This project will develop and introduce Somalia's first sustainable frankincense harvesting system to protect its endangered forests. The initiative aims to restore the health and regeneration of 20,000 trees and train 350 local custodians across 300 frankincense fields in the Cal Miskaat mountains of Ufeyn district, Somalia. Ultimately, it will sustain 100,000 forest-dependent people and preserve a centuries-old cultural and economic heritage.
The frankincense forests of Ufeyn in the Cal Miskaat mountains are among Somalia's last intact stands, yet they may collapse within 20 years. Dominated by Boswellia sacra and B. frereana spp. (IUCN Threatened), they are under severe threat from climate change and unsustainable tapping. Local households-relying up to 30% of income on frankincense-are highly vulnerable. There is currently no scientifically backed system that balances tree health with incomes for harvesters.
Having documented Traditional Ecological Knowledge of frankincense, we will combine it with modern forest science and proven tapping methods from other countries to produce a New & Sustainable trees Harvesting Guide. We'll train 350 members from Custodian Committees to become master trainers. These custodians will get toolkits and the guide for field use, and we'll build a custodian network to monitor progress, share learning, and train communities-ensuring the practice spreads and lasts.
This project will restore the health and regeneration of 20,000 frankincense trees, train 350 local master trainers, and enhance sustainable livelihoods for 100,000 forest-dependent people in the Bari region of Somalia. These trainers will, in turn, train 2,000 harvesters, creating a ripple effect of improved practices. Over time, the model will expand to other frankincense-growing areas in Somalia and beyond, fostering ecological resilience, cultural pride, and community-led conservation.
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