Nidhi Nagabhatla – co-lead of the ESP sectoral working on water (SWG 5–Ecosystem Services in Water Management) is involved in the implementation of the ecosystem services focused project focusing South East Asian region (SEAR). The ENGAGE (Ecosystem Based Adaptation approach for Sustainable Management and Governance of Coastal Ecosystems) project funded by APN is jointly executed by Asian Institute of Technology Center in Vietnam (Ngo Tho Hung) and UNU INWEH. The main goal of the project was to identify an innovative approach for capacity development by employing a training-cum-workshop (Tcw) model.
The twin-framework included a training course and multi-stakeholder’s dialogue workshop. The training course focused on the theoretical understanding and practical approaches to address and the understand characteristics, ecology, functions of coastal ecosystems and ecosystem-based adaptation as a management tool. The Stakeholder Dialogue Workshop brought together regional– level experts and key stakeholders and initiated a dialogue on barriers and opportunities for regional cooperation on ecosystem based approach to water ecosystems. More than 25 participants from 10 different countries participated in the event during its live phase. The selected experts synthesized the current state of affairs of ecosystems services based approach to coastal ecosystems- gaps, needs and opportunities. The overarching objectives was closely tie the project with the ongoing deliberation on the topic, particularly IPBES. The capacity-building goals of IPBES aim to enhance knowledge and skills of institutions and individuals to enable and facilitate engagement on the ecosystem services conceptual underpinnings.
Follow up phase
The dialogue workshop helped setting priorities to address challenges of ecological conservation and sustainable management, with specific focus on mangroves and coastal landscapes. Following the interactive phase, ENGAGE created an enabling platform to initiate discussions on ecosystems approach to management of coastal ecosystems in region and involves researchers, development workers and governmental officials working in the coastal regions of SEAR to exchange on a regular basis (Facebook page has around 550 members).
We request ESP experts to join the platform and contribute their perspectives on ES for Water (ridge to reef) Management.
The project report is under preparation and will soon be available from the APN Website
Related Links
http://aitvn.asia/project/apn-project-engage-program/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/water-focus-ecosystem-services-partnership-network-nidhi-nagabhatla/