GIZ’s first nature conservation project began in 1988, when support was provided to the Selous game reserve in Tanzania. Since then the number of such projects has risen dramatically and the issues involved have become more complex. Working with a variety of partners, GIZ develops and supports new strategies and ideas for nature conservation for and with people. This “development-oriented” nature conservation is accompanied by project-related consultancy as well as conferences, seminars and workshops. In this way the instruments of development cooperation are continuously refined, the results are consolidated and the exchange of information is improved.

Managing conservation areas

Protected areas are an important instrument of nature conservation:

• They preserve biological diversity and ecosystem functions such as water cycles and soil formation.
• They provide protection against erosion and natural disasters.
• They are areas vital to the lives, livelihoods and economies of indigenous communities who at the same time preserve them.

Thus protected areas do not serve only to conserve and maintain nature; they also secure the livelihoods of the people who live there. The Convention on Biological Diversity and its programme of work on protected areas, implemented through development cooperation activities, support the establishment and effective management of protected areas. As well as protecting biological diversity they give rise to new opportunities for sustainable development in rural areas. With the aid of additional sources of income – for example, from tourism, monitoring and research, or environmental education – poverty can thus be reduced.

The balance between conservation and usage interests is a key aspect of the management of these areas. The local population should be actively involved; local people should not be disadvantaged by the designation of the protected area and the associated usage restrictions. The involvement of the local population is essential if biological diversity and the basis of people’s livelihoods are to be secured in the long term. GIZ supports these co-management approaches, initiatives and networks, for example in the Congo basin and in Central America. Such approaches require detailed analysis of the interest groups involved and constructive methods of dealing with conflicts.

Protected areas should not be considered in isolation; they must form an integral part of regional planning and development processes. Reflecting these requirements, GIZ has drawn up and implemented new strategies for protected area management plans in Latin America.

Environmental communication

In all nature conservation projects, environmental communication is an important part of GIZ’s work. Good communication makes complex relationships clearer, highlights options for action and elicits support for conservation.