/individuals, government/private, and natives/immigrant groups in the biosphere reserve. These groups operate dierently for dierent purposes, implying competition and depletion of resources in the biosphere. Practically, there are groups of multiple actors with multiple interests who directly or indirectly beneted from biodiversity. This group includes rural residents whose livelihoods are aected by the changes in the nature of the biosphere reserve. There are also other actors such as government organizations, private or NGOs who are directly aecting the biosphere reservehabitat. Increased participation of the community in land, water and vegetation management, and environmental conservation is an eective way to change on-ground practices and guarantee that the natural resources are used in more sustainable ways. However, natural resource management is just as complex as it is important, so we need strategic direction-a Plan-to do the best job we can.Therefore, this management plan aims to articulate the concerns and priorities of local community in YCFBR for conserving and managing local natural resources bases.The successful implementation of this management plan requires the consultation and engagement of the end beneciaries, the communities. This is also requiring appropriate marketing strategies with the engagements of green entrepreneurs. To achieve this objective, multi-stakeholder consultation and participation forum should be facilitated and established.

61 Table 12. Stakeholder Analysis and Inte
Table 12. Stakeholder Analysis and Interest Groups Interest groupsCategories Interest and functionLevel of inuence low) Implication for BRMEFCCAGovernment Overall policy regulationMediumProvide a policy guidance for the YCFBR management MoSTGovernment biosphere reserve research and technology transferMediumProvide guidance related research and technology transfer to ensure sustainable BR management Universities/research centersGovernmentResearch monitoring and evaluation/MediumProvide support on high level scientic research and Conduct society relevance action research to support BR implementationWater, Irrigation and ElectricityGovernment Regulating provision of basic services such as electricity and water resource use and irrigation MediumProvide policy guidance and advice on water management, irrigation strategies. 61 Interest groupsCategories Interest and functionLevel of inuence low) Implication for BREthiopian Biodiversity InstituteGovernmentBiosphere reserve conservationMediumConduct in situ an ex-situ conservation within the BR and provide strategic guidance to support BRM Ethiopian Road AuthorityGovernment Construction of road facilities and regulation of the impact of road construction on the biosphere reserveMediumProvide strategic guidance and advice to support on road infrastructure Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE)Government Protection, conservation and marketing of forest and wildlifeHighExistence of an organ primarily responsible for the management of the biosphere reservealthough the oce is prot oriented by promoting market-oriented forests/trees; trading of forest products; planting exotic tree speciesOromia Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority (OEFCCA)Government Protection and conservation of natural environmentHighExistence of an organ primarily responsible for the regulation of the biosphere reservealthough the oce involves in development services such as planting and conserving environment than on regulatory works such as policies and strategies at higher levelRural Land AdministrationGovernment Management of rural land; land certication; enforcing boundaries; improving well-being of communitiesHighFocus

62 on privately owned land and its adminis
on privately owned land and its administration than on communal forests; boundary dispute; lack of certication of forest/communal land; inability to enforce boundariesOromia Agriculture and Natural resourceGovernment Transforming agriculture through agricultural extension services and technology HighFocus on livelihood improvement through farming (tradition based) without prior focus on the biosphere; declining agricultural productivity particularly in Transition area implies the biosphere reserve threat; lack of provision of alternative livelihoods 62 Interest groupsCategories Interest and functionLevel of inuence low) Implication for BROromia Investment commissionGovernment Regulation of investments in and around the biosphere reserveHighRegulating small and large-scale investment projects; ensuring the implementation of EIACivil society OrganizationsCommunity capacity building and conservation towards biosphere reserve managementMediumAwareness creation on the benets and threats of the biosphere reserveCommunity residentsCBO/privateLivelihood maintenanceHighLivelihood maintenance through resources in the biosphere reserve; coee plantation; trading of forest products such as timber, rewood, coal, mining, hunting, collecting wild foods, using wild coee products in the core and buer zonesPrivate/CBOsLivelihood maintenance by forming a group and participate opportunities in the area such as wood work, metal work, Livestock production, trade, tourism.MediumLivelihood maintenance by participation in business opportunities such as wood work, rewood, coal, mineral/construction materials, which led to depletion of resources.Youth AssociationCommunity Youth capacity empowerment through advocacyHighNew potential for the awareness creation on the benets and threats of the biosphere reserveWomen AssociationsCommunity Women capacity empowerment through advocacyHighNew potential for the awareness creation on the benets and threats of the biosphere reserveAdministration Government Administer all jurisdictionHighThe only government organ more involved in the management of the biosphere reserve at the local level 63 Interest groupsCategories Inter

63 est and functionLevel of inuence lo
est and functionLevel of inuence low) Implication for BR‘Iddir’ Associations Self-help group, providing material, nancial, and psychological services for MediumNew potential for the awareness creation and regulation on the benets and threats of the biosphere reserveElders’ Council Resolving inter-group disagreementsHighNew potential for the awareness creation and regulation on the benets and threats of the biosphere reserveReligious Institutions Spiritual and developmental services for their MediumNew potential for the awareness creation and regulation on the benets and threats of the biosphere reserveYayu Fertilizer factoryGovernment Production of fertilizer (nitrogenous fertilizer)HighAttracting thousands of people from other parts of the country leading to the creation of smaller towns surrounding it; use of natural resources from the biosphere; chemical hazards aecting people and nature in the areaFarmers’ Association GO/privateIncreasing farm productivity MediumFarm expansion, use of agro-chemical, issue of marketing Private businessPrivateUser of raw materials and a market placeHighIndirectly depending on the natural products to maximize their prot and also provide opportunities to enhance sustainable management of the natural resources and facilitate market access for local farmers* The rating high, medium and low is done based on the level of anticipated future inuence of government organizations, CBOS, Associations, Private business sectors on the YCFBR.The identied stakeholders, their tasks and roles in the BMP are summarized in the table below. 64 Table 13. Stakeholders of YCFBR identied and their roles (expected activities and actions) Stakeholders’ categories Main Responsible Organ for coordination and facilitation and follow-up the plan implementationOther Stakeholders Role in BR managementGovernment agencies at various level Federal Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change(MEFCC)Ministry of Water, Energy and Irrigation(MWEI)Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources(MANR)Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoST)Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversit

64 y (EIB)Cooperative Agency Integration of
y (EIB)Cooperative Agency Integration of operations at national scale and link BR with GTP/CRGE and other national initiatives;Mainstream BR principles in national planning and monitoring and annual budget allocation through public fund-raising schemes.Harmonize BR eorts and ensure sustainable utilization and address drivers of bio-cultural lossRegional Oromia Environment, Forest and climate change authority (OEFCCA)Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE)Bureau of Agriculture and Natural resourcesBureau of Livestock and FisheryLand administrationWater, irrigation and energyWomen and youthRegional biodiversity deskCooperative agency Coordinate inter-sectorial planning of program implementation;Mainstreaming BR program in regional development plans, annual budgeting and implementation Oromia Investment Commission MEFCC, OEFCCAEnsuring EIARegulation of investments on the biosphere reserve zones Zonal OEFCCAOce of agriculture and natural resourcesOce of Livestock and sheryOce of water, irrigation and energyOce of culture and tourismCooperative agency Oce of women and youthImplement BR project activitiesIntegrating BR plan of action at landscape levelFacilitate and coordinate management plan and its implementation at local levelWoreda OEFCCAOce of agriculture and natural resourcesOEFCCAOce of Livestock and sheryOce of water, irrigation and energyCooperative agencyOce of culture and tourism Oce of women and youthWoreda biodiversity desk Implement BR project activities; Integrating BR plan of action at landscape levelImplement individual activities 65 Stakeholders’ categories Main Responsible Organ for coordination and facilitation and follow-up the plan implementationOther Stakeholders Role in BR managementCommunities Community organizations Woreda OEFCCAGadaa, Iddirs, community elders and Religious institutions, Kebele administrations, livestock owners, crop growers, coee growers and urban dwellers etc.These are likely highly aected by the BR program since they rely on for their They are also beneciaries of improved management of BR but also the bearers of costs and risks. They comprise stakeholder

65 s that are highly aected but have l
s that are highly aected but have list inuence of decision-making. They are also the one directly implementing activities that result in sustainable resource management and utilization. Thus, they need to know benets, costs/risks and their roles in the BR management process since they interact closely with resources, addressing drivers. Private sectorsWoreda OEFCCALarge-small scale timber investors NTFP product-based enterprises (e.g. spices, coee, honey)Agri-businessCoee traders (OCFCU)Coee washing machine ownersCoee producer’s cooperatives.These directly or indirectly inuence BR management. They play role in regulating BR products (timber and Their involvement and believes in the goal of BR management is essential to help regulate products they purchase and to ensure that what they get is obtained through sustainably managed ecosystem. Academic/Research institute Zonal OEFCCAOromia Institute of Agriculture Research Jimma University, Mettu University, Wollega UniversityEthiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI)Environment and Forest Research Institute Research and Outreach;Generating and dissemination of new knowledge Participation in monitoring and community outreach servicesmultination OEFCCAOromia Development Organization,Oromia women AssociationOromia youth associationUNESCO, PHE-EC, GIZ/UNIQE-NABU, Ethio-Wetlands and ECCFSupport in project activity implementation;Fund raising and resource mobilization Research and educationMarketing and livelihood improvement 66 4.8. Legal and institutional arrangementAs briey discussed in the previous sections, the YCFBR management requires reaching out to huge number of stakeholders across the biosphere reserveterritory. It will cover the whole six woredas within the biosphere reserveboundary and surrounding environs that will be conducted at zone and woreda level with the support of regional and federal structures. A system of structure at all administrative structure level that support and facilitate eective consultation need to be developed. Putting such a system in place reduces implementation costs particularly that of management and enhance decision-making process, while also enhanci

66 ng eciency in the implementation th
ng eciency in the implementation the BR action plans. The management planning process has employed participatory approaches as depicted in gure 9 below. It is believed that this model enables and allows the full participation of all relevant stakeholders and preplanning for increasing exibility and tap opportunities.Figure 9 The BR management planning cycle Figure 10 Proposed Management StructureAs indicated above in gure 9, this optional structure proposes a ve level (Federal, Region, Zone, Woreda and Kebele) management structure that promotes eective BR implementation process and empowerment of stakeholders at their respective levels to ensure that the program informs benets and risks and also be informed risks and concerns from the stakeholders; hence the program is well streamlined and accessed by all categories of stakeholders at all levels. The structure at zone level has three units, namely, Zonal level steering committee, BR Technical Team and BR Management Team. For this, a BR management unit established at zone level to facilitate the implementation of the management plan and the technical team established at zone level will back up the BR management unit technically. The BR implementation unit is expected to be established at woreda and kebele levels. This unit is responsible to support and coordinate the implementation of BR management plan. Sectors planning at a woreda level should be coordinated and every sector oce has to mainstream BR related activities. This proposed structure opts to facilitate eective and ecient implementation of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Plan. This management plan will also be realized with close consultation of other Federal and Regional stakeholders including the international development partners. The management unitstake responsibility for mainstreaming, implementing and monitoring of the management plan.Government sector heads should provide supervision and steering and 1-2 meetings per year. Private sectors need to participate on specic issues such as marketing opportunities and NGOs for PFM monitoring etc. meet with and support the management units now and

67 then based on needs and requests. UNIQUE
then based on needs and requests. UNIQUE/NABU is about to provide nancial support to zonal management unit.4.9. Research, Monitoring and CommunicationResearch, Monitoring and Communication will ascertain that the biosphere reserve management has a good foundation, and that the nature and environmental policies are being based on sci 68 entic knowledge. The government and its development partners will expand basic knowledge build-up and nature monitoring to included knowledge on how to conserve and exploit the biosphere reservesources in a sustainable manner, and how to improve our knowledge about solutions and decision making that ensure the balance between nature conservation and economic utilization. The management team will also increase activities on socio-economic analysis of costs and benets in connection with conservation of biodiversity. The YBR should provide guidance so that each BR can become rmly rooted in the social, cultural, and economic fabric of its associated communities. These communities should derive tangible benets from participation in BR activities, such as international recognition and linkages, a stronger voice in environmental management, better access to scientic information, employment opportunities, enhanced valuation of traditional uses and cultural integrity, improved access to nancial and technical resources, and opportunities to create partnerships that enable stakeholders to educate each other on the benets of integrating conservation and development. Several general requirements for knowledge build-up are linked to the specic initiatives of this action a) Expansion of fundamental knowledge about occurrence and distribution of habitats and species, and development of individual indicators for status and development process,b) Development of agricultural practices in transition area that safeguard high environmental standards and biodiversity, c) Establishment of research program for organic farming and marketing, d) Development of models for elucidation of operational and socio-economic consequences of dierent measures,e) Cross-disciplinary and holistic analyses of opportunities and conicts in

68 connection with conservation and land u
connection with conservation and land use, andf) Expansion of knowledge about public and NTFPs including ecotourism consumption patterns regarding use of nature and marketing strategy. The individual, specic need for knowledge build-up must be assessed and described in more detail by all relevant stakeholders including universities and research institutions around the Biosphere reservesites under OEFCCA and OFWE. The government and its partners place emphasis on disseminating the existing knowledge on the importance of biosphere reserve management for the growth and transformation of local and national economies and contribution to the global bio-cultural diversity as widely so that as many interested people as possible can get insight into the results. 4.10. Resource MobilizationOne of the primary functions of the management entity is to obtain fund and resources for the biosphere reserve and to ensure that these resources are invested or applied in the most ecient manner. The sources of resources could be from Federal, Regional and local government budgets, mainly through MEFCC as the implementation of the plan is part of the duties and responsibilities of various oces. It also come from local, national or international partners through application of dierent fund-raising strategies facilitated and coordinated by OFWE, and OEFCCA. Also, it is important that resources be applied from the Oromia Science and Technology Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, IlluAbbaBor and Buno-Bedele zone and woreda administrations, CRGE facility, local and national private partnership resources.1) Biodiversity International (BI);2) Centre for Development Research (ZEF);3) Conservation International (CI);4) Earth watch Institute;5) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO);6) Global Environmental Facility (GEF); 7) Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS);8) International Council for Science (ICSU);9) International Fund administered by the World Bank;10) International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI);11) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN);12) The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU);13) Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;14) UN Wor

69 ld Heritage Convention;15) United Nation
ld Heritage Convention;15) United Nations Environment Program & United Development program (UNEP&UNDP);16) United Nations HABITAT;17) United States Agency for International Development (USAID);18) World Resources Institute (WRI);19) World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); and 20) DFID etc. Furthermore, the management unit shall develop a modality to tap resources through the implementation of Payment for Environmental Services (PES). The successful implementation of this management plan requires the consultation and engagement of the end beneciaries, the communities. This is also requiring appropriate marketing strategies with the engagements of green entrepreneurs. To achieve this objective, multi-stakeholder consultation and participation forum should be facilitated and established. The aim of developing alternative livelihood such as the ecotourism infrastructure includes the following:Promote experimental cultural enrichment, environmental education, outdoor recreation and access to services for tourists and residents. Attract visitors to the region using the UNESCO Biosphere reserve brand recognized across Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve locally and internationally. Enhance visitor and resident understanding about unique natural and cultural features of YCFBR and its unique wild coee gene pool. Encourage respect for environmental and cultural integrity. Increase tourist visit duration to support market ready attractions and communities. Encourage cooperation among relevant stakeholders such as entrepreneurs and communities to enhance the biosphere reserveprole as a destination area. Enhance opportunities for YCFBR revenue generation through its ‘Champions of the biosphere reserve’ strategy. Strategies to achieve marketing objectivesAdvance marketing Collaboration with federal, regional and zonal and woreda agency representatives, municipalities and cultural interest groups locally and internationally.Use the UNESCO/YCFBR logo on highway signs, “brand name of wild coee arabica” decals, brochures/rack cards and other promotional materials, coupled with ‘QR’ code icons to provide a link with the online “Map Application

70 48; and website mobile information sourc
48; and website mobile information source for the region.Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve is developing brand identication including title and logo standards to be used at zone and woreda entry with the cooperation local, national and international development partners and business entities. Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve will facilitate partnerships with compatible enterprises and governments to advance its mission, objectives and strategic marketing plan.Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve will facilitate the presentation of special events that 70 demonstrate and celebrate the cultural richness, natural environment, and sustainable resource use in the biosphere.Develop and use state of the art technology to communicate heritage information, access to cultural and natural features, regular community events and programs. Market TargetsIt is believed that the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve features a unique variety of cultural, natural, and institutional assets that can be promoted to specic ‘market sectors’ within the woreda, and in a broader national and international context. Advertising in specic target marketsIn context with the target audiences listed above Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve will work with the National Biosphere Reserves and the Ethiopia Council for UNESCO to enhance promotional material associated with other Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve and the global UNESCO brand. Establish Yayu website with the domain name of the Coee forest biodiversity:a) Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve will work with parks, culture and tourism agency, Ethiopian airlines, Ethiopian tour operators, hotel owner association and the Oromia Environment Forest and Climate Change Authority, Oromia Forest Wildlife Enterprise, and other relevant stakeholders to support activities and promotional material development.b) Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve is exploring opportunities to partner with other’s experience and transportation related associations, businesses, and industry to develop mutually benecial marketing/advertising strategies. Community Benet Sharing StrategiesCommunity benet s

71 haring strategy is a mechanism that will
haring strategy is a mechanism that will be developed to equitably share the YCFBR resources among the local communities. To realize the provision of resource ownership and incentives to the local community, detail benet sharing schemes should be outlined and installed by the YCFBR management unit. In order to make the schemes eective, business plan should be developed by the zonal Cooperative. 4.11. Indicators, Monitoring and ReviewAs shown in table 11 below, overall nature and environmental monitoring will develop and improve our understanding of trends in biodiversity and whether biosphere reserve conservation eorts are producing the results desired. The concerted activity of interest organizations (public, private and community institutions) and YBR committee of biosphere reserve management, authorities and ministries in overall nature monitoring and management eorts need to be coordinated and properly documented as an input for adaptive management exercise.In this way, the government together with YBR will ensure that overall Yayu coee forest biosphere reserveand its environment monitoring contribute to the necessary overview of biodiversity trends in Yayuin particular and Ethiopia in general, including wild coee Arabica gen pool particular and species diversity in general, which Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve management is committed to conserve and protect. As part of the national and regional mandates, the Oromia Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority, Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise together with Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity, Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will facilitate and coordinate this process. The mid-term evaluation will serve as a basis for decisions concerning adjustments to the community action plan and its implementation until 2028 when a nal evaluation of target performance will be carried out. A system of targeted and comprehensive indicators, which show the general trend in certain main groups within bio-cultural diversity, will be dened via Collaboration between the institutions and interest organizations involved including the pr

72 ivate sectors. While monitoring the bios
ivate sectors. While monitoring the biosphere reserve management plan implementation, the following points have to put into consideration and consulted with the relevant stakeholders regularly. Land, water, and biotic resources are assigned livelihood values but also symbolic and religious signicance.Whilst indigenous and local governance of natural resources responses to many of the needs of local peoples, the diverse concerns of dierent groups within communities are often dierentially accommodated. Indeed, in all societies various types of co-management agreement shall be fair and capable of accommodating the specic interests of dierent social actors (Adams, 1996 ).The agricultural and industrial activities are based on the principle of sustainable development and accommodate the principle of MAB and need to be considered during the participatory monitoring of the eectiveness and eciency of the management plan.This participatory monitoring process will enable to adopt exible adaptive management strategy. Table 14. Indicators to monitor the implementation of participatory management agreement Indicators Example in Yayu BRStewardship of natural resources-Strengthen of local institutions-Maintenance of natural resource ows-Frequency of village assembly-Role of traditional chief (Abba Gedaa) in the -NTFP including coee harvestRespect for the -Eectiveness of indigenous regulations-Extent of vegetation cover in each zone-Number water points protected-Use of local species in reforestation and aorestationEcological enhancement -Maintenance of sacred sites-Enforcement of indigenous regulations -Quality of environment in the sacred sites-Frequency of standing of specic tree speciesprotection and rehabilitation -Extent of vegetation cover -Extent of gully erosion-Maintenance of terraces by local community-Rehabilitation of specic sites in BR zonesEco-tourism developed-Infrastructure developed-Marketing strategies including promotion of potential sites-Cultural and archeological sites such as Abba Gedaa assembly sites-Natural beauty and wild coee Promote and strengthen Communication and partnership -Communication str

73 ategies -Research and training -Awarenes
ategies -Research and training -Awareness about the resources and sustainable utilization -Research conducted by local universities -Traditional resource management and communication strategies-Assessment conducted by GO, NGOs and other partners 72 PART V: Concluding Remarks and Recommendations5.1 Concluding Remarksf the conversion and degradation of the forest continues, it will result several irreversible damages in the ecosystem that aect the local community most. This problem is well understood by dierent stakeholders including the community and their partners at the government oce. As clearly stated at dierent forums; of addressing this issue is one of the priorities of the natural resource management team. They also appreciate the complexity of the problem, as there are various actors with dierent interest.One of their greatest concerns in this regard is the increasing number of youth without proper unemployment and small or no landholdings. For these groups, logging is the rst option that has created great pressure on the forest and other biodiversity of the area. Regarding managing the resources, there must be a mechanism that helps to address the multiple challenges the youth faces and engage them in management of their resource in sustainable manner. Therefore, it is advisable to include the integrated youth training and benet sharing packages in the plan.The other pressing issue is the legal and illegal settlement, mainly in buer and transition areas of the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve. These settlements are usually associated with deforestation due to agricultural expansion, rewood collection, charcoal production and other livelihood activities.The other impression is regarding the local knowledge of the participants. They can well dene the biodiversity and its importance to sustain their livelihood in general. The elderly still believes that “the forest is their life” they also appreciate the importance of biodiversity (medicine and use of dierent tools from wetlands and honey etc.). They also understood the ecosystem services such as microclimate and importance of trees in preventing soil erosio

74 n.The youth also clearly understand the
n.The youth also clearly understand the importance of the forest as livelihood opportunity. They have also basic understanding of the components of the ecosystem.This Management Plan is intended to be substantially implemented during the next decade with support from OEFCCA, OFWE, MoST, MoCT, MEFCC, Oromia Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resource, MAB’s member agencies, NGOs, Private Organizations, and an expanding community of BR stakeholders at the local level. Although progress in implementing the BRP is possible under a wide range of funding situations, full implementation of the plan will require national and regional commitment, and government and private support at all levels. Within the regional MAB Program, the Biosphere Reserve Directorate at MoST, MEFCC, OEFCCA, OFWE and the YCFBR should lead responsibilities for generating this support. In general, the Yayu Coee Forest Management and livelihood security will be sustained through:Secure access to land of small scale farmers on equitable sharing; A vibrant market system, well linked to local, national and international buyers; Superb research (Mettu, Jimma and Wellega Universities) including advice on how to grow coffee and crops organically and conduct farm-based experimental trial;Community credit schemes to assist both agriculture and agri-businesses;Great care to protect environmental resources such as soil and water conservation, soil fertility (e.g., agro-forestry practices, rehabilitation and nursery development sustained by long term land leases/ tenure systems;Farmers capacity building and training; and Community organizations sharing irrigation facilities, storage facilities and farming and processing machines through green and private enterprises. 5.2 RecommendationsTo realize the intended objectives:1) Assess approaches being used to encourage multi-sector involvement in biosphere reserveor ecosystem management elsewhere in the world.2) Identify potential BR stakeholders, consider techniques and methods of cooperation used successfully elsewhere, and assess the feasibility of alternative approaches for implementing MAB concepts.3) Encourage stakeholders, including local communities and traditional

75 resource users, to participate fully in
resource users, to participate fully in identifying issues of concern and in establishing cooperative YCFBR programs, organizations, and mechanisms that enable full consideration of dierent positions in building community-wide consensus on conservation and development issues.4) The YCFBR management team should facilitate resources for the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere Reserve Program.5) To implement YCFBR, fund raising strategies should be in place and the Local, Regional and National partnersshould:Review YFCBRP’s annual program plan and appropriate funds for its annual activities. Allocated funds will support the administration of the BR Management Unit at Zone level. Some examples of these activities are: o BR feasibility studies and program planning; o BR organization and coordination; o Research, Education and Demonstration Projects; o Information Networking; ando Forums on conservation and development issues.Encourage donor organizations to support international activities involving YCFBRs. Cooperate with the UNESCO MAB Secretariat to coordinate funding and administrative support for YBR participation in international programs and projects.Identify, evaluate, and pursue opportunities to increase private sector funding and encourage private sector eorts to raise funds for the YCFBR.Develop an aggressive marketing strategy for Yayu Forest Coee Biosphere reserve, including eective communication of the YCFBR mission and accomplishmentstargeted at potential agency and private sources of support.6) As has been witnessed during the course of discussions with stakeholders at dierent level, the name Yayu and Yayo were the source of argument; because according to the local community, the name Yayo has a meaning; it is clan name.Therefore, the concerned body has to come up with solutions. In this case, it is advisable to follow standard procedures to convince the UNESCOOcialsto change the name from Yayu to Yayo or any other name acceptable to the community.7) The name of the Biosphere reserveitself is becoming a source of argument among the stakeholders.Therefore, it needs the attention of the concerned body to give a name for the biosphere reservethat

76 reconciles the interest of stakeholders
reconciles the interest of stakeholders who have issue in the BR naming. Same procedure should be followed as stated in no.6.8) The physical demarcation of the area i.e. the three zoning-buers, transition, and the core area of the biosphere reserveshould be doneatleast to the understanding of the community.9) Population pressure is identied as the driving forces to encroach the biosphere; thus, emphasis should be given on demographic issues such as the eect of population pressure on the 74 biosphere reservedue to increasing fertility rates, illegal migration and settlement and generally population dynamics and trends.10) Youth Unemployment repeatedly raised as a major concern during the course of discussions with dierent stakeholders at dierent level. Thus, to address this problem, green entrepreneurships should be established as indicted in this management plan as one of the deliverables in the coming ten years.11) In the future, to avoid broken promises by the researchers, researchers should get approval from the concerned body not to mislead the community with unwanted promises.12) Major activities and deliverables indicated in this management plan need to be addressed by the respective stakeholders as per the timeframe. AnnexesAnnex 1. Summary of BR Management Plan Proposed by the Community and Compiled by the kebele Management Team Importance of the biosphere reservefor local community Major concernsStakeholders need to be participatedSources of income/sources of local livelihoodSources of Livestock fodderTourism Sources of shSources of NTFPJob creation Sources of shing Sources for irrigationMeans to regulate micro-climatic conditionSources of water and rainBalance climate and create conducive living conditionEcosystem balance Space for wild Animals (habitat for wildlife)Sources of traditional plants)Serve us carbon sequestration and means for income generation through carbon marketing-Lack of clear zonation and demarcation of each zonation -Lack of land and property ownership certication -Increased illegal agricultural expansion Increased illegal timber production and cutting of trees for additional income generation especially by the

77 poor householdsLack of conservation and
poor householdsLack of conservation and rehabilitation strategy for the biosphereLack of knowledge on biosphere reservezonation, conservation and sustainable utilization of resourcesLack of sense of ownership Decline of soil fertility and decline agricultural productivity in Transition areaLack of coee ownership in the buer zoneExpansion of coee plantation and ‘khat’ production in buer zoneIllegal re wood and charcoal productionForest reIllegal wildlife hunting Collecting wild coee from core areaIncrease in exotic tree plantation Population increase and illegal settlement and associated poverty (landless community) Soil erosion in Transition areas decline productivityLack and shortage of market linkages for BR products at local, regional and national levelIncreased number of some wildlife which aects the production at transitional and buer zonesLocal institutions such asGadaa-teaching the value of tree in Oromo cultureIddirs-mobilize the community and resources towards natural resource conservationlocal elders-teaching the function conserving nature based on their experience and historical accountReligious institutions-teaching communities about the use of conserving nature in places of worshipKebele administration- overall regulation of the conservation and use of resources and nature in the biosphere reserve-Development groups or 1:5 groupsYouth association-labor services in conservation.-All kinds of government structure-Zone and woreda administrations-OFWE-OEFCCA-Universities and research -Mettu University-Zone and woreda culture and tourism oces-Bureau of Livestock and sheries-Zone and woreda cooperatives 76 Annex 2. Summary of Stakeholders’ Perspective at zonal and woreda Level Core issues identied by the stakeholders that need to be addresses by the management planProposed priority activities to be considered in the management planThe participants identied major challenges of the biosphere reserveand its surrounding, which include but not limited to:Lack of institutionalized organ responsible for permanent management and conservation of the biosphere. Lack of physical demarcation of the area. The

78 three zoning-buer, transition, and
three zoning-buer, transition, and the core area of the biosphere reservephysical demarcation is not completedPrivate coee investment expansion in the areaIllegal settlements particularly around Yayu and Alge-Sachi woredasExpanding coee cultivation and plantation by resident HHs and private investorsLack of strong regulatory organs and commitment particularly at local levelsLack of actors’ coordination Why the Biosphere reserveis named Yayu why not Doreni, Alge-Sachi, etc.-the problem of namingYayu fertilizer industry, Geba hydroelectric power, and Mining-Yayu coal industry from environmental/destruction point of viewBranding of Yayu wild coee and honeyBroken promises to the community by dierent researchersStrengthening of legal bodies of biosphere reservemanagement, training on land resources, experience sharing, and provided technical training on BR managementCapacity building of the community, Livelihood diversication and provision of some basic social services Devise a mechanism to tackle the challenge of growing population pressure on environment and particularly on Yayu Coee Forest BiosphereStrengthen and scale up of ‘Reproductive Health/ Family Planning intervention.Integrated Watershed management approaches.Enhance research that solves the problem of the communityName the Biosphere Reserve ‘Illu’ instead of YayuEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies of the companies and to consider the companies as potential stakeholders to work together concerning the biosphere reserveParticipatory forest management plan and cooperatives establishmentIn the future, researchers should get approval from the concerned body not to mislead the community with unwanted promisesEven though a number of issues raised by the stakeholders, more emphasis should be given for the following:Strengthening of legal bodies of biosphere reservemanagement, training on land resources, experience sharing, and provide technical training on BR managementCapacity building of the community, Livelihood diversication and provision of basic social services Devise a mechanism to tackle the challenge of growing population pressure on environment and particu

79 larly on Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere
larly on Yayu Coee Forest BiosphereStrengthen and scale up of ‘Reproductive Health/ Family Planning interventionIntegrated Watershed management approachesEstablishing clear benet sharing strategies among the communitiesEnhance research that addresses the problem of local community. Annex 3. List of restricted activities in the buer zone and Core area ActivitiesBiosphere areas/zonesCutting trees for timber productionCore, BuerCoee plantation CoreFirewood/ coal production/collection Core, buerSettlement/residenceCore, buerFarmingCore, buerGrazingCore, buerHunting wild animalsCoreBee keeping CoreInvestmentCore, buerMiningCore, buerSpices collection/farmingCoreAnnex 4. Data Collection Guide for the Community Planning Team1. Local administrationName of WoredaZonePotential biosphere reserve zonation: is it core, buer or transition?2. Socio-economic setting of the area, socio-demographic characteristics Physical location (if possible coordinate position)Identify major natural resources, their types, relative importance, distribution, which are being used/sold, how are they being produced, how can the production could be improved and become sustainable?Population (growth and trends, fertility)Ethnic and religious distributionMajor economic activitiesTourism attraction sitesAny cultural sitesMajor socio-economic problems and priorities 3. Society and the biosphere reserve interaction-benetsIdentify major benets-economic, cultural and ecosystem Livelihood typologies-coee production, chat, crop, Livestock, honey and other NTFP, tourism, timber etc.Benets for women, youths, elders, etc.4. Society and the biosphere reserve interaction - threats 78 Identify major threats-to society-livelihood, to environmentIdentify the causes of each threats-population, lack of alternative energy and other income sources, lack of other infrastructure such as market, road, loan etc.Mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts-such as legal vs socio-physical action taken to reduce the harms5. Identifying local stakeholders and their role-CBOsCommunity-based associations and their role in managing the biosphereGadaCouncil of elder

80 sReligious institutionsGovernment struct
sReligious institutionsGovernment structuresTokko-shane/raayyaa-development armyDevelopment groupsKebele/zoneYouth/women associationsProbe other institutions and their rolesWoreda administration and their various oces (environment protection oce, forest and wild life enterprise)Zone, regional, and federal (environment protection oce, forest and wildlife enterprise)Institutions Universities and other research institutions (Mettu and Jimma university)Civil societies Others, Private sectorsMajor investments6. Major activities to be included/not to be included in the plan?Activities to be allowed/not allowed practiced by the community to sustain their livelihood in the biosphereMajor activities to be /not be performed in the:Core areaBuer zoneTransition area7. How to manage, monitor and evaluate the plan?Primarily responsible organ to follow up the management plan?Possible community roles Action planningMonitoring mechanismsCost requirement and its sources-local level fund raising strategies8. Other issues to be included in the biosphere reserve plan?Communication strategiesCommunity leaderships The above stated guiding questions were translated into ‘Afaan Oromo’ and used in PRA tools and conversations carried out based on the same. 79 Annex 5. Checklist Employed During the Transect WalkCharacterization of Biophysical featuresType of Zonation (Core, Buer, and Transition) and its proximity to the villages and InfrastructuresWhat do you understand about the Yayu Coee Forest Biosphere?What is your knowledge about planning and where did you get this knowledge?Where and from whom did you get the knowledge/ information about biosphere reserve and its importance?How did you do the planning? How many of you get involved in the community conversation/planning process?Do you believe that there was enough participation of youth groups? Women groups? Elder groups? And other groups in your village?Did the planning team allocate sucient time for the discussion?How many times did you meet to discuss about the planning process for the case of biosphere reserve management?Do you have any opinion about the planning process? 80 Yayu Coee Forest Biosphe