Carbon Offset Project Exclosure - North Gondar

This study will facilitate a participatory process in order to enable farmers and researchers to engage in the establishment of an exclosure area in Ambober, North Gondar, if they are willing to do so. This approach carried out in parallel with research activities is novel in the context of carbon compensation schemes. The process will also be scientifically documented and evaluated to produce a learning example and manuals for future interventions. The existing exclosure of about 2 ha will be extended to an area as large as 30 ha. However, at the moment only few local people know about this, and in spite of a generally positive attitude towards exclosures in the area it is uncertain if the community would endorse the enlargement of the existing exclosure to such an extent. The study will invite farmers and researchers (and other relevant stakeholders) to participate in a process of dialogue and negotiation. The aim is to first (1) find an agreement on the enlargement of the exclosure. The process will have to end at this stage if the farmers are against the enlargement. If they agree, the next step (2) will be to discuss about the scale of the enlargement and the location, then (3) about the species to be planted (or regenerated). This is important information for the working group from ARARI who will be in charge of the biophysical components of the exclosure – before the farmers have completed step 3, their work cannot start. Finally, (4) the management of the exclosure by the community must be negotiated. There will be a dialogue about bylaws, administration, and a decision about local control mechanisms. The final step of the process (5) will to clarify how the expected benefits will be distributed in the community. The restoration of degraded land is a complex task which has to overcome biophysical as well as socio-economic barriers. Appropriate technologies are necessary to successfully grow trees in such landscapes.