WWF Central Truong Son (Annamites) Biodiversity Conservation Initiative 2004-2020

Mr. Huynh Tien Dung BCI Project Manager WWF Greater Mekong Programme Workshop on "Experiences and Challenges in Biodiversity Policy Development in GMS Countries, 19-21 August 2009, Hanoi, Vietnam

Presentation content
1. Introduction to Central Annamites (Central Truong Son) 2. Introduction to WWF Central Annamites Biodiversity Conservation Initiative (programme) for period 2004-2020 3. Key projects implemented by WWF in the Central Annamites 4. Brief introduction to Green Corridor project. 5. Brief introduction to BCI project. 6. Recommendations on policy related to biodiversity conservation

1. Introduction to Greater Annamites (Truong Son)

The forests of Lower Mekong

In 1998, WWF embarked on Ecoregion-based conservation approach to allow for planning and coordinated action across larger spaces to address protection of viable species populations and ecosystem processes. The Greater Annamites (GA) -Truong Son is in the list of 238 ecoregions identified by WWF as international priorities for conservation (Global 200 list). The Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) where Greater Annamites located is ranked by WWF as the top six of highest priority regions of global importance for conservation. In 1999, WWF developed Ecoregion Action Programme to conserve biodiversity of Forests of Lower Mekong (04 ecoregions) including GA.

1. The Central Annamites (Central Truong Son)

Greater Annamites covers 173,800 km2 and 52% of the whole country. It is very important for the resources based economies of Laos and Vietnam. The Central Annamites supports a variety of ecosystems and habitats; and comprises some of the most unique and threatened wildlife on Earth. It provides shelter, resources and environmental services to 30 million Vietnamese. Its ecosystem services: climate moderation, erosion control, reducing flood, water regulation and generation of clean water, etc.

1. The Central Annamites (Central Truong Son)

WWF has prioritized 15 landscapes of critical importance within Greater Annamites (GA).

Due to the outstanding biodiversity value and high degree of threats, the Central Annamites was chosen as a pilot landscape for WWF efforts in GA.

2. The Central Annamites Biodiversity Conservation Initiative 2004-2020

Based on
Biodiversity Action Plan for Vietnam (BAP) approved in 1995 by VN Prime Minister Greater Annamites Ecoregion Programme developed by WWF in 1999,

The Central Truong Son (Annamites) Biodiversity Conservation Initiative period 2004-2020 was developed by WWF in partnership with Vietnam Forest Protection Department and approved by Vietnam Government (MARD) in March 2004.

2. The Central Annamites Biodiversity Conservation Initiative 2004-2020

Long-term objective:
To establish an integrated mosaic of complementary land-use and development practices to protect, manage and restore natural resources and biodiversity in the Truong Son during the industrialization and modernization process of Vietnam, while also contributing to institutional development, good governance and an increased standard of living for local people.

Target areas of the Initiative:

1. Conservation:
The global biodiversity values of Central Truong Son (CTS) will be protected, maintained and restored for the benefit of the people of CTS and Vietnam to contribute to national and international conservation efforts.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Awareness and responsibility:

To increase the responsibility of every individual, organization, and local community in CTS landscape to protect, manage and restore ecosystems in the area.

Legal framework:
To establish a legal, policy and institutional framework to strengthen the management, protection and restoration of natural resources.

Capacity strengthening:
To strengthen the capacity and skills for all stakeholders to protect, manage and restore the natural resources.

Economic Development:
To manage forest resources and biodiversity at a sustainable level in order to raise the standard of living for local people, contributing to poverty alleviation and hunger eradication, and meet the demands for socio-economic development. This full strategy can be downloaded at: www.panda.org/downloads/ecoregions/thectceci.pdf

2. The Central Annamite Biodiversity Conservation Initiative 2004-2020

The Initiative (programme) was divided into 3 phases: Phase 1 (2004-2010): Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable Landscape
To create the foundations for long-term conservation and remove the immediate threats to highly threatened habitats and species

Phase 2 (2011-2015): Expanding the Priority Landscape

To expand the representation of biodiversity through all of the landscape including restoration of degraded habitat, improve the quality of the ecosystems and maximize the sustainable benefits from natural resources and biodiversity.

Phase 3 (2016-2020): Making the connection

To establish effective habitat corridors between the Central Annamites landscape and neighboring landscapes to ensure evolutionary processes are maintained.

The Initiative is one of the worlds first comprehensive large scale (landscape level) conservation efforts.

3. Key projects implemented by WWF in the Central Annamites

This Initiative provides the framework for all WWF activities in the Central Annamites. Key projects implemented by WWF in Central Truong Son include:
MOSAIC project (Management Of Strategic Areas for Integrated Conservation) in Quang Nam (2002-2006). The project worked with communities and
authorities to enhance their capacity to plan and manage natural resources in order to protect forests and the wildlife they contain.

Green Corridor project in Thua Thien Hue (2004-2008) funded by Worldbank and SNV. This project was to protect and enhance the forest area stretching between Bach
Ma National Park and Phong Dien Nature Reserve.

Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI (2006-2009) project in Quang Nam and Quang Tri funded through ADB. Securing and Establishing Sustainable Management of Forest Assets for Ethnic Communities project (ended in 2009) in Quang Tri funded by Danida. The
project is working with Dakrong district to provide local ethnic communities with the legal rights, knowledge, skills and capacity to use and manage their natural assets over the long-term.

3. Key projects implemented by WWF in the Central Annamites

Key projects implemented by WWF in Central Truong Son include (cont):
Linking Trade Demand and Sustainable Forest Management in the Greater Mekong Project (2007-2010) funded by SECO. GLOBAL TRADE NETWORK- Sustainable Forest Management Solutions for Poverty Reduction (2008-2009) funded by SNV. Biodiversity Education in the Lower Secondary School Project (2007-2011) funded by WWF Switzerland. Establishing Sustainable Production Systems for Rattan Products in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (2009-2011) funded by EU, IKIA and DEG. Supporting law enforcement to reduce illegal wildlife trade in the Central Annamites bottleneck area project (2009-2011) implemented by WWF in close cooperation with TRAFFIC. Projects on conservation of Saola, Tiger, etc. Etc.

4. Introduction to Green Corridor project

Green corridor project: 04 year project (20052008) implemented by the WWF Vietnam and Forest Protection Department of Thua Thien Hue province, with funding from the World Bank - GEF, WWF, Thua Thien Hue PPC and SNV. The Green Corridor is the area between Bach Ma National Park and Phong Dien Nature Reserve in Thua Thien Hue province. It is one of the last remaining lowland wet evergreen forests, and supports populations of threatened species and has been identified as one of the highest conservation priorities in Vietnam. Aim: to protect and maintain the Green Corridor landscape by strengthening management and capacity building.

Project working areas:

1. Strengthening conservation and illegal activity prevention Forest landscape restoration and supporting local communities Capacity building and awareness raising Forest landscape monitoring and evaluation

2.

3. 4.

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

BCI is a regional project funded through ADB. Five components of BCI 1. 2. Poverty reduction Harmonized land-use management Eco-system connectivity Capacity building Sustainable financing

3. 4. 5.

BCI Project sites

Quang Tri province 2 districts 21 communes

In Quang Nam: 7 districts 50 communes

Biodiversity Corridors in the Central Truong Son Ngoc Linh Xe Sap Biodiversity Conservation Corridors

Biodiversity corridors

Quang Tri

Hue

Da Nang Hoi An (UNESCO site)

3D map of the Corridors

Quang Nam

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 1. POVERTY ALLEVIATION 20 CDF (commune development fund) established, fund transferred to 17 CDF (72.000 USD), a number of livelihood models piloted: rattan development, turtle farming, goat raising, cow bank, etc (520 households benefited). Livelihood forest planting: 572 ha planted. Community based nurseries: 11 established. Collection of socio-economic data as inputs for preparation of Commune Investment plans for all communes

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 1. POVERTY ALLEVIATION (Continue) Development of improved cultivation method:
E.g. Improving sloping land cultivation

Improved community based forest management

Training provided and awareness raised Village forest protection patrol team established (43 teams established). Signed common agreement by 36 villages for nonhunting areas. Evaluation of the effectiveness of CBNRM as a mechanism for enhancing biodiversity conservation and alleviating poverty.

Researches:
Market analysis study assisting communities in linking products and markets; Sustainable forest model inventories; Study on the mitigation of socio-economic effects of illegal artisanal gold mining. Etc.

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 2. LAND MANAGEMENT

Preparing land tenure certificates to the villagers involving in livelihood planting activities ( more than 500 households, 1 ha per household). Support land use planning and land allocation (LUPLA).
Intervention activities were identified through consultation meetings and workshops. LUPLA trainings provided to communities. 3 pilot plans for commune LUPLA developed using participatory approach are completed and submitted for approval.

Establishment of mechanisms for legal harvesting by communities.

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 3. ECOSYSTEM CONNECTIVITY

The biodiversity corridors have been defined.

6 corridors with the total area of 130.000 ha in 3 provinces.

Forest restoration, enrichment and natural generation by communities: (653 ha planted), Support and strengthening protected areas and nature reserves as bases for the corridors:
Boundary design and demarcation, Awareness raising, Capacity strengthening, etc.

Support in the development of the draft Biodiversity Corridor Decree

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 3. ECOSYSTEM CONNECTIVITY
(Continue)

Research:
land cover mapping; database design, biodiversity surveys, biological assessment and monitoring camera trapping, flagship species, amphibian and plant surveys, etc.

Law enforcement activities:

capacity building, snare and trap removal (5898 traps and snares), violators camps destroying (147), bush fence clearance (33.000 m), confiscation of 100 m3 of timber, handling and care of confiscated wildlife, release of captured wild animals, etc.

Successfully recommended to stop 6 hydropower plant proposals and 01 mining activity in the project area (corridors).

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 4. CAPACITY BUILDING

Training need assessment conducted: Various training courses conducted:

(49 courses conducted and more than 1100 people benefited)
Forest site mapping GIS training x 3 Community facilitation skills Nursery management Forest planting Camera trapping Nature Crime Investigation Law enforcement Biodiversity survey Conservation education training Land Use Planning and Land Allocation Market Assessment and Value Chain Species survey techniques CDF training Domestic and international study tours

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 4. CAPACITY BUILDING (cont)

Awareness raising: A variety of awareness raising activities on biodiversity conservation undertaken such as education campaigns, environmental education network, school contests, posters, leaflets, etc.

5. Brief Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative - BCI Project (2006-2009)

COMPONENT 5. SUSTAINABLE FINANCING
An evaluation study on the opportunities for payments for environmental services was completed in Quang Tri. Involving in pilot testing of Benefit Sharing Mechanism for A Vuong Hydropower plant in Quang Nam (for finalizing the Decree on establishing longterm benefit sharing arrangements with local communities adversely affected by hydropower projects ). Preliminary evaluation of Harnessing Carbon Finance for the Biodiversity Corridors of the Central Truong Son Other SF options are considered such as promotion of eco-tourism in the nature reserves...

6. Recommendations on policy related to biodiversity conservation

Clear management mechanism for nature reserves and protected areas. Finalization of Biodiversity Decree Official education (in the universities) for staff working in protected areas (currently, they are mainly forest rangers). Investment policy in nature reserves or protected areas. Long-term support for communities living in the buffer zones of projected areas . Procedures for natural forest allocation to the communities. Interprovincial (tranboundary) cooperation for the management and conservation of biodiversity. Legal and guiding documents on sustainable finance options such as PES, carbon finance, eco-tourism in nature reserves or protected areas, etc.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION