namdrik atoll case study

7/30/2019 Namdrik Atoll Case Study

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Equator Initiative Case StudiesLocal sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and resilient communities

The Marshall Islands

NAMDRIK ATOLL LOCALRESOURCES COMMITTEE

Empowered live

Resilient nation


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UNDP EQUATOR INITIATIVE CASE STUDY SERIES

Local and indigenous communities across the world are advancing innovative sustainable development solutions that wo

or people and or nature. Few publications or case studies tell the ull story o how such initiatives evolve, the breadth

their impacts, or how they change over time. Fewer still have undertaken to tell these stories with community practition

themselves guiding the narrative.

To mark its 10-year anniversary, the Equator Initiative aims to ll this gap. The ollowing case study is one in a growing ser

that details the work o Equator Prize winners vetted and peer-reviewed best practices in community-based environmenconservation and sustainable livelihoods. These cases are intended to inspire the policy dialogue needed to take local succ

to scale, to improve the global knowledge base on local environment and development solutions, and to serve as models

replication. Case studies are best viewed and understood with reerence to The Power of Local Action: Lessons from 10 Years

the Equator Prize, a compendium o lessons learned and policy guidance that draws rom the case material.

Click on the map to visit the Equator Initiatives searchable case study database.

EditorsEditor-in-Chief: Joseph Corcoran

Managing Editor: Oliver HughesContributing Editors: Dearbhla Keegan, Matthew Konsa, Erin Lewis, Whitney Wilding

Contributing WritersEdayatu Abieodun Lamptey, Erin Atwell, Toni Blackman, Jonathan Clay, Joseph Corcoran, Larissa Currado, Sarah Gordon, Oliver Hughe

Wen-Juan Jiang, Sonal Kanabar, Dearbhla Keegan, Matthew Konsa, Rachael Lader, Erin Lewis, Jona Liebl, Mengning Ma, Mary McGraw

Gabriele Orlandi, Juliana Quaresma, Peter Schecter, Martin Sommerschuh, Whitney Wilding, Luna Wu

DesignOliver Hughes, Dearbhla Keegan, Matthew Konsa, Kimberly Koserowski, Erin Lewis

AcknowledgementsThe Equator Initiative acknowledges with gratitude Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee, and in particular the guidance and inp

o Mattlan Zackhras. All photo credits courtesy o Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee. Maps courtesy o CIA World Factbook a

Wikipedia, except or map on p. 4, provided by Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee.

Suggested CitationUnited Nations Development Programme. 2013. Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee, The Marshall Islands. Equator Initiative C

Study Series. New York, NY.
http://equatorinitiative.org/index.php?option=com_winners&view=casestudysearch&Itemid=858


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PROJECT SUMMARYNamdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee promotes aholistic model o community sel-suciency, local oodsecurity and adaptation to climate change in Namdrik Atollin the Marshall Islands. To reduce reliance on decliningsh stocks, the Committee reintroduced traditional cropslike breadruit, taro and pandanus, which restore soil andopen value-added secondary processing industries or localcommunities.

A Pearl Farm was established to provide jobs and revenueto und community development projects in education and

health. Mangroves were planted to restore the shoreline andtraining in rainwater harvesting is providing the communitywith access to sae drinking water. The initiative is entirelycommunity-owned and uelled by local leadership. It hasprovided a model or sustainability that has been replicatedin other atoll communities across the Pacic.

KEY FACTS

EQUATOR PRIZE WINNER: 2012

FOUNDED: 2007

LOCATION: Namdrik Atoll, western Marshall Islands

BENEFICIARIES: Namdriks 600-strong population

BIODIVERSITY: Marine Protected Area, mangrove forests

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Background and Context 4

Key Activities and Innovations 6

Biodiversity Impacts 8

Socioeconomic Impacts 9

Policy Impacts 10

Sustainability 11

Replication 11

Partners 12

NAMDRIK ATOLL LOCAL RESOURCESCOMMITTEEThe Marshall Islands


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4

Namdrik Atoll is located along the western reaches o the Republic

the Marshall Islands, in the archipelagos Ralik (Sunset) chain o

slands. The Atoll is situated 240 miles west-southwest o Majuro, the

Marshall Islands main centre o population. Namdrik Atoll consists

just two low-lying islands, Namdrik and Madmad, which house

he eight villages o Zulu, Betol, Majol, Jinai, Rantak, Elmon and Mad-

mad. The two islands have a combined land area o just 1.07 sq. miles

nd encircle a 3.25-sq. mile lagoon.

he majority o the Atolls approximately 600-strong population is

oncentrated in the south-western part o the larger Namdrik Is-

and, where a reshwater lens is located. The majority o the Atolls

ssets and buildings are located on the lagoon side o Namdrik. TheNamdrik community relies heavily on local natural resources to meet

aily needs. Marine resources provide or subsistence needs and a

mall amount o income generation, but the Atolls main sources o

ncome are copra production and the sale o handicrats to the main

Marshallese centres o Majuro and Kwajalein.

he Marshall Islands isolation and relatively low population mean

hat the region harbours some o the worlds most pristine coral

ees and richest terrestrial biodiversity. The Marshall Islands lie with-

n Conservation Internationals Polynesia-Micronesia Biodiversity

Hotspot with the northern Marshall Islands orming the Key Biodi-

ersity Area o Kabin Meto. A wealth o marine biodiversity, includ-

ng over 1,000 species o sh, 362 species o coral, 40 sponges, 1,655molluscs, 728 crustaceans, 128 echinoderms, 27 marine mammals

nd ve turtle species, has already been recorded in the Islands, with

ew species undoubtedly remaining to be discovered. About 700

and animals (mostly insects) have also been identied.

Namdrik Atoll is no exception to this abundance o biodiversity, har-

ouring a wide array o marine and terrestrial species. The Atoll is

lmost unique among Marshallese atolls in exhibiting concentrated

umbers o the black-lipped oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) which

re believed to thrive in Namdriks lagoon due to the Atolls unusual

ormation. Three mangrove swamps (Ajelto, Lobat and Madm

can also be ound in Namdrik Atoll, which provide habitats or m

grove crabs. The Atoll is also home to a number o catsh spe

the amphibious mudskipper and the Mantis shrimp (Lysiossqu

maculate). Mangrove swamps and surrounding systems suptree species including the kanal (Pisonia grandis), kojbar (Ne

sperma oppositifolium), wop (Barringtonia asiatica), jon (Brug

gymnorrhiza) and bulabol (red mangrove), some o which are ra

endangered. The Atoll also supports a number o dierent sp

o banana.

Threats from climate change

Atoll islands such as Namdrik consist o accumulations o sedim

on top o coral rees, and typically have highly dynamic shore

Background and Context


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55

hat are constantly being reshaped by the orces o erosion and ac-

retion. The Marshall Islands are thought to have breached the seas

urace between 2,000 and 4,000 years ago as a result o a slight low-

ring o the sea level. Local stories and recent climatic records to-

ether indicate that the Marshall Islands biodiversity, land and peo-

le have endured constant pressure rom typhoons and droughts

ver since. The low elevation and ragile equilibrium o atoll islands

make them some o the most vulnerable landorms with regard to

he impacts o climate change.

t is now widely accepted that climate change poses a major threat

o low-lying island states such as the Marshall Islands. In the near

erm, storm surges and fooding threaten inrastructure and liveli-

oods, while longer term threats include rising sea temperature and

cean acidication with resultant coral bleaching. Ultimately, islands

uch as the Marshalls could ace complete inundation as a result o

ea level rise. Sea level rise also threatens reshwater sources through

he encroachment o saltwater into the ragile reshwater lenses that

ustain agriculture and ecosystems. As one o the lowest-lying atolls

n the Marshall Islands, Namdrik is particularly vulnerable.

n 2007, Namdriks tribal chies, elders, and local government au-

horities reached out to government and NGO partners to request

upport in initiating a community-based resource management

ction plan in order to address a number o issues that were lead-

ng to environmental degradation and aecting the quality o lie

n the Atoll. During that year, Namdrik was selected to participate

n marine and socioeconomic assessments led by the Secretariat o

he Pacic Community (SPC). Due to logistical diculties, however,

hese surveys never took place.

he ollowing year, the atolls leadership requested the develop-

ment o a community-based resource management project under

he Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) and otherartners in the Coastal Management Advisory Council (CMAC) such

s the College o the Marshall Islands and the Marshall Islands Con-

ervation Society. Initial eorts as part o this partnership included

he revival o community-based pearl harvesting, with support rom

New Zealand Aid, the UNDP-implemented GEF Small Grants Pro-

ramme, and research institutes rom Hawaii and Micronesia, as a

rst step in encouraging conservation o the Atolls resources.

During 2009, these early conservation and livelihoods activities

volved into a ully-fedged natural resources management initia-

ve. In partnership with relevant government agencies, a Resources

Management Plan or Namdrik Atoll was developed, inormed by

series o community workshops involving representatives o di-erent groups rom the Atoll community. Held over the course o a

week in September 2009, successive workshops brought together

ocal government representatives, Namdrik Council, key landown-

rs, and the Atolls Mens and Womens Groups or a series o partici-

atory planning and mapping exercises.

he resultant plan puts mitigation o the impacts o climate change

t the centre o development planning, while simultaneously aim-

ng to address a range o environmental threats that were identied

hrough consultation with the community. The issues identied in-

clude waste management, declining sheries, erosion and foo

invasive species, threats to mangroves, and the impacts o shi

the seasons. Although many o these issues are naturally occur

they have the potential to be signicantly worsened by the imp

o climate change.

Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee

Under the leadership o the Mayor o Namdrik (Clarence LutherSenator (Mattlan Zackhras), representatives o local government

tribal leaders, the community as a whole engaged in a process t

ne the issues and identiy concrete actions that could be take

address them. This process led to the development o the Resou

Management Plan or Namdrik Atoll, and the establishment o

Local Resources Committee, charged with management and o

sight o the plans implementation. The Committee is comprise

the Mayor o Namdrik, three representatives o Namdrik Counc

Alaps a group o the communitys elders), two representativ

the Atolls Womens Group, two representatives o the Mens Gr

one representative o the Teachers Group, one youth representa

and one representative each o the Atolls Lijabkanira and Wut K

Groups. The Committee works closely with the Marshall Islands

rine Resources Authority (MIMRA), the Marshall Islands Conserva

Society and the College o the Marshall Islands or advice and tec

cal support.

The specic responsibilities o the Committee include:

Developing an annual work plan to guide the yearly implem

tation o the plans activities and the achievement o its o

tives;

Making sure that the responsibilities o the community u

the plan are carried out properly;

Working closely with MIMRA and CMAC partners to ensure obligations are carried out;

Reporting on the progress o the Resources Management P

development to the community and to Namdrik Governm

Council;

Arranging community workshops and gatherings;

Representing the interests o the Namdrik community in

tional and regional gatherings in matters concerning m

environment and shery resources;

With assistance rom MIMRA, establishing processes that

to the ormulation and approval o Fisheries Managemen

dinances; and

With assistance rom MIMRA, determining conditions an

censing ees or consideration and approval o the Local ernment Council.

The ocus o the Committees work is on resilience and adaptab

Despite being in one o the most vulnerable nations in the wor

the impacts o climate change, the Namdrik community has tak

strong and proactive leadership position and is taking decisiv

tion to ensure that both their natural resources and their way o

are as resilient as possible to whatever uture challenges they

ace.


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6

Key Activities and Innovations

As a small and isolated community, highly dependent on local nat-

ral resources, threats to Namdriks ragile ecological equilibrium

nherently threaten the health and sustainability o its community

members livelihoods. In order to build resilience to environmental

hreats and to climate change in particular, the Resources Manage-

ment Plan ocuses on core issues including ood security, sustain-

ble livelihoods, and the creation o opportunities or young people,

within the context o improving natural resource management.

ince 2007, Namdriks leaders and community members have devel-

oped and implemented a set o actions to address the most pressing

o the communitys concerns.

Securing basic needs

el-suciency was deemed to be a key goal in achieving ood se-

urity or Namdrik. Where previous generations o the community

rew much o their own ood, dependence on external shipments

as grown, leaving the community vulnerable i ood deliveries are

elayed, or example during bad weather. To diversiy ood sources

nd reduce reliance on imported ood, gardens growing tradition-

l ood crops are being re-established. Species include breadruit

which can be stored or many months), taro, more varieties o ba-

ana, and native varieties o pandanus which are now harvested

xclusively on Namdrik. With these crops at hand, the community

ims to be able to survive three to our months without a supply

hipment i necessary, rather than three weeks as was previously thease.

Water security is also an issue, as the community previously relied

lmost exclusively on the Atolls small and ragile reshwater lens.

he incursion o saltwater, exacerbated by sea-level rise, has already

ontaminated many o the Atolls wells. To improve water security,

ainwater tanks, each holding around 1,500 gallons, were installed

hroughout the community. O Namdriks 120 households, 110 now

ave a water tank, which signicantly reduces pressure on the resh-

water lens. Combined with training in water management, these

tanks have reduced the incidence o waterborne diseases suc

diarrhoea (which was previously commonplace on the Atoll). In

since the water programme was implemented, there have bee

cases o waterborne illness at the hospital. The community now

to be able to survive or at least three months without rain i ne

sary.

Renewable energy has been promoted across the Atoll. Where

viously generators were the main source o power, almost e

house now has solar panels. The elementary school also receiv

10,000 kW solar panel system to provide or the electricity need

the school. This initiative, achieved with nancial support rom

French government and the European Union, has provided chclean, low-maintenance energy and reduced the pollution, exp

and uncertainty associated with the use o generators. The com

nity was also able to install 33 solar-powered reezer systems

unding rom Taiwan and the United States Department o Ag

ture (USDA). Other solar-powered systems include the DAMA

eCenter, recently installed by the National Telecommunication

thority, which provides internet access and voice calls to the ou

world.

Waste management was identied as yet another area requ

urgent attention. Waste and pollution pose serious threats to

diversity through excessive nutrient loading o water, and po

managed landlls on the Atoll provide habitat or invasive spsuch as rats. Without action to address ood security, the com

nity eared that changes in climate would require more ood t

shipped in, thus exacerbating the waste problem through th

troduction o greater volumes o packaging. To address this th

measures were undertaken to promote recycling, in particular

regard to car batteries and old solar power units. Steps are being

en to ormalise a community-based integrated solid waste man

ment system that would serve as a model or other atolls throug

the Marshall Islands.


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77

Developing sustainable livelihoods

ustainable livelihood options were identied as a pressing need

or community members, particularly given the risk o declining sh

tocks and the lack o local employment opportunities or young

eople. Declining sh stocks have been noted throughout the Mar-

hall Islands as the erosion o traditional resource management

echniques and a lack o enorcement o traditional conservation

ractices have led to unrestrained harvesting o marine resources,hreatening marine biodiversity and sh populations.

n innovative action plan combines the creation o opportunities

or Namdriks younger generation with improved stewardship o

atural resources. Opportunities have been developed or young

ommunity members to study natural resource management at

he College o the Marshall Islands. Upon completion o the course,

hese students undertake marine surveys, coastal and erosion moni-

oring, and vulnerability assessments, which then inorm the Atolls

lanning. These students also engage in the implementation o sus-

ainable sheries policies.

n addition, a pilot black-lipped oyster Pearl Farm was established,with its rst harvest undertaken in October 2010. This harvest yield-

d 517 pearls which brought signicant revenue to the community.

he Pearl Farm will provide a valuable and reliable income on an

n-going basis, reducing dependence on copra production or cash

ncome. A scholarship programme is planned to allow community

members to learn specialised pearl grating and harvesting tech-

iques in the Cook Islands.

he replanting and improved management o pandanus trees across

he Atoll has acilitated the development o Namdriks handicrats

ndustry by the women o the community. The pandanus trees spiny

eaves make a good bre or weaving, as they are long, thick, and

urable, and are used to make a variety o woven handicrat prod-

cts popular across the Marshall Islands. Namdriks women have o-

ussed on producing mats and traditional clothing, which can sell

or up to USD 100 each. The University o the South Pacic, with the

upport o the RMI National Training Council, has extended the suc-

essul Apprenticeship Jaki-ed Weaving programme to target teen-

ge girls who are unemployed and out o school.

s an atoll island, Namdrik is highly susceptible to erosion and food-

ng, which the community noted were occurring with increasing

requency. Both climate change and locally-induced stressors are

cknowledged to drive coastal changes, posing hazards to homes

nd inrastructure along coastlines. Although rising sea level is be-ond the infuence o the Namdrik community, they took action to

ddress a number o local activities that were likely exacerbating the

rosion problem. Sand-mining (or construction) was banned rom

he lagoon-side shore where the majority o homes and inrastruc-

ure are situated. The community has demonstrated a desire to learn

and surveying skills to help identiy the most suitable areas or con-

truction and relocation o houses and to employ alternative build-

ng techniques to reduce the impact o construction.

Conserving biodiversity

The Committee has undertaken a number o additional a

ties specically to address biodiversity loss and protect impo

habitats. These activities include the implementation o conse

tion measures to reduce overshing, through the use o sustain

sheries tools such as sh aggregation devices and seasonal no-

zones. The Committee worked successully with Seacology, a

ternational marine conservation NGO, to und the establishmean education, surveillance and monitoring centre and provide a

tional support to the Pearl Farm as part o an agreement to desig

86 acres within the lagoon as a marine protected area (MPA). B

human waste management will also improve the health o the A

lagoon and thus the health o its sh populations. Shoreline veg

tion is also being restored, specically targeting the Atolls mang

orests. The Namdrik mangroves are the largest mangrove syste

the Marshall Islands and provide an important nursery area or m

marine species. Such improvements simultaneously enhance

tection rom fooding and erosion.

As one o the countries most vulnerable to the eects o clim

change, much o the Marshall Islands is predicted to become uhabitable within 50 to 100 years as a result o sea-level rise. Des

this disheartening prospect, the people o Namdrik Atoll are im

menting a holistic and wide-reaching management plan to en

the maximum wellbeing and sustainability o their communit

as long as external circumstances allow. Their plan is innovativ

combining a back-to-basics approach, emphasizing sel-suci

and the protection o local resources, with the use o modern t

nology and external knowledge through a range o national an

ternational partnerships.


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8

Impacts

BIODIVERSITY IMPACTS

Most o the activities undertaken by the Resources Management

Committee are inherently benecial to the local environment and

biodiversity, although some have been undertaken specically to

ddress environmental degradation or threats to biodiversity. For

example, actions to address waste management issues and the

onversion o the Atolls energy use to renewable sources are ma-

or steps towards reducing local pollution o the Atoll. New power

ources are cleaner, while improved waste management will reduce

ontamination o soil and water sources and help to address prob-

ems surrounding invasive species.

The restoration o shoreline vegetation through the planting o na-

ive and traditionally-used species not only helps to mitigate erosion

nd fooding o the Atoll but regenerates a crucial habitat. Namdriks

mangroves are the last sizeable such system remaining in the Mar-

hall Islands, and they provide important nursery areas or marine

pecies. The mangroves support some 150 species o sh, includ-

ng the endangered Napoleon or Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinusun-

dulatus), and is home to breeding populations o the critically en-

dangered Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) and endangered

Green Turtle (Cheloniamydas). As such, the restoration and sustain-

ble management o the mangroves has positive implication or the

Atolls wider biodiversity.

n late 2012, the entire Namdrik Atoll including the lagoon and

ocean ree fat (a total area o 5,435.5 acres) was designated by the

Government o the Republic o the Marshall Islands as a Wetland o

nternational Importance under the Ramsar Convention. In doing

o, Namdrik became the Conventions 2,050th Ramsar site, and the

Marshall Islands second. Within this area, 286.5 acres is designated

s MPA, including an 86-acre, ten-year no-take zone that was estab-

shed by the Local Resources Committee under the Resource Man-

gement Plan in partnership with Seacology.

Steps have also been taken to establish gardens, which provid

versied ood crops and also support the conservation o native

cies, including the pandanus, which is endemic to the region. Br

ruit, taro, and various species o banana are also being cultiv

and conserved in these gardens. With support rom the Asian D

opment Bank, the community will undertake an atoll-wide coc

replantation project to replace the old coconut trees that no lo

bear ruit. This will also create an opportunity to develop a coc

lumber industry as well as encourage inter-cropping o various

bearing trees as a ood security initiative.

Under the Management Plan, measures are being undertake

address invasive species which threaten Namdriks terrestriamarine biodiversity. Invasive species already established in the

shall Islands include the plants Merremiapeltata and Wedeliabata, the long-legged (or yellow crazy) ant (Anoplolepisgraci

and the Red-vented Bulbul bird species. A study by the Minist

Resources and Development on both Namdrik and Madmad id

ed new weeds locally named as likatoltol and kiloklok. The

munity was advised to pull these by the roots and burn to pro

gardening projects. The presence o white fy and a local termite

also noted in some areas. Locally-abundant insects such as the b

beetle, mealy bug and Encarsiaformosa were introduced durin

survey process to control invasive species. Training on how to

dress worst case scenarios involving the invasive species ident

was also conducted as part o an agricultural programme undethe government. Waste management measures will help to add

invasive species to some extent, by reducing opportunities o

(another invasive species) to inhabit poorly managed landlls.

A number o measures related to sustainable sheries managem

will help to strengthen sh stocks and marine biodiversity. As

as the mangrove restoration activities outlined above, these inc

addressing human waste management to improve the health o

Atolls lagoon, and enorcing a seasonal no-take zone to allow

stocks to regenerate.


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SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS

The greatest benet o this initiative to the community o Namdrik

s through its holistic strengthening o the communitys long-term

esilience and adaptability to the anticipated impacts o climate

change. Although the long term uture o the Marshall Islands is un-

certain, the people o Namdrik Atoll are taking action to ensure that

hey are as prepared as possible in crucial areas such as ood and wa-

er security, and are securing their uture livelihoods by developing

diversied sources o income and new educational and livelihood

opportunities or the younger generation. The resulting activities

are providing socioeconomic improvements in the short term, or

example by enhancing access to resh drinking water, while help-

ng to ensure the longer term survival and wellbeing o the Namdrik

community.

The establishment o ood gardens and the promotion o tradit

and native ood crops are diversiying Namdriks ood sources

reducing reliance on expensive imports. The crops that are b

promoted, such as pandanus and breadruit, can be stored or m

months and provide improved ood security or the communit

allowing them to stockpile provisions or times when supply

ments are delayed by bad weather. Given Namdriks isolation,

a system provides a great deal o reassurance. By reducing reli

on imports, these gardens can also reduce the cost o ood, lea

more income available or other necessities. In the longer term

versiying ood sources will improve ood security i certain crop

negatively impacted by changes in climate.

Water security measures, too, have both short and long term

ets. In the short term, the installation o rainwater tanks in al

all o the Atolls households has reduced pressure on the res

9

When I was a boy over 50 years ago, we ate our own fish and grew our own food. We couldn

rely on the supply ship which only came maybe twice year. But now if the supply ship doesn

come for three weeks we are worried what will we do, what will we eat? So I am helping m

community become more sustainable through the initiatives we are developing and implementin

with help from government and partners.

Clarence Luther, Mayor


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er lens, and on wells that are increasingly contaminated with salt-

water. It has also signicantly reduced the incidence o waterborne

iseases such as diarrhoea. It is reported that there have been no

ew cases o waterborne illnesses at the hospital since the rainwa-

er tanks were installed. In the longer term, the tanks will increase

he communitys resilience to changes in rainall patterns, allowing

hem to survive up to three months without rainall i necessary.

Measures to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities on Nam-rik through the development o the Pearl Farm, sustainable sher-

es management, and the handicrats industry, have provided new

ources o income, more numerous options or the younger mem-

ers o the community, and diversied livelihoods, which build the

ommunitys economic resilience by reducing reliance on copra

roduction as the main source o cash income. The Pearl Farms rst

arvest was a resounding success, indicating a clear prospect o sig-

icant revenue to the community in the uture. Young community

members have been supported to undergo education at the College

the Marshall Islands, where they are trained in sustainable sher-

es management, a skill that can be put to use in the implementation

the Resources Management Plan upon their return to Namdrik.

Namdriks women in particular have been involved in the develop-

ment o the Atolls handicrats industry. This involves the produc-

on o house mats rom a native species o pandanus. The mats sell

or about USD 100 each, providing a source o cash income to the

women and again reducing overall dependence on copra produc-

on. This nancial security, combined with the communitys increas-

ng reliance on local ood sources, locally generated power and lo-

ally harvested water are increasing the decision-making power o

women in the community.

As a matrilineal society, land and hereditary titles on Namdrik are

assed down through women, and thus women are already em-

owered and respected within Marshall Islands society. This was

efected and respected throughout the consultative process lead-

ing to the development o the Resources Management Plan. As

as being well represented on the Local Resources Committe

groups within the community, including Namdriks Womens Gr

have separate meetings as well as partaking in group consultati

identiy major challenges and contribute to the development o

timal solutions. This consultative process o developing a share

sion or Namdrik and its uture has ultimately strengthened the c

munity by bringing its members together in pursuit o a shared

POLICY IMPACTS

The main policy benet o the work undertaken on Namdrik

been through its value in demonstrating to policy makers and

titioners the types o activities that are most successul in bui

the resilience o atoll communities such as Namdrik. The strong

nership between Namdriks leadership, its community mem

and their array o national and international partners has helpe

engage government and NGO groups to get involved and ha

spired other atoll communities to consider taking similar steps.

National policy rameworks, such as the Marshall Islands Reim

lok (Way Forward) National Conservation Area Plan, are beinrectly inormed by lessons learned through the implementatio

Namdriks Resources Management Plan. For example, at a spec

convened Parliamentary session in August 2011, the Executiv

rector o the Marshall Islands Conservation Society (Mr. Albon

da) presented Namdrik Atolls work on community-based ada

tion, emphasizing how such work could be used to inorm plan

or the Marshall Islands more widely. This presentation was atte

and supported by the President o the Republic o the Marsha

lands and the First Lady. The Mayor o Namdrik has attended

spoken at regional meetings on adaptation to climate change

has also shared his expertise with other Marshallese and Micr

sian communities that nd themselves acing similar challenges

even more broadly, with communities rom other regions suc

the Caribbean, Melanesia and Polynesia.

10


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11

Sustainability and Replication

SUSTAINABILITYhe development and implementation o a natural resources

management plan by the Local Resource Management Committee

re sustainable or a number o reasons. First, the initiative is very

much led and owned by the community. Rather than being imposed

y external actors, the Resources Management Plan was initiated and

eveloped by the community itsel. The community was involved in

he Plans development through a series o consultations with the

Atolls various groups.

econd, the initiative benets rom strong local leadership and

olitical support rom a number o levels: the Senator and Mayor oNamdrik, as well as tribal chies, national government representatives

nd even the President o the Republic o the Marshall Islands

ave voiced support or the Plan and have actively supported its

evelopment. The initiative operates in coordination with local

overnment and tribal leaders. The local government authority has

mandate to manage and protect resources within a o ve miles

adius rom the Atoll, while the Iroij, (tribal chie), Iroij-drikro, Alaps

tribal elders) and dri-jerbal (traditional leaders) play advisory and

eading roles pertaining to economic and social development issues.

hird, Namdriks Resources Management Plan, which orms the basis

or the Local Resources Committees activities, is strongly aligned

with national policy, including the national strategy or resourcemanagement (Reimaanlok) which has received strong endorsement

rom Parliament. This lends legitimacy and a sense o purpose to the

ommunitys endeavours.

ourth, a team o local and international partners have committed

heir ongoing support to the initiative, with roles and responsibilities

learly dened in the management plan, which is intended to

ecome a statutory document. Such support rom partners is

ocused on building Namdriks sustainability by transerring skills to

he community, thus reducing dependence on external assistance.

Finally, the activities being undertaken under the Plan have

short- and long-term benets, which allow community mem

to see the results o their eorts now as well as knowing that

are strengthening their long-term resilience to uture challen

This helps to bolster local support or the plan and to provide

going incentives or its implementation. The plan also has a st

emphasis on sel-suciency and sustainability, placing high von reducing Namdriks reliance on imports, while valuing

solutions to local problems. The plan oers a vision or the u

that keeps Namdriks community connected with their natura

cultural heritage.

REPLICATION

The Namdrik initiative has inspired other atoll communities w

and beyond the Marshall Islands to take similar action to build

own resilience to climate change. This has taken place through


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1212

ormal and inormal channels. Namdrik has become something o

benchmark or the climate change adaptation strategies o other

Marshallese atolls and islands, and has inormed ocial guidance to

ther atoll communities, as well as the Reimaanlok national resource

management strategy. Namdrik is viewed as a working model in

trategies to build climate change resilience, improve ood security,

nd enhance natural resource management. The Namdrik initiative

as also been presented to Parliament and receives widespread

upport rom policy makers and high-level government ocials, aswell as the President.

One o the benets o Namdriks work is as a demonstration site

o policy makers and practitioners involved in supporting the

evelopment o climate change adaptation strategies in other

Marshallese atolls. With support rom the Coastal Management

Advisory Council, communities across the Marshall Islands are

uilding on the successul programme initiated at Namdrik. Strong

eadership rom Namdriks Mayor and Senator has helped to inspire

ther atoll leaders to consider similar action. For example, the Mayor

Namdrik has attended and spoken at regional meetings on climate

hange adaptation. He has also shared his expertise with Marshallese

nd Micronesian communities that ace similar challenges, as well

s with communities rom other regions such as the Caribbean,

Melanesia (e.g. Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands) and

olynesia. The Mayor has also participated in international meetings

ocusing on sustainable development at the community level in

oth Brazil and India.

PARTNERS

Although geographically isolated, the Namdrik Atoll Local

esources Committee takes advantage o a range o partnerships

with government agencies, NGOs and educational institutions. The

onsultative process o developing Namdriks Natural ResourcesManagement Plan has united the community in pursuit o a shared

oal. Their vision has benetted rom the engagement o external

artners who have provided expertise, nance and support.

The Marshall Islands Conservation Society (MICS) and the Coastal

Management Advisory Committee assisted in the drating o

Namdrik Atolls Resources Management Plan. MICS has also assisted

he Committee in coordinating conservation eorts, including solid

waste management, climate vulnerability assessment, coastal and

marine monitoring and training.

he Committee works closely with the Marshall Islands Marine

Resources Authority and other partners in the Coastal ManagementAdvisory Council including, importantly, the College o the Marshall

slands (CMI) or advice and technical support.

he UNDP-implemented GEF Small Grants Programme provided

grant o USD 50,000 to support the development o Namdrik Atolls

earl Farm. The Nature Conservancy, with endorsement rom the

Australian Government, is supporting training and scholarship

pportunities or younger community members to learn how to

manage the Pearl Farm, led by MICS.

Seacology provided USD 34,000 or the construction o

education, surveillance, and monitoring centre, and has prov

continued support or the Pearl Farm and unding support o

Committees operation, in return or the allocation o 86 acres w

the lagoon as a no-take marine protected area. Seacology agree

und continued surveillance, monitoring and protection o this

in exchange or the Atoll communities designating it as a no-

zone or ten years. The Local Resources Committee may appr

Seacology or urther support in protecting the rest o NamdMPAs

MIMRA and other partners assisted Namdriks eort to develop

pearl project and orge connections with other partners such a

Maria Haws and Simon Ellis o Pacifc Aquaculture and Co

Resources Center (PACRC) at the University o Hawaii in

the Marine and Environmental Research Institute o Poh

(MERIP), and CMI and MIMRAs Pearl Farm project.

The installation o solar panels in each household and at

elementary school to provide renewable energy on Namdrik

supported by the European Union. The solar-powered re

systems were unded by the USDA and Peoples Republic o C

(Taiwan). The installation o water catchments on Namdrik was

supported by the Taiwanese government, along with the Euro

Union.

University o the South Pacifc (USP) and the Marshall Isla

National Training Council supported the extension o the succe

Jaki-ed Apprenticeship Weaving Program to training targeted yo

girls that are considered unemployed and out o school.

The Ramsar Convention recently recognised Namdrik Atoll a

2,050th Wetland o International Importance. Eorts are ta

place to take ull advantage o the various programmes to awareness and continuously promote the wise use o mangrov

an adaptation measure to climate change.

The Marshall Islands National Telecommunication Auth

(MINTA) helped install a solar-powered satellite system (DAMA

centre which provides access to internet and voice calls with

outside world.

In 2009, the Coastal Resources Center at the University o Rh

Islands Graduate School o Oceanography and the United St

Agency or International Development (USAID) initiate

partnership with the Marshall Islands to pilot an internat

programme to mainstream climate change adaptation into comanagement initiatives. This involved working directly with

Namdrik community to demonstrate assessment and adapta

activities, and to integrate this within the larger national p

ramework. In 2010, a specialist rom the Coastal Resources Ce

visited the community to provide technical support and advic

the Local Resources Committee.


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Equator Initiative

Environment and Energy GroupUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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New York, NY 10017

Tel: +1 646.781.4023

Email: [email protected]

www.equatorinitiative.org

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UNs global development network, advocating or change and

necting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better lie.

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizati

o recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions or people, nature and resilient communities.

2013 by Equator Initiative

All rights reserved

FURTHER REFERENCE

Reimaan National Planning Team (2008) Reimaanlok: National Conservation Area Plan or the Marshall Islands 2007-2012. Availab

http://www.sprep.org/att/irc/ecopies/countries/marshall_islands/63.pd

An interview with the Mayor o Namdrik, Clarence Luther: http://community.eldis.org/.5a4706a4

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