Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

Park Operations Programme
This programme envisages a secure and efficiently run National Park, using an adaptive management
system that is a working model for PA management throughout Africa and elsewhere. Resource
protection is a key feature and this requires a number of initiatives. Park and zone boundaries would
be agreed with local communities and demarcated on the ground, after which the BMNP would be
gazetted. Infrastructure development and sufficient equipment is required for effective management,
particularly with the potential increase in staff. An efficient patrolling and scout deployment system
would be designed and implemented to expand the sphere of management influence beyond the
northern corner of the BMNP.
A priority was to implement administration and human resource management systems that
are efficient and effective and that will lead to a motivated, appropriately trained and professional
staff team. Park administration and financial systems would be modernised and streamlined, with
actions designed to implement an adaptive planning system that would monitor GMP implementation
and the changing context and adapt accordingly. Finally, inadequate financing is a key obstacle for
BMNP management and actions were drawn up that would improve understanding of the economic
and financial flows in the ecosystem and investigate innovative internal and external funding
mechanisms so that a comprehensive business plan for the BMNP could be developed.
Outreach Programme
This programme is built on a strategy of effective partnerships that enhance dialogue and participatory
management, strengthen the global image of the BMNP and facilitate livelihood development. It
was designed to increase dialogue and the mutual flow of information between the park and relevant
stakeholders by creating structures for dialogue at different levels. These include the formation of
a Management Board to oversee policy and BMNP management, (including GMP implementation)
and a Regional Steering Committee, including community representatives, to advise management
and to coordinate with other governmental and non-governmental actors in the area. These groups
would create a sense of involvement and ownership in BMNP operations. Beyond this, the
programme would use other opportunities to engage local, national and international stakeholders.
These include listing the BMNP as a World Heritage Site, using diverse media to increase awareness
and strengthening and coordinating current environmental education programmes.
The programme aims to generate a positive flow of benefits from the BMNP – including
information, ideas, education opportunities, the facilitation of development initiatives and, where
possible, revenue. A key feature is facilitating livelihood development through partnerships, whilst
reducing costs for park-resident and park-adjacent communities (one of the main issues raised
during stakeholder consultations).
Lessons Learned and the Way Forward
PA management planning is often criticised for not being inclusive, often leading to the plans not
being properly implemented by the responsible staff or partners written into the plan. This typically
<strong>Walia</strong>-<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong> on the Bale Mountains 253