On July 26, 2024, the second webinar of the 2024 LPA Webinar series titled “Drylands Restoration as Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Restoring Ecosystems to Reduce Drought Risk” brought together experts and practitioners to discuss the crucial role of ecosystem restoration in mitigating drought risk. Organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia, the webinar featured three presentations from global and regional leaders in the field of drylands restoration.
The webinar commenced with remarks by Dr. Dindo Campilan, IUCN Regional Director for Asia and Hub Director for Oceania, who emphasized the significance of nature-based solutions in addressing the escalating challenges of climate change and drought, particularly in dryland regions.
Mr. Hyungmin Kim from AFoCO then introduced the speakers, setting the stage for an insightful exchange of ideas and experiences.
Speaker 1) Prof. Graciela Metternicht
Dean of Science, Western Sydney University & Specialist Group of the IUCN CEM
Prof. Graciela Metternicht, Dean of Science at Western Sydney University and a specialist with the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM), opened the presentations by discussing the upcoming IUCN publication titled “Restoring Ecosystems to Reduce Drought Risk: NbS for Drought.” Prof. Metternicht highlighted the need for a global shift towards integrating NbS into drought management strategies. She identified key success factors for mainstreaming these solutions, including strong political support, community involvement, and the adaptation of interventions to local sociocultural and environmental contexts. Her presentation underscored the importance of a multi-faceted approach, combining technical expertise, governance frameworks, and inclusive planning to ensure the sustainability and scalability of restoration efforts.
Speaker 2) Dr. Oyunsanna Byambasuren
Director General, National Foresy Agency in Mogolia
Following this, Dr. Oyunsanaa Byambasuren, Director General of the National Forest Agency in Mongolia, provided an in-depth overview of Mongolia’s “One Billion Trees” program. Launched as a national effort to combat desertification and restore degraded drylands, the program focuses on reforesting areas affected by deforestation, establishing shelterbelts, and greening urban areas. Dr. Byambasuren detailed the challenges faced, such as the impact of overgrazing by livestock and the limited availability of water resources. He also elaborated on the development of a monitoring system that tracks the progress of tree plantations, ensuring that the goals of the program are met and that the interventions are sustainable in the long term.
Speaker 3) Ms. Fauzia Bilqis Malik
Programme Coordinator at IUCN Pakistan
The final presentation was delivered by Ms. Fauzia Bilqis Malik, Programme Coordinator at IUCN Pakistan. She shared a case study on the rangeland restoration efforts in Baluchistan, Pakistan’s largest province, characterized by arid and semi-arid landscapes. Ms. Malik highlighted the participatory approach adopted in the project, which involved local communities, government departments, and international partners. The project aimed to rehabilitate rangelands and watersheds through activities such as seed broadcasting, the construction of check dams, and the establishment of watering points for livestock. Ms. Malik emphasized the importance of selecting native species for reforestation and utilizing GIS-based monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the interventions.
The webinar concluded with a Q&A session moderated by Dr. Satrio Adi Wicaksono, during which participants posed questions about the challenges and best practices in implementing NbS in drylands. The discussion reinforced the importance of community engagement, technical capacity building, and the need for robust monitoring systems to track the success of restoration projects.
Dr. Delia Catacutan from CIFOR-ICRAF provided a synthesis of the discussions, highlighting the interconnectedness of global frameworks and on-the-ground actions in Mongolia and Pakistan. She noted that while political and policy support is crucial, the economic benefits to communities are equally important to ensure the adoption and sustainability of NbS. The session ended with a call to continue exploring and sharing best practices in ecosystem restoration, with a reminder that the next LPA webinar in October 2024 would focus on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
In summary, the 2024 LPA Webinar series continues to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, emphasizing the vital role of nature-based solutions in addressing global environmental challenges. The presentations from Mongolia and Pakistan, supported by global insights from IUCN, showcased the power of collaborative, community-led restoration efforts in building resilience against drought and other climate-related impacts.
