Grazing Action Plan for Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve

Within ResiLAND project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), APJM is looking for a grazing expert to conduct a grazing assessment and develop a grazing action plan as an integral part of the agro-forest-pastoral landscape restoration aiming to improve ecosystem services and resilience to climate change. 
This consultancy shall design and kick-off a grazing action plan for the Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve (JMBR)

The number of targeted shepherds is 7 (6 goat owners, and 1 cow owner), with a total number of around 800 goats and 30 cows. Most of the herds are present in Jabal Moussa (core area) in autumn and springs seasons. Numerous shepherds pass through Jabal Moussa for transhumance. While these are not directly targeted by the consultancy, the grazing action plan needs to consider them.

The Consultancy must include data collection, mapping farms and shepherd routes, and conducting participatory sessions with shepherds to identify challenges and solutions. Following this, and in close collaboration with the targeted shepherds, a detailed grazing action plan will be developed by outlining priority interventions and determining carrying capacity and optimal livestock numbers. Accordingly, pilot grazing initiatives in the actively managed areas will be conducted.

This consultancy aims also to align with ResiLAND overarching goal of mitigating fire risks through a comprehensive approach encompassing thinning, composting, and eco-briquette production using collected biomass. A pivotal aspect of this strategy involves establishing agreements with local shepherds to manage biomass regrowth through controlled grazing. The grazing action plan will concentrate on curbing the accumulation of flammable biomass in selected areas identified as areas with high fire of risk, involving the region's existing shepherds.