This World Environment Day, Ó£ÌÒɬ is proud to spotlight ourÌý¾±²Ô²Ô´Ç±¹²¹³Ù¾±±¹±ðÌýfrankincense project in Somalia, an initiative that aligns with our broader goals of environmental sustainability and community resilience. This project, in collaboration withÌýthe Centre for Middle Eastern Plants (CMEP)Ìý²¹³ÙÌýthe Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE),Ìý³Ü²Ô»å±ð°ù²õ³¦´Ç°ù±ð²õÌýaÌýcommitment to preserving natural resources and supporting local livelihoods in conflict-affected regions.
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Frankincense: A Historical Treasure and Economic LifelineÌý
Frankincense,Ìýthe resin exuded by the trunk ofÌýBoswelliaÌýtrees, has been traded across the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa for over 5,000 years. Today, it remains a critical export for Somalia, representing the third-largest source of income after livestock and agriculture. Traditionally harvested in the mountainous regions of Somaliland and Puntland,Ìýbut also further south on the Somalia-Ethiopian border,Ìýfrankincense is not only vital for local economies but also holds immense cultural and religious significanceÌýacross the Horn of Africa region.
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Despite its historical and economic importance, the frankincense industry faces significant challengesÌýin Somalia. The absence of regulatory oversight, exploitation by middlemen and international companies, and the impacts of climate changeÌýallÌýpresent sizable threats toÌýBoswelliaÌýspecies.ÌýLow prices paid to harvesting communities also often result in the over-tapping of trees, placing their long-term health, and the community livelihoodsÌýthat dependÌýuponÌýthem, at risk.
In response to these challenges, Ó£ÌÒɬ, in partnership withÌýRBGE-CMEP and its national partners, has initiated several key activities:
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Conservation Research
In 2023, the partnership conductedÌýrapidÌýsurveys in theÌýBakoolÌýand Bari regions to assess the distribution and health of frankincense treeÌýpopulations.ÌýThe data produced, along with analysis of collected plant and resin samples, has provided greater understanding of the disseminationÌýof these important species and how they may be conserved to the benefit of local biodiversity.
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CommunityÌýLivelihoods
The project focuses on aiding resin harvesting communities affected by conflict where already limited livelihoods opportunities have often been disrupted by instability. In its next phase, this initiative will support local people to develop sustainable management practices for wild tree populations, whilst also assisting them with the establishment of licensed community cooperativesÌýthat empower local harvesters.Ìý
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Sustainable Value Chains
Through the utilisationÌýof cooperative structures, the project will look to facilitate fairtrade certification of produced resins and the establishment of trade relationships with commercial enterprises committed to ethical principles. This improved market access will provide reliable and decent pricing for resins produced by harvesting communities.ÌýÌý
Ó£ÌÒɬ’s frankincense project exemplifiesÌýthe importance of community empowerment through environmental preservation. This World Environment Day, we celebrate the progress made andÌýa commitment to seeking to safeguarding natural resources for future generations. Through innovative partnerships and community-focused initiatives, weÌýcanÌýcontinue to build a sustainable and resilient future for the people of Somalia.
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