INTEGRATION OF BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN SCHOOL CURRICULA IN KAFA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, ETHIOPIA
Biosphere Reserves are entitled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as part of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. What is a Biosphere Reserve? • an area created to conserve biological and cultural diversity while promoting sustainable economic and social development • a place for people and nature to co-exist and interact with each other for their mutual benefit • use of natural resources in a sustainable way • conserving precious habitats Zonation of a biosphere reserve: The Kafa Biosphere Reserve: • area in total 760,144 ha • located in 10 Woreda district administrations, (Adiyo, Bita, Chena, Chetta, Decha, Gesha, Gewata, Gimbo, Aylem and Tello), 250 rural Kebele administrations and 25 urban towns Example of zonation and allowed activities in core zone, buffer zone and transition area of biosphere reserves.
• Core zones, within 11 protected forests, which have statutory conservation status. -> 41,391 ha.
• Core zones -> Strong legal protection and refuge for wild plants • Surrounded by Buffer zones to protect them from the negative and animals free from human disturbances. impact of human activities. • Buffer zones -> Surround and protect the core areas from the im- -> 161,427 ha. pact of human activity, essential ecological corridors, connecting • Transition zone mainly consists of urban areas (e.g. villages) and the core areas to allow the movement of wildlife. cultivated, agricultural land. • Transition zone -> Enabling sustainable development, including -> 337,885 ha. agricultural activity, settlements and other land use types.