report of the workshop -...
TRANSCRIPT
REPORT
Workshop on Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity And
Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Africa:
Case Studies on Issues of Biodiversity, Traditional Knowledge and Climate
Change
24-25 March 2014, Nairobi, Kenya
Indigenous
Information Network
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The workshop was conducted with the support of The Nature Consevancy and PACJA.
The compilation of case studies has been prepared by Indigenous Information Network
through the financial assistance of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) support for the case
studies preparation and PACJA for financial assistance for the overall workshop.
BACKGROUND
On the 24th and 25th March 2014, 28 Indigenous peoples and local communities
representatives drawn from different organizations and regions of Africa that participate
in the processes of the UN Convention on Biological diversity came together for a two
day intensive workshop on climate change, biodiversity , traditional knowledge and
indigenous peoples.
The aim of the workshop as shared by Ms Mulenkei the Executive Director of Indigenous
Information Network(IIN) was to link Convention on Biological diversity(CBD) with other
conventions like climate change which also impacts on biodiversity and can provide
meaningful difference and input to discussions in their respective agendas. She
mentioned that in the CBD there was study on arctic that focused on the indigenous
reindeer herders the Saami peoples. Together with other global studies the results were
quite interesting and led to deeper discussion in the international arena. The findings
was that indigenous peoples are highly impacted by climate change due to their reliance
on natural resources, that in particular environments there was accelerated climate
change, people living in high altitude areas are experiencing loss of glacier e.g in some
parts of Latin America, people living in small islands are losing freshwater as see level
rises and coral refs are eroded and people living in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL’s)
are vulnerable to increased heat and drought as well as indigenous peoples and wildlife
have been devastated by wildfires.
Indigenous peoples have been participating in international conferences on climate
change to assert their rights and calling for cultural respective ways for addressing
climate change as well as contribute positively to discussions.
She further asserted that indigenous peoples are an early warning mechanism for
humanity in reference to climate change.
The objective of the workshop were to build capacity of Africa Indigenous Peoples and
Local Communities in CBD processes understanding on climate change linkages with
biodiversity and traditional knowledge and to incorporate Indigenous Peoples' Traditional
Knowledge, biodiversity and climate change issues in the CBD and climate change
agendas.
The chair for the session asked the participants to give their expectations of the
workshop. Participants identified the following as some of their key expectations:
- Understand the climate change impacts on biodiversity
- Sharing experiences on climate change impacts on indigenous peoples and local
communities from different countries
-Understanding impact of climate change on indigenous women and role they can play
etc
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY AND TRADITIONAL
KNOWLEDGE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA
CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA AND THE ROLE OF IP’s
By Robert Muthami-PACJA
Photo: Robert Muthami-PACJA
Mr Robert Muthami , representative from PACJA gave a presentation on the impacts of
climate change with a regional and international lens with a focus on indigenous
peoples and climate change impacts .
He gave a brief introduction of Pan African Climate Justice Alliance(PACJA) as a
coalition of CSOs in Africa including indigenous peoples organisations that brings
together networks which has become key actor ,observer and main coordinator in
climate change processes in Africa & internationally as well as other major platforms like
African Ministerial Conference on Environment(AMCEN), Africa Union etc for African
CSO’s. He also posited that PACJA as an alliance encourages and facilitate partners to
participate in key climate change meetings,share and document the experiences of past
efforts on advocacy on climate related policies, collect, analyze and disseminate
Information regarding the climate change convention, emerging issues, and activities
and build linkages with other coalitions with similar goals at regional and global levels.
He highlighted on the challenged of climate changes, stating that it is no longer an
Isolated Scientific and Environmental issue it is as well shaping the international
Diplomatic and Economic Interaction where citizens around the world view it as the top
global threat. Further he noted that climate change indirectly has exacerbated the
financial crisis among the world leaders, diminishing resources, suspicion between the
North and the South and of importance to pay attention to is that Africa is becoming the
most exposed region in the world to the impacts of climate change giving an example of
Sub-Saharan Africa where extreme weather has caused dry areas to become drier and
wet areas wetter impacting on agriculture yields which has suffered from crop failures;
and diseases have spread to new altitudes .
He also gave cases of climate change impacts in Africa, that included; the prolonged
drought in the Horn and East Africa; freak phenomena of floods in Mozambique; the
Somali Puntland Hurricane which killed around 300 people; the impact of climate change
on the savanna belt of Africa that has led to natural resources scarcity giving rise to
conflicts eg. Darfur (UNEP Post Conflict Report) has caused severe food crisis and
threat to the lives and livelihoods and mass demographic movement;
He further pointed out that Indigenous peoples hardest hit by climate change impacts
yet they have contributed the least to world greenhouse gas emissions and have the
smallest ecological footprints on Earth and suffer the worst impacts not only of climate
change, but also from some of the international mitigation measures being taken. Some
of the impacts of climate change on indigenous people in Africa as he indicated are; an
increase in diseases associated with higher temperatures and vector-borne and water-
borne diseases like cholera, malaria and dengue fever; worsening drought conditions
and desertification, leading to more forest fires that disrupt subsistence agriculture,
hunting and gathering livelihoods, as well as serious biodiversity loss;in arid and semi-
arid lands there is excessive rainfall and prolonged droughts, resulting in dust storms
that damage grasslands, seedlings, other crops and livestock.
In his final remarks he shared some demands made in Warsaw regarding a loss and
damage mechanism -pertaining to impacts of climate change – which he stated should
support vulnerable communities manage new risks for an already changed climate and
facilitate the access to resources and support for developed countries as repatriations
for harms for climate impacts exacerbated by their historical emissions.
He promised to bring peoples voice in UNFCCC COP 20 (Lima,Peru) and
encouraged Indigenous peoples organization to join PACJA since it wants to include
them in their platform as well challenged indigenous peoples to interrogate allies ,
governments, parliamentary Networks/Presidents and countries have influence to
make a difference in the climate change negotiations as well as enhancing
relationship with the regional economic blocs and national governments and relating
with like minded movements at different levels. He lauded the joint workshop as a
good linkage and starting point for future partnership.
Plenary:
After the presentation a plenary discussion was opened by the session moderator where
participants raised a number of questions and comments.
Participants highlighted the need to understand how climate change happens
and how it affects them more deeply
They made comments and gave examples of climate change impacts that were
country specific for instance the case of Lake Tchad which is also shared among
different countries yet now its retreating.
It was pointed out that legislations are existent in many African countries,
implementation is the challenge. It was mentioned that people are still cutting
trees despite stringent laws being in place
Need for governments to ensure respect of indigenous peoples in climate change
actions was highlighted
They agreed to importance of being part of the Pan African climate alliance
KEY HIGHLIGHTS ON FORESTS CONSERVATION AND IPs ENGAGEMENT
MAKHANU RUDOLF & LUCY NJUGUNA, Kenya Forest Working Group(KFWG)
Photo: Mr Rudolf Makhanu -KFWG
Rudolf, Coordinator, Kenya Forest working group, a national working group of
organisations working in the forest sector, gave highlights on issue of forest conservation
in Africa. He highlighted that in many African countries management of forest resources
has moved away from command and control system to a more participatory approach
that require involvement of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, an approach he said
tended to emphasize decentralisation or devolution of forest management rights and
responsibilities to forest adjacent communities with the aim of producing positive social,
economic and ecological outcomes. The triggers for such shift he noted were as a result
of the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) which emphasise the importance of
sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from biodiversity resources,
the need to better target people's needs, incorporate local knowledge, ensure that
benefits were equitably distributed and lower management costs, many countries have
now developed, or are in the process of developing, changes to national policies and
legislation that institutionalise PFM and constitution change e.g Constitution of Kenya
2010, Sec 69 (1) (d), stresses need for public participation in environmental
conservation; equity in benefit sharing.
KFWG he said undertook a study in different parts of Kenya and the findings were used
to inform and influence Participatory Forest management in the country. He explained
that PFM coffers a wide range of different co-management arrangements with different
levels of control from relatively conservative “benefit sharing” to genuine “community-
based natural resource management” where local communities have full control over
management of the resource and the allocation of costs and benefits. The results being
fewer conflicts and improved relations among major stakeholders, empowerment of
marginalized groups through recognition of rights and responsibilities, stronger
partnerships and alliances ,more cost and resource efficient ,enhanced skills of many
different stakeholders/institutions and promotion mechanisms for working together that
can be used to address other issues
He gave an example of water towers Kenya case which is key to peoples livelihood
since a large proportion of Kenya’s population lives near the main water towers. That the
water towers provide environmental services essential to crop production (continuous
river flow, favorable micro-climate conditions) and the forests that cover the water towers
provide many products (medicinal plants, firewood and grazing). However, he noted that
as population grows, the pressures on these critical natural assets increase.
Role of Indigenous Persons
Further, he gave some statistics on forest and indigenous peoples. He mentioned that
traditional Indigenous Territories encompass up to 22 percent of the world’s land surface
and they coincide with areas that hold 80 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. This
convergence of biodiversity- significant areas and indigenous territories presents an
enormous opportunity to expand efforts to conserve biodiversity beyond parks. Globally,
the area of forest recognized as owned or controlled by Indigenous Peoples and
communities has increased from 10 percent in 2002 to 15 percent today. In Africa,
governments still claim ownership of 97 percent of the continent’s forests. In DRC,
which has the largest forest area of any country in Africa, the government claims
ownership of all forests, despite the millions of people who live in and around them. The
Trend in East Africa in past years ;
• In 1990 E. Africa had 106.7 million ha of forest
• In 2000, shrank by 9% to 97.7 million ha
• In 2010 shrank by 13% to 84.9 million ha
• Between 1990 and 2010, EA lost 21.8 million ha of forest (SID, 2012)
He asserted that Indigenous peoples have the right to the conservation and protection of
the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources as
stated clearly in the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People of 2007
Article 29 (1) hence states shall establish and implement assistance programmes for
indigenous peoples for such conservation and protection, without discrimination so that
forest resources and forest lands should be sustainably managed to meet the social,
economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations
He highlighted the following challenges;
- Conflicts: resource based conflicts which have become the norm as a result of
competition over dwindling common pool resources, land use change and inability to
reach consensus in situations where there are in-compatibilities in stakeholders'
interests, values, or priorities.
- User rights and access to benefits
Range of user rights allowable to local communities is restrictive
On public forests managed under PFM, the process of developing and signing
FMAs is time consuming, and government departments fail to honour signed
FMAs
In DRC the government has favored large-scale industrial concessions rather
than implement the 2002 Forest Code, which provides for the legal recognition of
the rights of local communities to forests
Mega infrastructural developments
Climate change induced challenges-forest fires
Poor distribution of roles and returns
unsupportive policy and legislative environment
Lack of short term tangible benefits to the target communities and implementers’
bias as relates PFM
He gave the following recommendations as way forward;
States, UN agencies and other organizations;
Empower local peoples and recognize their traditional rights.
where the rights of Indigenous Peoples and communities are recognized, their
territories and community-managed forests outperform public protected areas in
preventing deforestation and ensuring conservation
Recognition of IPs rights also plays a key role in saving and strengthening their
unique cultures.
Increase participation of IPs as experts in biodiversity conservation programs
Adopt Rights based approach to conservation/investment
Indigenous Peoples and their organizations;
Indigenous Peoples are carriers of ancestral knowledge and wisdom about local
biodiversity so they should participate fully and effectively as experts in
biodiversity conservation programs
IPs to strengthen advocacy muscle and tap into existing platforms stating “if you
are comfortable, you can’t move from your comfort zone”.
Form Multi-sector Platforms.
Have conviction that change is possible
Employ critical mass and passion as strategies to sustain momentum
Plenary:
The presentation elicited a lot of questions whereby participants wanted to know
some best practice in community managed forests. Mr Rudolf in his response
highlighted the Loita forest in Kenya and which has been under community
customary management. He further explained that according to Kenya constitution
allowas for community participation in forest conservation and management and
equitable access.
CASE STUDIES ON IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY AND
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND LOCAL
COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA
Indigenous peoples and local communities in Africa have been participating in various
forums on both Convention on Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, and forums
on forest, there has not been a consolidated positions from African Indigenous Peoples
and local communities as well no linkages between those in the various processes. Its
against this backdrop that six(6) indigenous peoples from different regions of Africa were
tasked to prepare and share case studies on issues of biodiversity, traditional knowledge
and climate change that will inform decision making. The indigenous peoples doing the
case studies shared the study findings, lessons on climate change impacts on traditional
knowledge, and responses during the workshop and it was noted that the studies shall
also be disseminated during the 12th Conference of Parties to the Convention to be held
in South Korea October 2014.
Climate Change Impact on protection of Traditional Knowledge in North Africa: A
case of Morocco and Algeria
Presented by: Dr. Mohammed Handaine (Morocco) and Zahia Bachir(Algeria)
Dr Handaine pointing at a picture of the Agdal(traditional granary)
In his opening remarks, Dr Handaine He also mentioned that the indigenous peoples
engage with national government and stated that the Amazigh language is in
constitution. He showcased that climate change has impacted the indigenous peoples in
North Africa and indeed is a reality with their community experiencing fresh water
scarcity , diminishing rainfall and temperature rise. He also highlighted that North Africa
is world treasure of biodiversity which also hasn’t been spared by climate change citing
findings from IUCN study that showed a number of flora and fauna species which were
endangered with staggering numbers, for instance estimated 24,00 species of animals
that could go extinct with the continued climate change trend.
Pertaining to traditional knowledge he mentioned that with demand for biodiversity
increase with population increase hence communities are left vulnerable, however they
have traditional system to respect biodiversity and use it sustainably. He gave example
of the traditional water management system (khetarat) that governs access to freshwater
for each family use; traditional canals protection(tanast technique); community
granary(igoudar) that act as food reserve that limits access to extreme situations/scarcity
and ;traditional reservoirs (Agdals) which are cultivation land for grazing and fruit trees
that has regulated access for grazing and harvesting of fruits.
The objective of having this traditional customs and systems in place he says is to
ensure ecosystem recovers and is preserved and biodiversity is respected, and that’s
why they keep traditional calendars for instance for grazing lands and fruits harvesting.
Drought in the Sahel region is becoming severe threatening the traditional knowledge
systems. He cited a number of local and national actions and local measure. He cited;
the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan(NBSAP’s) which has proposed actions to
tackle climate change impacts on biodiversity ;community forming cooperatives;
engaging youth and teaching them traditional systems;linking traditional knowledge in
education curricular and restoration of agdals etc.
Climate Change Impact on protection of Traditional Knowledge in Air Tenere
Natural Reserve: A case of Niger
Presented by: Aboubacar Albachir (Niger)
The presentation of the case commenced
with showcase of photo of an ostrich. It was a unique presentation that focused on the
issue of climate change and protected area, the case of Air Tenere natural reserve. He
said the ostrich is faced with extinction together with the mountain goat and hence it
necessitated the community to create the natural reserve. The natural reserve classified
as UNESCO historic site in 1988 was affected by conflicts during the periods of 191-
1997.
Climate change in Niger sahara region has resulted in more aridity and it has been
accompanied by change in species and a study found out the same and necessitated
the protection. The region is inhabited by the Touraeg and due to drought in pats years
from 1970’s they lost all their camels and cattle and embarked on an alternative which
was agro-pastoralism. There was and still reduction in grazing space, exploitation of
water table and disappearance of tree species called Gao. However there are some
trees species resistant to drought like palm and date trees.
Actions that are needed and are being taken into consideration are;
Re-launch of the conservation particularly co-management of the natural reserve
where communities are fully involved together with regional authorities.
Community is using the plant called “nurse” that protects the soil and acacia
trees. Traditionally communities are not allowed to cut the nurse tree.
Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Conservation and
Traditional Knowledge of the Indigenous peoples in Cameroon
Presented by: Aminatu Samiratu (Cameroon)
Aminatu started her presentation that focused on
climate change and invasive alien species. She gave a brief overview of Cameroon as a
country in west -central Africa region with a climate that varies across its diverse
ecosystems, from the tropical along the coast to the semiarid in the north Climate
change risk has been predicted to differ in these diverse ecosystems. For the coastal
zone the average changes in annual temperatures to range between 1.5°C and 4.5°C
with a medium probability to a slight increase to 4% to 8%. Changes in year to year
variability and seasonal shifts in rainfall occur and produce profound impacts of climate
change and sea level rise especially in the coastal city of Douala and high temperatures
in the northern part of the country that ranges from 2.0°C to 6.0°C precipitation changes.
She stated that the governments has engaged in post structural adjustment drive and
has developed forward thinking policies. A Horizon 2035 long term development vision is
developed and also in 2010 a 10 year economic growth framework has been
implemented and as a signatory to the UNFCCC Cameroon has adhered to numerous
international obligations under the instrument. A dedicated climate change unit has been
establish in Cameroon within the MINEP( ministry of environment and the protection of
Nature) which coordinates a multi sector national climate change committee and a
designated National Authority has been legally established . There is also the AAP
(Africa Adaptation program me) which directly follows up on priorities set out in the INC
(Initial National Communication) and the county proposals for the SNC (Second National
Communication) and provides umbrella program for adaptation interventions, projects
and other activities.
The issues on climate change, biodiversity and the traditional knowledge in Cameroon
she highlighted can be identifying easily within the indigenous populations which
includes the Pygmies and the Mbororo. For example the Mbororo Pastoralists live
mostly in the savannah (grassland fields) and in the forest zone of the country with
livestock rearing as an integral part of their social life and major economic activity as
source of livelihood. With the population of about 2,320,000 representing 13% of the
county’s population, this group of people has for long lived a migratory life moving from
one place to another in search for pasture and water for their animals. They have special
knowledge about the environment in which they live in and they face a lot of difficulties in
practicing their traditional and cultural practices due to the effect of climate change.
Climate changes have impacted negatively on Mbororo people of Cameroon include but
is not limited to; droughts, floods, extreme rainfalls, strong winds, disruption of seasons,
drying up of rivers, rising temperatures and frost and they have threatened economic,
social and cultural survival for the Mbororo peoples for instance when livestock die, wild
plants that form core elements of their diets rot or dry, or medicinal plants are no longer
found in the forest.
She asserted that Mbororo peoples cultural values and institutions are challenged, when
decreasing predictability of weather conditions is undermining their traditional knowledge
and cultural notions of causal relationships. Another major problem in the grassfields is
the ‘Aguugu’ shrub which has invaded large parts of pasturelands rendering them largely
useless and the Bokassa (Chromolaena odorat) plant which has rendered most grazing
lands barren. Its scientific name is - an invasive shrub which originated from North
America. It is one of the most problematic species in the Region.
In the Northern Regions she said, the main problem is drought, lack of water and
pasture for cattle leading to multiple pressures for community since their traditional
practices are restricted and they are marginalised making them dependent upon
government actions and incorporated into a discriminatory labour market in a very
disadvantaged position with limited skills for making positive use of emerging non-
traditional opportunities and livelihood elements. She highlighted the plight of women as
a result of this changes, that they leave their homes before dawn and only return after
several hours meaning a whole day of walking to the water point where they experience
severe exhaustion, health problems and are exposed to other threats that include sexual
assault and even attacks by wild animals. Furthermore, young girls are forced to
abandon school so as to assist their mothers.
The communities respond to climate change hazards by diversifying their livelihood
strategies, as they have constantly been forced to do by numerous other factors
threatening to undermine their existence, she said. Moreover, the communities
demonstrate that they still possess traditional knowledge that is a major asset in their
adaptation to climate change, as mobile livestock-production provides means for
surviving in a context of climate induced stresses. Applying their intimate knowledge of
the natural environment, indigenous peoples combine traditional knowledge and
practices with new knowledge, practices and technology. Thereby, they demonstrate a
flexibility, which is central to their survival as distinct peoples, and is a core feature of the
adaptive capacity of their traditional knowledge which, by nature is flexible, inclusive and
innovative. Major factors that limit indigenous peoples’ adaptation to climate change are
related to governance that is access to lands and resources maintenance of traditional
knowledge, practices and technology, as well as access to new knowledge, practices
and technology and therefore the importance of governance and recognition of
indigenous peoples’ rights to land and natural resources must be address.
In her concluding remarks she said based on research and various workshops,
conferences and seminars held on land reforms in Cameroon in the recent past, the
existing legislation and policies discriminate against Mbororo indigenous peoples’
traditional lifestyles and livelihoods. This marginalisation in terms of participation is
replicated in the context of climate-related adaptation strategies. She recommended that
;the government should ratify the ILO Convention 169 and adapt national legislation and
policies in line with international law; government adhere to the Un Indigenous People’s
Declaration 2007, which it supported and the UN Minorities Declaration 1992;the
Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) should adopt a transparent participatory budget
approach to the budget dedicated to indigenous people so that IPs can identify their
priorities and influence the aligning of the budget to these priorities, recognise and
respect indigenous peoples’ right to land, territories and natural resources as an
indispensable element of strengthening their long-term resilience towards climate-
induced stresses, Initiate training, awareness-raising, capacity-building and sensitization
initiatives at local and national levels, to overcome discriminatory attitudes against
indigenous peoples and their traditional livelihood practices.
Climate Change, Biodiversity and Gender in the Indigenous Peoples Community
Kenya: Case of the Indigenous women in Marsabit
Presented by: Edna Kaptoyo (Kenya)
Presenting on the Kenyan case with a special
focus on indigenous women, the presenter gave facts on Kenya as a state in the East
Africa region whose approximately 85% land area is classified as arid and semi-arid land
, stating that the ASAL areas support almost 30% of the total national population and 70
% of the livestock production.
She gave Kenya as warm and humid climate and has been experiencing climate change
and variability and the associated adverse impacts. The temperatures are rising
particularly noticeable in the in the arid and semi-arid areas where prolonged droughts
have been experienced, she said. Changes in the fragile ecosystems of the Asal’s affect
people’s livelihoods, which are highly dependent on pastoralism. A climate change
impact has had negative impacts on the socio-economic well-being of indigenous
communities. The negative impacts associated with climate change are also
compounded by many factors, including widespread poverty, human diseases, and high
population density, which is estimated to double the demand for food, water, and
livestock forage. These changes have had effects across all economic and social
sectors for instance agricultural production, water availability, energy use, and
biodiversity and ecosystem services which are highly dependent on or are sensitive to
climate.
Climate change clearly affects all Kenyans, she noted, but Indigenous peoples are highly
impacted due to their geographical location and that gender inequalities are among the
factors limiting the capacities of indigenous women to adapt to these changes. She cited
some climate change witness information’s where Ms Bordhakane (Marsabit) noted that
“ a while back there was enough vegetation for all their livestock, but now its not the
case. We really cannot tell when the rains are due nowadays. Our rivers and wells have
dried up” and from Mr Hussein who hails from eastern province as well mentioned that
ten years ago there was a lot of rains. Climate change has made them witness longer
dry spells for three concurrent years which has been catastrophic to both human and
plant life”
She pointed out that climate change has aggravated the water stress currently faced by
indigenous peoples like in Northern part of Kenya and other counties inhabited by
indigenous peoples where they have had to migrate in search of water and when it
interacts with human drivers such as deforestation is a threat to Kenya’s forest
ecosystems e.g Mt Marsabit. She posited that in Kenya nearly all rural households use
wood for cooking and over 90% of urban households use charcoal (IEA, 2002) as in the
case of Marsabit ,Narok and Pokot counties.
There have been changes in events, such as droughts which have major implications for
numerous Indigenous peoples and their livelihood. Droughts which were experienced for
shorter period allowed for easier prediction and planning by indigenous peoples,
however, the intensity and frequency changes particularly the impacts on both
ecological systems and on the community has increased and poses a challenge in terms
of addressing food security, access to water and pasture .
For indigenous peoples, she stated, resilience is rooted in traditional knowledge, as their
capacity to adapt to environmental change is based first and foremost on in-depth
understanding of the land. Indigenous peoples used traditional knowledge to cope with
climate change because they could forecast weather, know when to move cattle’s to
their pasture lands, use cloud signs, have early warning systems etc. That with climate
change, traditional knowledge has been distorted for instance with the loss of medicinal
plants means that traditional knowledge associated with it, is lost, weather predictions
have become difficult and people are alienated from their lands and resources from
which they derive their traditional knowledge due to migration. However she pointed out
that Indigenous communities in Kenya have developed intricate systems of gathering,
predicting, interpreting and decision-making in relation to weather even with the climate
change.
She brought in the gender issues in relation to climate change saying it could exacerbate
current gender inequalities, through impacting on the natural resource base since the
women have been the store of indigenous knowledge of environmental protection,
preservation and conservation of biodiversity. In addition indigenous women and girls
spend many hours fetching water and fuel wood during drought. They are also
underrepresented during decision making regarding climate change adaptation and
mitigation. In IIN field works, most Indigenous women from Rendille community
highlighted the challenges of accessing freshwater supplies and the long distances to
water wells.
While underscoring the vulnerability of indigenous women to climate change, it should
also be acknowledged that women play an important role in supporting households and
communities to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Across the developing world,
women’s leadership in natural resource management is well recognized, she said.
Those indigenous women have been in the forefront of reforestation efforts. They grow
fruit trees like guavas, pawpaws e.g merigo women group in Marsabit.
She mentioned that in recognition of the serious threats posed by climate change Kenya
Government has taken and continues to take bold measures to secure the country’s
development against the risks and impacts of climate change through the; The
Constitution of Kenya (COK 2010) that provides for maintenance of at least ten per cent
tree cover of the land area; Kenya Vision 2030 that targets the planting of at least seven
billion trees to address food, water and energy security; the Kenya National Climate
Change Response Strategy that was developed in 2010 to build climate change
resilience and the National Climate Change Action Plan(2013-2017) that is expected to
inform national development and policy decisions in all sectors of the economy. Kenya is
also a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) . She mentioned that UNFCCC had gender decision at its 19th conference of
parties where a number of recommendations to strengthen gender equality in the
UNFCCC process were made which included; Institutionalize training and capacity
building for women negotiators; Allocate financial resources to support women
participation and training needs; Establish targets and incentives towards gender
balance in UNFCC delegation, bodies and committees Support awareness raising on
gender sensitive approach to climate solutions for stakeholders at all levels, among
others.
In conclusion she said understanding gender differentiated impacts of climate change,
knowledge and practiced of men and women is key to biodiversity conservation and that
the women’s movement also has a role to play in advocating the integration of a gender
perspective in global climate change mitigation and adaptation negotiations and
strategies. She further highlighted the need for communities to be better informed and
empowered to maintain their access to and control over natural resources, national
policies must ensure the accessibility and, the ownership of natural resources on which
the major part of the population, and particularly the indigenous peoples, depend, need
for integration of climate change in the development agenda, need to realize some
community based adaptation strategies for scaling-up and need for information
generation (impacts and vulnerability assessments), which shall provide basis for
informed planning for interventions.
Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples and local Communities in Moroto District ;Kakingol, Rupa and Naceele villages site report Presented by: Charles Topoth (Uganda)
Topoths’ case study areas included Kakingol in Katikekile sub-County as a Montaine
ecosystem for forest conservation and traditional hunter-gathering, Rupa sub-County
was also chosen for the wildlife protected area holding some biodiversity capacity and
Nacelle village being the most drier, yet persistently inhabited by indigenous peoples in
Moroto district. The main activities and sources for survival that the indigenous peoples
of Kakingol,Rupa and Naceele engage in include pastoralism, crop cultivation, wild fruit
gathering, hunting, open-cast mining. On different occasion and with different social
categories, the IPs indicates that they cultivate different food crops including sorghum,
maize, beans, and groundnuts, bee-keeping and hunter-gathering. The women also
observe that they are frequently experiences challenges in crop cultivation resulting in
crop failure because of the unreliable rainfall they experience.
He said livestock production remains the mainstay for survival of these IPs and the men
observe that when the crops fail, they depend on milk and blood from cattle. For this
reason cattle are seen as the most valuable asset and hunting and gathering is a
seasonal occupation whose certainty is dependent on climate. In all the study areas,
crop husbandry to the Karimojong has been subsistence to livestock rearing ,but
increasing climate variability has turned many of the communities to become agro-
pastoralists
He further highlighted that Karamoja being a sub-humid climate suffers challenges of
water shortages and the people in the study area ranked water as one of the vital source
of livelihood in their locations citing that their transhumant tendency in livestock rearing
during dry season is primarily dependant on availability of good water .According to the
sub-county reports of Rupa,(2010-2013),of all the 68 boreholes sunk in the sub
county,19 are functional,28 have dried up and 21 have never successfully got sunk due
to rock and improper water surveys. So this impacts the well being of society and
causing women and children walk for long distances in search of water. River Musupo
and Nakiloro have shrunk in its flow and water is only available near its sources near the
mountain and therefore herdsmen are forced to drive the animals for more than 18kmto
access water and small scale open-cast mining has dwindled due to the distance of
water from the mining pits.
Fruit gathering among the Karamoja is seasonal and it is done only once in a calendar
season. Some of the variety of trees give both fruits ,leaves and seeds as edibles. It also
acts as fodder for especially goats and sheep (Shoats) e.g Ekorete (Balanite
Aegyptiaca)-(Egyptian date). Uncontrolled hunting is an offence to the laws of
conservation in Uganda, but to indigenous peoples in Karamoja, hunting is taken as part
of livelihood to regulate the eating of livestock for meat diet. According to one old Elder
he explained the abundance of wild animals during the colonial regime as they lived in
Naceele. Hunting was selective at the time and seasonal for a particular species of
animal like the Gazelles. The Karimojong derive Identity of Clans according to totems
linked to the animals.Many Clans are named in line with an animal of their totem e.g
Elephants-Ngitome .That the indigenous people of Karamoja from time immemonal have
an intricate relationship with nature and bio-diversity and clans derive names of identity
based on totems which relate to animals and natural physical features existing in their
territories that include mountains, rivers, trees and plants, wild animals and other
physical features. These identify obliged clans to protect and conserve the totem for bio-
diversity conservation through regulatory ceremonies performed to praise it, study about
it and pass to the next generation.
Climate change has been observed to affect grass land/rangeland and forest bio-
diversity here in Moroto district and other parts of karamoja. The trend of warming and
drying is drinking, a transition of highly productive areas to less productive. Changes in
the growing season precipitation in particular have been found to be associated with
declines in grassland species inchness and bio-diversity populations. This has greatly
lowered species richness, habitat area surfaces and their degree of stability. The
Traditional institution of the Elders is still strong in the study areas he noted and
command immense power and Authority to instill any decision relating to environment
protection to the indigenous peoples. The local elected leaders only remain conduits
between Gov’t and Indigenous peoples.
He said in Rupa and Katikekile sub counties of Moroto district argues that livestock and
pastoral systems have a major role to play in climate change mitigation and, importantly,
in supporting adaptation and reducing vulnerability. He alluded that many research
findings indicate that pastoral systems occupy dryland areas which constitute one tenth
of the Ugandas surface area, host a large share of the world’s poor and have a higher
rate of desertification than other land uses. That degradation of the land base negatively
affects the accumulation of carbon in the soils, hence reversing land degradation in
extensive dryland areas through improved pasture and rangeland management would
contribute to restoring the soil carbon sink while also improving livestock-based
livelihoods.
His case also highlighted the potential for soil carbon sequestration in dryland grazing
areas and the multiple benefits of enhancing ecosystem services and processes for
improving livelihoods while contributing to adaptation to climate change impacts based
on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Realizing this potential will require increased
awareness and coordinated grassroot to global efforts. Arrangements to bring about
climate change mitigation in drylands that simultaneously contribute to climate change
adaptation he said should have been a key area of focus in post-Kyoto mechanisms
which the indigenous communities have been receiving insights only through capacity
building and representation of indigenous peoples representatives at various sub-
national, national and international levels the gist to advocacy has won slight. Such win-
win arrangements that successfully achieve both mitigation and adaptation benefits need
to be implemented alongside interventions that address associated socio-political and
economic barriers, such as land tenure constraints and inadequate services for, and
political marginalization of, pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.
In conclusion, he said that there is significant potential for mitigating climate change
through improved management of grazing lands in drylands, and emphasizes the
concurrent opportunity to enhance ecosystem and biodiversity integrated programming
for the livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral indigenous peoples of Karamoja Build
capacity of IP for assessing and monitoring the impact of climate change on Biodiversity
and incorporate TK systems in the processes.
Study on the Impact of climate change on biodiversity conservation and
traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local communities in Africa-
Namibia experience and Southern Africa countries
Presented by: Lazarus Kairabeb (Namibia)
Lazarus presented the
situation in southern Africa basing it on available research information that climate
change is threatening to change the present character of ecosystem. He said that the
western part of southern Africa has a naturally dry climate as a result of low rainfall and
comparatively high evaporation rates and agriculture is essential for food security and an
important employer, both in the informal and formal sectors in southern Africa. Although
currently constituting approximately 40–60% of the population in the five countries, the
rural population is predicted to drop to 20–40% by 2050. That dry land agriculture and
livestock farming are important activities but with increasing population and decreasing
water resources, it will be a great challenge. He highlighted that most indigenous
peoples and local communities in the region as well as economic development are
dependent on a few larger rivers; especially in the central part of the five participating
countries. These major rivers include the Kunene, the Okavango (called the Cubango in
Angola), the Zambezi, the Limpopo and Orange/Gariep. All of these rivers are shared
between the different countries. They depend on ground water resources with some
aquifers stretching across country borders, for example, the so-called Stampriet aquifer
is shared between Namibia and Botswana and seems dependent on exceptionally good
rainfall seasons for its recharge. The region is rich in biodiversity, with many endemics
adapted to the arid conditions. The region, and in particular, Botswana, Namibia, South
Africa and Zambia, has a large wildlife population and a strong wildlife-based tourism
sector and climate change coupled with the expansion and intensification of land-use are
predicted to be a threat to the maintenance and survival of organisms and bionetwork,
including their functions and services.
He gave some facts that;
The warming trend observed in southern Africa over the last few
decades is consistent with the global trend of temperature rise in the
1970s, 1980s and particularly in the 1990s. Between 1950 and 2000,
Namibia experienced warming at a rate of 0.023° C per year
(Government of Namibia, 2002).
The increased frequency of extreme climatic events, particularly El
Niño related droughts, is tough on the inhabitants and economies of
southern Africa. Five out the eight El Niño events recorded between
1965 and 1997 resulted in significant decreases in agricultural
production, exacerbating food insecurity throughout the region.
Regional maize production in 1992 was approximately 5 million
tonnes (the lowest since 1961), putting an estimated 30 million people
at the brink of famine
Damage to the herd was also great. For example, in Zimbabwe the
drought resulted in the death of an estimated 423,000 cattle out of 4.4
million even the animals that could be sold only fetched a pitiful Z$24
per head as compared to an average normal price of Z$500 per head.
In 2001/2002 six countries, namely Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,
Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, faced a food deficit to the tune of
1.2 million tonnes of cereals
Snapshots of climate change issues
• These are: Severe dry spells/drought: Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and
Zimbabwe
• Heavy rain/floods: Lesotho, South and Central Mozambique
• Disruption to commercial farming: Zimbabwe
• Depletion of strategic grain reserves: Malawi, Zambia
• Poor economic performance: Lesotho, Zimbabwe.
• Delays in importation of maize, particularly from South Africa: region-wide
• Sharp rises in prices of staple foods: Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Presenting on what measures the government and regional body SADc has done, He
said there have also been plans by the SADC to establish a Regional Drought Fund from
which affected member countries could borrow; that almost all countries in southern
Africa have now established national Early Warning Systems (EWS) that monitor their
national food situation.
Way forward
At the end of the meeting it was evident that all expectations were met and request were
made for more case studies to be done to cover other countries in Africa as well as have
other meeting on the same that shall focus more on linking climate change and
biodiversity convention processes understanding amongst indigenous peoples and local
communities. The participants recommended that continuous capacity building of
indigenous peoples for assessing and monitoring the impact of climate change on
biodiversity and incorporation of Traditional Knowledge systems in the climate change
processes as well research and document of traditional knowledge and practices which
are relevant for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation
should be supported by national governments, indigenous peoples institutions and
international organizations and agencies. They also expressed the need for provision of
support to community based activities that link biodiversity conservation to poverty
alleviation and Climate Change adaptation and mitigation as well as lobbying national
governments to put in place and disseminate widely of the National Climate Change
Policy that should be translated into appropriate languages and versions that is easily
understood.
PICTORIALS
ANNEX I: List of Participants
Country Name Gender Organisation ,Email &Telephone No.
1.
Algeria
Mme Zahia Bachir F
Association TAMAWAST pour le
développement et la culture – IPACC
+213772444245
2.
Benin
Mr. Luc Dieudonné K.
Kounouho M
DODJI ASSOCIATION
3. Burundi Mr. Vital Mbambaze M
UNIPROBA
+25779927914
4. Cameroon Ms. Aminatou Samira
Gambo F
Lelewal Foundation
+23774871912
5. Ghana Mr. Edward Amamkwah M
Centre for Environmental Governance
+233208438581
6.
7. Kenya Ms. Beatrice N.
Lempaira F
Naibunga Conservancy Trust
+254723298329
8. Kenya Mr. Daniel Mpoiko
Kobei M
Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program
(OPDP)
+254722433757
9. Kenya Mr. Daniel Olomae Ole
Sapit M
Community Research and Development
Center
+254722262644
10. Kenya Elizabeth Ntwala F MAKUTI WOMEN
11. Kenya Dr. Kiyimba Joseph M PACJA
12. Kenya Robert Muthami Kithuka M
PACJA
0728579730
13. Kenya Edna Kaptoyo F
Indigenous Information Network(IIN)
+254 020 2499388/9
14. Kenya Rudolf Makhanu M
East Africa Wildlife Society / Kenya
Forest Working Group (KFWG)
15. Kenya Lucy Mulenkei F
Indigenous Information Network(IIN)
[email protected]; [email protected]
254 020 2499388/9
16. Malawi Mr. John M. Mawenda M Environmetal Affairs Opt/TK Focal Point
17. Morocco Mr. Handaine Mohamed M
Membre du comité exécutif IPACC
Afrique du Nord
+212670789000
18. Namibia Mr. Lazarus Kairabeb M
Nama Traditional Leaders Association
(NTLA)
19. Niger Mr. Albachir Aboubacar M
Association TUNFA
+22796507111
20. Niger Mr. Harouna Abarchi M
Association pour la redynamisation de
l’elevage au Niger (AREN)
+22796263646
21. Nigeria Mr. Johnson A. Ekpere M Chairman of the National Biosafety
Committee (Self nomination)
+2348033230430
22. Nigeria Mr.Legborsi Saro
Pyagbara M
Movement for the survival of the Ogoni
Pleople (MOSOP)
+2348033392830
23. Rwanda Ms. Marthe
Muhawenimana F
Communauté des potiers du Rwanda
(COPORWA)
+250788838457
24. Sudan Ms. Samiha Shaker
Ishag Abd Elsaid F
Ma’an Organisation
+249912506001
25. South Africa Ms. Luce Helena
Steenkamp F
Khomani San/Indigenous Peoples of
Africa Committee (IPACC)
26. Tanzania Mr. Edward Tunyon M
Tanzania Network for Indigenous
Pastoralists(TANIPE)
ww.tanipe.org
+2557547522350
27. Tanzania Lankoi Oleniini M
TIP-NET(Tanzania Intellectual Property
Network)
+255787533400
28. Tanzania Martha Ntoipo F
PIDO
+255757046950
29. Uganda Mr. Charles Topoth M
Karamoja Initiative for Sustainable
Peace(KISP)
+256782124242
30. Uganda Ms. Zaninka Penninah F
United Organisation for Batwa
Development in Uganda (UOBDU).
+256772660810
31. Uganda Nyamihanda Alice F
United Organisation for Batwa
Development in Uganda.
+256779671098
32. Zimbabwe Mr. Gladman
Chibememe M
Chibememe Earth Healing Association
(CHIEHA)
33. Australia/Can
ada John Scott M
S. CBD
34. Haiti Djessy Monnier M S. CBD
INTERPRETERS
35. Kenya Ramadhan Aziz M
+254721829654
36. Kenya Moses Atwa Butita M [email protected]
+254701555110
ANNEX II: Workshop Agenda
(Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge of
Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Africa.24th to 25
th March
2014)
Date Time Item Facilitator 23
rd March 2014
All day Arrival of all participants IIN& Hotel
24th March
2014
7-8am Breakfast
8-8.30am Registrations IIN
8.30-9.30
am
Opening Prayer and
introductions
9.30 – 9.45 Objectives of the
meeting
9.45-10-15 Climate change in
Africa and the role of
IPlC
PACJA/IIN
10.15 -1030 Questions and Answers,
10.30-
11.00am
Health Break
11.00 to
1130 Presentation by North
Africa
11.30-11.45 Questions and Answers.
11.45 – 12
15 Presentation form
Niger
12.15-12.30 Question and Answers,
12.30- 1pm Open plenary on all the
presentations done in the
morning session.
1.00 to 2pm Lunch
2.00-2.30pm Presentation by Kenya OPDP
2,30- 2.45 Question and answers
2.45-3,3.15 Presentation
Cameroon
3,15-3.30pm Question and Answers
3.30-4.00pm Health Break 4,00-4.30 Presentation form Uganda.
4.30-
6.00pm
Question and Answers
and Open plenary for all
presentation in the
afternoon. 6.00 Close for the day
25th March
2014
7.00-8.00am Breakfast Hotel
8.00-9.00am Morning prayer and
recap of the previous
day
IIN
9.00-9.30am Forest key issues for
indigenous peoples
and hunter gatherers
KFWG
9.30-9.45pm Questions and Answers
9.45-
1014am Presentation form
Namibia
10.15-
10.30am
Question and Answers
10.30- 11.00
am
Health Break
11,00-
11.30am Indigenous Peoples
and intellectual
property rights-
Prof. Ekipere
11.30-11.45 Question and Answers
11.45-1.00 Open plenary on issues
discussed in the morning
1.00-2.00pm LUNCH
2.00-3.30pm Drawing up pending
issues and discussions
on the recommendation
s on the two days work
Group work
3.30- 4pm Health break
4.00-
5.00pm
Presentation and
discussions
5.00-
6.00pm
Final close of the
meeting
IIN and PACJA