The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is home to Nino Konis Santana National Park (NKSNP) in Timor-Leste, an important area for marine and coastal ecosystems. To protect these resources, effective management is essential. Recently, a significant step was taken to enhance the park’s management through a collaborative meeting organised under the ATSEA-2 Project.
In May 2023, the latest Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) assessment for NKSNP resulted in a score of 46, highlighting the need for concrete actions to enhance management effectiveness. To address this, a follow-up meeting was held on 17 May 2024, bringing together stakeholders from 14 organisations with a total of 32 participants (19 men, 13 women). The main objectives were to share the METT results and develop a detailed action plan focusing on roles, timelines and budget allocations.
Expedito Belo, ATSEA-2 National Project Coordinator for Timor-Leste, shared opening remarks from the ATSEA-2 Project. Belo elaborated on the background and objectives of the meeting. He highlighted the significance of the METT assessment results and the critical need for concrete actions to enhance the park’s management.
Lino de Jesus Martins, Director of Marine Spatial Planning and Aquatic Resources Management, Directorate General of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry Timor-Leste, welcomed participants and provided context on the ATSEA-2 Project and its objectives. He emphasised the need to address the gaps identified in the METT assessment to improve NKSNP’s management effectiveness.
Deti Triani, the facilitator of the 2023 METT assessment, provided a refresher on the METT methodology and results. She highlighted key areas needing improvement, which would be the focus of the day’s discussions. Dominica Guterres from UNDP then updated participants on the NKSNP Management Plan, outlining ongoing efforts and future plans aligned with METT recommendations.
Group Discussions and Key Insights
Participants were divided into small groups to ensure open dialogue and diverse perspectives. Each group was tasked with identifying immediate (1 month), medium-term (3 months), and long-term (6 months) actions to enhance park management. The discussions were guided by questions designed to elicit detailed plans for improving the METT score.
Key insights emerged from these group discussions. Participants recognised the cultural, historical, and natural resources of NKSNP, with tourism identified as a significant potential benefit. However, they also noted the need for improved facilities, such as better road access and public toilets. The discussions also highlighted the importance of community participation and partnerships with organisations like Conservation International (CI) and other NGOs.
One of the critical areas of focus was the formalisation of the NKSNP Management Plan. Participants realised that the approval process would take longer than initially anticipated, requiring detailed steps and a clear timeline. This understanding was crucial for effective planning and ensuring that future METT assessments would reflect meaningful progress.
The meeting concluded with each group presenting their proposed action plans, followed by a plenary session for feedback and refinement. The final action plans included steps for formalising the management plan, capacity building for staff and the community, strengthening cooperation among stakeholders, increasing survey and monitoring activities, improving facilities and equipment and implementing existing regulations.
The collaborative spirit and active participation throughout the meeting underscored a shared commitment to improving NKSNP’s management. The agreed-upon actions, responsibilities, and timelines mark a significant step towards ensuring the park’s sustainable future. As the meeting concluded, participants expressed optimism and a renewed sense of purpose, ready to implement the roadmap and enhance the management effectiveness of Nino Konis Santana National Park.
The journey towards improved management effectiveness is ongoing, but with a clear action plan and collaborative effort, NKSNP is poised to continue thriving as a beacon of biodiversity in the ATS region.
By Yulia Dewi