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  • Press
  1. Topics
  2. Civil society
  3. Kafa Community Project
  • Community Action
  • Project Partners and Sub-Contractors
  • Project Goals
Read

Community Action in Kafa

Community Action for Biodiversity and Forest Conservation and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Wild Coffee Forests (CAFA)

Vast expanses of Afromontane cloud forest, rainforest, dense bamboo forests, wetlands, floodplains and peatlands characterise the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in south-west Ethiopia: At least 650,000 people live in the premises of Kafa Biosphere Reserve.

More than 90 percent of the inhabitants’ livelihoods depend on subsistence farming, the sale of coffee, forest honey and the use of natural resources - photo: Angelika Berndt

More than 90 percent of the inhabitants’ livelihoods depend on subsistence farming, the sale of coffee, forest honey and the use of natural resources - photo: Angelika Berndt

Vast expanses of Afromontane cloud forest, rainforest, dense bamboo forests, wetlands, floodplains and peatlands characterise the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in south-west Ethiopia. The moist, green region is considered one of the last intact high forest areas of Ethiopia. It acts as an important water reservoir and carbon store and provides a habitat for rare and endangered species. The area is of particular significance as it is the origin of wild Arabica coffee.

At least 650,000 people live in the premises of Kafa Biosphere Reserve. More than 90% of the inhabitants’ livelihoods depend on subsistence farming, the sale of coffee, forest honey and the use of natural resources e.g. for food, fuel, building material and medicinal plants or spices. Mainly grain is being cultivated, including the local Ethiopian grain species teff (Eragrostis teff), legumes and the locally important Abyssinian banana (Ensete ventricosum), whose starch-rich stem is fermented for bread. The most common livestock is cattle, followed by poultry, sheep and goats. Over the centuries they have adapted their (land) use, traditions and customs to nature. Wild coffee harvesting has been practised over centuries; complex tenure arrangements and traditions and rites have been developed. Nevertheless, steady population growth, poverty, illegal immigration and agro-investment (e.g. tea, coffee) have led to an increasing pressure on the region's natural resources.


The project focuses on close community engagement to protect the ecosystem of Kafa - photo: Mathias Putze

The project focuses on close community engagement to protect the ecosystem of Kafa - photo: Mathias Putze

Throughout the last decade, NABU has established a well-reputed role in the Kafa region through closely working with local communities and government partner. Building on the success past projects, the current three years project (2017-2019), which is funded through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), focuses on close community engagement to protect the ecosystem of the Kafa Biosphere Reserve and contribute to secured livelihood and resilient agriculture under the conditions of climate change.

Whereas the local population, younger generation in particular, is losing their traditional bond with the natural environment, our project follows a long-term effect logic by taking up already established, but forgotten and/or improvable concepts. At the same time we foster capacities and understanding in local communities and authorities, to enable them to independently ensure the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.


more

Landarbeit in Äthiopien. - Foto: Angelika Berndt
Project Goals

NABU wants to support communities and the local government in independently ensuring the preservation and viability of key ecosystems in order to ensure the long-term provision of ecosystem services. more →

Local communities are actively involved to preserve the environment of Kafa - photo: Angelika Berndt
Project Partners and Sub-Contractors

The project (2017 - 2019) is being implemented by NABU in partnership with the regional and local government and the knowledge and support of local and international experts. more →

related topics

Vivid exchange between our partners in Ethiopia on coffee forest conservation - photo: NABU / Svane Bender
Civil Society

Conservation needs lobbying. That's why at NABU we also take initiative to foster civil society and strengthen NGOs. We are part of a global alliance of conservation organisations. We collaborate closely alongside partners such as BirdLife International. more →

Malachite Kingfisher in Ethiopia - photo: Bruno D/'Amicis
Biodiversity

Ecosystem functioning needs to be seen as a global task. Therefore, NABU is active in 36 biodiversity hotspots and beyond. As part of the BirdLife network, bird conservation has a long tradition for us. Its efforts contribute to biodiversity as a whole. more →

Contact

Brit Reichelt Zolho - Foto: NABU
Brit Reichelt Zolho
Head of Africa Programme Write an email

Reforestation Manual

Giant tree in Kafa - photo: NABU/ Svane Bender

Insights into Reforestation Practices with Indigenous Species at the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in Ethiopia: Handbook for Practitioners.

The Manual

Biodiversity Assessment / species reports

Foto: Bruno D\'Amicis

From 30 July to 13 August 2019 NABU hosted the second biodiversity assessment at the Kafa Biosphere Reserve (BR) as follow-up to a first one held in 2014. A team of international experts as well as NABU rangers and NABU team members conducted intensive field work on amphibians, birds, dragonflies and damselflies, fungi and small- and medium-sized mammals.

The Report
amphibians PDF (1 MB) birds PDF (2.1 MB) fungi PDF (1.3 MB) mammals PDF (2.9 MB) dragonflies and damselflies PDF (0.9 MB)
Kafa Flyer in English PDF (1.3 MB) Kafa Flyer in German PDF (1.3 MB)

Where we work

  • Europe
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Caucasus
Where we work: Europe, Africa, Asia, Caucasus
Where we work: Europe, Africa, Asia, Caucasus Where we work

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