Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems of Egypt

1. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems of Egypt

2. Saint Katherine Protectorate • In 1996, SKP declared as full protected area , 4350 km² & World Heritage Site by UNESCO • Unique combination of natural resources, especially high altitude ecosystems with diverse fauna and flora.

3. SKP Globally Significant Endemic MAP Species • 472 plant species • 44% of the total endemic plant species of Egypt • 14 GSMAPs • Long history of Bedouin traditional use of MAP resources

4. SKP Globally Significant MAP Species • Unique Eco-geographic settings • Climatic conditions • Habitat & Micro habitat Diversity

5. Threats facing MAPs Conservation 1- Feral Donkeys (invasive species) 2- Destructive Harvesting Techniques: 3- Over harvesting 4- Tourists Intrusions 5- Overgrazing 6- Collection for Scientific Research 7- Urbanization and Settlements In addition to Climate Change and drought cycles….

6. Project Overall Objective & Outcomes The main Objective of the project is the “Conservation and sustainable use of globally significant medicinal plant biodiversity in SKP” Which will be achieved through the reorganisation and rationalisation of the Project’s interventions to achieve 5 Outcomes: Outcome 1: Conservation management of SKP MAP resources strengthened Outcome 2: MAP products market value chain strengthened and sustained Outcome 3: Pressure on target resources reduced by alternatives Outcome 4: MAP conservation and management enabling environment strengthened Outcome 5: Learning, evaluation, and adaptive management increased

7. Outcome 1: Conservation management of SKP MAP resources strengthened • CBNRM (Community Based Natural Resources Management) • Rehabilitation & Restoration Program • Living Collection & Gene Bank • Communication, Education, Participation & Awareness

8. Community Based Natural Resources Management CBNRM Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) is a systemic approach to conservation that allows those closest to the resource, and who bear the costs of conservation, to manage the resource and benefit from its management and use Scenario planning Women liaison points CBNRM Negotiations with community in SK Building trust with Bedouin women MAP collectors

9. Rehabilitation & Restoration Program MAPs rehabilitated in the selected sites Rehabilitation sites selection MAP rehabilitation sites monitoring

10. Living Collection & Gene Bank MAPs living collection MAPs seedlings MAPs greenhouses Preservation of MAPs seeds

11. Educating the Future Community of Saint Katherine Environmental Awareness and Education Program (EAEP) Indicators 8 green schools 545 participants at competitions 20 schools involved in EAEP 100 children participated at summer activities Almost 1000 visitors to the greenhouses per annum • The Green School Program • Biodiversity Education Activities • Drawings From the Environment Program • Environmental Awareness Activities & Campaigns Biodiversity Education The green school program

12. Educating the Future Community of Saint Katherine Environmental Awareness and Education Program (EAEP) Field studies – Biodiversity education activities International tourists visitors to MPCP greenhouses Drawings from the environment program Competition and Rewards

13. Outcome 2: Developing and strengthening Saint Katherine Medicinal Plants Value Chain Why value chain approach • Improve Quality • Increase Efficiency • Differentiate Products • Identify and develop strategic partnerships necessary for the initiative’s growth • Improving access to markets • Identify economies of scale ensuring a more efficient product flow • Ensuring that all actors in the chain benefit • Meet the requirements for certification and national or international standards • Achieve sustainable use, fair-trade and benefit sharing principles The goal of adapting a value chain approach for natural resource management is to motivate the business community to ‘think globally’ and ‘act locally’ with respect to biodiversity and sustainable development aspects.

14. Strengthening the Value Chain Saint Katherine's Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Value Chain

15. Developing SKP MAP Value Chain • Identifying SKP MAP Value Chain Partners • Bringing Whole System in Room for First Time • Building Relationships • Establishing Common Goals • Establishing SKP MAP value Chain Action Plan • Selecting a Steering Committee • Initiating Agreements and Contracts Bringing Whole System in Room Initiating Agreements Building relationships Establishing common goals and action plan

16. Strengthening the Value Chain • Sustainable plant sourcing • Improving the Enabling environment • Improve quality • Vertical &horizontal linkages & cooperation • Improve communications and awareness • Improve market access Sustainable plant sourcing Capacity building Improve market access Apply international standard Quality control

17. Traditional handicrafts support and product development

18. Outcome 3:Pressure on target resources reduced by use of alternatives Revenue generation Butane cookers Social and economic development The pharmacy Bee hives for Honey Production Fodder Distribution Outlet

19. Outcome 4: MAP conservation and management enabling environment strengthened Nationwide surveys & National strategy ABS legislation Herbalists school Meetings with MAP collectors

20. Outcome 5: Learning, evaluation, and adaptive management increased MAP database & Digital Herbarium

21. Outcome 5: Learning, evaluation, and adaptive management increased MPCP website GIS and MAPs distribution analysis

22. Social and economic benefits of the MPCP • Local community economic development i.e. microfinance schemes (more than 100 loans), products development, market access improvement, value chain development, eco-tourism related activities support, CBNRM • Revenue generation and business opportunists i.e. bee hives projects, packaging & labeling of medicinal plants, medicinal plants cultivation, traditional crafts support • Generation of direct and indirect job opportunities (108 direct job opportunity) • Social services i.e. establishment of a pharmacy (serving more than 2500 local citizens), butane cookers, fuel wood • Social development i.e. establishment of 2 NGOs, gender equality • Cultural support i.e. herbalists school support (15 young herbalists), ABS law • Direct and indirect contribution to local and national economy through project expenditures • Education and awareness activities i.e. biodiversity education, green school program, summer activities, art classrooms

23. MPCP relevance to GEF Biodiversity Strategic Long-term Objectives & Strategic Programs for GEF

24. Project Contribution to the MDGs Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women • CBNRM • Promote social participation and involvement • Handicrafts program Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability • Conservation & sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger • Micro Finance • Production development • Marketing • Business opportunities • Job opportunities Economic development Social participation Gender empowerment

25. Medicinal Plants Conservation Project Conserving Global Biodiversity By Developing Local ccCommunities