Overview

In light of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), the project aims at enhancing the sustainable management and conservation of marginal drylands in Northern Africa and Asia.Drylands are particularly vulnerable due to climatic and human pressures, yet they constitute some of the world's largest land reserves in terms of space and natural resources.

This project uses a harmonised methodological approach for selected study sites in the countries involved to compare results and share knowledge. The project aims to identify people's adaptation and traditional knowledge in coping with adverse dryland conditions. The project fosters the rehabilitation of degraded drylands using community-based approaches. Training, capacity building and interaction with landowners and farmers, with a focus on sustainable and indigenous dryland management practices, is a key element of the project.

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Project Activities and Events

1st Project Management Workshop (Cairo, Egypt; September 2002)

2nd Project Workshop (Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran; November 2003): Workshop Report

3rd Project Workshop (Djerba, Tunisia; December 2004): Workshop Report

4th Project Workshop (Islamabad, Pakistan; January 2006): Workshop Report

5th Project Workshop (Aleppo, Syria; November 2006): Workshop Report

6th Project Workshop (Xilinhot, China; September 2007): Workshop Report

Project Reports & Publications:

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Project Region

Northern Africa, Middle East, Asia - including the following sites:

China: Hanshundak Sandylands & Heihe River Basin
Egypt: Omayed Biosphere Reserve
Iran: Gareh Bygone Plane
Jordan: Dana Biosphere Reserve
Pakistan: Dingarh and Lal Suhanra National Park
Syria: Khanasser Valley
Tunisia: Zeuss-Koutine Watershed
Uzbekistan: Karnab Chul Region

Collaborating Agencies (Core Management Group)

United Nations University - International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - UNESCO's Dryland Activities

International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Last updated: 8 February 2007