Gabal Elba Protected Area project  (hereinafter referred as GEPA) is a component of Phase II of the Egyptian-Italian Environmental Cooperation Program (EIECP).

Phase II of the EIECP has been prepared to follow-up and build on the successes of Phase I. It includes several components to assist the Nature Conservation Sector of EEAA: the Capacity Building and Institutional Support to NCS (NCSP), that seeks to build technical capacities at the central level, while providing overall technical backstopping to the protected area projects of Gabal Elba,  Wadi El Rayan and Siwa. Thus, the GEPA project has been designed as part of a fully integrated Protected Area component of the EIECP.

The project is pursuing the general aim of “enhancing EEAA capabilities to plan and implement nature conservation on a sustainable basis, thus contributing to the preservation and protection of biotic communities of plants and animals, as well as of the other natural features, of a portion of the Egyptian Western desert”.

 

More specifically the project is pursuing the following objectives:

 

1. Prepare the first Management Plan for the ongoing management of GEPA in accordance with the Management Planning System for protected areas.

 

2. Strengthen the capacity of the PAMU to manage GEPA in accordance with its Management Plan through the provision of technical assistance, staff and equipment.

 

3. Prepare a funding plan for GEPA aimed at attracting  development funding  for the protected area. The plan must outline the major  interventions and actions   needed for the firm establishment and management  of the Elba National Park as a major component of the Egyptian PA system

 

4. Identify possible sources of funding for implementing the  funding plan

 

5. Collate all existing scientific data on GEPA and collect the additional data essential for drawing up meaningful  management and funding plans.

 

6. Develop a local environmental awareness program and initiate local development projects based on the natural resource base

 

7. Conclude collaborative agreements with key agencies  operating in the PA.

 

8. Prepare an action plan aimed at initiating co-operation with Wadi Allaqi PA with a view to holding discussions with Sudan on a trans-boundary effort to preserve the whole ecosystem.

Based on the project’s objectives, eight key outputs have been identified, each arising from a series of targeted activities.

Output 1. The first Management Plan for GEPA in accordance with the Management Planning System for protected areas is prepare

Output 2. The capacity of the PAMU to manage GEPA in accordance with its Management Plan is strengthened

Output 3. A funding plan for GEPA, aimed at attracting national or international development funding for the protected area, is prepared, outlining the major interventions and actions needed for the firm establishment and management of the GEPA as a major component of the Egyptian PA System

Output 4. Possible sources of funding for implementing the funding plan are identified

Output 5. All existing scientific data on GEPA is collated and additional data essential for drawing up a meaningful management and funding plans is collected.

Output 6. Local environmental awareness is strengthened and local natural resource based development projects are initiated

Output 7 Collaboration agreements are concluded with all key agencies working in the area.

Output 8. An action plan initiating co-operation with Wadi Allaqi PA with a view to holding discussions with Sudan on a possible a trans-boundary effort to preserve the whole ecosystem is implemented.

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