East, Southern Africa launches Map book for ecosystem conservation

NAIROBI: THE Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forestry and Marine Ecosystem Management in Eastern and Southern Africa (RCoE-ESA) has launched a Map book designed to support data-driven conservation and sustainable planning.

The launching of the Map book was hosted by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD).

The book contains a wide range of content including a thematic focus on biodiversity hotspots, a detailed analysis of protected areas and international conservation networks in 24 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Through high-quality maps, it will also identify gaps in conservation, making it useful for policymakers, conservation practitioners, researchers and development partners to use.

Speaking at the launch, the Director General, RCMRD, Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza said the Map book is a powerful new tool that is expected to guide conservation priorities, policy-making, and sustainable land and sea use planning.

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“Geographical science is a powerful tool for conservation and sustainable development. Through data-driven planning and ecosystem mapping, we can restore biodiversity-rich forests, seascapes, wetlands and other important ecosystems,” he said.

He added, “This Map book is a call to action and a key strategic tool for planning in our region.”

He said the Map book also shows how 24 countries are making progress towards the goal of the International Biodiversity Framework, which calls for 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean to be protected through the establishment of designated areas (PAs) and other effective conservation areas.

He said with the support of 20 member countries and development partners, RCMRD has grown into a trusted institution serving more than 500 million people in East and Southern Africa.

The launch comes during the 59th anniversary celebrations of RCMRD, which marked five decades of regional leadership in Geospatial Science, Earth Observation, and Capacity Building.

“Indeed, it has been a five-decade journey to advance geographic excellence for sustainable development. This Map Book is a testament to that legacy,” added Dr. Nkurunziza.

The launch of the Map Book coincides with the Induction Training Workshop on the Effective Management Toolkit (IMET) at RCMRD.

IMET is a digital platform that supports the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of protected and conserved areas to enhance ecosystem management and sustainability.

The workshop will equip stakeholders with the skills needed to assess and strengthen ecosystem management, paving the way for the long-term delivery of ecosystem services to dependent communities.