Case Studies: Forestry & Natural Resource Management
Armenia, Natural Resource Management & Poverty Reduction Project, 2001, World Bank
The project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of natural resource management agencies, to provide support to a coherent legal, policy and economic framework as well as to build the capacity of local communities to better sustain their livelihoods. The project consists of three components: Participatory watershed management; forest management; and protected areas management and biodiversity conservation. LTS provided specialist expertise in forest policy, law, institutional review, protected areas and management planning for the preparation and appraisal of the forest and biodiversity components of this project. The consultants provided by LTS had the overall responsibility for the preparation of two components, resulting in a full project appraisal document for the World Bank.
Cameroon, Mount Cameroon Project (Phase 2 & Exit), 1999-2002, UK Department for International Development
The project developed mechanisms for resource use and conservation in the high conservation value forests of Mount Cameroon. Partnerships for forest management were formed with a range of stakeholders, including village users, national institutions and a major agro-business plantation corporation. The capacity of resource users and other stakeholders to implement a participatory strategy for sustainable use and conservation of forest resources in the Mount Cameroon region was developed and demonstrated by measurable impacts on livelihoods by forest user groups. Key forest resource information was factored into innovative forest management planning methods for use by Forest Officers and community forest managers. The project was based in the Limbe Botanic Garden, which was transformed into a semi-autonomous and viable research, training and information management institution providing services in participatory biodiversity conservation. In the exit phase, the technical assistance managed by LTS put emphasis on strengthening institutional capacity to take on vital roles and services.
Cameroon, Establishment of the Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation (CAMCOF), 2002-2003, Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation/UK Department for International Development/United Nationas Development Programme
The project aimed for the Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation (CAMCOF) to obtain Global Environment Facility (GEF), Private and Public sector funding to support conservation and sustainable development initiatives within the Western Cameroon Mountains ecosystem. LTS International guided a participatory planning process that analysed threats to the ecosystem and their causes, and formulated programmatic priorities drawing on local and scientific knowledge and tested approaches for local level conservation and sustainable development.
Ecuador and Guyana, Development Potential of Chainsaw Logging and Milling and Associated Decision Guide, 2006, UK Department for International Development - Forestry Research Programme
This is a research project designed to clarify the conversion efficiency of chainsaw log conversion, the flow of costs and benefits that arise and the potential for improving skills and lowering impacts through application of modified reduced logging techniques. The starting point was a comprehensive strategic review of chainsaw conversion, from which the experimental protocols for the field studies were developed. The results from the marketing, conversion and socio-economic studies when combined with the questionnaire outcomes provided the basis for the decision support system. This provides guidance at policy, planning and practitioner levels on how to identify situations where chainsaw conversion could be appropriate and on the conditions, support and control systems that may be required. The project held a regional workshop in Guyana jointly with FAO Regional Forestry Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ghana, Protected Areas Development Programme (PADP), 2006-2009, European Commission
The prime objective of the EC-financed PADP (Phase II), is to enhance the conservation of biodiversity heritage in Ankasa and Bia Conservation Areas, as well as the Krokosua Hill Forest Reserve which is a designated Globally Significant Biodiversity Area. PADP II (2006-2009) will consolidate and extend the on- and off-reserve achievements of its first phase, in particular securing long-term management prospects for the focal protected areas. LTS will help achieve this through further improving the conservation and management capacity of the Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission, and by complementing park infrastructures for administration and tourism. Phase II is primarily an institutional strengthening intervention, with emphasis on building the capacity of existing local institutions and personnel, and enhancing the effectiveness of existing infrastructure. This approach requires LTS to play a catalytic role to enable the Wildlife Division and other sectoral stakeholders to build sustainable management through the provision of technical and mangement support.
Guyana, 1999-2000, Barama Company Limited
The project aimed to improve the management and operation of Barama Company's forestry operations to enhance the commercial, environmental and social value of its resources. In the first phase, LTS International developed a Programme of silvicultural and operational research to improve the quality, accuracy and use of information for sustained yield forest management. This included monitoring the environmental and social impacts of a large logging operation and operational audit. In the second phase, LTS International provided Management support to develop enhanced practices and procedures for planning, management and harvesting.
India, Project Formulation for an Integrated Natural Resource Development and Poverty Reduction Project, 2003-2004, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation
JBIC commissioned a review of the Social Forestry aspects of this EU funded Project. The Project focuses on the nature of the operations of Village Forest Committees and the potential to impact on marginalised groups. LTS provided a social forestry specialist to review the social forestry aspects of the project performance. The specialist provided recommendations on improving the effectiveness of planting activities under the joint forest management component and on the Haryana Forest Department implementing structure.
Indonesia, Tropical Forest Management Programme, 1992-2000, UK Department for International Development
This DFID-funded £20 million programme was designed to promote and develop sustainable management and conservation of forests in Indonesia. The main activities involved developing policy and strategic aspects of forest management within the Ministry of Forestry and improving inter-Ministry co-ordination. Systems were established to estimate yield, reduce loss from logging damage and improve practical silvicultural techniques. LTS was responsible for overall management of the programme and provision of technical and professional expertise to the five major sub-projects focussing on policy and strategic advice at ministerial level, development of new concession management systems, pioneering community conservation initiatives, silvicultural research, wetlands conservation, and national training programmes
Indonesia, Citarik Watershed Management Project, 2001-2003, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation
LTS provided specialist expertise in local NGO capacity building to support communities in the Citarik sub-watershed to better self-organise, and to advise on technical matters related to agricultural improvements. These capacity building efforts will prepare the ground for a smoother implementation of the follow-on project. The specialist provided by LTS assisted the NGOs to re-focus rural development through a stakeholder-based self-help approach, set up & improve community-based NRM systems, introduce participatory planning methodologies, in particular to integrate women in the planning process, to bring in private sector expertise in marketing & food processing, and establish rural credit schemes and cooperative banks.
Indonesia, Growth and Yield Modelling Framework, 2001-2002, University of Edinburgh
The project aimed to develop knowledge and generic tools for yield regulation of natural forests in tropical developing countries. LTS has facilitated a process to ensure local stakeholders participate in decisions related to future allocation of timber harvested from local forests. The work aimed to develop sustainable utilisation of forests and more equitable distribution of benefits. A pilot study led to a model and illustrated that by embarking on a sensible yield regulation process and using a simple toolbox it becomes feasible for management to integrate resource information rapidly and easily and assess what quantity of timber can be feasibly cut, and weaknesses in information collection and management will be exposed that should be remedied.
Kenya, Arabuko Sokoke Project, 2000-2001, BirdLife International/European Commission
Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining block of natural forest on the East African Coast. The forest is a remarkable biodiversity resource and is regarded as a key forest for bird conservation in mainland Africa, with a high proportion of endemic species unique to the forest or coastal area. A five-year management plan for the reserve was required, as well as a strategic twenty-year plan. LTS provided the services of a forest management planning specialist to focus on actions required for effective forest management, concentrating on natural forest, and to facilitate the development of a forest management plan. Recent international forest management experience and the evolving Kenyan operating environment in terms of forest and protected area policies, strategies and stakeholders, were all taken into account.
Kenya and Tanzania, Review of Microfinance Initiatives in Protected Area and Environmental Contexts in East Africa, 2007, World Wildlife Fund and CARE International
As part of a multi-county lesson learning exercise LTS was contracted to review six microfinance schemes that have been established over the last eight years in the context of protected areas and ecosystem conservation projects with the objective of assessing their performance against environmental, social and financial criteria. LTS identified the need for and designed a review of selected savings and loan schemes that have been established in the context of protected area or natural resource management projects. LTS worked in partnership with WWF and CARE Tanzania to secure the funding and personnel to carry out the review. Using participatory social approaches to evaluate schemes, LTS led the field review of six project sites. LTS examined the short and long-term financial viability of the schemes, their environmental sustainability and socio-cultural acceptability. The results and lessons were compiled analysed and presented for consideration by the LTS, WWF and CARE partnership.
Malawi, Privatisation of Commercial Forest Plantations, 2001, UK Department for International Development
The privatisation of Malawi's commercial forest plantations is an important element of the recently launched Malawi NFP. DFID and the Malawi Forest Department had prepared an outline of a project to privatise its commercial forestry plantations, to augment resources committed and to integrate Finnish assistance. LTS provided a team of specialist to prepare the project including aspects of feasibility and financing. The purpose of the project is to transfer the management of commercial forest plantations from the public to private sector in a transparent, accountable and effective process addressing poverty, sustainability and equity issues.
Malawi, Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (IFMSLP), 2006-2009, European Commission
LTS has been associated with Malawi for many years - we managed both the Social Forestry Training and Extension Project and the Forestry College Development Project from 1997-2005 and LTS staff experience in the country stretches back over 30 years. This successful track record continues with the implementation of the EC-financed IFMSLP (2006-2009) which LTS manages in association with Agrisystems. The overall objective of the programme is to increase household income and improve food security through more sustainable management of natural resources. The IFMSLP is working in 12 districts of the country with the Forestry Department and District Governments. LTS will support decentralised service provision, small enterprise development and collaborative management through the provision of 8 technical advisors to the 3-year programme as well as comprehensive project management services.
Montenegro, Forestry Sector Development in Northern Montenegro Project, 2003-2006, Lux-Development
To support the Government of Montenegro in the transition to a market economy, this project aims to support the whole state forest sector, from planning and execution of forest resource management to the processing of final wood products including their marketing. The key areas in forest resources include forest management planning and seedling production. In the wood utilising sector the project aims to improve both the wood-raw material procurement and the processing capability of the industry. Selected state-owned forest enterprises and processing industries will be revitalised by providing logging and wood processing equipment, supplemented by appropriate training and technical assistance. LTS provides the International Project Coordinator and project management and technical support. The IPC is responsible for organising the project implementation in the North East region and in Podgorica and reports directly to Lux-Development on Project implementation.
Sierra Leone, Environmental Impact Assessment of the Bumbuna Hydro-electric Dam, World Bank and the National Power Authority, 2004, Nippon Koei Ltd. & BMT Cordah Ltd, UK
The Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project (BHP) is located on the Seli River, about 250 km northeast of Freetown, Sierra Leone. It consists of an asphalt-faced rock-filled dam (88 meters high), two multipurpose tunnels and a powerhouse at the base of the dam with a design capacity of 50 MW. The BHP is the first stage of a five-stage program for 275 MW ultimate capacity. A single-circuit 161 kV transmission line will transfer Bumbuna's power to Freetown and intermediate towns. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project was prepared in 1995. However, the original EIA was prepared under the constraints of an emerging civil war and was out of date and non-compliant with current World Bank operational guidelines. In 2004, LTS participated in a consortium responsible for updating the EIA. Our specialist team conducted a rapid biodiversity and land management assessment of the reservoir and immediate catchment areas in order to determine whether endemic or rare species and land-based livelihoods will be adversely affected by the project.
St Helena, Access Project - Environmental Assessment and Management Support Consultancy, 2006-2007, UK Department for International Development
The volcanic island of St Helena rises from the South Atlantic Ocean some 1,200 miles from the coast of Africa. The development of an airport is being considered. Following feasibility studies, the DFID recruited LTS in association with Fabuer Mansuell to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposals and produce an Environmental Assessment Report. In addition, we are now preparing an Environmental Management Plan and Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan in advance of the appointment of a Design, Build and Operate contractor. These documents will inform the tendering process for the operator and provide a basis for the design, construction and operation of the airport in manner that ensures that the highest possible standards of environmental management are met.
Tanzania, Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project , Phase III, Final Project Review, 2003, CARE International
The Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project is an integrated conservation and development project that was established by the Zanzibar Department of Commercial Crops, Fruit and Forestry (DCCFF) and CARE Tanzania, in 1995. The project objective is to conserve the unique biodiversity of the forest reserves and associated buffer zone known as the Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Area while enhancing the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Phase III has focused on developing a sustainable institutional landscape and addressing the issues of people's livelihoods. This has been done by using a participatory approach towards building a stronger civil society, and using a strategy that linked income generation to tourism. The GEF component of the project has provided support aimed at securing the long term biodiversity conservation status of the area. In particular GEF has provided support to the DCCFF to complete the process of National Park gazettement for Jozani as well as promoting community involvement in the conservation and management of the Conservation Area.
Tanzania, Serengeti-North Luangwa Ecosystem Project, 2006-2007, Frankfurt Zoological Society
The Serengeti-North Luangwa Ecosystem Management Project is a 5-year integrated conservation, development and landscape management initiative being jointly implemented by Frankfurt Zoological Society, with co-financing from the European Commission. Project activities focus on the practical application of the Approach's five operational guidelines: establishing inter-sectoral ecosystem cooperation mechanisms; improving understanding of ecosystem processes and functions; decentralising management to local institutions; improving benefits and incentives for local stakeholders; and introducing adaptive management systems. LTS is providing process support to the project in terms of technical direction, strategic and operational planning, and monitoring and evaluation. The action will help strengthen policy and practice that builds a central role for local communities in ecosystem management and, ultimately, will help ensure that key African ecosystems provide lasting conservation and livelihood benefits.
Timor Leste, Rural Development Programme II, Identification and Appraisal Missions, 2005, European Commission
Based on the EC Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Plan 2005-06, this project supported the Government of Timor-Leste in the identification and appraisal of a second integrated Rural Development Programme (RDP II) to be financed by the EU with a budget of € 9 million. By focusing on agriculture and rural infrastructures, the project targeted poor rural communities in remote and isolated areas in the western districts of the country. The agriculture component focused on food production and availability to improve food security; forestry, agro-forestry and watershed management; forest policy; as well as institutional and capacity building. The rural infrastructure component focused on ensuring access to markets and primary services, and connecting communities to the district towns as well as to the capital Dili. LTS provided 2 experts for the identification and appraisal missions
Uganda, Forest Resources and Conservation Management Programme (FRMCP), 2002-2006, European Commission
The long-standing programme aims to build upon the initial EC support to forestry, taking forward conservation and sustainable forest management and support the establishment of compensatory timber plantations by the private sector. In addition to support to the predecessor Natural Forest Management Project in the mid-nineties and the detailed design of FRMCP in 1999, LTS has provided various inputs over the last 4 years (2002-2006), including: site assessment and species recommendations for Uganda, tree improvement for timber plantations, yield studies for Uganda's main plantation species, non-wood forest product assessment methods, assessment of technology for boundary survey work. In 2005, LTS advised the Sawlog Production Grant Scheme on helping Uganda establish a viable fiscal framework for plantation investment by using existing economic models, and assessing the impact of different scenarios that included varying levels of grant payment and different taxation systems.
UK, Review of Environmental Impact for Short Rotation Forestry in GB, Forestry Commission, 2005, Forestry Commission
The general objective of this study was to provide an assessment of the potential environmental impact of short rotation forestry using fast growing broadleaved trees in the UK. The recent interest for fast growing non-native species for energy generation/ biomass has raised concern on their potential impact on ecosystems. The review addressed all the environmental aspects of SRF plantations in terms of soil quality, water table balance, pest and diseases risk assessment, along with challenges related to landscape and biodiversity issues. Economics and carbon issues were also reviewed. In partnership with 4 institutions, LTS carried out the study and provided a team of specialists in forest plantation, biomass energy, carbon management, landscape and water management.
Uzbekistan, Establishment of the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve as a Model for Biodiversity Conservation, 2003-2005, United Nations Development Programme
LTS manages a sub-project on Community Forestry and Reforestation. The overall goal of the sub-project is to address the biodiversity threats from forest loss/degradation, by developing sustainable forestry use and restoration models which are: easily replicable, founded as far as possible on traditional existing / historical practices and customs, and provide sufficient socio-economic benefits as to make widespread adoption likely. Activities will build ownership and responsibility within local communities and as a result be more likely to be sustained and supported in the long term. An emphasis will be placed on utilizing traditional knowledge and customs as far as is practically possible, thereby building on existing skills and helping to ensure appropriateness of activities for local conditions.
World, Best Practice Guidelines - Sacred Natural Sites: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers, 2007, IUCN-UNESCO
The IUCN Best Practice Protected Area Management Guidelines are recognised at the definitive work on protected area management, offering advice based on syntheses of worldwide experience by a team of international experts, and subject to a rigorous peer review. LTS is now the lead editor and is providing management services to the drafting of IUCN-UNESCO Best Practice Guidelines - Sacred Natural Sites: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers. This includes reviewing tasks of all editors, developing a work-plan, liaising with World Congress on Protected Areas Best Practice Series editor and the IUCN publications unit. Support the facilitation of a consultation process with key stakeholders, especially indigenous custodians of sacred sites. It also includes a literature review and the development of case studies for inclusion in the guidelines. The final product is a print ready text with the inclusion of graphic materials. The role also includes the raising of supplementary funds for the guidelines.
