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New PANORAMA Solutions In Focus publication presents TRI Policy Impacts

The Restoration Initiative 28 October 2024

The policy impacts of the ten country projects of The Restoration Initiative (TRI) are the theme of the new PANORAMA Solutions In Focus publication:

This publication highlights the diverse strategies adopted by country teams to overcome the challenges they faced and to build an enabling policy environment for forest and landscape restoration (FLR). The publication covers the common challenges encountered by TRI countries, the policy-influencing strategies they employed to tackle these hurdles, the success factors, and the long-term impact achieved. The policy-influencing strategies include assisting in formulating and negotiating policy, conducting policy reviews, creating knowledge, and establishing stakeholder platforms to facilitate inclusive engagement in these strategies.

Common challenges at the outset of TRI

TRI is implemented in countries with diverse ecosystems – from arid lands, tropical forests to mangroves – and with particular realities regarding restoration policy, legal and governance structures, information availability, financial and technical resources, and restoration knowledge or awareness. However, there were some notable similarities in the challenges TRI countries experienced at the outset.

The first of these challenges was the need for more political will among government officials to prioritise FLR initiatives. Another common issue was the need for more public awareness about the severity of forest degradation and deforestation and the principles that guide high-quality ecosystem restoration. In Cameroon, for instance, some officials viewed restoration as a measurement of forest surface area, while others viewed it as an ecosystem function.

Lastly, insufficient technical, financial, and administrative resources posed a significant barrier to policy development. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local coordinators and provincial bodies initially lacked the financial, political, and administrative capacity to push policies through the approval process.

Common policy influencing strategies

TRI country teams employed diverse policy-influencing strategies to overcome the above-mentioned barriers and achieve their policy objectives, contributing to a policy environment conducive to FLR.

TRI in Pakistan © FAO/Christophe Besacier

The most common strategy was facilitating policy formulation and negotiation. TRI country teams in Kenya ASAL, Pakistan, DRC, CAR, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya Tana Delta and São Tomé and Príncipe brought in experts to draft policy, assisted the drafting processes, provided technical input, and hosted stakeholder dialogues as well as consultations. These interventions successfully integrated FLR policies into national and local regulatory, legal and policy frameworks. For example, TRI in Pakistan provided technical input and hosted stakeholder consultations to facilitate the development of forest management and landscape restoration frameworks for 4 districts.

Another shared policy influencing strategy was the review of relevant existing policies. This allowed TRI teams in Cameroon, China, Pakistan, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania to analyse existing policies’ effectiveness in promoting FLR implementation, create a series of recommendations, and advocate for their implementation to improve countries’ policy environments. In Tanzania, for example, TRI collected baseline data on relevant policies, development plans and legal frameworks to identify gaps and issue recommendations for enhancing the regulatory environment for sustainable landscape restoration (SLR).

Knowledge creation was a key policy-influencing strategy. It was used in the early stages of the policy cycle as a milestone for developing a successful policy. Across Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, and Pakistan, knowledge creation frequently took the form of participatory Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) assessments. Furthermore, TRI in China generated new learnings by successfully implementing pilot interventions focused on ensuring that State Forest Farms’ management plans captured and applied the FLR principles.

A final policy influencing strategy commonly employed was stakeholder engagement by establishing stakeholder platforms. TRI in São Tomé and Príncipe established a National Platform for FLR, bringing together the private sector, civil society groups, local communities, relevant institutions, and partner projects to discuss FLR and negotiate FLR policies, including a new National FLR Plan.

The TRI-STP team visiting a new restored site on the island of Principe. © FAO/Marco Pagliani

Common success factors

The policy influencing strategies outlined above and their successful outcomes were only possible with the presence of numerous enabling factors. An analysis of the 10 country projects revealed three key success factors: (1) effective stakeholder engagement and successful utilisation of participatory processes, (2) the interest and willingness of target stakeholders, and (3) technical input by experts and partners as well as trainings on various research methods needed to collect new data.

TRI, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-supported programme, was created to respond to the alarming state of forest degradation and deforestation. TRI brings together the collective strengths and resources of 9 countries, 3 GEF agencies, 10 project teams, and numerous support staff and external partners to turn restoration ambition into results, in support of the Bonn Challenge. To overcome existing barriers to reaching this goal, TRI country teams have worked to create positive in-country enabling environments for implementing and scaling up FLR.

View the complete publication below:

Empowering Women Through Environmental Restoration: The Restoration Initiative’s Impact

The Restoration Initiative 24 October 2024

The Restoration Initiative (TRI) has been at the forefront of environmental restoration efforts for many years, with projects spanning far and wide across the world. TRI strives to overcome existing barriers to sustainable restoration and works to rejuvenate some of the globe’s degraded landscapes, largely through empowering local communities with a particular focus on indigenous women. Women empowerment plays an integral role in community based sustainable development, with the ability to enhance community resilience and promote gender equality. TRI’s various projects have uplifted women across the globe, recognizing the critical link between gender empowerment and environmental restoration.

Three Kalash women in traditional clothing of Indigenous Peoples of Pakistan’s Chitral region © FAO/ Faizul Bari

Tanzania: Empowering Women in Sustainable Farming

In Ilalasimba village, Tanzania, women engage primarily in subsistence farming to sustain their livelihoods. In recent years, various challenges like deteriorating soil and poor farming practices have resulted in low yields, subsequently taking a toll on the local community. Without adequate crops or cattle numbers, women have had to rely more heavily on forest resources to meet family needs.

Some of the women in Ilalasimba were also part of the community groups, such as the Village Natural Resources Committee, that make them part of the group of decision makers and drivers of restoration activities. Through this, they identified milk production as a key area of necessary support and this ensured support for the local women’s group in farming and livestock keeping as alternative and sustainable income-generating activities. To support the women’s community in Ilalasimba, TRI alongside the community groups has introduced improved cattle breeds to the village and advised subsistence farmers on how to care for and raise the livestock more effectively. Furthermore, TRI established climate-smart agriculture practices, allowing women to embrace sustainable practices and improve the utility of their land. This initiative has led to a huge increase in milk yields, with an increase from 1-2 liters to 10 liters per cow daily!

“TRI is a miracle. We are so proud of what they have done and are planning to do in the future. Our lives are forever changed. Our livelihoods are saved.” Amina Mtuya, 54, from Ilalasimba

Guinea-Bissau: Women Lead New Income-Generating Activities

In the coastal villages of Guinea-Bissau, local communities are facing years worth of land degradation that is threatening their income and way of life. Their history of mangrove rice cultivation is at risk due to the changing climate and rising sea levels. TRI has focused on a multi-faceted approach to uplift and enhance the prosperity of these coastal communities. Supporting Guinea-Bissau in mangrove restoration and rice field rehabilitation is a major aspect, but an important emphasis has also been placed on women-led alternative sources of income. TRI has introduced horticulture, oyster farming, and solar salt production to the women in Guinea-Bissau, providing equipment and training to improve the livelihood of local communities, reduce the pressure on natural resources, and create a more sustainable path forward.

The Democratic Republic of Congo: Women as Agents of Change

The Democratic Republic of Congo faces rapid population growth and rising demands for the natural land and resources of their country, resulting in large-scale forest degradation. TRI focuses on balancing critical restoration efforts with the livelihoods of the local Congolese Pygmies, and women are at the forefront of these changes. Local community groups have been essential in the decision making process, not only working closely with the TRI team to build nurseries and grow seedlings, but to identify suitable locations and select various plant species.

“Our goal is to reforest the bare hills to combat erosion, fertilise our fields, and produce wood for our own needs.” Mwamirize Angeline, Member of Club Dimitra.

These initiatives allow women to take control of the challenges that face their communities and create lasting, sustainable livelihoods.

Nursery establishment with local communities in South Kivu © FAO/Benjamin DeRidder

Why Women’s Empowerment is Key to Environmental Restoration

Providing women with the ability to engage and assist in local restoration projects and sustainable practices is vital to the health of the land and the equality of its people. Bestowing teachings of sustainable land use, generating new forms of income and growing valuable skill sets amongst the women of local communities is profoundly empowering and enables these individuals to bring about long-lasting impact. This increased recognition of the importance of gender empowerment is critical in the process of activating sustainable development, improving the general well-being of local communities and their surrounding environments.

A Kalash woman poses for a photo displaying a beautiful headpiece specific to Kalash culture © FAO/Christophe Besacier

Empowering women through hands-on restoration efforts shows the incredibly transformative influence of gender equity. The Restoration Initiative’s efforts to uplift women across Africa and Asia have not only helped restore valuable ecosystems, but have also built stronger, more resilient local communities. As the numerous country projects continue to evolve and come to a close, they serve as a testament to the critical role women play in achieving sustainable environmental and social improvements.

Forest and Landscape Restoration: Valuable insights from The Restoration Initiative on the ground

The Restoration Initiative 24 October 2024

In a recent webinar hosted by The Restoration Initiative (TRI), the power of collaboration and shared learning was evident, emphasizing their crucial roles in advancing forest and landscape restoration. Since its inception in 2018, TRI has united ten projects across nine countries, partnering with three Global Environment Facility agencies—the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)—as well as governments and strategic partners to tackle barriers to restoring degraded landscapes in support of the Bonn Challenge.

During TRI’s recent webinar, teams representing the diverse in-country projects – situated in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya ASAL, Kenya Tana Delta, Pakistan, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the United Republic of Tanzania – shared practical experiences and insights on best practices tailored to their specific contexts and challenges. This gathering showcased a wealth of perspectives, providing valuable insights into TRI’s impactful initiatives.

Engaging TRI Practitioners

Hearing the experiences and challenges faced by project managers and teams on the ground is invaluable to support the success and sustainability of restoration efforts under TRI. These teams have been at the forefront of implementing restoration activities, navigating complex ecological, social, and economic landscapes. Their insights provided crucial lessons about what works and what doesn’t in real-world settings, helping to refine strategies and approaches to restoration.

Understanding their challenges allows for the identification of barriers that may hinder progress, such as resource constraints, community engagement issues, or policy gaps. By listening to these firsthand accounts, restoration efforts can adapt and innovate, ensuring that activities are not only effective but also culturally and contextually relevant.

First Hand Accounts of Active and Effective Landscape Restoration

In-country team speakers were given the floor to elaborate on project-specific restoration strategies, approaches and achievements, highlighting the leaps, bounds, innovations and successes achieved over the years of The Restoration Initiative’s lifespan.

Ajaz Ahmad, TRI Pakistan Provincial Coordinator, highlighted the challenges faced in engaging local communities: “It was a challenge to involve the local communities and motivate them [to recognize] that the smaller trees and younger trees are more important for the future. So we started awareness-raising sessions among the local community and sensitized the local community, the forest users, about the importance of protecting young Chilgoza trees in the forest so that forest regeneration and long-term benefits can be achieved.” This reflected TRI’s commitment to fostering local stewardship and understanding of restoration efforts. In the end, socially-bound demarcated forest plots and simple seedballs assisted the project teams to work with communities to support the regeneration of the forests.

James Ndufa, Deputy Director at KEFRI and government focal point for TRI Kenya ASAL, shared insights into their innovative approaches to water management: “We have used a number of water harvesting technologies. We have used a mechanized method where we construct water harvesting structures using a tractor. We have also used the ‘half moon’ [method] to construct micro catchments, and after we have made those, we try to reseed those catchments using grass and also planting trees, using indigenous species.” This illustrated the practical applications of technology and traditional methods in restoration efforts. These can be replicated by communities themselves to continue restoration efforts by themselves, or to inspire neighboring communities to join in the efforts.

Dr. Damas W. Mapunda, National Project Coordinator of TRI Tanzania at the Vice President Office, emphasized the vital role of gender and youth in landscape restoration: “Women and youth are victims of landscape degradation, but both are the guidance and agents of landscape restoration. We have a dedicated gender expert who has prepared a guideline for mainstreaming gender issues in sustainable landscape restoration.” This highlighted TRI’s holistic approach, ensuring that diverse voices are included in the restoration dialogue. In the Ilalasimba village in Tanzania for example, women were included in community groups, such as the Village Natural Resources Committee, which made them part of the decision makers and drivers of restoration activities. Through this, they identified milk production as a key area for intervention and ensured support for farming and livestock keeping as alternative and sustainable women-led income-generating activities.

As TRI continues to cultivate partnerships and facilitate knowledge exchange, it is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in global restoration efforts. The insights shared during the webinar reflect the initiative’s commitment to adaptive, inclusive, and innovative strategies in tackling landscape degradation.

The TRI webinar was a testament to the power of collaboration and shared learning in advancing forest and landscape restoration. By bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences, the gathering provided a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into TRI’s impactful work. As TRI continues to foster partnerships and knowledge exchange, the initiative is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in restoration efforts globally.

The Restoration Initiative (TRI) Leads the Charge Against Biodiversity Loss with Innovative Restoration Efforts

The Restoration Initiative 24 October 2024

In response to the growing crisis of biodiversity loss, The Restoration Initiative (TRI) is making significant progress in restoring ecosystems and promoting sustainable land management practices worldwide. This effort comes as the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will convene from 21 October – 1 November 2024.

The ongoing loss of biodiversity not only threatens the resilience of ecosystems but also the well-being of communities globally. TRI is committed to reversing the impacts of deforestation and land degradation, thereby safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.

Over the next week, TRI will be showcased at a number of events at CBD COP16 (listed below), to demonstrate how ecosystem restoration can be done, while reflecting on the impact of our work and experiences in monitoring, financing and policy influencing.

Since its inception in 2018, TRI has united ten projects across nine countries, collaborating with three Global Environment Facility agencies—the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)—along with governments and strategic partners to overcome existing barriers to restoring degraded landscapes, in support of the Bonn Challenge.

TRI has implemented projects across Africa and Asia, successfully bringing under restoration over 355,672 hectares of land and placing more than 715,164 hectares under sustainable management. These efforts have further empowered over 810,526 people, mitigated greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 27.4 million tCO2eq, and led to the strengthening and adoption of over 62 policies in support of forest and landscape restoration across various countries.

“TRI represents a critical step forward in our global efforts to combat biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. By employing science-based strategies and fostering community involvement, TRI is creating resilient ecosystems that can withstand the challenges of climate change. The initiative’s emphasis on ecological integrity and connectivity is vital for the long-term success of restoration projects. I am encouraged by TRI’s dedication to integrating ecological principles into their work and am optimistic about the positive impact this will have on both nature and communities worldwide,” said Prof. Lu Zhi, Executive Director, Peking University Center for Nature and Society and UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Advisory Board member.

“The Initiative is setting a remarkable example in ecosystem restoration by incorporating innovative approaches and sustainable practices. Bamboo, with its rapid growth and ecological benefits, offers a unique solution for restoration projects. TRI’s commitment to integrating diverse species and techniques, including the use of bamboo, not only aids in restoring degraded landscapes but also supports local economies and biodiversity. I commend TRI for its forward-thinking strategies and look forward to seeing how bamboo can further contribute to their impactful work,” added Arief Rabik, Chairman and Founder of Bamboo Village Trust and UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Advisory Board member.

COP 16 will be the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). TRI proudly aligns with the GBF Target 2, exemplifying best practices in ecosystem restoration. Adopted during COP15, Target 2 aims to ensure that by 2030, at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine ecosystems are effectively restored.

Key Elements of TRI’s Approach

Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems: TRI employs innovative techniques such as micro-catchment technology and community-led forest management to rehabilitate degraded landscapes. In Kenya, for example, TRI has successfully restored arid and semi-arid lands, enhancing ecological integrity and connectivity.
Effective Restoration Practices: By integrating traditional knowledge with modern restoration techniques, TRI ensures that its efforts are effective and sustainable. Projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic involve local and indigenous communities in various aspects, from selecting restoration areas to choosing species for planting.
Diverse Ecosystem Focus: TRI’s projects span various ecosystems, including terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal areas. In Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, and São Tomé and Príncipe, TRI has focused on restoring mangrove forests, crucial for coastal protection and marine biodiversity. The initiative has also engaged in projects in the forests of China, Pakistan, the Central African Republic, and the DRC, as well as in arid lands and river ecosystems in Kenya and agricultural landscapes in Tanzania.
Enhancing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: TRI’s restoration initiatives aim to enhance both biodiversity and ecosystem services. In China, a forest-landscape restoration approach has been integrated into the management of State-owned Forest Farms to improve ecology, ecosystem services, and biodiversity.
Connectivity and Ecological Integrity: TRI prioritizes the connectivity and integrity of ecosystems, ensuring that restored areas contribute to larger ecological networks. In Cameroon, a TRI project helped reintroduce native bamboo species, which not only aid in restoring degraded areas but also hold significant economic potential for local communities.

National Target Setting and TRI’s Role:

As countries submit updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with increased targets, TRI serves as a valuable reference for target setting and implementation. Utilizing the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), TRI evaluates degradation from multiple perspectives and incorporates local and traditional knowledge to ensure that restoration actions benefit both biodiversity and local communities.

“As we strive to restore our planet’s ecosystems, it is crucial to recognize the invaluable role that Indigenous communities play in this global effort. TRI exemplifies how integrating traditional knowledge with modern restoration practices can lead to sustainable and effective outcomes. By involving Indigenous Peoples and respecting their deep connection to the land, TRI enhances biodiversity and empowers communities to become stewards of their natural resources. I am proud to support TRI’s mission and its commitment to fostering inclusive and community-driven restoration efforts,” said Lucy Mulenkei, Co-chair, Indigenous Women Biodiversity Network and UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Advisory Board member.

TRI has engaged key stakeholders and reinforced enabling frameworks through policy development and capacity building to support restoration efforts. The initiative’s successes have attracted additional funding partnerships, with several countries approving new projects under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF). Notably, in the Central African Republic, TRI has enhanced the curricula of national educational institutions, while in São Tomé and Príncipe, the national platform for Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) is spearheading restoration efforts nationwide.

Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM)

To track global progress toward the 30% restoration target, TRI emphasizes monitoring and transparent reporting on restored areas. In 2022, the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) was collaboratively launched by UN Decade FAO-led Task Forces to collect area-based information on ecosystem restoration and align efforts with the GBF Target 2.

A core indicator for monitoring progress under the GBF framework is the “area under restoration,” and all TRI countries will contribute entries to FERM, facilitating data sharing and the exchange of best practices. TRI measures impacts to biodiversity and people through several other indicators including area under land management, GHG emissions reduced, number of policies and interinstitutional coordination mechanisms, value of resources mobilized for FLR, among others.

As TRI continues its mission to restore ecosystems and combat biodiversity loss, it remains committed to expanding its efforts and sharing knowledge with global partners. TRI demonstrates how effective policy, governance, and technical and financial enabling conditions can unlock large-scale Forest and Landscape Restoration.

CBD COP16 event details with TRI featured presentations:

Oct 23 – 10:00 – 11:00 | Multilateral Development Bank Pavilion | Scaling up Landscape Restoration: restoring ecosystems for people and biodiversity

Oct 24 – 18:00 – 19:20 | GRULAC meeting room, Paza One | Restoring Nature: Achieving Global Biodiversity Framework Target 2 Together

Oct 25 – 11:00 – 12:00 | GEF Pavilion | Strengthening Conservation of Primary Forests: The catalytic role of the GEF

Oc 27 – 17:45 – 19:15 | IUCN Pavilion | GPFLR: Forest and Landscape Restoration Strategically Advancing Target 2 implementation

Oct 28 – 18:45 – 19:45 | GEO Pavilion | Restoration Roundtable: Ecosystem Insights for Global Action

For more information about TRI and its contributions to biodiversity conservation, please visit https://www.therestorationinitiative.org/.

About The Restoration Initiative (TRI):

The Restoration Initiative (TRI) unites 10 countries and three Global Environment Facility agencies— IUCN, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the United Nations Environment Programme—along with governments and strategic partners to overcome barriers to restoration and restore degraded landscapes in support of the Bonn Challenge.

Two new reports showcase the assessment results and practical applications of the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric in TRI projects

The Restoration Initiative 23 October 2024

Two new reports present the practical applications of the STAR metric to drive conservation and restoration efforts in four of The Restoration Initiative’s (TRI) projects. The first is a knowledge brief that builds on an earlier STAR assessment in Kenya and Cameroon, showcasing how the STAR metric has been applied to drive strategies and initiatives for species conservation efforts in three different projects in these two countries. The second report presents the STAR assessment results from four project sites in the Central African Republic (CAR) and provides crucial insights into how the policy integration of forest and landscape restoration (FLR) practices can support national biodiversity goals.

The STAR metric

At the heart of these new reports is the STAR metric, a powerful tool developed to measure the potential and realised contribution of conservation and restoration initiatives to reducing species’ extinction risk. The STAR metric provides a standardised way for a myriad of actors, including governments, policymakers, practitioners, businesses, and investors, to measure the impact of their activities and investments on species preservation.

The STAR metric evaluates two key components: (1) threat abatement – reducing immediate threats to species, such as habitat loss, poaching, or pollution and (2) habitat restoration – restoring ecosystems that support threatened species, creating healthier environments for recovery and long-term survival.

The methodology seeks to estimate the potential contribution of threat abatement and/or habitat restoration activities to the reduction of species extinction risk, calibrate this potential contribution at a location using local data, set target scores quantifying the desired threat abatement and/or habitat restoration to be achieved, and measure progress towards these targets using suitable indicators of threat abatement and/or habitat restoration success.

Importantly, the STAR metric enables actors to track and add up their total contributions to biodiversity conservation and align their efforts with global targets such as those set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Practical applications of the STAR metric in Kenya and Cameroon

Building on an existing STAR assessment report in Kenya and Cameroon published in 2023, the new knowledge brief showcases the practical applications of the STAR metric in TRI’s three projects in Kenya arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) and Tana Delta, as well as three project sites in Cameroon’s diverse landscapes. In both countries, the STAR assessment provides critical information for the prioritisation of areas and initiatives related to conservation and restoration efforts.

In Cameroon, the estimated threat abatement scores across three project sites were 48.4 in Douala-Edea, 2.9 in Mbalmayo, and 1.2 in Waza. The northeast portion of the Douala-Edea landscape presented the greatest opportunities for species conservation. The STAR scores were attributed mainly to the Dizangue Reed Frog and the Apouh Night Frog, which together account for 86% of the values. The findings illustrate that non-timber agricultural crop expansion and intensification (44%) contributed the most to the Douala-Edea project site.

Dizangue Reed Frog (Photo credit: Jean-Louis Amiet) and the Apouh Night Frog (Photo credit: Dave Blackburn)

In Kenya ASAL, while the estimated STAR score for threat abatement in Mukagodo forest was 13.8, the score in Mount Kulal was 8.9. The threatened species that contributed the most to the STAR scores were the Hinde’s babbler, Grevy’s Zebra, Tigoni Reed Frog, and Fisher’s Lovebird. The most significant threat abatement measures in the Mukogodo forest project site included targeting threats from livestock farming and ranching (18%), natural system modification (16%), and hunting (15%). Kenya Tana Delta fared an estimated total threat abatement STAR score of 1.2. The STAR assessment focused on three key species: the Tana River Red colobus monkey, the Sokoke dog mongoose, and the Spotted ground thrush. The STAR score highlighted the significance of logging and wood harvesting activities (22%).

Hinde’s babbler (Photo credit: Aidan Harries) Tana River Red Colobus monkey ( Photo credit: Yvonne de Jong & Tom Butynski/IUCN Red List)

Some key practical applications of the STAR metric include prioritising conservation efforts and enabling a targeted approach to conservation and restoration in areas with significant biodiversity. The quantitative STAR scores also allow for precise and standardised evaluations and comparisons between project sites. These scores can be used to justify projects to donors and decision-making bodies, communicate important information to policymakers, local communities, investors, and other relevant stakeholders, and support conservation efforts in cross-boundary landscapes.

The STAR methodology can also be used to monitor project progress. Future developments in the STAR methodology will allow project teams to select specific indicators to measure progress toward target STAR scores. Key recommendations include the importance of calibrating results through participative approaches, sharing results with relevant stakeholders, and advocating for adoption by national governments as a consistent metric to assess actions for reducing species extinction risk.

Assessment results from the Central African Republic

The Species Threat Abatement and Recovery in the Central African Republic report focuses on the application of the STAR metric in four key project sites in CAR, including Lobaye, Mambéré-Kadéï, Ombella-Mpoko, and Sangha-Mbaéré, all located around Bangui. The results of the STAR assessment indicate a total estimated STAR score for threat abatement of 65.8, demonstrating the significant potential of conservation efforts in these regions to reduce species extinction risk – a higher STAR indicated greater potential. Across the project sites, hunting and collecting terrestrial animals was the activity that contributed the most to the STAR score. Furthermore, amongst the 19 threatened species analysed, the Western gorilla (18.9%), the Chimpanzee (11.7%), and the Shelly’s eagle owl (11%) contributed to the STAR score the most.

Gorilla (Photo credit: Andy Isaacson / WWF) and Shelly’s eagle owl (Photo credit: Rob Williams on eBird/Macauly Library)

While the STAR score for threat abatement is high, the STAR assessment also highlights the complementary role of restoration activities. Restoration interventions are vital to achieving long-term conservation goals, particularly in regions where habitat degradation has severely affected biodiversity. The STAR restoration score in the CAR project areas was influenced by baseline data, underscoring the importance of accurate, on-the-ground information for evaluating the effectiveness of restoration efforts.

One practical application of the STAR assessment has been integrating FLR principles and initiatives into national biodiversity strategies by providing quantitative data on the importance and impact of conservation and restoration activities. In the context of CAR, the STAR metric can support the government’s efforts to update its National Biodiversity Strategy, which has not been reviewed since 2000.

TRI, a programme supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), was created to respond to the alarming state of forest degradation and deforestation. TRI brings together the collective strengths and resources of nine countries, three GEF agencies, ten project teams, and numerous support staff and external partners to turn restoration ambition into results, supporting the Bonn Challenge. To overcome existing barriers to reaching this goal, TRI country teams have worked to create positive in-country enabling environments for implementing and scaling up FLR. Learn more:

Species Threat Abatement and Restoration in the Central African Republic: Findings from a STAR assessment to support biodiversity conservation under The Restoration Initiative

Summary findings and practical applications of a Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) assessment in Kenya and Cameroon under The Restoration Initiative

Uplifting Indigenous Communities Through The Restoration Initiative

The Restoration Initiative 22 October 2024

The Restoration Initiative (TRI) has been pivotal in uniting people and the planet in their important environmental restoration projects. Not only focusing on mitigating land degradation, TRI has been uplifting Indigenous communities that call this land home. With extraordinary connections to the land, Indigenous peoples possess traditional ecological knowledge and practices that are critical in the fight for environmental restoration. Through their various projects, the TRI are finding a balance between actively restoring land areas while protecting local communities’ rights and livelihoods that have lasted generations.

Empowering Indigenous Communities in the Central African Republic

In the Pissa and Berberati regions of the Central African Republic, TRI projects are aiding the transition away from unsustainable farming practices in order to relieve the depletion of forest resources. The survival of local villages and indigenous groups has been based on scarce resources such as timber and wild meat, but with the help of TRI, new forms of income are being established.

Pictures from CAR nursery in Bayanga area managed by partner WWF © FAO/Benjamin DeRidder

With the trust of the local people, long-term solutions are being established in the form of community forests. These forests aim to give Indigenous people long-term rights to use and manage their resources, empowering sustainable practices and collaboration. Through extensive engagement with local villagers, 500 hectares of land has been mapped out for this restoration project, with the potential to improve food security, increase animal habitat, provide alternative income sources, and improve the lives of surrounding communities. Training has been provided to empower indigenous peoples, teaching the importance of land management, legal rights, and allocation of community forests.

“Before, I had no knowledge of our place and rights as Indigenous Peoples to the allocation of community forests. Thanks to this training, as a member of the Indigenous committee of the Guitto Community Forest, I feel empowered to sustainably manage and use forest resources.” Albert Ndouba

Forest Landscape Restoration in the Democratic Republic of Congo

In the South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, TRI is working with local communities to implement important forest landscape restoration strategies. Increasing populations in the Kabaré and Ngweshe chiefdoms have impacted important forest land, and TRI aims to reverse this degradation with the collaboration of local and indigenous groups. Constructing nurseries for the growth of forest and agroforestry seedlings is assisting in new income opportunities, sustainable land management, and forest landscape restoration. Additionally, the development of home gardens for Indigenous Pygmy households is reducing pressures on the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, promoting biodiversity and alternative livelihoods while protecting indigenous rights to land and tradition.

Nursery establishment with local communities in South Kivu © FAO/Benjamin DeRidder

Reviving Chilgoza Forests in Pakistan

Through their collaborative restoration efforts in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalaya region of Pakistan, TRI Pakistan has engaged indigenous communities in the restoration of Chilgoza Pine forests. These forests provide important resources to the local people, specifically chilgoza nuts that act as a critical source of income. With both economic and environmental value, the sustainable management of this land is vital. By involving local communities in seed ball production and distribution, as well as providing important training in sustainable management, over 200 hectares of degraded forest have been revived. This initiative has significantly improved the livelihoods of indigenous communities, fostering a sense of ownership, responsibility, and pride towards forest conservation.

“We are delighted to see the positive results of the restoration efforts in our area. It is truly making a significant impact.” Unat Baig, Chairman of the Chilgoza Forest Protection Committee

Chilgoza forest landscape in the Himalayan region of Pakistan © FAO/Christophe Besacier

Mangrove Restoration in Guinea-Bissau

In Guinea-Bissau, TRI is working with indigenous communities to restore mangrove ecosystems and rehabilitate rice fields that are essential to support the livelihoods of local people. As part of this project, TRI is providing equipment and training for women in various income-generating activities such as agriculture, oyster farming, and salt production. Focus has been placed on environmentally friendly practices, with the aim of increased efficiency and income for women. This project is giving women the power to foster long-term change, enhance community resilience, and improve food security and income.

Why Indigenous Groups are Essential in Environmental Restoration

Environmental restoration cannot occur without the aid of local and Indigenous communities, whose deep-rooted understanding of the land is essential for effective restoration. With livelihoods that are intrinsically tied to the land, collaboration is key in identifying and creating viable solutions. Valuable Indigenous knowledge guides TRI projects, ensuring that restoration efforts are both sustainable and relevant. This community engagement fosters a sense of pride and responsibility, and by empowering local people through training and awareness, TRI is able to promote social equity and maximize benefits reaped by both the locals and the land.

A Kalash woman crafting © FAO/ Faizul Bari

The Restoration Initiative’s efforts to uplift Indigenous communities demonstrate the profound impact of integrating traditional knowledge and practices into environmental restoration. By listening to local voices, identifying relevant issues, and forging collaborative solutions, TRI can assist in critical land restoration across the globe. These projects have shown the inextricable link between Indigenous communities and sustainable outcomes on the road to long-term success.

Rural Women Lead the Change and Address Answers to Economic and Social Questions of their Communities through the Restoration Activities of TRI in DRC

Adriana Vidal 20 December 2023

The Restoration Initiative (TRI) in DRC is working to bring positive change, by helping stakeholders to design and put into place restoration interventions that meet the needs of local communities and landscapes.

One way the TRI project in DRC is working is by supporting the development of a Provincial Forest and Landscape Restoration Strategy. This strategy lays out priority sites and approaches for restoration, including assisted natural regeneration, agroforestry, and protection of the watershed through anti soil-erosion plantings and other measures.

Our project team interviewed a beneficiary of the TRI Project in Kashanja Village, located in Walungu Territory, a territory located within the South Kivu Province in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Mwamiriza Angeline, a female member of a local development initiative in Kashanja village and a member of club Dimitra in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tells her story.

Mwaimiriza Angeline spotted in one of the tree nursery plantations in a TRI project location in DRC. Photo – TRI / DRC

We work for the development of our communities through the planting and installation of nurseries for the production of seedlings of forest and agro-forestry species. One of our objectives through this program is the empowerment of rural women. In the context of environmental protection and with the technical support of our partners (FAO) and APES), our capacities were built on the production of tree seedlings”, said Angeline.

She continued, “Our goal is to reforest the bare hills over there (pointing to the hills in the TRI project site), fertilise our soils, combat erosion, and produce wood / timbre products for our own needs. Our association also has an objective of mutual aid. We carry out income-generating activities such as breeding guinea pigs which was initiated through the support of Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA). This allows us to provide assistance to one another in the community in times of need. I can therefore conclude that from this small initiative of producing seedlings, our group has been able to promote agricultural activities, and from this, we are now able to address the answers to the economic and social questions of our members here in our village Kashanja, in the chiefdom of Ngweshe, in the Teritory of Walungu, Province of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo”.

She spoke on their challenges, “Initially we encountered difficulties on the availability of forest seeds for planting. As a solution, we now collect seeds locally from trees that we really like and that are of interest to our members. This activity has helped us and is of great interest to members of our community in this village”.

Addressing land degradation is a priority for South Kivu, the TRI project is supporting government and community partners in this effort in several ways including the development of a provincial-level strategy for forest landscape restoration (FLR) in the chiefdoms of Kabaré and Ngweshe.

Empowering Women through Animal Husbandry: Yields in Ilalasimba Village in Tanzania Improve by over 400% through Forest Landscape Restoration

Adriana Vidal 15 December 2023

In Ilalasimba village, located in Tanzania’s Iringa Region, women primarily engage in agricultural activities. A recent visit by the project team to the village working with The Restoration Initiative highlighted the story of Amina Mtuya, a 54-year-old housewife and livestock farmer. Read her story below.

A fodder plantation in Ilalasimba village in Tanzania. Photo: IUCN Tanzania

“For many years, I have been living on subsistence farming. Because of low yields, I highly depended on forest resources for collecting firewood for household use and selling. We have used a small number of cattle to graze freely in the forest reserve. We noticed the trend of a declining landscape but cared more about our own wellbeing and our livestock. As a farmer, I have been faced with many challenges – inadequate rains, poor farming practices, deteriorating soils and pests and diseases. All these resulted in very low yields. Our cattle did not increase in numbers as anticipated due to limited access to nutritious fodder and inadequate extension services. I could hardly get a litre of milk per cow per day. The combined income from crop and milk sales couldn’t help meet family needs.” Said Amina.

A community meeting about environmental protection and sustainable livelihood practices introduced Amina to TRI.

Amina added, “I heard about the TRI at a community meeting organised to sensitise villagers on environmental protection and sustainable livelihood practices. The Community Development Officer called for community participation in this project to help address land degradation and improve our livelihood. I was glad to learn that the project will support environmentally friendly income-generating activities to reduce dependence on natural resources. I mobilised my colleagues to be ready to participate in this opportunity”.

Amina continued, “Through TRI, fellow members of our women group and I were supported with 3 improved local breeds of cattle and received training on raising improved local cattle breeds. We were trained to grow fodder for livestock and apply climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and technologies. We received further support for post-harvest management and marketing of milk.

With TRI support, milk yield has increased more than fivefold from 1-2 litres to 10 litres per cow per day. In terms of revenues, based on an average price of TZS 950 (USD 0.41) per litre, this represents an increment in revenues from TZS 1,900 (USD 0.8) to TZS 9,500 (USD 4.1) per cow per day”.

She spoke on how her community has also been impacted or changed because of being a part of The Restoration Initiative. “We are excited to get this much milk and income from fewer cattle. In this early stage of the TRI Project, I would say my life is under transformation”. she added.

Amina continued, “We are just at the beginning. Rearing improved local cattle is a new thing to us in this community. We are seeing the value of this project, and so are many community members, particularly women and youth. They are contacting us and the district officials to join this initiative. More agro-pastoralists are eager to convert to sustainable livestock management practices to reduce encroachment and degradation of the forest reserves and water sources”.

She further provided insights into her plans – “We are now operating as a group, which is a farmer field school in our community. Our plan, however, is for each group member to have their own cattle. We are keen to intervene along the milk value chain and explore a bigger market for our milk products. We are opening a fodder farm to meet the pasture needs of our cattle and sell the remaining to other villagers. While doing this, CSA will be the way to go in agriculture while also participating actively in the protection of our forest resources and water sources”, added Amina.

She concluded, “TRI is a miracle. We are so proud of what they have done already and are planning to do in the future. Our lives are forever changed. Our livelihoods are saved. Our environment is undergoing restoration”. The TRI Tanzania project has strengthened governance mechanisms and capacities for sustainable land management, with over 3,826 community members (2,038 men and 1,788 women) already directly benefitting from capacity-building opportunities on climate-smart agriculture (crop, livestock, fisheries), sustainable forest management and sustainable livelihoods initiatives.

TRI’s project in the United Republic of Tanzania is designed to strengthen integrated natural resource management and restoration of degraded landscapes for resilient socioecological systems in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Building Capacity and Partnerships: Empowering Communities in Sao Tome and Principe

Adriana Vidal 8 December 2023

One of the key barriers to expanded and scaled-up implementation of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) is a lack of financing and credit for businesses, including smallholder farmers, to invest in FLR.

Many businesses that have seen their farms, wood lots, landholdings and supply chains impacted by land degradation would like to invest in restoration measures that offer a potentially good return. However, access to capital for restoration can be hard for several reasons. These include unfamiliarity with FLR within the banking sector, uncertainty on how to price risk and compensate investors for the multiple benefits, including public benefits, that come from FLR, and lack of even basic lines of credit for many smallholders.

The TRI project in São Tomé e Príncipe (STP) is working to address these barriers. In collaboration with the Association of Banks (ASB), an umbrella institution representing the five largest private banks that operate in the country, and the public Central Bank of STP, the project is helping advance an ambitious program of work encompassing changes to national policy, along with capacity building and development of tailored financial instruments for the financial sector. The goal is to help spur new flows of public and private finance into restoration and sustainable land management in STP.

In April 2023, two training courses on Green Finance were held under FAO’s TRI project in STP. The activities were foreseen under Cooperation Agreements signed between the FAO STP and the Central Bank of the country, which is also its banking and insurance regulator, as well as the Association of STP Banks, which brings together the four banks operating in the country: BISTP, Afriland, Ecobank and BGFI.

The first of the trainings also had the participation of members of public bodies of STP as speakers: representatives of the Directorate-General of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Directorate of Geology and Mines, the National Institute of Water, the Directorate of Energy, the Directorate of Forests and Biodiversity and the Ministry of Agriculture, which presented the main legislations of the country in their areas of activity, the most critical environmental, social and climate problems and the relevant data they can make available to the financial sector. The training phase was successful, as attendance was high and we managed to involve entities that were not on the project radar at the beginning, such as insurance companies.

Forest and land management experts inspecting a project intervention in Sao Tome and Principe. Photo – TRI Sao Tome and Principe

In October 2023, TRI Project hosted the second training which was exclusive to the Central Bank of STP. It focused on how banking and insurance regulators worldwide have addressed socio-environmental and climate issues in their regulations, providing guidelines and strategies for evaluating STP’s financial market. Topics such as green, social, sustainable sovereign bonds, microfinance, FinTechs, and developing Green, Social, or Sustainable Taxonomies were explored.

The contents of the training addressed the various stages of socio-environmental and climate risk management, from identifying risks (and which sources of information are needed), their assessment and classification, their monitoring and how this can be considered in the decision process of granting credit or insurance coverage. Governance aspects of the topic in banking and insurance institutions were also addressed, as well as financial products with a positive environmental or social impact and appropriate ways to report on sustainability issues.  

The Project is now implementing a second training phase, which is planned to start in July 2024. Under the cooperation agreements, TRI STP will deliver the following:

Technical support to the Central Bank in analysing the inputs and contributions that will stem from the public consultation process on the management of environmental and socio-environmental risks in the financial sector.

Deepening the dialogue with the insurance sector of STP on climate and socio-environmental-related risks and opportunities.

Dialogue with the executive and legislative authorities of STP on the proposed legislation on the sustainable taxonomy of economic activities and projects.

Dialogues with the executive authority on the need to strengthen environmental inspection measures and greater transparency/accessibility of information about the activities of the public institutions in charge of forest conservation/restoration and related matters, including the Directorate of Forests and Biodiversity, the Directorate of Geology and Mines Directorate, and the Directorate of the Environment.

Preparation of sectoral questionnaires containing: 1) a list of legal compliance items to be verified; 2) questions regarding key climate and socio-environmental performance indicators to be posed to client companies/potential credit borrowers – which will be adopted as a voluntary initiative by the ABS.

The financial component of the TRI project includes elaborating proposals for banking and insurance regulations in STP on Environmental, Social and Climate, as well as a Code of Conduct for the Banking Association. The goal is to shift the financial sector away from financing activities that cause environmental, social, and climate degradation towards supporting the transition to a green economy and aligning capital flow with the country’s sustainable development needs.

Restoration and Green Value Chain Development Increase Communities’ Resilience to Drought in Kenya’s Tana River Delta Region.

Adriana Vidal 7 December 2023

The economy and livelihoods of communities in the Tana Delta largely depend on natural resources derived from wetlands, rangelands, forests and farmland. Restoration and sustainable management of these resources are therefore critical, given their crucial role in sustaining life-support systems and powering the economy.

Since 2022, the TRI Tana Delta project has supported communities in making notable progress in integrated natural resource management and restoring degraded landscapes. A significant achievement is local communities’ enhanced resilience to climate change’s adverse effects, partly due to their access to restoration and green value chain development benefits.

Overgrazing caused by overstocking is one of the drivers of degradation in the Tana Delta. The establishment of pasture seedbanks supports the local community in growing and managing their pasture to ensure sufficient supply during drought. Pasture seedbanks have multiple benefits: the restored grass sequesters carbon, besides supporting livestock production. It also helps bind soil, enhancing water infiltration and soil organic matter. Biodiversity, such as grassland birds, has increased on lands where pasture has been re-established. The pasture seedbanks contributed to reducing drought severity in 2022 in the Tana Delta Region of Kenya.

Between July 2023 and May 2024, an additional 106.5 ha of pasture seed bank was established by 275 beneficiaries, bringing the cumulative figure of land under pasture seedbanks to 561.48 ha.

Tree Seed collection and pre-sowing treatment-Back to Eden Group. Photo – TRI Kenya Tana Delta

Management of the planted pastures is done by beneficiaries who treat them as a crop and make efforts to secure them from free-ranging livestock. The county government and local administration played a key role in community sensitisation and peacebuilding, contributing to social fencing and safeguarding planted pasture seedbanks. On this front, the TRI Tana project has facilitated several meetings convened by the county commissioner’s office to address grazing control issues. At the policy level, the project has supported the Tana River County government in preparing and endorsing the Livestock Grazing Control Act, which provides a basis for regulating grazing. 

The TRI Tana Delta project promotes a community-driven approach to restoration. Over the period of one year (2022 – 2023) the project built the community’s indigenous tree seed collection capacity. The project also facilitated community groups to collect 2,940 Kg of seeds that were dried and sown on degraded lands totalling 1,500 ha. Restoration through seeding was guided by the Restoration Opportunity Assessment Methodology (ROAM) and aligned to restoration action plans of the respective local resource user groups. During the same period, the TRI Tana project supported communities in producing 159,000 tree seedlings (86,000 in 2022 and 73,000 in 2023) planted on 226 ha of degraded forest land, cropland, wetlands and rangelands.  

Another notable achievement was the Shakako Community Conservancy, measuring approximately 1,800 ha, registered with the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association.

This is a critical step towards realising the project’s target of having 116,867 ha of multiple-use Indigenous community conservation areas (ICCAs) in the Tana Delta to benefit globally important biodiversity. Establishing and registering conservancies, as stipulated by the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013, provides a stronger legal framework for restoration work in Tana than the informal ICCA framework. The Tana ICCA was established within the framework of ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs), which are areas that are achieving the longterm and effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of protected areas.

Significant progress was also made towards the development of green value chains and the establishment of market linkages. This helped to deliver economic benefits to households and promoted biodiversity conservation by encouraging sustainable land management and restoration in production processes. Eleven functional cooperatives were established focusing on nature-based enterprises (fish farming, beekeeping, crop production, galla goat rearing, dairy production, and agroforestry). A suite of seven biodiversity-linked/nature-based income-generating activities (IGAs) was implemented, directly benefiting 5,045 (2369M, 2674F) households from nature-based livelihoods, earning USD 280,223, and products valued at USD 460,077 were consumed at household level. The capacity of 17,152 (8,370 males, 8,782 females) individuals drawn from four Community Forest Associations, five Water Resource Users Associations and 11 cooperatives was enhanced on FLR.

Equator Kenya Ltd, a private company, is already engaged in the chilli value chain. Discussions are ongoing with four potential companies (Afritec Seeds Limited, Burton & Bamber Co Ltd, Kilifi Moringa, OLVEASimsim) to invest in other value chains. Accessibility to benefits associated with green value chains strengthened community resilience, enhancing their adaptive capacity to cope with the negative impacts of climate change.

During 2023, 101,971 Ha was put under participatory forest management with the completion of four Participatory Forest Management Plans for Chara, Kipini, Kilelengwani, and Ozi forests. In addition, Community Forest Associations (CFAs) negotiated and signed forest management agreements with the Kenya Forest Service for four forests.

Developing green value chains has fostered an environment conducive to restoration and biodiversity conservation in production systems, significantly contributing to the project’s objectives.

From Seeds to Forest: The Collaborative Journey of Chitral’s Chilghoza Forests Landscape Restoration in Pakistan

Adriana Vidal 1 December 2023

The TRI Project in Pakistan, a testament to the power of community collaboration, employed seed balls, crafted by local communities, to revive 200 hectares of degraded Chitral Chilgoza Forests. This initiative showcased an inspiring model for Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) and underscored the significant ecological and socio-economic impact that can be achieved when local communities are empowered and involved in such projects.

FAO Pakistan is implementing the project “Reversing Deforestation and Degradation in High Conservation-Value, Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan” under The Restoration Initiative (TRI). TRI aims to improve local livelihoods through increased productivity and enhanced services and functions of Chilgoza forests in Pakistan, responding to the vision that FLR is more than just planting trees; it is restoring a whole landscape to meet present and future needs and offering multiple benefits and land uses over time. The project is operative in the District Chitral of Khyber Pukhtunkhaw, Sherani District of Balochistan, the South-Waziristan District of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and Diamer District of Gilgit-Baltistan, and applies the FLR approach holistically.

The Chitral Chilghoza Forests landscape, a vital resource for the indigenous Kalash and Khow communities, has faced challenges. However, hope was restored through the use of a simple yet innovative solution – seed balls, which actively involved local communities. This led to the revival of over 200 hectares of previously degraded forest, significantly improving the livelihoods of these communities and fostering a sense of optimism for the future. These seed balls were then thrown into identified degraded sites with potential for FLR, which were jointly identified by project staff and local Chilgoza Forest Protection Committees during the annual ANR survey and monitoring in the target valleys in Chitral.

TRI project beneficiaries produce seed balls crafted by locals to revive degraded forests. Photo – TRI Pakistan

Mr. Unat Baig Kalash, a 55-year-old village elder and project beneficiary, emphasised the pivotal role of seed balls, saying, “We planted hope in the form of seed balls, and now our forest is flourishing with life. It is a testament to what a united community can achieve, and we are overjoyed to witness this beautiful transformation. Our seed balls have brought our forest back to life, and they symbolize the power of collective action and a shared commitment to our Forest restorations. The local people, including women, prepared 3 million seed balls of Chilgoza Pine and deodar and sown in the forest areas before and after the snowfall. These seed balls sprouted into young plants, lovingly nurtured by the local community under an Assisted Natural Regeneration system, with the aid of a local guard, a Forest Negihban, hired and supported by the project to protect these ANR sites.

Another beneficiary, Ms. Sachin Gul, 54 expressed her delight, “These tiny seed balls are just magical! They have completely transformed our approach to forest restoration. Now, whenever we head into the forest for grazing or collecting Non-Timber Forest Products, we carry these seed balls with us and scatter them around. They are truly amazing”, added Sachin Gul. Beyond the ecological renewal, this project has empowered local communities by offering socio-economic benefits, including improved ecosystem services, increased availability of non-timber forest products, and new ecotourism opportunities. The success of the seed ball-based approach in Chitral serves as an invaluable model for restoration efforts for FLR elsewhere. Its scalability and potential for replication, along with the integration of modern technology, shed light on the promising future of this nature-based restoration method. Chitral’s success story is a testament to what can be achieved when nature and communities work hand in hand.

The FAO under TRI Chilghoza Project collaborated with various stakeholders, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest department, local community members, dedicated village volunteers, and female groups. Together, they received comprehensive training sessions on making seed balls and techniques for Forest Landscape Restoration. This training aimed to empower them to actively rehabilitate degraded and deforested areas within the forest landscape. The initiative sought to harness their collective efforts in distributing seed balls strategically across these affected regions, fostering a proactive approach to environmental conservation and restoration.