Guidance List for the Function and Role of Observer Networks in Protected Areas - CSN

This document is a guidance tool (checklist) for the function, practices, and communication of local community monitoring networks (CSN) for the transboundary protected areas Sharr-Korab. A community monitoring network (CSN) is defined as "an active process of community participation in the detection, reporting, response, and monitoring to ensure effective management of protected areas (PA) in the Sharr-Korab massif".

The primary challenge for this protected area is the low level of ecological awareness and participation of the local population in the management activities of protected areas, accompanied by insufficient capacity of the Protected Areas Administration (AdZM) and municipal local authorities to address environmental threats in the natural park. The direct ecological threats facing the area are illegal settlement and unsustainable forest cutting, habitat fragmentation or loss, reduced natural water retention capacity in deforested areas, forest fires, excessive use of medicinal plant species, illegal hunting, and recent climate change. Increasing community participation in the Protected Areas management process will contribute to better management of this zone. For this reason, ALCDF has foreseen the establishment of a community monitoring network (CSN) as one of the active pillars of community participation.

The checklist will serve as a guide for CSN members on functions, operations, communication, will define the role of monitoring and tools and approaches for coordinating the practices of CSN members with PA management authorities and other responsible authorities for illegal activities, fire protection, village complaints, etc.

For more information, see the links below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VvVTflV9uQFJ8E1SExcw_wuBmXftKytf/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oiZ8KXD0p8XWSbbYQF3skeX9XEAUf02Y/view?usp=sharing