As defined by the OP 4.01, Annex - All Documents



Lao People’s Democratic RepublicE3061Environmental Assessment ReportGlobal Environment Facility Medium-Size ProjectDeveloping and Demonstrating Replicable Protected Area Management Models at Nam Et -Phou Louey National Protected Area (P113860)June 21, 2012Contents:Executive summary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1Policy, legal, and administrative framework -------------------------------------------------------------- 1Project description ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3Project development objective---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6Component 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6Component 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7Component 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7Component 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7Baseline data ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8Physical ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8Biodiversity -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8Socio-economic --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9NE-PL management activities ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9Other non-project activities in the NPA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9Potential environmental impacts under project activity ------------------------------------------------- 9Outline of activities and potential positive and negative impacts ------------------------------------------- 9Environmental management plan --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19Annex 1 Record of ConsultationsAnnex 2 Co-Management Plan of the Phathi Road in NE-PL NPAEnvironmental Assessment Report: Developing and Demonstrating Replicable Protected Area Management Models at Nam Et -Phou Louey National Protected Area (P113860) (revision as per the updated MSP document dated June 21, 2012) Executive summary.?This EA was carried out based on the World Bank Safeguards Operational Policy 4.01 Environmental Assessment, to address OP 4.01, as well as OP 4.04 Natural Habitats and OP 4.36 Forests, and follows the policy and legal framework set up by six principle Lao PDR laws, regulations and decrees as well as five international conventions and agreements that Lao PDR is party to. The project area includes select areas of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NE-PL NPA) landscape in northern Lao PDR, which harbors biodiversity of national and global significance, including the only known breeding population of Indochinese Tiger in Laos, and has been managed by the NE-PL NPA Management Unit since 2000. The project has one development objective: To test, in selected areas of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NE-PL NPA), targeted activities for sustainable natural resource use and protection of selected species threatened by human interaction. The project is comprised of four core project components, including i) Management and conservation working models, within NE-PL NPA including implementation of co-management of infrastructure in sensitive habitats. ii) Working models of ecotourism for community engagement and sustainable financing, iii) Dissemination and replication working models of NE-PL NPA within Lao PDR, and iv) Project management. The proposed activities under the project involve, i) Natural Habitats, and ii) Forests, specifically forest areas associated with the project villages in and around the NE-PL NPA. This EA takes into consideration activities such as the assessment of the impacts of the Phathi road on a select number of threatened species that will be addressed through different activities proposed by the project and measures contained in the Road Co-management Plan, the construction and operation of patrol substations and the construction and operation of ecotourism camps, which are not expected to cause any clearing but may have impacts from operation (e.g wastes), forest and land use agreements, which will lead to a future sustainable forest management (e.g rotation the collection of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP), . An Environmental Management Plan is outlined, which is employed to minimize the impact on natural habitats, maximized positive impact on forest areas, and includes assessment of environmental risks, and capacity development and training to implement management and mitigation measures. Policy, legal, and administrative framework.?? This EA was carried out as part of the Government of Laos (GoL) requirements and the World Bank Safeguards Operational Policy for Bank’s financed projects. The relevant GoL policy and regulatory framework pertaining to the preparation of the EA are as follows:Prime Minister’s Decree No. 112 on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (16 February 2010). This decree outlines the requirements for all development projects that potentially cause environmental and social impacts to carry out the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as relevant; as well as having appropriate project design, mitigation measures and monitoring plan and resources to address the possible impacts.Environmental Protection Law (26 April 1999). This law specifies necessary principles, regulations and measures for managing, monitoring, restoring and protecting the environment in order to protect human health, including the protection of natural resources and the richness of nature, and to ensure the sustainable socio-economic development of the nation.Regulation No. 0360 on Management of National Protected Areas, Aquatic Animals and Wildlife (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2003). This regulation describes the zoning of national protected areas into core, managed, and corridor zones and clearly specifies activities in those areas, prohibits hunting of all wildlife and aquatic animals in the core zone, prohibits trade in wildlife, and specifies that guns must be registered with special licenses.Wildlife Law (24 December 2007). The law determines principles, regulations and measures on wildlife and aquatic life in nature to promote the sustainable regeneration and utilization of wildlife and aquatic life, without any harmful impact on natural resources or habitats and to restrict anthropogenic pressure on decreasing species and the extinction of wildlife and aquatic life, by encouraging people as a whole to understand and recognize the significance, with enhancing the conscientious love, care and treatment of wild animals. To engage in managing, monitoring, conserving, protecting, developing and utilizing wildlife and aquatic life in sustainable manner. To guarantee richness of ecological natural equilibrium systems, to contribute in upgrading the condition of livelihoods for multi-ethnic people, which has the potential to develop and realize the national social-economic goals.Forestry Law (24 December 2007). This law determines basic principles, regulations and measures on sustainable management, preservation, development, utilization and inspection of forest resources and Forestland; promotion of regeneration and tree planting; and increase of forest resources in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The principles of the law aim for maintaining the balance of nature, making forest and Forestland a stable source of resources and for the use of people, ensuring sustainable preservation of water sources, prevention of soil erosion and maintenance of soil quality, conserving plant and tree species, wildlife for the purpose of environment conservation and contribution to the national socio-economic development.Lao Tiger National Action Plan 2010 to 2015. Lao Tiger National Action Plan (financed by the Global Tiger Initiative and produced by Division of Forest Resource Conservation, now Department of Forest Resource Management, with WCS technical assistance); the National Tiger Recovery Plan for Laos, produced by Lao government as part of the Global Tiger Initiative highlighted the programs to secure the tiger habitat in this area of the NE-PL PA core zone. Two out of five Priority Actions Programs to achieve long term strategic goals for tiger conservation, as outlined in the Summary National Tiger Recovery Program will be supported under this project includes: establish an inviolate core zone at NE-PL NPA by law enforcement, outreach and education, land use planning, capacity building, and developing mechanisms for sustainable financing; and also to establish and maintain connectivity between the NE-PL source site of tigers with other neighboring tiger conservation landscapes, by demarcating an established corridor and collaborating with other forest managers to create a connected forest landscape.The World Bank’s Operational Policies that are applicable for the EA are as follows: OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment. OP/BP 4.04 Natural Habitats. OP/BP 4.36 Forests To examine the potential environmental risks and benefits associated with Bank financed investmentsTo support integration of environmental and social aspects of investments into the decision making processConsult affected people, involve NGOs, and provide opportunities for their participation in the environmental assessment aspects Apart from these, Lao PDR is a party to a number of ASEAN and international agreements such as:ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1985). Parties have agreed on development planning, the sustainable use of species, conservation of genetic diversity, endangered species, forest resources, soil, water, air and processes of environmental degradation and pollution.United Nations Convention on Biodiversity (1996). Under this convention, Lao PDR has agreed to conduct an Environmental Assessment of proposed development projects with a view to minimize harmful effects.Convention on International Trade in the Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (2004). Provides international umbrella for management and control of trade in endangered fauna and flora. Tiger is listed as CITES Appendix 1 species for which all international trade is prohibited.United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1995. The Government of Lao PDR (GoL) joined the global community to combat climate change by ratifying this Convention. As a developing country (non-Annex I), there is no requirement for Lao PDR to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The country also ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2003 and thus may be eligible for involvement in carbon trading through a compliance market of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as well as the international voluntary greenhouse gas emission trading.Ramsar Convention 1982. The GoL has worked on accession to Ramsar since 2003, and officially joined the Convention on 28 September 2010. Two wetlands of international importance have been designed as Ramsar sites as part of the accession process which are the 'Xe Champhone Wetlands' in Savannakhet Province (12,400 ha) and the 'Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands' in Champasak Province (6,000 ha). (c) Project description.?The project area consist of select areas in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NE-PL NPA), which is operated under the authority of the Nam Et-Phou Louey Protected Area Management Unit with technical support from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) (Figure 1). The NPA is located in northeastern Lao PDR covering 422,900 ha of mountainous terrain (Figure 2) and is representative of the Northern Indochina Subtropical Forests Ecoregion (IMO137).?The NE-PL NPA ranks high in the national protected area system for contributing the highest biological diversity of any protected area in this Northern Highlands region (Davidson 1998; Ling 1999), and is best known for harboring the last known breeding wild tiger population remaining in Indochina (Walston et al., 2010). The northern boundary of the NPA borders Vietnam and a proposed expansion of the protected area spans three provinces and seven districts including Luang Probing Province (Viengkham and Phonxay districts), Houaphan province (Viengthong, Huamuang, Xamneua, and Xiengkhor districts), and Phoukoud district in Xieng Khuang province. This district is known to be one of 47 poorest in Lao PDR. Altitudes in the NPA range from 400-2257 m with over 60% of the land area above 1000m and 91% of the area along slopes greater than 12%. Approximately a total of 30,000 people in 98 villages are known to live in and adjacent to the NPA. Approximately 80% of the land area in Viengthong district alone is NE-PL NPA. The NE-PL NPA landscape has a long history of human settlement by people from three major ethno-linguistic groups, including the Lao-Tai (Tai Lao, Tai Dam, and Tai Deng), the Mon-Khmer (including Khmu and Lao Khaa), and the Hmong-Iu Mien (including Hmong and Iu Mien), who today remain largely engaged in subsistence agriculture activities with limited integration in the market economy.NE-PL NPA has been chosen as the pilot site to demonstrate NPA model development for several reasons. Firstly, NE-PL NPA ranks high in the national protected area system for contributing the greatest biological diversity of any protected area in the Northern Highlands region of Laos (Ling, 1999) and contains two contiguous Important Bird Areas and is in a Class I Tiger Conservation Landscape, with the only known breeding population of tigers in Indochina. Over the past decade, the main threat to natural resources in the NE-PL NPA has been the unregulated over-harvesting of wildlife for illegal trade and to a lesser degree for subsistence. Forest clearing for agriculture has also had an important impact on the NPA (Davidson 1998; MAF 2003; Johnson et al. 2006; WCS unpublished data).Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been partnered to assist GOL’s agencies to implement the project activities. The WCS is experienced with the Bank policy through the implementation of a Bank project funded by GEF Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Project (IEWMP) in Nam Kading NPA. Already WCS has been working in NE-PL for five years, and engaging strongly, and with high participation, with the local villages, including the ethnic groups. They have already proven to work effectively in the area. Figure 1. Institutional Arrangements for Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (after Appleton et al. 2003).In December 2010, construction began on an old four-wheel vehicular road inside the NE-PL NPA, Phathi Road, which was degraded and no longer traversable by cars. The road section of 31 km runs east-west through the core zone, which is a critical habitat for the last known breeding tiger population in Indochina (Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia). The road development included widening the existing route to four-meters wide, completed by mid 2011. The construction has continued, widening the road to an average of nine meters (to create a rural unsealed road of 6-m wide road with 1.5-m wide shoulders). Construction of the road has brought about strong concerns regarding increased access to the core zone of the protected area, including the key tiger’s habitat. The developer is the Ministry of Defense who will hand over the upgraded road to the Province one year after completion of civil work. The Protected Area Management Unit and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (responsible for both protected areas and for environmental compliance) were not initially involved in the planning and construction of the road at the national or provincial level. A Road Co-management Plan has been developed to address these concerns.Project Development Objective: To test, in selected areas of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NE-PL NPA), targeted activities for sustainable natural resource use and protection of selected species threatened by human ponent 1: Management and conservation working models, within NE-PL NPA including implementation of co-management of infrastructure in sensitive habitats. (US$ 678,000).Under this component, the project will strengthen Protected Area Management Unit (PAMU) capacity to monitor and manage harvests of managed species for sustainable use in the Controlled Use Zone within the NE-PL NPA. Activity includes a) Community Awareness Raising in 30 NPA villages aimed to raise community awareness and understanding of, and ultimately their compliance with, NPA regulations; b) Village Natural Resource Agreements with approximately 20 communities including those in the controlled use zone near the Phathi Road to map village use areas and ratify village agreements with the NPA for wildlife and land-use management; c) Monitor Change in Harvest of Wild Foods and Estimate Sustainability of Wildlife Off-take. Results of monitoring will be incorporated into campaign messages and used to adapt agreements for PA zoning and wildlife use; and d) Expand patrolling effort and ranger substations to secure Totally Protected Zone, reduce illegal/unsustainable wildlife trade, and encourage villages to graze their livestock at their village’s area rather than in the core zone. These activities will allow the Protected Area Management Unit, WCS, the Province and District to work together to ensure that access to the core zone along Phathi Road is managed and monitored.Furthermore, this component will demonstrate best practices to mitigate anticipated impacts from the use of Phathi Road through supporting the implementation of the Co-Management Plan which includes awareness raising on the use of Phathi road; establishing a lock gate and check point at the two ends of the road; establishing one substation along the road and financing permanent staff at the two check points and substation to carry out patrolling activity; establishing access monitoring system; conducting training staff on patrolling along the road; supporting land use planning in the villages near to the road; and supporting the development of long term Phathi road management plan. This component will include developing alternative community livelihoods within and near the NE-PL NPA to help local villagers including ethnic minorities minimize their dependency on wild meat consumption and collection of NTFPs and mitigate potential short-term negative impact following the introduction of restricted access to natural and forest resources under the GEF project. Two co-financiers will provide financing to the development of alternative community livelihood. KfW/GiZ funded Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation Project (CliPAD) will support the Participatory Land Use Planning (PLUP) in all 30 target villages, and develop alternative community livelihood in 15 of them through providing training and demonstration as well as the provision of in-kind inputs. PLUP will help target villagers demarcate various categories of land based on the existing land use patterns. Based on the results, villagers will be assisted identifying and developing alternative community livelihoods. Initial expectation is that the livelihood support would center around increasing small and large livestock productivity within the allocated areas. The World Bank financed Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF), through its Livelihood Opportunity and Nutrition Gain (LONG) component, will support alternative community livelihoods in the other 15 target villages where CliPAD will conducts PLUP but will not provide subsequent livelihood support. Specifically, LONG will provide training, technical support and block grant for groups of affected villagers to start up and implement their livelihood activities that will be identified through participatory processes. All these livelihood priorities, and the implementation arrangement and timeframes jointly identified between PRF and villagers, will be documented in the Village Development Plan (VDP) and in the Village Natural Resource Agreement (VNRA) as part of the Process Framework and Ethnic Peoples Plan when ponent 2: Working models of ecotourism for community engagement and sustainable financing. (US$130,000)Under Component 2, project will build capacity of the NPA MU and local communities to diversify revenue for forest and wildlife management by generating alternative income through ecotourism-based activity. It aims to Operationalize Feasible Ecotourism Products in NE-PL NPA and Establish Mechanisms for Making the Revenues Directly Available for the Management of the PA. Activity includes a) development of guidelines and regulations on the development of ecotourism activity in NE-PL NPA; b) organize village structure to manage and run ecotourism activity in their village area; c) support the establishment of ecotourism based facility such as tourism camping station and trekking route etc. Component 3: Dissemination and replication working models of NE-PL NPA within Lao PDR. (US$33,795)Under the Component 3, a NE-PL NPA management model will be produced, and disseminated to practitioners from the protected areas in Lao. Activity includes a) TA to Synthesize the lessons from NE-PL NPA, on: (i) sustainable natural resource use by villages inside a protected area; (ii) tiger conservation; (iii) ecotourism based livelihoods for local communities; and (iv) management of infrastructure, particularly roads in sensitive habitats in multiple use protected areas; and b) Incorporation of the protected area management model into a curriculum to train at the National University of Lao (NUOL) and disseminate it through workshops with DFRM and related agencies. Component 4: Project management. (US$37,205)This component will support the implementation of entire project components. Activities will include the management of staff; implementation of activities under the three core components; the management of stakeholder relations; the management of project finances and procurement; and support for the needs of WCS to work with the NE-PL PAMU and NE-PL PAMAC.(d)?Baseline data.??The NPA was established under Prime Minister’s Decree 164 on October 29th, 1993. The NE-PL NPA has been under active management since 2000 with ongoing international support, first from IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) until 2002 followed by WCS from 2003 to the present (Johnson, in press). Study Area:PhysicalDue to existence of Provincial Road 3204 intersecting the habitat, two otherwise contiguous National Protected Areas, Nam Et and Phou Louey, were gazetted in 1993. Since the time of designation, the two NPAs have been treated as one, managed under one Protected Area Management Unit, and referred to as Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA. NE-PL NPA covers 422,900 ha of mountainous terrain in northern Lao PDR. The northern boundary of the NPA borders Vietnam and a proposed expansion of the protected area spans three provinces and seven districts including Luang Phrabang Province (Viengkham and Phonxay districts), Houaphan province (Viengthong, Huamuang, Xamneua, and Xiengkhor districts), and Phoukoud district in Xieng Khuang province. Altitudes in the NPA range from 400-2257 m with over 60% of the land area above 1000m and 91% of the area along slopes greater than 12%.BiodiversityThe NE-PL NPA ranks high in the national protected area system for contributing the highest biological diversity of any protected area in this region. The original vegetation of this region was primarily dry evergreen forest mixed with large areas of deciduous forest (Duckworth et al. 1999). Today, mature forest defined as “areas with at least 20% canopy cover and a 30 m canopy” are uncommon in the Northern Highlands. In areas of the NPA, prolonged shifting cultivation and fire have resulted in forests being replaced by large areas of Imperata grass, bamboo and other secondary vegetation. Amidst this landscape, 72% of the NE-PL NPA is covered in mixed evergreen deciduous forest up to 1500 m transitioning into evergreen forest from 1500 to 1800 m, which is interspersed with beech forest and rhododendron species above 1800 m. These forested areas are embedded in a mosaic of old shifting cultivation fallow and bamboo groves. Much of the wildlife of the Northern Highlands is akin to that of the Himalayan Palaearctic region (MacKinnon and MacKinnon 1986, in Duckworth et al. 1999). Among the wildlife of Laos, relatively little is known about the reptile and amphibian diversity. The first and only recent survey of the herpetofauna in the NE-PL NPA was undertaken in 1998 (Stuart 1998). Preliminary surveys of the avifauna in the NPA were first undertaken in 1998 (Davidson 1998) and resulted in a list of 299 species. Phou Louey mountain is identified as especially important as it contains a distinctive montane bird community with ten species that are known from only one or two other localities in Laos. NE-PL NPA is probably best known for its mammals and most notably for harboring one of the most important tiger populations remaining in Indochina (Johnson et al. 2006; Dinerstein et al., 2006); the only tiger source site (i.e. a breeding and viable population) in Indochina. The Lao Tiger National Action Plan lists as priority action “creation of an inviolate core zone for the NE-PL NPA tiger population” in recognition of the importance of this population. In addition, the NPA also lies within the second most important core area in the world for supporting small carnivore taxa including six cat species, Asiatic Dhole, two bear species, and eleven small carnivore mammals. Socio-economicThe landscape within the NE-PL NPA has a long history of human settlement, which is evident today in the patches of secondary forest, stands of bamboo and anthropogenic grasslands that were traditionally burned for hunting and cattle grazing. There are 34 villages inside the NPA management zone and 64 villages bordering the NPA boundary, with a mean population of 313 people per village (Schlemmer 2002). The population is made up of three major ethno linguistic groups including the Tai-Kadai (Tai Lao, Tai Dam, and Tai Deng), the Mon-Khmer (including Khmu), and the Hmong-Mien (including Hmong and Iu Mien). Most families are engaged in subsistence agriculture activities with little integration in the market economy. Rice is the staple food and is primarily produced through rotations of shifting cultivation on steep mountainous slopes. Meat and vegetables are raised or harvested from the forest. Although Lao has over 40% forest cover and less than 22 people per km2 (ICEM 2003), hunting and fishing techniques are diverse and extensive, including traps, snares, bows and guns that are used to capture a wide range of animals (Duckworth et al. 1999). In a 2005 village survey in NE-PL NPA, squirrels, deer, fish, pigs, pheasants and partridges were reported the most commonly eaten on a monthly basis (Johnson unpublished data). NE-PE NPA Management ActivitiesCurrent NE-PL NPA management activities follow the guidelines of the national Forestry Law (GoL, 2007a) for the management of conservation forests and include: law enforcement, conservation outreach and education, ecotourism, land use management, and wildlife and habitat monitoring (see Figure 1). The proposed activities under the project, Developing and Demonstrating Replicable Protected Area Management Models at Nam Et -Phou Louey National Protected Area (P113860) may relate to, i) Natural Habitats, and ii) Forests, especially the forest areas of involved project’s villages. Other Non-Project Activities in the NPAAs the NE-PL NPA is made up 80% of Viengthong district; other infrastructure facilities exist and are being developed in and near the NPA, which are not related to project activities, in order to provide services to people living in the district area. These facilities are 1) a national road 1C runs east-west to the south of the NE_PL NPA connects Louangphrabang and Houphanh provinces; 2) a road number 3204 runs north-south of the NE-PL NPA connects Sone area (former Sone district) with Viengthong district town and exit to Xiengkhouang province; and 3) government financed electrical and telephone lines from Viengkham district, Louangphrabang province through the existing road alignments (road 1C and 3024); and 4) ongoing development of Phathi road 61 Km east-west to the north of NE-PL NPA in which 31 Km runs through the TPZ. (e)?Potential Environmental impacts under project activity.Outline of Activities and Potential Positive and Negative Impacts:Activities:Component 1: Management and conservation working models, within NE-PL NPA including implementation of co-management of infrastructure in sensitive habitats. (US$ 678,000).Under this component, the project will strengthen Protected Area Management Unit (PAMU) capacity to monitor and manage harvests of managed species for sustainable use in the Controlled Use Zone within the NE-PL NPA. Activity includes a) Community Awareness Raising in 30 NPA villages aimed to raise community awareness and understanding of, and ultimately their compliance with, NPA regulations; b) Village Natural Resource Agreements with approximately 20 communities including those in the controlled use zone near the Phathi Road to map village use areas and ratify village agreements with the NPA for wildlife and land-use management; c) Monitor Change in Harvest of Wild Foods and Estimate Sustainability of Wildlife Off-take. Results of monitoring will be incorporated into campaign messages and used to adapt agreements for PA zoning and wildlife use; and d) Expand patrolling effort and ranger substations to secure Totally Protected Zone, reduce illegal/unsustainable wildlife trade, and encourage villages to graze their livestock at their village’s area rather than in the core zone. These activities will allow the Protected Area Management Unit, WCS, the Province and District to work together to ensure that access to the core zone along Phathi Road is managed and monitored.Furthermore, this component will demonstrate best practices to mitigate anticipated impacts from the use of Phathi Road through supporting the implementation of the Co-Management Plan which includes awareness raising on the use of Phathi road; establishing a lock gate and check point at the two ends of the road; establishing one substation along the road and financing permanent staff at the two check points and substation to carry out patrolling activity; establishing access monitoring system; conducting training staff on patrolling along the road; supporting land use planning in the villages near to the road; and supporting the development of long term Phathi road management plan. This component will include developing alternative community livelihoods within and near the NE-PL NPA to help local villagers including ethnic minorities minimize their dependency on wild meat consumption and collection of NTFPs and mitigate potential short-term negative impact following the introduction of restricted access to natural and forest resources under the GEF project. Two co-financiers will provide financing to the development of alternative community livelihood. KfW/GiZ funded Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation Project (CliPAD) will support the Participatory Land Use Planning (PLUP) in all 30 target villages, and develop alternative community livelihood in 15 of them through providing training and demonstration as well as the provision of in-kind inputs. PLUP will help target villagers demarcate various categories of land based on the existing land use patterns. Based on the results, villagers will be assisted identifying and developing alternative community livelihoods. Initial expectation is that the livelihood support would center on increasing small and large livestock productivity within the allocated areas. The World Bank financed Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF), through its Livelihood Opportunity and Nutrition Gain (LONG) component, will support alternative community livelihoods in the other 15 target villages where CliPAD will conducts PLUP but will not provide subsequent livelihood support. Specifically, LONG will provide training, technical support and block grant for groups of affected villagers to start up and implement their livelihood activities that will be identified through participatory processes. All these livelihood alternatives, and the implementation arrangement and timeframes jointly identified between PRF and villagers, will be documented in the Village Development Plan (VDP) and in the Village Natural Resource Agreement (VNRA) as part of the Process Framework and EPP when ponent 2: Working models of ecotourism for community engagement and sustainable financing. (US$130,000)Under Component 2, project will build capacity of the NPA MU and local communities to diversify revenue for forest and wildlife management by generating alternative income through ecotourism-based activity. It aims to Operationalize Feasible Ecotourism Products in NE-PL NPA and Establish Mechanisms for Making the Revenues Directly Available for the Management of the PA. Activity includes a) development of guidelines and regulations on the development of ecotourism activity in NE-PL NPA; b) organize village structure to manage and run ecotourism activity in their village area; c) support the establishment of ecotourism based facility such as tourism camping station and trekking route etc. Component 3: Dissemination and replication working models of NE-PL NPA within Lao PDR. (US$33,795)Under the Component 3, a NE-PL NPA management model will be produced, and disseminated to practitioners from the protected areas in Lao. Activity includes a) TA to Synthesize the lessons from NE-PL NPA, on: (i) sustainable natural resource use by villages inside a protected area; (ii) tiger conservation; (iii) ecotourism based livelihoods for local communities; and (iv) management of infrastructure, particularly roads in sensitive habitats in multiple use protected areas; and b) Incorporation of the protected area management model into a curriculum to train at the National University of Lao (NUOL) and disseminate it through workshops with DFRM and related agencies. Component 4: Project management. (US$37,205)This component will support the implementation of entire project components. Activities will include the management of staff; implementation of activities under the three core components; the management of stakeholder relations; the management of project finances and procurement; and support for the needs of WCS to work with the NE-PL PAMU and NE-PL PAMAC. i) Natural Habitats.The project will not result in any significant degradation of natural habitat or critical natural habitats. The project is likely to bring about greater positive impacts on the natural habitat through the different activities planned such as the awareness raising and participation of the local communities on natural resource use in the NPA Controlled Use Zone; monitoring data on wildlife use; improving coordination and enhancing the capacity of the local government to expand activities to secure the Totally Protected Zone; reducing illegal wildlife trade; and providing incentives for habitat conservation to local people. Forest and Wildlife management: Under the NE-PL NPA management structure (Figure 1), the Law Enforcement Section has been in place since March 2005. The NPA, with the support of district governments, has demarcated a 304,623 ha Totally Protected Zone (TPZ) (Figure 2) following the requirements outlined in the National Wildlife Law (GoL 2007b), which prohibits any hunting, agriculture, logging or non-timber forest product collection within the TPZ. The remaining area of the PA is Controlled Use Zone (CUZ) in which villagers can exercise customary rights to use of forest resources, regulated by the Forestry and Wildlife Laws (of 2007). For example, they can use traditional tools, in certain seasons to hunt non-protected animals, at low level for household consumption only, and can collect NTFPs and some timber for household use. From July 2005 to June 2007, there were three part-time foot patrol teams that spent an average of ten days per month in the TPZ checking for criminal activities. Since July 2007, the NPA has recruited and trained over 60 permanent enforcement staff. Inside the TPZ, this includes 45 staff in seven substations. It is planned to build a further 3 substations including one along Phathi road. Each substation is built in a strategic location on the border of the TPZ and the Controlled Use Zone (CUZ). Each substation houses 6-8 full-time staff who conduct foot patrols in their respective sector of the TPZ. To guide these patrol teams, the NPA worked with district and provincial governors to draft and ratify regulations for the NPA (GoL 2008). The regulations specify the boundaries of the NPA TPZ and CUZ and identify legal and illegal activities for each zone. The substations are one room structures, twenty four square meters in size, with a detached kitchen and toilet. The structures are constructed from wood, metal roofing and concrete posts sourced outside the NPA from local vendors (Figure 3). All substations have been, and will be, built in strategic locations – already cleared areas (old village land or agricultural land). Thus, there is no clearing involved. This maximizes enforcement effectiveness while minimizing environmental impacts on the TPZ and the CUZ. The same high standards of minimal environmental impact will be used for the three additional substations that are planned to be built. Since the first substation was built in July 2007, the NE-PL NPA has recorded no significant environmental impacts from the construction and operation of seven existing substations on the border of the TPZ and the CUZFigure 3. This photo shows the Nam Nern Substation on the edge of the TPZ and the CUZ, which was built on land that was a village more than 20 years ago and did not regenerate, and the substation is representative of the other substations that are on the periphery of the TPZ. Ecotourism: Under the NE-PL NPA management structure (Figure 1), the Ecotourism Section has been in place since 2005. Based on the outcome of an ‘ecotourism feasibility study and business plan’ by Haas Business School, a number of potential ecotourism products were identified. The NPA, with the support of district governments and WCS, began establishing one of these products, the Nam Nern River Trip in 2009, and it has been operating for tourists since early 2010. Visitors travel overnight by boat to the Nam Nern River Camp (Figure 4). The eco-camp consists of six simple wooden structures, including guest huts for sleeping, a staff house, a sala (small open hut) for meals, a detached kitchen, toilet and showers. All structures are made from materials that are sourced from outside of the NPA. The facility can house up to six guests at any one time. The river trip has a maximum of 2 trips per week, with a maximum of 6 people per boat trip - so there is a maximum of 12 tourists/week for the Nam Nern River Trip. A further two or three ecotourism products will be developed, and will likely all be overnight treks. It is anticipated that during the GEF project two more eco-camps will be built, to facilitate two or three overnight forest treks. Minimal environmental impacts will be ensured; treks will only follow existing trails, and will avoid routing through sensitive areas.The Nam Nern River Camp was built on previously cleared land that was a village area abandoned around 20 years ago that never regenerated back to forest. As with the Nam Nern eco-camp, additional ecotourism facilities (eco-camps) will be built on already cleared land, in strategic locations to maximize ecotourism appeal while minimizing environmental impacts on the NPA. Ecotourism planned is likely to increase the number of tourists to the NPA. The Haas Team generated an estimate of the number of potential tourists per year, if all three/four products are operating. They based this on current numbers of tourists to the province and according to demand. The number of tourists that go to that province is currently around 3000, and increasing a little every year. The report stated that they expect the NE-PL NPA will be able to capture 3-5% of the tourists that come to the province, thus they expect, for the GEF period:YR 1 - 120 tourists in the year,YR 2 – 230 tourists, andYR 3 - 350 tourist. In the pilot year, with only the Nam Nern River Trip, the NPA received 53 tourists for 8 months. Potential minor environmental impacts from the patrol substations and ecotourism activities are recognized by the NE-PL NPA management team:Water quality: grey water generated from toilets and kitchens at substations and ecotourism camps along riparian areas in the TPZ may cause eutrophication and affect the water quality and aquatic fauna; washing of motorbikes and vehicles by staff near the rivers may cause turbidity and minor spill of hydrocarbon on the water surface;Solid wastes: improper household waste disposal from substations and ecotourism camps may cause waste disposal in the small forest streams near the camps and substations.Biodiversity: there may be minimal use of non-protected resources around the substations and ecotourism lodges by staff; and:It is anticipated that no chemicals and pesticides will be applied in the project activities. There will be no procurement of pesticides or fertilizers through the project, nor will the project lead to an increase in use of pesticides or fertilizers in the project area.Figure 4. This photo shows the Nam Nern River Camp on the edge of the TPZ and the CUZ, built on abandoned village land, and is representative of other ecotourism facilities planned under the project.Village resource agreements: through participatory consultation process, will expand the work with communities to actually map village use areas and ratify village agreements with the NPA for wildlife and land-use management, including villages in the controlled use zone area near the Phathi Road. With village agreements in place, on-the-ground work with households in a representative subset of villages will allow for implementation of project plans including the agreement on future use of the Phathi road. The agreement will apply equally also to the outsiders. For the long term, once these agreements are effectively implemented, natural resources will be properly managed and wise used by villagers. With lest exploitation of natural resources, the habitat is expected to be improved over the time, ii) Forests. This project will not involve or support any logging activities and/or wood processing industries in project village’s areas. However, the project will support a consultation process in order to reach an agreement with project villages on land use planning and sustainable use of Non-Timer Forest Products (NTFP) within the Control Use Zones (CUZ) of participating villages. It was indicated in the project document that land use planning and resource use agreement would be ratified in 20 project villages in or near the NE-PL NPA including villages close to the Phathi Road area. Land and forest use zoning: the process was completed during 1990s for most villages in and near the NPA. Supported by the government’s Land and Forest Allocation Program, village maps have been produced to indicate overall village area; agricultural land including livestock grazing areas; forest areas including forest use and conservation areas. Villagers are authorized to us the area for agriculture activity, wood collection for construction and firewood, collection of NTFP and sometimes wild meat of managed species for their own consumption. Collection of NTPF: As indicated in project documents, livelihood of local communities is heavily realized on forest resource. NTPF plays an important role on household economy; it provides food and seasonal income to accommodate the use for medicine; schools; and to improve housing. This project will improve their sufficient use of NTFP by establishing agreements with project villages to manage and collect NTFP in the CUZ.Figure 5. This photo shows map of Houaydteun village located along road #3204. Village map provides village area, agriculture and forest areas that is belonging to village.Figure 6. Samples of NTFP seasonally collected by villagers near NE-PL NPA. Cardamom on the left and medicine bark on the right, seasonal collected for sell, trader will collect in the village. Project's likely positive and negative impactsComponentActivitiesActionsPositive ImpactsNegative ImpactsMitigationManagement and conservation working models, within NE-PL NPA including implementation of co-management of infrastructure in sensitive munity Awareness RaisingInteractive community awareness raising in dialect of that village (eg Lao, Hmong, Khmu, Mien)Community learns PA regulations in local language; creates community involvement in management; creates compliance with regulationsNonen/aVillage Natural Resource AgreementsMap village use areas, ratify village led agreements on useSustainable off take of NTFP and wildlife, which leads to long term food security and biodiversity protectionMay lead to change in areas and amount/season of NTFP collection- Monitor change in harvest of wild food-supplement with agricultural assistance through PRF/JSDFMonitor change in Harvest of Wild Food, Estimate Sustainability of Wildlife Off takeCook pot studies in households. Results used in awareness raising and in adaptive management for agreements mentioned aboveDeveloping improved rice productivityImproving livestock husbandry and fodderIncreased rice and livestock reduces pressure on forest products and increases villagers’ food securityImproved livestock raising means less livestock enter forest for forage, so less damage to forest and less predation by tigers (which leads to revenge killings of tigers)As aboveAs aboveExpand patrol and substation to secure Totally Protected Zone, reduce illegal/unsustainable wildlife trade, encourage villages to graze their livestock at their village’s area rather than in the core zone, and implement Co-Management of the Phati Road.Already half of the NPA is protected by permanent patrol teams who work out of small wooden substations in remote areas – this will expand to cover the rest of the TPZ of the NPA. Additional action on low enforcement will be undertaken as part of Phathi road co-management plan.Secure the TPZ to protect tigers and their prey, and also habitatCreate ownership of the NPA from involved partners (forestry staff, police, military, villagers)Waste from operation of substationsPeople (whether villagers or outsiders) conducting illegal activities may receive warnings or finesStaff may collect local resources-Bathe and clean dishes in designated areas that are far away from the water sources.- Treat grey water in the containment areas or septic tanks.- Use water and detergent/washing liquids efficiently to reduce the amount of wastewater and chemicals.- Dispose biodegradables in a designated areas; compost biodegradables where feasible.- Recycle recyclables and remove non-biodegradable from the site where possible.- No collection/purchase of non-timber forest products for personal consumption- No hunting of wildlife for consumption and sale- No Illegal collection, purchase or sale of natural resources.Working model of ecotourism for community engagement and sustainable financing.Operationalise ecotourism products, and make revenue available for PAs managementFeasibility study and list of feasible ecotourism products was created last yearOne ecotourism product now in place (river wildlife spotting and overnight camp)Two more products will be developed, eg a trekCreate a mechanism to get revenue directly to PA and concerned villages (rather than to central government or only to tour operator)Linking wildlife presence to income generation from ecotourism will provide:Funds for managementFunds for village developmentIncome for villagers providing servicesOwnership of the NPA by local government and peoplePublicity for NE-PL NPALink wildlife and income so that locals and managers work harder to protect habitat and wildlifeOpportunities for outsiders to see NE-PL wildlifeCreates a model for LaosPossible small impacts from operation (i.e. waste), and tourist numbers. Effect of tourists on local culture and spirit forestAs above- Discuss with tourists the do’s and don’ts related to the local culture; avoid spirit forest for treksDissemination and replication working models of NE-PL NPA within Lao PDR.Develop training modulesBased on lessons from all above activities, create modules on PA management.Builds on work already conducted by WCS with the National UniversityIncreased information, understanding and capacity to undertake best practice PA management in Laos, based on real life models not just theory Nonen/aDisseminate NPA modelsModules taught in participative way at National University and at other PAs. Builds on work already conducted by WCS with the National UniversityIncreased information, understanding and capacity to undertake best practice PA management in Laos, based on real life models not just theory Training of trainersNonen/a(f)? Environmental Management Plan (EMP)It is NE-PL management policy to conduct an environmental and social risk assessment of the key environmental aspects identified above prior to the construction of additional substations, ecotourism camps, and forest associated activity. The management team conducts risk assessments to adequately assess and prevent threats to the environment from building and operating the substations and ecotourism facilities and ensure that all management practices are environmentally sound and sustainable.For instance, septic tanks will be built to treat sewage and grey water generated from showers and washing to minimize the impact on surface and ground water quality. Solid wastes will be separated and treated using appropriate disposal methods. Recyclables (plastics and glasses) will be collected for recycling and organic wastes will be piled and left in a dedicated area for decomposition by bacteria in the environment. Combustible materials will be burnt in a manageable size and suitable wind direction to reduce the amount of solid wastes. Non-combustible materials will be dumped and covered with soil on a regular basis in a small pit which is far away from the water sources. In addition, only fallen twigs and timber left on the ground will be collected and used as fuel wood. Cutting trees for fuel wood will be prohibited and lighting of fires for camping and cooking will be carried out in a designated area to avoid forest fires. The project will also minimize the potential environmental related impacts through good planning, design and applying sound engineering techniques that are eco-friendly to the areas that the facilities will be located as detailed below:Construction of Substations and Ecotourism CampsThe NE-PL NPA management team assigns NPA staff to be responsible for construction of any infrastructure within the NPA. The responsible NPA staff conducts a reconnaissance survey of the potential site location prior to developing a construction plan. The team determines which substation site has the highest potential to implement effective enforcement with the minimal impact to the TPZ or the CUZ. In the case of an ecotourism camps, a similar visit is conducted while considering the tourist experience and the potential environmental impacts the camp will have on the site location.Following the field survey for site selection, the team develops a construction plan for the site. This includes detailed descriptions of toilet and kitchen placement, and the distance the structures will be from any surface water source, for example stream, river or wet areas. During construction of these small facilities, care is taken to have a minimal impact on the surroundings. After construction is complete, excess building materials and waste is removed from the construction site.Substation and Ecotourism Camp OperationsWhile the substations and ecotourism camps are being created, the NPA team recruits staff to operate the substations and camps. Once the human resources to operate the facilities have been hired, they receive extensive training on managing the substations and camps.Collection of NTFPsDuring the project implementation, a detailed plan will be developed on awareness raising activities, village consultation will be conducted to inform/discuss village and forest areas, and the important NTFPs. Villagers will be consulted, agreed, and participated in identifying the CUZ area, all manage species of NTFP and wildlife. A plan will be developed jointly with villagers as part of NE-PL PA management plan to manage and control the use of NTFPs within the CUZ, this will include: authorized areas for collection, types of NTFPs, seasons and cycles to be collected; where and how to sell; establishment of a committee to manage the selling and subsequent management of revenue for the benefit of the village as whole. The plan will also be considering an opportunity for creating a plantation of local species in the forest area such as cardamom, where forest clearance is not required or permitted. If adopted, the plantation plan will require special care to minimize disturbances.Livelihood support activities:There are two co-financiers to this project. The Bank funded Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) project, using grant financing from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), will provide a parallel financing of $640,000 for participative livelihood development in some target villages. PRF staff experienced in subproject screening process, activity implementation will be using their own safeguard mechanisms that are in line with Bank procedures and policies and thus compatible with this EMP. The KfW funded Climate Protection Through Avoided Deforestation Project (CliPAD) will also provide a co-financing of 700,000 to the project. Funds will be provided to relevant district officials (e.g. District Agricultural and Forest Office) to implement project activities as well as to WCS to develop the capacity of relevant district officials. Project activities funded by CliPAD will be conducted as per provisions of this EMP. The NE-PL Management Unit (PAMU) will coordinate and monitor project implementation.Environmental Management Plan (EMP)The following section provides proposed mitigation measures, monitoring, responsibility Implementation Schedule and Costing as shown in table 1 below:Table 1. Summaries of potential environmental impacts, mitigation measures and training to reduce environmental impacts at substations and ecotourism camp facilities, and to ensure the sustainable harvest of NTFPs.Potential ImpactsMitigationMonitoringImplementation Schedule and Cost Estimates.ResponsibilityContamination of surface and groundwater- Remove and dispose hazardous materials outside the TPZ or CUZ of the NPA.- Bathe and clean dishes in designated areas that are far away from water sources.- Treat grey water in the containment areas or septic tanks.- Use water and detergent/washing liquids efficiently to reduce the amount of wastewater and chemicals. - Biannual refresher training will be provided to staff at substations and ecotourism camps on proper disposal and management of waste water.Log books will be maintained at the substation and camps to monitor the management of waste water. Through routine visits to ecotourism camps and substations senior staff will physically observed if there is any issue and determine solutions to address should it occurs.Trainings conducted twice a year~$50 USD will be budgeted for materials and indirect costs annually.WCS and NPA Management staffLittering of household waste inappropriately- Dispose of biodegradables in designated areas; compost biodegradables where feasible.- Recycle recyclables and remove non-biodegradable from the site where possible.- Biannual refresher training will be provided to staff at substations and ecotourism camps on solid waste management including methods for proper disposal of non-biodegradable using sanitary pit and incinerations.Senior NPA staff will make 4 routine visits to each substation per year to determine if household waste is being disposed of properly. Information will be recorded into NPA log books to monitor the long term management of waste. Trainings conducted twice a year~$50 USD will be budgeted for materials and indirect costs annually.WCS in collaboration with NPA Management staffBiodiversity loss from use by construction workers and tourists No collection/purchase of non-timber forest products for personal consumption;No hunting of wildlife for consumption and sale;No Illegal collection, purchase or sale of natural resources.Review the importance of the TPZ and CUZ for construction workers and tourists, including introducing the rules and regulations of the TPZ and the repercussions of non-compliance by NPA staff at substations or ecotourism camps. Rules and regulations will be provided in a booklet to inform the “dos and don’ts”, while staying in the PA.Substation and camp leaders will report on the behavior of staff, workers, and tourists at monthly meetings.Trainings conducted twice a year~$50 USD will be budgeted for materials and indirect costs annually.WCS in collaboration with NPA Management staffAir quality such as dust, excessive noise, smoke from setting fires for cooking and/or camping.Enforce speed limit in the community areas during the dry seasons by staff.Limit construction seasonally to reduce sedimentation load being washed into the watercourses Minimize noise to personal conversations. No multi-media equipments and machinery are allowed in substations or ecotourism camps.Provide a training module on air, water and noise pollution and their associated effects on the micro habitats around substations and camps.Instructions provided on the lighting and supervision of fires in the forests for camp firesNo construction of substations or camps will be authorized in August and September when rains and surface water are moving across the area.Senior NPA staff will make 4 visits to each substation per year to determine if substations are following the policy of no multi-media equipment or machinery at substations.Trainings conducted twice a year~$50 USD will be budgeted for materials and indirect costs annually.WCS in collaboration with NPA Management staffBiodiversity loss due to over harvesting by local communitiesReview the importance of the TPZ and CUZ for communities in selected villages in and near the NPA, including introducing the rules and regulations of the TPZ and the repercussions of non-compliance by NPA staff.Agreement on rules/regulations by villages and disseminate to all villagers in and near village.Develop an action plan and establish a responsible committee.NPA management unit monitor the use of NTFPs in selected villages. Budget for this activity is under training and awareness raising activity in component 1.WCS in collaboration with NPA Management staffGiven the nature of this project, the EMP is an integral component of the success of this GEF. Assessing the risk, identifying the mitigation measures to reduce potential environmental impacts to acceptable levels is taken into account throughout the project design and is well documented in the Project Document (PD). Environmental monitoring of potential impacts has been built into the project as seen in the PD. The framework in table 1 illustrates how the capacity of project staff and government officials will be addressed to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are taken, monitored and reported during the project period. Environment Management Plan to address the Development of the Phathi Road:In December 2010, construction began on an old four-wheel vehicular road inside the NE-PL NPA, Phathi Road, which was degraded and no longer traversable by cars. The 31 km road section runs east-west through the core zone which is a critical habitat for last known breeding tiger population in Indochina (Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia). The road development included widening the existing route to four-meters, which was completed by mid 2011. The construction has continued, widening the road to an average of nine meters wide (to create a rural unsealed road of 6-m wide road with 1.5-m wide shoulders). Construction of the road has brought about concerns regarding increased access to the core zone of the protected area, including the key tiger’s habitat. The developer is the Ministry of Defense who will hand over the upgraded road to the Province one year after completion of civil work. The Protected Area Management Unit and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (responsible for both protected areas and for environmental compliance) were not initially involved in planning and construction of the road at the national or provincial level. The World Bank Task Team and WCS have worked with Government to bring together the Province and Ministry of Defense to discuss potential impacts from the road, and viable solutions.The potential impacts and management measures from Phathi Road development will be addressed through the activities of Component 1 and the Phathi Road Co-Management Plan (Annex II). A co-management plan of Phathi road has been developed with an objective to manage and monitor the impacts of the Phathi Road on the adjacent habitat and wildlife communities, with partners, towards protection of the local tiger and prey populations, habitat and other key species. The plan provided activity, responsibility of each party and budget to manage possible impact courses by the road. The co-management plan will also used as a basic for future development of mid term and long term Phathi road management plan. A dialog with the government of Lao both at National and provincial level regarding to the road management has been steadily engaged by the WCS and the WB as part of due diligence (Annex IV). The engagement has been reached the agreement on restriction to the use of Phathi road for emergency case only, role and responsibility of parties concern; and funding for the implementation of Phathi road co-management plan. Extensive discussion has been going on within the Bank and other NGOs to avoid reputation risk on the future support for NE-PL PA management.Other infrastructure :Lao PDR is rapidly developing in its use of natural resources, with numerous roads, mines, plantations and hydropower projects in feasibility, planning, and construction or operational stages throughout the country. A number of infrastructure development activities already exist and additional infrastructures are being developed in and near the NE-PL NPA, including roads, electrical and telecommunication lines. Although these activities are not financed by the GEF, the text below outlines proposed mechanisms to deal with the existing and planned infrastructure development activities Road: there are three existing roads running through NE-PL NPA namely a) road 1C from Viengkham district (Luangphrabang province) to Samneua district (Huaphanh province), b) road number 3204 from Muangsone area passing Viengthong district (Huaphan province) to Xiengkhouang province, and c) a new expansion of the Phathi Road from Xamneua district to Sone area (old Muangsone) in Viengthong district, Huaphan province. The maintenance work for a 30 km section of the road #3204 running through the NE-PL NPA was completed in late 2010. This road benefits about 14,688 people of 37 villages in and near the other side of the NPA. The provincial authority had developed an Environmental Assessment for construction; the civil work only followed the existing road alignment and the EA was implemented accordingly. An existing quarry along the road C1 opened many years ago for C1 road maintenance, but was closed since the NPA establishment, it has been confirmed that this quarry will remain closed.Electrical Line Extension: the extension of 22kv of the electrical line from Viengkham district (Luangphrabang province) to Viengthong District (Houaphan Province) in which 36km of electricity line passes through NE-PL NPA (to Muangsone area) was completed in 2010. The electrical line followed the existing road that is in the NPA and was designed to minimize its environmental footprint. An MOU was developed prior the construction, which includes details on minimising tree and vegetation clearance and disturbance, transportation methods, and construction staff management, to minimise environmental impact. Monitoring was carried out jointly between Department of Energy and Mines (DEM) and NE-PL NPA management unit, and joint monitoring will continue during the operation of the line.Similarly, the telecommunication line was extended from Viengkham district, Louangprhabang province to Sone area in Viengthong district was completed before the extension of the electricity line. The monitoring of future use and maintenance of the line will be done in close supervision of NE-PL NPA management unit.Infrastructure Rejected by the Province: A hydropower project in Nam Et river and another one in Nam Neun (both are adjacent to the NE-PL NPA) were propose for feasibility studies. The province confirmed that concessions for feasibility studies will not be granted and hydropower will not be allowed in these two sites due to potential negative impacts on the NE-PL NPA.There are 19 potential mining sites reported during July 2010 mission in Vienthong district in which 9 are located inside the NPA. Following results of a brief general survey, which reported minerals occur at these locations but in low quantities, and based on notifications from central government, and in consideration of the value of the NPA, the District cancelled all the mining survey/exploration proposals in July 2010 and confirmed that no mining operations will be allowed in and near the NE-PL NPA.Consultation:Series of consultations of similar project’s activity have been conducted by WCS since 2008 with local villages in Vienthong and Houamouang districts, Houaphanh province; and Viengkham district, Louanprabang province; district official; and NGOs (annex 1). Primary concerns of local community are land for agriculture activity and area for them to collect seasonal Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP). Consultation process had reached an agreement with villages on having clear forest and land use allocation for Agriculture Area where villagers and practice their agriculture activity; Controlled Use Zone where they can collect wood, NTFP and managed wildlife species for their own consumption; and Totally Protected Zone where assess is restricted. Mission team had confirmed such agreement during project appraisal mission in July 2010. Additional livelihood activity has been agreed to support under Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF)/JSDF and KfW/GIZ Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation Project (CliPAD) to improve their living condition. The project will support the NE-PL NPA Management Unit to closely follow with provincial and district offices, and transport, energy and mining sectors and report on any proposed developments to the Bank. In the event of an unanticipated development in/near the protected area, or other unanticipated issues that may affect the project objectives being met or involve WB safeguards, a strict process will be followed. The first action in such a situation is to hold a meeting at the District and/or Provincial level among the NE-PL NPA management unit and relevant sectors and stakeholders, to come to a suitable resolution. If this does not provide a satisfactory outcome, discussions will be held among the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), WCS, World Bank and the concerned sectors to come to a resolution. For public services, such as power or telephone lines; the NPA management unit must be consulted prior to any future planning for improvement, and all such projects should be subject to ESIAs, to be reviewed by both the Department of ESIA (in MoNRE), the Division of Forest Resource Management (in MoNRE) and the NE-PL NPA management unit. Reports associated with this EA report:Project DocumentEthnic People’s PlanInvoluntary Resettlement Process FrameworkReferences:Appleton, M.R., G.I. Texon and M.T. Uriarte 2003 Competence Standards for Protected Area Jobs in South East Asia. ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Los Ba?os, Philippines.Davidson, P. 1998 A Wildlife and Habitat Survey of Nam Et Phou Louey National Biodiversity Conservation Areas, Houaphanh Province. WCS/CPAWM/Cooperative Program, Vientiane, Lao PDR.GoL 1999. Environmental Protection Law; 26 April 1999. Lao People's Democratic Republic National Assembly, Vientiane, Lao PDR.GoL 2005. National Heritage Law; 19 December 2005. Lao People's Democratic Republic National Assembly, Vientiane, Lao PDR.GoL 2007a Forestry Law No.6/NA; 24 December 2007. Lao People's Democratic Republic National Assembly, Vientiane, Lao PDR.GoL 2007b Wildlife Law 07; 24 December 2007. Lao People's Democratic Republic National Assembly, Vientiane, Lao PDR.GoL 2008 Regulation on protected area and wildlife management in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area. Viengthong District, Houaphan Province, Lao PDR.Johnson, A. In press. A landscape summary for the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area, Lao PDR. In Synergies and tradeoffs between biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods of the Lower Mekong countries. Bogor: Center for International Forestry (CIFOR)Johnson, A., C. Vongkhamheng, M. Hedemark, and T. Saithongdam 2006 Effects of human-carnivore conflict on tiger (Panthera tigris) and prey populations in Lao PDR. Animal Conservation 9: 421-430.Lao Front for National Construction. 2008, The Ethnic Groups in Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDR.Ling, S. 1999 A biological system of prioritization for protected areas in the Lao PDR. CPAWM / Wildlife Conservation Society Cooperative Program, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR.MAF 2003. Regulation No. 0360 on Management of National Protected Areas, Aquatic Animals and Wildlife. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR.MAF. 2003. Nam Et-Phou Loei NBCA Management Plan. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR.National Social Research Institute (Ministry of Information and Culture)., 2009., Investigating Ethnic Groups in Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDRWalston, J., U. Karanth, and E. Stokes 2010 Avoiding the unthinkable: what will it cost to prevent tigers becoming extinct in the wild? Wildlife Conservation Society, New York.Annex I. Record of interagency and consultation meetings, including consultations for obtaining the informed views of the affected people and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).??The record specifies any means other than consultations (e.g., surveys) that were used to obtain the views of affected groups and local NGOs.DateStake holderActivityApril - November 200842 Village committee meetings in Viengthong District to discuss the role of natural resources in their communities and determine the village use areasParticipatory meetings with the Village Committee January - April 2009 14 Village committee meetings in Hua Muang District to discuss the role of natural resources in their communities and determine the village boundary areas.Participatory meetings with the Village Committee Mar-09SNV NetherlandsDiscussions on how to collaborate on future NE-PL NPA projects including NTFP marketing, Tourism and Value Chain DevelopmentJul-09All village headman meeting in ViengthongParticipatory meeting to discuss the government rules and regulations governing the NE-PL NPAOct-09All village headman meeting in Hua MuangParticipatory meeting to discuss the government rules and regulations governing the NE-PL NPANov-09All village headman meeting in ViengkhamParticipatory meeting to discuss the government rules and regulations governing the NE-PL NPANov-09KfW, GTZ, DED and other donorsDiscussions on how to co-manage the NE-PL NPA in a sustainable way as a model for Lao PDRApr-10Viengthong District GovernmentConceptual Model of Nam Et Phou Louey NPA???Aug-10Hua Muang District GovernmentConceptual Model of Nam Et Phou Louey NPAAug-10Viengkham District GovernmentConceptual Model of Nam Et Phou Louey NPAAug-10Viengthong District GovernmentConceptual Model of Nam Et Phou Louey NPAAnnex II. Co-Management Plan of the Phathi Road in NE-PL NPA (Draft for final discussion with the Government, March 2012)Short to Long-Term Co-management for the Phathi Road InfrastructureCo-management refers to the joint planning and regulation for use of the Phathi Road infrastructure to meet dual interests of ongoing protection of key biodiversity and sustainable development. Parties in co-management are central government, Province, District, NPA Management Unit, local community and international organizations.Short-term co-management refers to urgent measures to protect key biodiversity in the area of the Phathi Road, given the potential for increased human access to the area along the road; and ongoing dialogue with partners (government and community) on the medium to long-term plans for the protected area and the road including analysis of alternatives and options regarding the road.Medium to longer-term co-management refers to sustaining ongoing management of road access as/if needed, and developing alternatives that may eventually diminish or eliminate the need for the road. Co-management of road in the short-term is proposed as below.ObjectiveAs part of the management of the NE-PL multiple-use national protected area: Manage and monitor the impacts of the Phathi Road on the adjacent habitat and wildlife communities, with partners, towards protection of the local tiger and prey populations, habitat and other key species. Short-term Phathi Road Co-Management (the two year plan; see budget in Annex 2) includes:ActivitiesThe Department of Environmental Impact Assessment (DESIA) and province issue letter to road developer to take action to avoid and minimize impact during the construction such as behavior of construction workers (no consumption of wildlife and waste management in the camp), disposal of soil, and drainage structures. DESIA and province, will supervise periodically on the action taken by road developer. *On going.To be implemented after agreement on this in the multi stakeholder meeting on 16 March.DESIA and DFRM/MoNRE to facilitate meetings with all concerned agencies at central, provincial and district level including community representative to discuss road use criteria, permits issuing, access control and recording system etc. *On going.Meetings held on Dec 28, 2011 in the province; February 9, 2012 at MoNRE. One meeting is expected to be held in March 16 2012.Conduct survey to identify any gibbon groups near Phathi road area. If gibbon groups are located along the road, appropriate measures will be taken to minimize/mitigate impacts of the road on the affected populations. Subject to survey results, one possible measure would be building artificial canopy crossing points (e.g. with ropes). Five potential gibbon crossing sites (areas with canopy connections over the road, or the potential for with tree re-growth) have been identified along 15 km of the road (i.e. the eastern half of Phathi Road, which was already not ideal gibbon habitat even prior to the road) and will be reserved for potential future crossing points. A similar survey will be conducted for the western 15km of the Phathi Road, which is higher potential gibbon habitat. * Not yet due. This activity is part of Co-Management Plan. Plan to do in April by WCS and NPA staff with WB budget.Conduct interactive outreach in the villages near either end of the road to ensure villagers have buy-in to co-management of NE-PL NPA including an understanding of the importance of the forest and wildlife, the rules for the total protection zone, and the access limitations of Phathi Road.Not yet due. This activity will be part of Co-Management Plan implementation.Construct locked gates at each end of the road where the total protection zone starts (where ranger stations already exist and operate). *Not yet due. This is part of Co-Management Plan implementation, and is funded by GEF MSP and WCS.Install a small military unit (provincial contribution) at the gate area at each end of the road, to ensure there is no non-permitted entry to the Phathi Road. *Not yet due. This is part of Co-Management Plan implementation.Develop a monitoring system for road co-management, including spot checks of staff activities at the ranger stations by the NPA Manager and the NPA Law Enforcement Head, and also, ongoing monitoring via the MIST database (which collates and analyses patrol data).Not yet due. This is part of Co-Management Plan implementation, and is funded by GEF MSP and WCS.Continue to conduct forest patrols from the ranger stations that already exist at each end of Phathi Road, which are staffed by around 6 people, and add to this with additional staff (2 per ranger station) and add two off-road motorbikes to each ranger station to conduct mobile road patrols on the road.Not yet due. This is part of Co-Management Plan implementation, and is funded by GEF MSP and WCS.Add one more ranger station, with six staff, in the middle of the length of Phathi road within the total protection zone, to support forest patrols and mobile road patrols with motor bikes. *Not yet due. This is part of Co-Management Plan implementation. This will be CliPAD funded, implemented with government. Access control and patrolling to prevent human encroachment, and thus prevent, detect and suppress illegal activities such as poaching (including of tigers and prey), agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, timber off take in the TPZ along and adjacent to the Phathi Road.Not yet due. This is part of Co-Management Plan implementation, and is funded by GEF MSP and WCS.Conduct an initial law enforcement training for staff of all three ranger stations on Phathi Road; training to be delivered on-site by an expert trainer (WCS’ regional Law Enforcement expert)Not yet due. This is part of activity under GEF MSP.Continue training staff, by conducting in-house training of each ranger station’s Head and Deputy staff during the monthly meetings held at the NPA Management UnitNot yet due. This is part of activity under GEF MSP.Conduct outreach and land use planning in villages in the area.Not yet due. This is part of activity under GEF MSP.Conduct land use planning in the villages near either end of the road (there are none along the road inside the total protection zone) to ensure villagers know their village boundary and the total protection zone boundaryNot yet due. This is part of activity under GEF MSP.Remove livestock that are grazing in the total protection zone along the Phathi Road, to prevent people entering the total protection zone (provincial contribution). Replace this with fodder production in the villagesNot yet due. Part of provincial activity, in coordination with GIZ Livestock project.Construct and place “no entry” signs at the entrance to the total protection zone along the Phathi Road, and add boundary marker posts along total protection zone near the road. “No entry” signs to total protection zone along the road*Not yet due. Part of action plan implementation.Quarterly monitoring and reporting on Co-Management Plan implementation for Government follow-up and twice yearly progress reporting shared with Development Partners; quarterly reports to be based on MIST (which presents data on mobile and forest patrols frequency, location and outcomes), other monitoring (e.g. of number of vehicles entering the road) and presenting progress updates on all activities. Reporting via quarterly field reports in Lao language to MoNRE and Provincial Governor for follow-up and via twice yearly progress reports in English and Lao to all stakeholders and the Advisory Group.Not yet due. This is part of Co-Management Plan implementation, and included in GEF MSP.Develop a plan for the medium to long-term co-management of NE-PL NPA infrastructure, in particular the Phathi Road, including a needs assessment of the use of the Phathi Road and analysis of alternative options, and a review of other existing and planned infrastructure and development for NE-PL NPA*Develop, finalize and endorse a medium to long-term road co-management plan through:WCS and field staff to develop plan at site and in Vientiane in consultation with NPA Unit, MoNRE, KfW/GIZ, DoF, DoFI, Province and World Bank. Send draft plan to stakeholders (Advisory Group, Provincial Governor Office, NPA Unit, and Provincial environment office, PoFI, Provincial and District Military, MoNRE, MAFF, World Bank, NGOs, KfW/GIZ). Hold a workshop to gain consensus and endorsement of the plan.Not yet due. This is part of MSP activity.BudgetThe total cost for two years of start up and operation, including Government in-kind contribution, would be in the range of $334,990.Of this, $268,070 is non-government funded. $66,920 is Government in-kind (salaries for field staff). Of the $334,990 total cost, 55% is covered by activities that were planned before the road; 45% is incremental (i.e. new costs incurred for co-management of the road). Much of the cost outlined above will be dedicated to one time investment in infrastructure and training; the annual running costs of road co-management are expected to be around $23,960 non-government and $18,200 government in-kind if the road remains open and if livestock grazing along road is eliminated within first two years. (See detailed budget in Annex 2)Role/ResponsibilityMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE): commits to: (i) officially designate the northern extension as part of the NPA, (ii) review quarterly reports, and (iii) provide advice and oversight to the NPA Management UnitMinistry of Defense: commits to (i) restrict road access to emergencies and (ii) assign military staff to a small unit at each end of the road to restrict access until the substation is strong enough to do the work, which would be assessed by number of incursions.Ministry of Foreign Affairs: commits to: (i) ensure that all agreements outlined in this action plan with respect to road co-management are adhered to.Houaphan Province and Vieng Thong and Sam Neua Districts: commit to: (i) limit road access to emergency use and protected area staff (as per MOFA letter June 10, 2011), (ii)set up a system of permits for emergency access, (iii) provide skilled staff for checkpoints and patrols (including military, police, district line ministry staff) and other activities included in the short-term co-management plan, (iv) develop medium to long-term plan for road co-management, (v) assess alternative options for road, and (vi) Provincial Governor to undertake follow-up action based on quarterly field reports prepared by the NPA Management UnitHouaphan and Luang Prabang Provinces: commit to formally designate the proposed northern extension as part of the NPA Protected Area Manager: commits to (i) provide coordination and oversight of staff working in NPA (including field visits to the road and field operations), (ii) respond to requests for information from central government, World Bank and WCS regarding the road co-management, (iii) train field staff to do road co-management (with WCS support), (iv) coordinate with DAFO and WCS to implement the activities included in the plan (ranger stations, mobile road patrols, gate control, outreach and land use planning in villages, livestock access control), (v) prepare quarterly field reports in Lao language shared with Provincial Governor and MoNRE for follow up action, (vi) prepare twice yearly progress reports in English and Lao, and (vii) share progress reports with World Bank, KfW/GIZ, Provincial and District Governors, MoNRE and Advisory GroupLocal community: has responsibility of abiding by the access restriction and permit system, and will be involved by having community members as part of patrol/substation teams. This is necessary for local level buy-in and awareness and for local knowledge and local language ability within the teams.Local NGOs: While there are no environment local/national NGOs that operate in Houaphan area, the team will attempt to find ways to involve the limited number of national NGOs to support this Plan. There may be a role for the local branches of the Lao Women’s Union and the Lao Front for National Construction at village and district levels, possibly to (i) support capacity building, (ii) help with conflict resolution (up to a point), (iii) help with strategic (two-way) communication between communities and implementing agencies. NGOs are unlikely to act as a counterweight to Government or play an advocacy role as they do in other countries. Implementing NGO: WCS would be involved in operational work on the ground, and an Advisory Group, comprised of protected area/species conservation experts and with NGOs participation will be active in advice and oversight to the Plan and the MSP. Specifically, WCS commits to (i) on the ground oversight, (ii) ongoing dialogue with local government, (iii) provide TA to assist government to develop a medium to long-term plan for road co-management.Other International NGOs: WWF’s and TRAFFIC’s primary role is to advise on technical aspects of the action plan development and implementation. The INGO involvement to date includes: i) WWF and TRAFFIC discussing planned activities under the action plan; ii) WWF and IUCN will attend (as an observer) the discussion with government on the plan; and iii) WWF and TRAFFIC joined as member of the Advisory Group for action plan implementation. World Bank: WB responsibilities are supervision - both technical and fiduciary supervision of the WB-GEF funded project; specific task includes (i) regular supervision, (ii) ongoing dialogue with government from local to national level, (iii) facilitate provision of some GEF 4 MSP funds towards co-management, (iv) provide advice and financial assistance on medium to long-term plan for road co-management and an assessment of alternative options to the road.KfW/GIZ: commits to: (i) regular supervision, (ii) ongoing dialogue with government from local to national level, (iii) provision of Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation Project (CLiPAD) funds towards some of the short-term co-management plan (pending finalization of planning) Advisory Group: members have agreed to: (i) review twice yearly reports and provide recommendations, (ii) provide advice when requested by WCS/GoL, (iii) help build consensus on the content and implementation approach for the medium to long-term road co-management plan; (iv) do site visits.TimelineShort-term road co-management: a two year period for training, establishing systems and any small infrastructure and operations for road co-management (early second quarter of 2012 – end of first quarter Dec 2013)Medium to long-term: co-management and assessment of alternatives, to be developed as a Government-Partners activity by 2014, with technical assistance included as part of GEF 4. Key IndicatorsShort-term: proportion of people who accessed road with permission versus people found to have entered without permission (as measured by MIST analysis from patrol data); number of people found in the total protection zone without permission; number of violations of Forestry and Wildlife Law and NPA Regulations in the total protection zone in the area of the road (including poaching)Medium to long-term: progress towards improved planning /control of infrastructure dialogue on road decommissioning tiger numbers stable or increasedprey numbers increaseddecreasing number of incursionsFunding SourcesShort-term:Government WCSBilateral (KfW, GIZ, others)GEF 4 (design/document adjustments detailed in section 3 below)PantheraUSFWSMedium-term:IDA (Strengthening Protection and Management Effectiveness for Wildlife and Protected Areas ) – to be confirmed GovernmentAnnex 1: MapsLocation of NEPL in Laos, and the Total Protection Zone, Management Zone, and Proposed Extensions for NEPL NPA.Map of Nam Et – Phou Louey National Protected Area in Lao PDR, showing the extent of the Phathi Road upgrade as of 29 December 2011.Sun Ong SubstationPhati SubstationRoad upgradeAnnex 2: Budget and activities of short-term road co-management (See attachment)Annex 3: Timeline (See attachment)Annex IVSummary of Bank’s Due Diligence on the Development of Phathi RoadNam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area, Lao PDRThe World Bank does not support the development of the Phathi Road in Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area (NE-PL NPA). However, the World Bank recognizes the Government’s position concerning the importance of the road for emergency use (as stated in a June 10, 2011 letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)). In light of these circumstances, a Co-Management Plan was prepared and discussed amongst relevant stakeholders in the country, including government agencies at the national, provincial and district levels, and amongst international NGOs. The Co-Management Plan is intended to act an action plan to outline how to minimize and mitigate the anticipated impacts of the Phathi Road in the multi-use NE-PL NPA, especially, but not exclusively, in relation to the threatened tiger population. This summary represents the status of dialogue, commitments and accountabilities for monitoring and reporting, as of March 21, 2012.There is a broad consensus, including within Government agencies, that the development of this road creates potentially serious challenges to conservation objectives. The road has caused some tree loss and the road may increase human access to the area, which could result in increased poaching and habitat encroachment. In the management of the road the essential needs are: control of human access, effective law enforcement on the ground, and the improvement of local understanding concerning the significance or linkages of species to ecosystem health and human livelihoods. The threats posed by the road have to be mitigated through extensive foot patrolling in the area along the road, controlling access from the two ends of the road and raising the awareness of local communities. This is reflected in the Co-Management Plan mentioned above that was prepared in consultation with WCS, other Development Partners (KfW/GIZ), and other international NGOs (WWF and TRAFFIC) in the country and region to facilitate the government in managing the use of Phathi Road. The Government of Laos maintains primary responsibility and accountability for the Co-Management Plan. However, there is a need for Development Partners (DPs) to assist all levels of Government in the near-term to: (a) develop an understanding of how to concurrently manage development activities and conservation efforts, (b) assist in building capacity towards better coordination amongst government agencies at the national, provincial and local levels regarding conservation and development, and (c) balance short-term needs versus longer-term sustainable -development that can benefit both global/national biodiversity goals and local communities. It is imperative that the Bank in coordination with other DPs and NGOs continues to develop a constructive engagement regarding protection of this site with all levels of Government, including keeping the Government of Lao PDR actively engaged in the global tiger conservation agenda.On-the-ground in Lao PDR, and supported by their Headquarter, the key non-government partner and beneficiary is WCS, who is committed to stay and work with Government at NE-PL NPA in recognition of the high biodiversity of the site, including the last known breeding tiger population in Indochina, unique value in high carnivore diversity, and as one of the most important landscapes globally for the Critically Endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon. WCS has an MOU with the Department of Forestry, MAF titled “NE-PL NPA Management and Tiger Conservation Project Phase IV” that operates until September 30th 2015 (at the next MOU renewal time it will be converted to DFRM under MoNRE, now in charge of NPAs). There are numerous funding partners to WCS for the NE-PL NPA with key funding sources including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Panthera and the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund. Additional key partner are KfW and GIZ, who are working with WCS and the Department of Forestry (MAFF) to deliver the Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation Project (CLiPAD) at two national protected areas in Laos, of which one site is NE-PL NPA. This is a seven-year project that is currently in advanced stages of project design, and will be implemented from mid-2012.Additional DPs expected to maintain and/or expand their engagement in NE-PL NPA over the coming years includes KfW/GIZ, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Panthera, Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF), and the World Bank (through IDA-GEF and IDA/JSDF-PRF). In addition to DPs who are funding onsite activities, other partners (including WWF-Greater Mekong Program, and Traffic-SEA) have agreed to play an advisory role.Actions Taken Following the Commencement of Phathi Road ExpansionSince learning of the road re-opening, the World Bank Country Management Unit (CMU) advised GoL via meetings and in a letter (2 March 2011) of the Bank's concern that the Phathi Road is inconsistent with both Government regulations and policies, and that the road represented a substantive threat to the integrity of the NE-PL Total Protection Zone (TPZ) which is one of the key objectives of the proposed GEF-4 operation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by letter (No. 694/MFA, 10 June 2011) recognizing the concern of the World Bank on the consequences of the road construction, and wrote that the Provincial authority would undertake the following measures:The road would not be open to the general public. It would be restricted to only emergency situations and the protection and preservation of the NPA in accordance with the Law and MOU signed. As well, the road would be used for facilitating the work of rangers.The Provincial authority would adopt strict measures regarding road use and set up check points to regulate the entry and exit to and from this road. The Lao Government would undertake every measure to ensure that all NPA regulations would be observed and strictly implemented. Considering the biological significance of the NE-PL NPA, in June 2011, the Bank requested that WCS complete an assessment of the Phathi Road’s potential impact to tiger’s and other species’ populations and habitats. WCS completed the assessment in August 2011 and it was received by the Bank. The report highlighted that the road could potentially increase the level of human access to the Totally Protected Area (TPZ) and could facilitate increased livestock grazing, agriculture, temporary settlements, and poaching. These are the primary threats to the tiger, its prey populations, and other species. In addition, loss of canopy connections may affect gibbon groups, if any are found to occur along the Phathi Road area. Addressing these potential threats is the first priority of the Co-Management Plan. However, the direct destruction of habitat from the road construction is not a key threat to wildlife populations.The area of the Phathi Road is not the core area for the known gibbon groups in NE-PL NPA of the critically endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon. Based on MIST analysis of patrol data, 14 gibbon groups have been recorded in NE-PL NPA: 13 were recorded in the western half of the NPA, and one in the eastern half of the NPA, which is where Phathi Road is located. Scientific surveys are required to determine whether there are additional gibbon groups in the eastern half of the NPA, especially along the Phathi Road. As noted in the WCS biodiversity assessment, gibbons are an arboreal species and are reluctant to descend from the trees to cross the road. Thus, if any gibbon groups are found to occur along or near the Phathi Road, the greatest threat to gibbons would be the habitat fragmentation caused by the road creating a break in any existing canopy.The CMU issued a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental (MoNRE) (December 8, 2011) requesting the Ministry to organize a multi-stakeholder meeting in Vientiane with the objective of reaching a consensus on the Phathi Road Co-Management Plan. A second letter was issued from the CMU to the MoNRE (December 16, 2011) proposing a site visit in December by the World Bank team, Government counterparts, and other DPs to review the Co-Management Plan and to gather additional information on the status of road construction (e.g. road alignment, road width, number of villages at either end of the road, status of EIA process, etc.). A joint WB-Government site visit was conducted from December 28 - 30. The action plan was discussed, provincial authorities reacted positively to the Co-Management Plan, and the status of the Phathi Road was recorded during a site visit on December 29, 2011. The Department of Environmental Impact Assessment (DESIA) under the MONRE held a working level meeting on February 9, 2012 to discuss at a technical level the proposed Co-Management Plan. Prior to this meeting the draft action plan was translated into the local language. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Ministry of Defense (MOD), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Department of Forest Resource Management (DFRM)/MONRE. The major topic of discussion was the proposed roles and responsibilities of each agency for the implementation of the action plan. Each agency agreed to discuss with and seek advice from their management on the proposed responsibilities. A final meeting to discuss and confirm permitted road activities, roles and responsibilities, and proposed financing was held on March 16, 2012. This meeting was convened by the MoNRE and government participants included representatives from the Provincial Governor’s office, the NE-PL NPA Manager, Ministry of Defense, Department of Forest Resource Management (under MoNRE), Department of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (DESIA) (under MoNRE), Department of Forest Inspection (under Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Works and Transportation. Non-Government participants included the KfW, German Embassy, CliPAD, WCS, Word Bank. IUCN, WWF and the national NGO, Lao Wildlife Conservation Association. Parties agreed that the utilization of the road would be restricted to emergencies (related to national defense, natural disasters or medical), and park management. As well, participants agreed that a small military unit will be posted on each end of the road to ensure enforcement is adequate until the number of illegal incursions decreases to an amount manageable for park staff. The DESIA is drafting a letter to record what topics were discussed and agreed upon at this meeting, as well as to guide government agencies on future actions required. Proposed Future Actions An Advisory Group to support the design and implementation of the Co-Management Plan (both short and medium to long-term) and the GEF 4 MSP is proposed to be established. The Advisory Group will include international experts on protected areas and species conservation working on a pro-bono basis to ensure inclusion of best global practice and review and endorse the proposed activities. The ToR of the Advisory Group includes:Conduct an initial review before implementation starts and review the bi-annual co-management plan implementation progress report, which provides a summary from MIST, update on any issues with the road and its co-management, and progress of the co-management plan implementation.Based on the co-management plan implementation reports, provide recommendations, and an overall assessment. Be available to review and provide input on the medium to long term co-management plan as it is developed.Be available for site visits. Provide advice to GoL/WCS (implementing agencies) and to the World Bank (supervision agency) on the road co-management as requested.The travel cost for the Advisory Group’s visit to Lao PDR will be funded by the GEF 4 MSP. In initial discussions with the proposed group members, all have confirmed interest and availability, as well as endorsing finding a way to remain engaged at NE-PL NPA. Proposed members are:Mr. Stuart Chapman, WWF Greater Mekong Program DirectorDr. William Schaedla, TRAFFIC SEA DirectorTBC.WCS will act as the Secretariat of the Advisory Group, as well as organizing logistics. Given the Advisory Group is comprised of only three members, it is anticipated that there would not be a convener within the Group, as no member would be expected to have a neutral voice.To respond to the WCS’s report concerning the threat of habitat fragmentation to any potential gibbon populations along the Phathi Road, more information is required. The core population of gibbons is located in the western half of the NPA, not in the eastern half where the Phathi Road is located. Only one group has been recorded in the whole of the eastern half of the NPA. These records come from ground patrols, and no scientific surveys across the whole NPA have been conducted. The gibbons prefer primary forest whereas along much of the road there is largely degraded forest. Nevertheless, Duckworth (2008) has noted that gibbons will persist in degraded forests if not heavily hunted. Considering that this is a critically endangered species, a survey in the forested (i.e. non grassland) habitat along the Phathi Road will be conducted to ascertain whether any gibbons are present. This will be completed before May 2012, as the gibbons will stop calling during the wet season. If gibbon groups are located, then efforts will be made to augment canopy crossing opportunities (such as rope crossings). One World Bank project is planned to co-finance livelihood development for conservation activities within the GEF 4 MSP. The community driven development portion of Poverty Reduction Fund Phase II (PRF) is financed by a Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF) grant and has been under implementation since the beginning of FY12. The JSDF is active in one of the same target districts as the GEF 4 MSP (Vieng Thong - the main area of NE-PL NPA traversed by the Phathi Road) and is providing livelihood grants and training at community level. ................
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