By Grace Q. Bryant
The government through the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) has signed an extension of the Co-management agreement (CMA) with the communities for the management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR).
FDA’s Executive Director, C. Mike Doyen noted that the ENNR which was established in 2003 is managed as a strict nature reserve and is the first and only protected area in Liberia to be co-managed by Liberia’s local communities.
He said the disagreement about the boundary line and continued encroachment, poaching, and illegal chainsaw activities resulted in perennial conflict between the FDA and associated communities, and in 2010, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) land rights and community forest project, the government resolved to adopt the co-management model for ENNR.
“A Co-Management Agreement (CMA) was signed between the FDA and local communities represented by the joint community forest management body of Sehyi, Gbaand Zor to manage the reserve and conserve its biodiversity,” the FDA boss added.
Doyen explained that the co-management model, in the midst of the requirements of the land rights act and the importance of rights-based conservation, represents the most effective governance model for managing protected and conserved areas and delivering conservation outcomes.
He added that the ENNR CMC is composed of twelve members with six representatives each from FDA and the JCFMB of Sehyi, Gbaand Zor communities. Following the first expiration of the CMA in 2016, the FDA and the CMC renewed the agreement allowing both communities and FDA to continue managing the ENNR effectively. Since 2021, upon its second expiration, efforts to renew the CMA had been ongoing, but unsuccessful.
“This renewal, in the midst of biodiversity loss and the need to protect forest resources, represents significant progress towards the government’s vision of promoting communities’ rights, strengthening biodiversity conservation, contributing to the nationally determined contributions (NDC) for climate change, and building an economically prosperous future through eco-tourism,” director Doyen emphasized.
The FDA’s boss revealed further that with support from USAID, through its conservation works activity, and conservation international, about 54 individuals, on Friday, October 28, 2022, including representatives from the FDA, ENNR CMC, local government, and community forest management bodies, local and international NGOs, and private sector actors convened.
The revised agreement was signed by the ENNR CMC and was attested to by the district commissioners of Yarmein, Sanniquellie-Mah, and Gbeley-Geh. Doyen signed on behalf of the FDA and expressed his elation for the progress that has been made in protecting Liberia’s unique biodiversity through a partnership with the associated communities.
He noted, “It is my hope that this co-management model, demonstrating success in ENNR, will be replicated to other PAs across the country until communities are involved in the management of these resources, our efforts will yield minimum results.”
“This signing marks a major step towards putting communities at the center of conservation and natural resources management. The ENNR remains Liberia’s only co-managed PA and is a shining example of government and communities working together to protect biodiversity for the benefit of everyone,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the co- management committee Sayee Thomas thanked the FDA through its director, and the organizing committee for such agreement. Thomas wants communities to benefit through livelihood-support program for the government.
“We as community people, we are happy, since 2010, the co- management committee was established and it has been difficult in understanding its operations,” he explained. According to him, from 2010 to date there has been no support from partners AML to uphold the co- management committee through capacities building and other development.
He continued that the committee is considered as a model in Liberia and goes across the rural counties.
