COLOMBIA Naya Biological Corridor in the Munchique-Pinche Sector GEF Medium – Sized Project Project Brief December 23, 2002 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS IDENTIFIERS:................................................................................................................................... 4 OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT ENDORSEMENT: ..................................................................... 4 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................ 6 PROJECT SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... 7 PROJECT IDENTIFIERS ................................................................................................................... 7 PROJECT LINKAGE TO NATIONAL PRIORITIES, ACTION PLANS, AND PROGRAMS ....... 8 PROJECT OBJETIVES AND ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................... 9 PROJECT RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES .................................................................................. 9 INDICATORS..................................................................................................................................... 9 EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOMES................................................................................................ 9 INDICATORS..................................................................................................................................... 9 PLANNED ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE OUTCOMES ................................................................. 10 INDICATORS................................................................................................................................... 10 ESTIMATED BUDGET (IN US DOLLARS) .................................................................................. 12 INFORMATION ON PROJECT PROPOSER. ................................................................................ 13 INFORMATION TO BE COMPLETED BY IMPLEMENTING AGENCY .................................. 15 PROJECT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: PO 57026 ..................................................................... 15 IMPLEMENTING AGENCY CONTACT PERSON:...................................................................... 15 PROJECT LINKAGE TO IMPLEMENTING AGENCY PROGRAM(S): ..................................... 15 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................... 19 PROJECT RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................ 19 PROJECT OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................. 20 THE CURRENT SITUATION ......................................................................................................... 21 PROJECT OUTCOMES ................................................................................................................... 23 2 ACTIVITIES AND FINANCIAL INPUTS ...................................................................................... 23 SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT ....................................................... 26 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ...................................................................................... 28 RISKS ............................................................................................................................................... 28 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN PROJECT FORMULATION ........................................... 29 INCREMENTAL COST ASSESSMENT......................................................................................... 31 DATA COLLECTION AND PARTICIPATORY PLANNING ...................................................... 31 BENEFITS OF THE BASELINE ..................................................................................................... 32 BENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE ..................................................................................................... 34 INCREMENTAL COSTS ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................... 35 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ............................................................................................................ 35 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN ................................................................................................... 38 MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN ................................................................................. 41 ANNEX 2. MAPS (1. DELINEATION OF THE CORRIDOR ECOSYSTEM, 2. NUCLEUS ZONES OF THE CORRIDOR, 3. ACTUAL CONSERVATION AREAS AND PROPOSED CONSERVATION AREAS) ............................................................................................................ 46 MAPS 1. DELINEATION OF THE CORRIDOR ECOSYSTEM ................................................... 46 MAPS 2. NUCLEUS ZONES OF THE CORRIDOR ...................................................................... 47 MAPS 3. ACTUAL CONSERVATION AREAS AND PROPOSED CONSERVATION AREAS 48 ANNEX 4. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ........................................................................ 50 ANNEX 5: FOCAL POINT LETTER AND GOVERNOR OF CAUCA LETTER ....................... 52 ATTACHMENT 1: PROCURMENT ............................................................................................... 53 ATTACHMENT 2: PROGRESS REPORTS, DISBURSEMENTS, AND AUDITS UNDER THE PROJECT .......................................................................................................................................... 54 3 MEDIUM SIZED PROJECT BRIEF Naya Biological Corridor in the Munchique-Pinche Sector PROJECT BRIEF 1. Identifiers: PROJECT NUMBER: PROJECT NAME: Naya Biological Corridor in the Munchique-Pinche Sector DURATION: IMPLEMENTING AGENCY: EXECUTING AGENCY: REQUESTING COUNTRY OR COUNTRIES: ELIGIBILITY: GEF FOCAL AREA: GEF PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK: 3 years World Bank Consortium Naya Corridor (Proselva, CIPAV, ACISO) Colombia Colombia ratified the CBD on 24 November 1994 in national law 165 of 1994 Biodiversity Operational Program # 3. Forest ecosystems, and # 4 Mountain Ecosystems. 2. SUMMARY: The objective of the project is to improve the management of biodiversity in the Munchique-Pinche Sector through the establishment of the Naya Biological Corridor (NBC). 3. COSTS AND FINANCING: Preparation: GEF Block A: Co-financing: (Proselva, CRC, UAESPNN): Total Preparation Implementation: GEF MSP: Co-financing Incremental Co-financing Baseline TOTAL Implementation US$ 25,000 15,000 40,000 725,000 825,000 641,000 2,191,000 TOTAL project cost (PDF+MSP) 2,231,000 4. Operational Focal Point endorsement: Name: Mr. Fabio Arjona Organization: Ministry of the Environment Title: Minister Date: 11 August1997 Name: Mr. Juan Mayr Organization: Ministry of the Environment Title: Minister Date: 12 March 2001 6. IA CONTACT: Karin Shepardson Latin American and Caribbean Regional Coordinator The World Bank Tel : 202-473-3689, Fax 202-614-0087 4 kshepardson@worldbank.org Juan Pablo Ruiz Soto Natural Resources Management Specialist LCSES- Colombia LO Phone (57-1) 326 -3600 Link 528+233 Fax (57-1) 326-3480 Link 528+240 jruiz@worldbank.org Paola Agostini Natural Resources Economist World Bank Tel: 39 06 57054325 Fax: 39 06 570 54657 Home: 39 06 57 28 8712 pagostini@worldbank.org 5 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ACIESCA ACISO ASMET CARs CEPF CI CINC CIPAV CRC CBD EPSA FSC GEF GIS HERB IavH NBC MDL NGO NRMP OP PA PC POT REA RICC SPS SC TC UAESPNN UNFCC WWF WB Association of Indigenous Councils for Eperara Siapidaara of Cauca Association of Indigenous Paeces of the West of Cauca Mutual Association of Hope for El Tambo Autonomous Regional Corporations Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund Conservation International Administrative Consortium of the Naya Corridor Sector Munchique El Pinche Center for Research in Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems Autonomous Regional Corporation for Cauca Convention on Biodiversity Pacific Electricity Company S.A. Forest Swearhook Council Global Environmental Facility Geographical Information System Hydrology Ecology and Regional Biodiversity Project Alexander von Humboldt Biodiversity Research Institute Naya Biological Corridor in the Munchique-Pinche Sector Clean Development Mechanism Non-governmental Organization Natural Resources Management Project Operational Program Project Auditor Project Coordinator Land Use Planning at Municipality Level. Rapid Ecological Assessment Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca Sustainable Production Systems Steering Committee Technical Committee National Natural Park System Special Administrative Unit United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change World Wildlife Fund World Bank 6 PROJECT SUMMARY PROJECT IDENTIFIERS 1.Project Names Naya Biological Corridor in the MunchiquePinche Region 3. Country in which the project is being implemented: Colombia 5.GEF Focal Area: Biodiversity. 2. GEF Implementing Agency: The World Bank 4. Country Eligibility: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD ratified November 24th, 1994 ) 6.Operational Program/Short-term Measure: This proposal is framed within the Operational programs of Forest Ecosystems and Mountain Ecosystems (OP 3 and 4) 7 7. Project linkage to national priorities, action plans, and programs The Naya Biological Corridor (NBC) project in the Munchique-Pinche Sector of Colombia will contribute to the implementation of Colombia’s National Biodiversity Policy (1997), which is the specific legal and policy instrument associated with the Convention on Biological Diversity that was ratified by Colombia in 1994 and incorporated into the National Development Policy in 1998. The National Biodiversity Policy has a three-pronged strategy, aimed at: i) conservation of biological resources, ii) equitable and sustainable use of biological resources, and iii) improved knowledge. The Colombian Government through the Ministry of Environment is promoting the “Policy for the Consolidation of the National System of Natural Areas Based on Community Participation in Conservation “(UAESPNN, 1999) This policy supports efforts to increase both the quality and quantity of land devoted to natural habitats and provides opportunities for their management under the concept of a biological corridor. The Ministry has also developed a strategic plan “The Collective Environmental Project”, which will integrate the conservation of water, biological diversity and forest resources. The area that encompasses the NBC has been identified by the Ministry of Environment as a strategic ecoregion for sustainable biodiversity management and development, (Workshop-Planning Processes for Southeast of Colombia, October 2000). In addition, in February 2002, the GOC launched a new program for sustainable ecosystem management of the high mountain Paramos. This program will target areas that are considered to be fragile ecosystems and will work in close collaboration with the GEF NBC initiative. Some of the more important aspects of the Paramos Program are: (i) research on ecological goods and services; (ii) zoning and environmental planning of the Paramos ecosystem; (iii) identify and prioitize flora and fauna in support of ecological restoration projects; (iv) development of the regulatory framework for ecosystem management of the Paramos; (v) promote the conservation of the Paramos ecosystems; and (vi) develop strategies for environmental education, communications and local participation in the sustainable management of the Paramos. The area of the proposed project lies within the Chocó Biogeographic Region, a region identified as a Critical Ecosystem by Myers 1988, and a “biodiversity hotspots” as identified by Mittermeier et. al in 1997. Moreover, the Alexander von Humboldt Biodiversity Research Institute (IavH) in their National Report of Biodiversity (1998) confirmed that the Pacific slopes of the Colombian Andes are a priority conservation area due to: (i) their high level of endemism, (ii) a considerable number of threatened species; and (iii) a significant proportion of natural habitats remaining in a relatively unspoiled condition. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a joint initiative of Conservation International (CI), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank, designed a fund to safeguard the world's threatened biodiversity hotspots. The Fund’s scientists along with input form stakeholders in Colombia and Ecuador selected the Chocó-Andean Corridor, as one of the priority projects. Based on Stakeholder consultations, 7 priority areas were selected for for Colombia including the NBC. Due to budget constraints, the CEPF will work in only three of the 7 areas. The NBC was excluded because this proposed NBC project was well advanced in its preparation. There is no geographic overlap between the CEPF selected areas and NBC, but there will be important thematic and operational complementarity. 8. GEF National Operational Focal Point and Date of Country Endorsement Block A: The project was given the official support of the Ministry of the Environment of Colombia. Correspondence from Mr. Fabio Arjona, Vice-Minister of Environment, to Ms. 8 Christine Kimes, 11 August 1997. MSP Brief: The project was endorsed by Colombia’s Ministry of Environment. Correspondence from Mr. Juan Mayr Maldonado, Minister of the Environment and GEF Focal Point, to Ms. Teresa Bradley, 12 March 2001. PROJECT OBJETIVES AND ACTIVITIES 9. PROJECT RATIONALE AND INDICATORS 1. 60% of the Corridor under different schemes for OBJECTIVES The rationale of the project is the conservation conservation and sustainable use and sustainable use of biodiversity and the development of strategic land use planning in the Naya Corridor Sector Munchique-Pinche based on stakeholder participation in conservation and in the establishment of activities encouraging biodiversity-friendly agricultural production. 1.1 Land use and management plans for the NBC The objective of the project is to establish produced and in the process of implementation, through participatory methods the NBC in the considering the NBC as a dynamic and functional unit Munchique-Pinche Sector Bioregion. of planning. The Specific Objectives of the project are to: 2. At least 60% of the conservation areas established (i) Develop a long-term strategy that allows the conservation and sustainable management of natural ecosystems that contain biodiversity of global importance; (ii) Create a biological corridor between core conservation areas; (iii) Integrate biodiversity conservation with the development of sustainable production systems; (iv) Develop environmental land use planning within the ethnic and social dynamics of Afrocolombian groups, the Paeces and Eperara-Siapidaara indigenous communities. 10. EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOMES INDICATORS 1.Corridor delimited and zoned in a 1.1Existing information about biodiversity, land use, participatory manner. and socio-economic and cultural aspects of the corridor will be compiled and presented in thematic maps as an input into the delimitation and zoning. 9 2. Network of protected areas established 2.1. Biophisical and sociological studies of the potential for the delineation and establishment of protected areas with input from local communities 2.2 Inclusion of 3 new conservation areas in the Regional Protected Areas System 2.3. Implementation of management and monitoring plans approved by local communities. 3. Three Pilot Areas for sustainable production 3.1. Management Plan for 10 Microwatersheds in the and natural resources sustainble use 3 pilot areas designed. implemented 3.2. Development of a monitoring system for land use change in the three pilot areas 4. NBC known by decision makers at local, regional, and national level. Local organizations strengthened and active on implementation of NBC. 4.1 NBC present in the Local, Regional, National Development Plan 4.2 Local, Regional, National organization actively promoting the NBC 5. Executing organizations strengthened for the 5.1 CINC successful in administrative and continuing development of the NBC organisational processes 5.2 Presentation of proposal to different institutions for further funding of the NBC TO INDICATORS 11. PLANNED ACTIVITIES ACHIEVE OUTCOMES 1. Data Collection and Participatory Planning 1.1. Two desk-studies about biophysical, socioof the NBC. economic and cultural aspects of the NBC. 1.2 Eleven fieldtrips to verify and share the biophysical, socio-economic and cultural information with representatives from social groups in each region. 1.3 Three field trips to collect the additional primary level biophysical, socio-economic and cultural information. 1.4. Six thematic maps as inputs for the preliminary zoning. 1.5. Eleven workshops to analyse and define the final zoning of the NBC. 1.6. Design of monitoring program for the NBC based on the baseline and annual land use changes. 2. Consolidation and Promotion of Protected 2.1. Eleven workshops to identify applicable criteria Areas in the NBC. in defining the new protected areas system which will be comprised of existing protected areas and three new areas. 2.2 Six events (touring workshops), for the delimitation, selection and participatory creation of new protected areas. 10 3. Sustainable Production and Natural Resources Management in the NBC: 2.3 Two workshops to organise and integrate the protected areas. 2.4. The design and execution of a management plan for the Tambito Reserve. 2.5. The strengthening of human resources in three training centres in the Munchique National Park. Capacity at these centers will be improves so as to provide specialized training in the management of protected areas and biodiversity conservation. 3.1 Four courses on Sustainable Production Systems, Forest Management, and Certification. 3.2 Four training events and four mobile courses for: 1. Sustainable Production Systems (Eastern (a) participatory planning and environmental NBC) management, for biological diversity, systems of production, and environmental monitoring; 2. Forestry Certification (Western NBC) (b) forest sector planning 3.3. Four training events for young people from Afrocolombian, indigenous and farming communities on the following themes: (a) Recognition of the value of traditional systems of production and sustainable use; (b) development and application of technologies of sustainable agriculture; (c) environmental monitoring; and (d) methods for participatory research. 3.4. Implementation of Sustainable Production Systems on at least 15 farms, and of Forestry Management Plans in at least 3 forest areas. 4. Education and Communication in the NBC. 4.1. Eight training events for 30 community leaders in organisational processes, environmental land use planning and GIS. 4.2. An educational training module on conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources for rural schools in the area of the NBC. This module will be taught in year 2 and 3 of the project. 4.3. Four media productions (a book, a web site, and a multimedia presentation, and a set of 3 videos); a radio program of 48 episodes (one per week) in magazine format for the community and indigenous T'eek sek Jeñi radio station and the radio station of the University of Cauca. 11 5. Project Management 5.1. Implementation for the CINC an administrative, organisational and accounting system compatible with the procedures of the implementing agency. 5.2. Coordination Meetings - with other institutions and organizations working in the NBC. 5.3. Two Workshops for monitoring the development of the project 5.4. 3 meetings of the Steering Committee per year 12. Estimated Budget (in US dollars) Project Preparation Block A (GEF): Co-finance (Proselva, CRC, UAESPNN): Total Preparation: $ 25,000 $ 15,000 $ 40,000 Implementation: GEF: Co-finance Incremental: Co-finance Baseline Total Implementation: $ 725,000 $ 825,000 $ 641,000 $2,191,000 12 13. Information on Project Proposer. In order to strengthen the potential impact of the proposed project and recognizing their different and unique roles and professional expertise Proselva Foundation, CIPAV and Association of Paeces Indigenous Councils of the West of Cauca created in 2001 the Administrative Consortium of the Naya Corridor Sector-Munchique El Pinche (CINC).. CINC will be the institution responsible for project execution. 1 CINC is made up of the PROSELVA Foundation, the Center for Research in Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems (CIPAV) and Association of Paeces Indigenous Councils of the West of Cauca (ACISO). These NGOs are complementary at both the organisational and thematic levels with each one having its respective specialization in different but complementary fields: conservation of biodiversity in tropical forests (Proselva), biodiversityfriendly sustainable productive systems (CIPAV) and community participation (Cabildos). PROSELVA is a non-profit NGO, registered with the Chamber of Commerce on July 8,1992 in Popayan (Cauca). Its mission is to promote the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity in the forests of the Choco Biogeographic region. In collaboration with different national and international institutions, Proselva has developed research on: species richness, palynology, population dynamics (especially birds), forest ecosystems and plant composition, ecological processes (e.g. the hydrological dynamics of tropical forests). They also have experience in simulation modelling and environmental monitoring. A substantial amount of PROSELVA’s efforts have been directed towards the Private Reserve of Tambito in the Naya area which was acquired in order to increase the knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. CIPAV is a non-profit NGO created in 1992. Founded by a group of farming families with well developed links to the agricultural research community, its mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of the region through applied research, capacity building and the introduction of production systems appropriate for tropical agro-ecosystems. In their 8 years of work, CIPAV has developed a number of different projects, and are working at the moment with the indigenous Paeces communities in the area of the proposed NBC. Their research program for the next 3 years includes: Aquaculture and the recycling of organic waste, sustainable agro-forestry systems, sustainable tropical cattle husbandry, renewable energy for farming systems, and the sustainable management of tropical soils. The third member of the CINC is the Association of Paeces Indigenous Councils of the West of Cauca “Teec juencha yuunisa sec cjeenijuwe'sh” (ACISO) registered legally in the General Directorate of Indigenous Organizations of the Ministry of Government by means of Resolution 026 of the 26th of July 1999. Its territory includes the Indigenous reserves of Honduras, Chimborazo and Agua Negra located in the municipality of Morals (Cauca). ACISO’s mission is to engage processes directed to the maintenance of the unity and culture of the Paez ethnic group through projects in the areas of health, bilingual education, traditional livelihoods, sustainable farming production, environment and communications. It is currently implementing projects in the areas of identifying appropriate technologies, enhancing traditional productive processes, conservation of biodiversity and the education and training of community leaders. UASPNN and CRC --- two governmental organizations ---are “honorary” members of the CINC, since they have participated very actively in the preparation of the project and have been strong promoters of the NBC and of the regional protected area network. During project implementation representatives of UASPNN and CRC will provide input through their participation in the project Technical Committee (TC) and through regular informal contacts with communities. Additional information on project implementation can be found in Annex 4. Legally a "Consortium" was authorised in 1993 under Law 80, Article 7, and defined as an entity in which two or more people legally and collaboratively present the same proposal for award or execution of a contract and respond in a shared and common capacity to all of the obligations derived from the proposal and the contract. 13 14. Information on executing agency: Same as above 15. Data of initial submission of project concept: 11 August 1997 14 INFORMATION TO BE COMPLETED BY IMPLEMENTING AGENCY 16. Project Identification number: PO 57026 17. Implementing Agency contact person: Karin Shepardson Latin American and Caribbean Regional GEF Coordinator The World Bank Tel : 202-473-3689, Fax 202-614-0087 Kshepardson@worldbank.org Juan Pablo Ruiz Soto Task Manager Natural Resource Management Specialist LCSES- Colombia Phone (57-1)326 3600 Link 528+233 Fax (57-1)326 3480 Link 528+240 Jruiz@worldbank.org Paola Agostini Natural Resources Economist World Bank/ Tel: 39 06 57054325 Fax:39 06 570 54657 Pagostini@worldbank.org 18. Project linkage to Implementing Agency program(s): The project is consistent with the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) of the World Bank (WB) for Colombia, which identifies the protection and the conservation of the environment together with macroeconomic stability as the essential elements in achieving sustainable development. In particular, the CAS suggets that special attention should be paid to: (i) enhancing the capacity of environmental management authorities (including indigenous organizations) and seeking opportunities for partnerships with other government agencies, the private sector, NGOs, and academia; and (ii) promoting economic opportunities for the less-favored sectors of the population through environmentally sustainable activities. The World Bank financed the Natural Resources Management Project (NRMP) loan WB/3692-CO which included activities for the demarcation of indigenous territories, as well as support for the National Parks System in the Chocó Region (1993-2000). The NRMP, which began in 1993, has provided useful technical information as well as helping to establish the prerequisites for stakeholder participation, particulary among the rural poor. The current WB GEF portfolio falls within the biodiversity thematic area and includes initiatives under four different Operational Programs (#2, #3, #4, #12, #14) and the crosscutting issues of land degradation and watershed management. GEF resources are critical for supporting the global incremental costs of biodiversity conservation and for providing a platform for strengthening national co-ordination in the sector, as a complement to regional action at the field level. The natural resources and GEF portfolio projects share a similar vison and strategy which include:(i) the conservation of biodiversity of global importance, through the sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources; (ii) the identification and removal of barriers for sustainable production systems, as part of the strategy to prevent biodiversity loss; (iii) the participation of the local communities in the 15 definition and execution of the conservation strategy; (iv) the identification and implementation of a broad range of protected area management categories for a more comprehensive conservation strategy; and (v) decentralized environmental management at the regional and local level, as a necessary element for the success of any biodiversity conservation strategy. The WB/GEF Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Andes Region project has played a key role in advancing the analysis and the design of practical solutions for conservation and development in areas outside of “core” conservation areas. In Naya, conservation and sustainable production in agriculture are complementary in both a biological and socio-economic sense. The main lesson learned from previous and ongoing GEF projects in Colombia (UNDP/GEF Conservation of Biodiversity in the Choco Region, WB/GEF Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Andes Region ) is the importance of involving local communities in project formulation. In the Naya project, the Territorial Council of Cabildos has participated actively in the project’s formulation and is a member of the implementation “Consortium”. In the case of Naya, indigenous communities are not only beneficiaries of the project’s outcomes but have also played a key role in identifying the project’s priorities and activities. This should help to insure the long term sustainability of project outcomes. The UNDP/GEF Conservation of Biodiversity in the Choco Region (Biopacifico) project helped open up the discussion of the relationship[ between conservation and sustainable development . A key result of that project was the acceptance on the part of indigenous communities of the necessity to look for development alternatives which will permit the conservation of the areas rich biodiversity. The WB’s Colombian GEF biodiversity portfolio is comprised of seven projects, not including the proposed NBC. Of the seven, five are under implementation and two are in the preparation phase. A summary of those projects is described below. Under implementation: 1. Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Western Slope of the Serranía del Baudó (Choco) –Medium Sized GEF Executing Agency: Foundation Natura Colombia. The objective of this MSP is the development of a strategy for the sustainable use of biodiversity in the western slope of the Serranía del Baudó and the marine resources of its coastal area (Choco- Pacific Coast) in a joint effort between governmental institutions and civil society, designed to benefit local communities, within OP#2, Coastal, Marine, and Freshwater Ecosystems) and OP#3, Forests (GEF Approval April 1999; WB Approval June 1999; project start up September 1999). 2.Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Mataven Forest–Medium Sized GEF –Executing Agency: Etnollano. The objective of the project is to support the indigenous communities of the Matavén Forest to manage and conserve the area’s biodiversity in a sustainable way, thereby contributing to an improvement in quality of life and the preservation of their natural and cultural heritage. OP#3, Forests (GEF Council Approval, January 2001; WB Approval May 2001; project start up June 2001). 3. Caribbean Archipelago Biosphere Reserve: Regional Marine Protected Area System –Medium Sized GEF. Executing Agency: CORALINA. The objective of the project is to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable use of coastal and marine resources in the Archipelago, while enhancing equitable benefit distribution for the community, within OP#2, Coastal, Marine, and Freshwater Ecosystems (GEF-Council approval, May 2000; WB Approval June 2000; Project start up September 2000). 4. Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Andes region. – Full Size GEF –. Executing 16 Agency: Institute von Humboldt. The project's development objective is to increase conservation, knowledge, and sustainable use of globally important biodiversity in the Colombian Andes, within OP #4, Mountain Ecosystems, and OP# 3, Forests (GEF-Council approval, May 2000, WB approval June 2001, Project start up September 2001). 5. Regional (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia) Integrated Silvo-Pastoral Approaches to Ecosystem Management – Full Size GEF – Executing Agency: Nitlapan (Nicaragua), Catie (Costa Rica), CIPAV (Colombia). The objective of this project is to improve ecosystems functioning in three countries through the development of intensified silvopastoral systems that provide global ecological services and local socio-economic benefits, within OP#12. In Colombia, the area selected for the project is the watershed la Vieja River in departments of Quindío and Valle del Cauca (GEF-Council approval, May 2001, WB approval May 2002). Under preparation: 1. Conservation of Biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – Full Size GEF. Executing Agency: Fundación Prosierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The objective of this project is to conserve, restore and promote sustainable use of the mosaic of tropical ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, within OP #4, Mountain Ecosystems, and OP# 3, Forests (GEF-Council approval, Dic 1999). 2. Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in Colombia Medium Sized GEF. Executing Agency: Institute von Humboldt. The project's development objective is to increase capacity building in Biosafety in Colombia, within OP14-Biosafety as part of other Biosafety pilot projects. (PDF-A Approval December 2001). There is no geographical overlap between these projects, but there is an interesting synergy, especially among some of these projects, namely the Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Mataven Forest, the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Community Based Management for Conservation of the Naya (Choco), The Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Western Slope of the Serrania del Bando, the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Andes Region, and the Integrated Silvo-Pastoral Approaches to Ecosystem Management. The first three projects work with indigenous communities, and all five work on land management and sustainable use of biodiversity. The project in Serrania del Bando is being implemented in the Northern Region of the Province of Choco while the NBC will be implemented in the Southern Region. Both projects are highly complementary in that they will work with indigenous and Afro-colombian communities in conservation of biodiversity and sustainable land use management. A mechanism for sharing experiences among projects, such as exchange programs visits, and creating a network of communities working in different geographical areas on the same issues, has been incorporated into the design of these projects. The Conservation and Sustainable use of Biodiversity in the Andes Region Project provides a common framework to monitor biodiversity in Colombia through the development of biodiversity indicators in the different regions. The ongoing UNDP-GEF project “Colombian Massif” has similar objectives and activities to the proposed Naya project. It is being implemented in the area of the Central Cordillero while the Naya will be implemented in the Western Cordillero. The Naya project will also provide relatively more resources for activities in sustainable production systems. Colombian Massif is being implemented by the Unidad Administrativa Especial del Sistema de Parques Nacionales Naturales (UAESPNN). UAESPNN participated actively in the formulation of the Naya Project and through an agreement with the project’s implementing Consortium has assisted in the developed of activities in environmental education and characterization of the project area. This 17 relationship will allow for an ongoing and regular interchange of experiences among both projects’ professional staff and for participating communities. 18 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION A. PROJECT RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Project Rational Colombia is generally recognized as one of the five “mega diverse” nations in the world (Mittermeier 1998). With a total surface area of 1.14 million Km2 that represents about 0.8% of the world’s surface area, Colombia is home to about 15% of all known terrestrial species. This makes Colombia one of the countries with the highest concentration of species per unit area. The country has the largest number of species of birds and amphibians in the world and ranks high in the number of vascular plants and vertebrates. The proposed NBC is located in the Western Mountain range of the Colombian Andes in the Department of the Cauca, covering altitudes between 1500 and 3350 m.a.s.l. It covers an area of 350,000 Has, from the source of rivers Cajon, Azul y Minas, tributaries of the Naya river, to the river Guapi, an area that includes the high river basin of the Chuare river, the Munchique National Park, and the private reserve of Tambito as well as the Mountainous area of Pinche that connects the North and South sector of the NBC (see Annex 2: map 1). The NBC has 60% of its area in a pristine state and incorporates a significant part of the global biodiversity. With proper management, there exists the possibility of connecting ecosystems along with the development of a permanent altitudinal corridor in the Southern end of the denominated area – the Naya Sector Munchique Pinche. One of the factors that explains these high levels of biodiversity is the theory of Pleistocene refuges (Haffer, 1969) which postulates that periods of environmental and geographic isolation facilitated processes of speciation and the formation of endemics, followed by periods of interconnection of ecosystems that facilitated the process of species dispersion and intermixing. The NBC is surrounded by 2 refuges, one on the western flank, the humid refuge of Choco and another one in the Eastern flank, the dry refuge of the Cauca Valley and high river basin of the Patia river. Local environmental conditions such as high rainfall, broken topography, high relative humidity and the interconnection of ecosystems allow these evolutionary processes to continue. According to the classification made by the IavH (1998), the NBC incorporates 6 types of (attitudinally controlled) ecosystems: (1) Humid Sub-Andean Forest: This ecosystem is located at altitudes between 1000-2200 m.a.s.l. Physiognomically, this ecosystem is very similar to the forests below 1000 m.a.s.l, with the major difference being reduced density of lianas, rattans and ligneous epiphytes at lower altitudes (Cuatrecasas 1958, Inderena 1986). Within the western flank of the NBC, this ecosystem has little or no degree of human intervention. In almost every instance where new research is undertaken, a new species is identified. Examples include Oreomunnaea munchiquensis (Lozano, 1996); a new species of orchid Ornitocephalus bisaccoglossus, in the Tambito Reserve (Fernandez, 1991), and a new species of amphibian Atelopus negreti, Tambito Reserve (Ruiz & Ardila, 1995) (2) Humid Forest, Humid and Humid Dry Andean Forest and High Andean Forest: 19 The Andean and high Andean forests range from 2200 to approximately 2900 m.a.s.l and constitute unique ecosystems that reflect the true longitudinal interconnection of the NBC. Oak (Quercus) forests that previously dominated the national territory and whose dominant species at the moment are under threat also appear in this area. Generally 70-75% of the coverage is represented by oak stands, the other genera include Clusia, Podocarpus, Nectandra, Eugenia, Miconia, and Siparuna. The NBC is home to 23% of the remnant oak forests of the ecoregion, only 6% of which is protected (IAvH, 1998). It is also important to note that this 6% does not include the primary oak forests reported for Argelia municipality, which are not protected or under any management scheme. (3) Humid Paramo: These are denominated by "the Paramillos" which occur on the tops of the highest peaks, and have characteristics very different from the paramos of the western cordillera that are dominated by frailejonal- pajonal species. The paramillo of the municipality of Algeria is dominated by a new endemic species of frailejon (Espeletia nov. sp) and one bromeliaceae, Guzmannia gloriosa, (Becking, 1994). As far as the compilation of species lists for the NBC is concerned, research has been undertaken in the protected areas of Munchique National Park and Tambito Private Reserve as well as in the area contingent to the municipality of Algeria. Many areas of primary forest at a range of altitudes have not been studied. In terms of species richness With respect to the data on biodiversity for Colombia presented by several authors (Mittermeyer, 1997;IavH, 1998) along with the data on biodiversity obtained for the present project, a series of comparative calculations were made. Although the NBC comprises only 0.29% of the national territory, it contains 37% of the total species of mammals in Colombian Andean Pacific, 32% of the birds and 14% of the amphibians. In terms of plants, the NBC is home to 30% of the species of palms (Arecaceae) registered in Andean Pacific. In terms of endemism The region in which the NBC is located in a center of endemism for birds termed “the Pacific slopes of the Andes " (Stattersfield et al in press) and lodges 36% of the endemic and near endemic species of birds in Colombia, including Anisognathus notabilis, Semnornis ramphastinus, Eriocnemis mirabilis, Picumnus granadensis, Pionopsitta pulchra. Forty-Three endemic plant species are present, including Masdevallia cucullata, Killipia pedunculata, Trianae spectabilis, and Tibouchina elegantula, and 7 endemic amphibiams considered of national importance such as Atelopus famelicus, Hylia sarampiona, Eleuterodactylus cacao. Project Objectives The objective of the project is to establish an integrated ecosystem management program in the area of the Naya Corridor in the Munchique-Pinche Sector, integrating the use and management of biodiversity while encouraging biodiversity-friendly sustainable agricultural production systems. The specific objectives of the project are to: (i) Adopt a long term strategy that allows the conservation and sustainable management of protected natural ecosystems that contain biodiversity of global importance and are natural 20 (ii) (iii) (iv) areas that are threatened by processes of anthropic intervention; Create a biological corridor between core conservation areas; Integrate biodiversity conservation with the implementation of sustainable production systems; Develop environmental land use planning within the ethnic and social dynamics of Afrocolombian groups, the Paeces and Eperara-Siapidaara indigenous communities. B. THE CURRENT SITUATION Threats and Risks to the NBC The NBC is threatened by a number of demographic, agricultural, economic and institutional processes that threaten the conservation of its unique biodiversity. The most important threats are: EXPANSION OF THE AGRICULTURAL FRONTIER: The nucleus of Paeces communities, the nucleus of farming and indigenous communities near Munchique, and the nucleus of farming communities at Pinche have shown accelerated rates of deforestation over the last few years. The adoption of unsustainable agricultural practices that are inappropriate for the soil conditions suggest that without changes in behavior, the land will continue to deteriorate and the communities will be forced to meet their basic food requirements through the conversion of land and forests. FRAGMENTATION OF HABITATS: at present time the goal of the - PNN Munchique National Park management plan, is the protection of its natural ecosystem and species richness. However, there is a process of habitat transformation and fragmentation due to human pressures, particularly hunting pressures on threatened species such as the mountain bear, tigers and tapirs and human pressures for deforestation. LACK OF AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NBC FOR BIODIVERSITY: Despite being located in the mountain forest ecoregion of the northwest of the Andes - an area of priority for conservation at level of Latin America, the area of the proposed NBC is undervalued as a national ecosystem due to lack of knowledge of its biological importance. Lack of awareness of the importance of the NBC for biodiversity, coupled with ineffective and non-integrated conservation actions or inactions allow the flow of degrading anthrophic interventions. How baseline activities are addressing natural resources management issues. There are a number of important initiatives underway in the area of the proposed NBC. These initiatives are being implemented by local, regional and international organizations and are attempting to find solutions to which meet the dual objectives of sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity. Some of the more notable initiatives are: The National Park Systems has ongoing programs in the Munchique National Park. These programs emphasize community participation in natural resources conservation. The project Agrarian Systems in the Paeces communities of the Zone the West of Cauca is being carried out in association with the indigenous town halls of the west of Cauca state and by CIPAV. The project has developed pilot programs in appropriate agrarian technologies and has simultaneously been able to design strategies for community planning. The PROSELVA Foundation in collaboration with King's College, University of London, the CRC, the University of the Cauca, the Biological Resources Research Institute and CIAT is implementing the HERB project (Hydrology, Ecology and Regional Biodiversity). 21 The project employs field monitoring, geographical information systems and computer modeling to further understand the structure and function of tropical mountain cloud Forest (TMCF) ecosystems. The project is examining: (a) environmental controls on the distribution of species and of biodiversity, (b) hydrological and biophysical processes in TMCFS, (c) the process of land use change, (d) the impact of land use change on hydrological and biophysical processes in TMCF, and (e) the impact of climate change on hydrological and biophysical processes in TMCF. The project is building a monitoring capacity at a number of reserves in the Pacific Cloud Forest of Colombia, particularly the Pacific Environmental Training center of Tambito (Cauca). Project Negret was established in 1999 and is supported by the HERB Project, The Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC) at Columbia University, the CRC and The Royal Geographic Society, London. This project is developing innovative techniques in monitoring and modeling biological diversity in the tropical mountain rain forests of Cauca. In 2001, the CRC in collaboration with the Institute Geographic Agustin Codazzi initiated the project “Vegetation cover of the Pacific”. This project is working with Afrocolombian communities to reintroduce traditional agro-forestry systems. Another important activity in this project is the formulation of the management plan for the Community Council of the Napi', in the Municipality of Guapi and includes the Serrania del Pinche as a conservation area. The University of the Cauca through its education studies group for Indigenous and multicultural communities has developed professional level curriculum in ethno-education, research for the construction of curricula and teacher education in Eperara Siaapidara communities. This program, which began in 1996, has trained 28 teachers at university level and has produced educational material in accordance with the environmental and cultural surroundings of the indigenous communities. In the area of the NBC, there are a number of community- based conservation initiatives such as: 1. The Municipality of Algeria has developed tentative actions to obtain a declaration of the " Serrania of Vacas or Paramillos of Algeria " as a conservation area. 2. The Municipality of Algeria with the support of the CRC in 2000 initiated procedures for the declaration of this area as a “municipal reserve”. 3. The Association of Farmers of Micay (ASOMICAY) has managed to bring together the farmers of the region of Huisito in the high part of the river basin of the Micay river in the Municipality of El Tambo to conserve 10,000 Has of sub-Andean forest. Since 1999, this group has received support for the legal consolidation of this area of conservation by the Muchique Park Authorities. 4. The Paeces communities through internal agreements and self-regulation have declared the area above 2,700 m.a.s.l. as a strict conservation area (of approx. 29,000 has). 5. Local indigenous organizations of ACIESCA and ACISO are attempting to establish community norms and processes for the control, use and management of natural resources. Similar to the Meetings of Community action groups (JAC), this process is allowing a rethinking of the present unsustainable processes of production and through local initiatives establishes conservation areas. It has become obvious that these areas are extremely important as they provide most of the water resources for these communities. As a result of these actions, there has been a considerable reduction in the rate of deforestation. 22 C. PROJECT OUTCOMES Bearing these issues in mind, the results expected through the implementation of the NBC in the alternative scenario are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Corridor delimited and zoned in a participatory manner Network of protected areas established Three Pilot Areas for sustainable production and natural resources use implemented NBC known by decision makers at local, regional, and national level, and local organization strengthened on Natural Resources Management and active on implementation of NBC 5. Executing organizations strengthened for the continuing development of the NBC D. ACTIVITIES AND FINANCIAL INPUTS The project will be carried out over a period of three years. The following activities will comprise the core work under this MSP. Complete project budget details can be found in Appendix 2. 1. Data Collection and Participatory Planning: The existing bibliographical information on Biophysical, socioeconomic and cultural aspects of the NBC will be compiled. This information will be shared throughout the communities and complemented through workshops with representatives of each site. Using Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) through expeditions, field guided as much as possible by expert scientists coupled with traditional knowledge and local leaders, the missing data for this process of zoning will be collected. This process will be systematized through the GIS database elaborated previously with the components and variables necessary to support the 5 thematic maps (vegetal Cover, geology and geomorphology, cultural socioeconomic, land use, and key threats). Once the participatory zoning is produced, it will be revised through workshops with the involved actors, with the purpose of validating and implementing it. This work is especially important because the information available to communities for decision making lacks the required level of detail and technical analysis for well informed decision making. At the same time, there has also been a tendency for communities to lose key elements of traditional and ancestral knowledge on biodiversity. The development of the GIS database will make a major contribution towards guaranteeing that this knowledge will be preserved and passed on to future generations. In the same way, the development of the five thematic maps will assist the communities in their effort to monitor the use and management of natural resources. These maps will be developed and prepared with inputs from communities. The highly participatory approach will also serve as a methodology for knowledge building utilizing information generated by the GIS. Finally, the GIS will serve as a key element in the planning process for the NBC and more broadly within the entire region . The Baseline costs for this activity are estimated at US$60,000. The Total Incremental Costs is US$465.000 of which US$ 185,000 are requested from GEF and US$280,000 will be provided locally. 2. Consolidation and Promotion of Protected Areas: This component is focused on consolidation of the current protected areas and promotion of new areas under different IUCN categories for protection. The implementation of this component will be done in full coordination with UAESPANN and CRC, as it was the identification of the areas during preparation. Currently, the NBC has 87.329ha declared legally as a protected area. Approximately 137.000 additional hectares will be established as protected, an area which has been proposed by the communities 23 during project preparation (See Figure 1). Considering the great community disposition as far as the establishment of new protected areas is concerned, regional workshops will be undertaken to identify the criteria applicable to the definition, delineation and constitution of areas, including the development of different strategies for the management of these areas over sustained periods through the application of GAP Analysis. These workshops will facilitate the social and institutional recognition of the proposed areas. Correspondingly for the two existing protected areas, Tambito Private Reserve and Munchique National Park, the management plan is designed and executed with the intention of its consolidation as Environmental Training center of the NBC, whose function is the socialization of the information concerning the NBC. Discussion workshops for the establishment and agreement of intercultural regulatory systems and social control for the conservation of the park have already been developed. The long run success in establishing these new areas will to a large extent be dependent on communities having adequate resources to establish community based management programs. The national government will assist this process through the program of annual transfers to the Autonomous Regional Corporations (CARs), municipalities and indigenous communities “cabildos”. The UAESPANN has recently begun to actively promote the process of creating new protected areas, the Regional System of Protected Areas (SIRAP), and encouraging active community participation. This is deemed essential in insuring that resources for protected area management are designated and transferred based on a decision making process with local involvement. The project’s activities under this component will help insure that this process continues and becomes well institutionalized over time. The Baseline costs for this activity are estimated at US$100,000. The Total Incremental Costs is US$280,000 of which US$ 145,000 are requested from GEF and US$135,000 will be provided locally. Figure 1. TYPE OF AREA DECLARED 1.State 2.Private 3. Farming communities 4.Indigenous Paeces PROPOSED State LOCATION Ha. Muncipality National Park Munchique, NNPSSAU Area with primary forest (90%) and secondary forest (10%) Reserva Tambito, PROSELVA Area with primary forest (80% and secondary forest (20%) 44700 Tambo 3629 Tambo Reserva del Micay Area of primary forest (50%), secondary forest (30%) and pastures (20%) Altitude greater than 2700 masl between the reserves of Honduras, Chimborazo and Aguas Negras. Area with primary forest (70%) and secondary forest (30%) 10000 El Tambo 29000 Morales Areas of conservation identified in municipal TOPs 30000 Suarez y Tambo 24 2.Afrocolombian communities 3.Indigenous communities EperaraSiapidaara 4. Farming communities – Areas of primary forest (70%) and secondary forest (30%) Cerro Napi and Cerro Guapi Area of primary forest (100%) The high watershed of the river Chuare Area of primary forest (100%) Cerro Timbiqui Area of primary forest (100%) High watershed of the river Huisito Area of primary forest (70%) and secondary forest (30%) Naranjal Reserve Area of primary forest (100%) Cerro Pinche Area of primary forest (100%) 25000 Guapi, Timbiqui 5000 Lopez de Micay 25000 Timbiqui 10000 El Tambo 5000 Argelia 37000 Argelia 3. Sustainable Production and Natural Resources Management in 3 priority areas: With the intention of implementing pilot Sustainable Production Systems (SPS) projects and sustainable use of biodiversity in rural landscapes, 3 areas were identified: Nuclei Paeces, Nuclei Munchique, Nuclei Argelia The criteria used for the selection of the areas were: (i) interest in developing and adopting biodiversity friendly agricultural alternatives on the part of the inhabitants of the areas; (ii) biological importance for conservation; (iii) presence of local initiatives for the declaration and demarcation of conservation areas; (iv) representativeness of cultural groups; (v) local threat of the extension of the agricultural frontier; (vi) existing positive experiences of change in land use; To guarantee the appropriation of these activities, interest groups (made up of adults, young people and students) will be trained in biodiversity friendly sustainable systems. These are systems in which the use of agricultural land and watersheds is tied to appropriate technologies that contribute to the conservation and recuperation of natural resources and which do not negatively impact flora and fauna. The main output of the training programs will be groups capable of assuming the role of Promoters of Sustainable Rural Development. Given the cultural characteristics relating to the management of natural resources and the environment, the activities have been differentiated for the communities that live in different parts in the eastern and western flank of the mountain range for example: SPS (applied to the East NBC) and Forestry Certification (applied to the West NBC). East NBC. The project will stimulate strategic processes for the implementation of SPS by means of the installation of at least 15 farming exercises. The conceptual basis of SPS includes real property planning, training in environmental management, and the implementation of management and ecosystem recuperation projects. The project will stimulate strategic processes to guarantee 25 food security, to offer alternative employment and income that reduce pressure on natural resources through sustainable development approaches. This approach will involve indigenous communities and be based on the CIPAV pilot project for sustainable farming production is based on participatory action research. These pilot exercises will be conducted on land currently used for farming by the communities and will help identify suitable changes in farming practices which (i) improve overall food security; (ii) identify marketing opportunities for food surpluses; and (iii) provide for the long-term sustainable use of land appropriate for agricultural uses. In addition, the participatory ecological restoration will simultaneously develop plans for the management of micro catchments and stimulate the processes for community management based on conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources. West NBC. For the areas inhabited by Afro-colombians with support of the Working Group for Forest Certification for Colombia guaranteed by FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) and supported by the WWF, the management plans and forest cover planning will be implemented. The Baseline costs for this activity are estimated at US$426,000. The Total Incremental Costs is US$600,000 of which US$280,000 are requested from GEF and US$320,000 will be provided locally. 4. Education and Communication on the NBC. A strategy of outreach and communication on the conservation and sustainable use of the NBC along with the advances and achievements obtained by the project will be developed. The project will emphasize the incorporation of knowledge, sustainable use and valuation of the biodiversity in rural schools, considering the culture of each ethnic group. Education and outreach will occur through a communication strategy that operates at a number of levels: a) locally and regionally by means of radio documentaries, videos and programs. Supporting the radio programs are the cultural station of the University of the Cauca and the indigenous radio station of Paez; b) nationally through a multimedia presentation and a web site with links to various pages including the Ministry of the Environment and the IavH; and c) peasant to peasant experience and knowledge exchange. The Baseline costs for this activity are estimated at US$55,000. The Total Incremental Costs is US$145,000 of which US$70,000 are requested from GEF and US$75,000 will be provided locally. 5. Project Management: Promoting organizational strengthening of the consortium of NGO's: This activity is directed towards the strengthening of the consortium for administrative and operational aspects of the project. The Baseline costs for this activity are US$ 0.00. The Total Incremental Costs is US$60,000 of which US$45,000 are requested from GEF and US$15,000 will be provided locally. E. SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT Institutional Sustainability: Government Support 26 The project is supported by a series of the national governmental policies aimed at the conservation of biodiversity, including the recognition of the area of the corridor as a zone with important existing and proposed areas of conservation. In addition, the municipal POTs for this region support the overall conservation and biodiversity objectives to which this project and others aim to address. The government requirement that all municipalities prepare and implement these POTs will provide important legal and technical background for the NBC project that will assist communities in their efforts to articulate these plans across different management areas to guarantee the sustainability of the new planning schemes. The current Governor of the Cauca State - Floro Tunubala, an indigenous guambiano, has emphasized the importance of implementing a conservation strategy in this area. (see Annex 5 Governors Letter). Currently, the proposed NBC is not legally under any specific management system. However, the POTs for the municipalities which are situated within the corridor have been approved and they support both planning and land use for the Munchique National Park, the indigenous reserves in areas above 2700 meters, and the Tambito Reserve along with new initiatives such as the declaration of the Paramillos of Argelia, an area which will have substantial activity in this project. At the same time, the Ministry of Environment has identified the area within the proposed NBC as one of Colombia’s “strategic ecosystems” The existance of strategic alliances with public sector agencies and academic institutions like the CRC, UAESNNP, and the University of Cauca will help to ensure the technical viability of project activities. For instance, the CRC’s mission is the promotion of sustainable development, the management of natural resources, and supervision and execution of the POTs. The National Parks System is responsible for management of the Munchique National Park and to improve the Regional System of Protected Areas. The University of the Cauca has made a major commitment to a program of environmental education in the region. All these organizations have included NBC activities in their work program for the next three years. Social Sustainability Currently, two important participatory processes are being carried out in the communities which make up the area of the NBC: (i) the livelihood plans of the Indigenous communities; and (ii) the management plans (under construction) for the " Integral Plan of Life of the Paeces " for the reserves of Honduras, Chimborazo and Aguas Negras. This former plan was self-initiated and developed by members of the community in February 1999. It is now under implementation. The plan contains detailed historical and current information on the state and use of the natural resources, the socio-cultural and economic situation of indigenous communities, and a detailed environmental zoning of the territory. The recently prepared POTs and the work under way to prepare the Management Plans serve as inputs into the delimitation and zoning of the. Specifically the plans and programs include: education, community health, sustainable agricultural production, environment, a zonal infrastructure, institutional strengthening, women and youth, ecotourism and a strategy for financing. The latter plan has developed a series of community based activities based on the a vision of the region as “A territory of harmonious ethnic coexistence, administered by the traditional authorities according to the rational use of resources, the preservation of the environment and collective patrimony, and to guarantee minimum physical and social conditions for all indigenous towns.” Financial and Economic Sustainability Existing instruments that help support financial and economic sustainability in the NBC are: 27 National Government transfers to the municipalities: Transfers from the national budget are made each year to the municipalities and at least 3% of the total municipalities budget must be invested in environmental activities. In the municipalities that will participate in the project, a portion of these resources will be used to supplement those provided by the project. These investments will be targeted towards activities like the development of GIS and environmental monitoring and improving the technical capacity of municipalities to undertake land use planning. National Government transfers to Indigenous Communities: Law 188/1995 provides that a minimum of 2% of the national transfers to indigenous communities should be invested in environment activities within those communities. These resources will support specific community based activities related to the environment and sustainable productive systems. It is also expected that these resources will help produce the information necessary to support the designation of the Cerro del Aguila as a protected area. Corporación Autónoma Regional del Cauca (CRC): The CRC develops environmental programs throughout the Department. The Operations Plan for 2001-2003 includes activities within the areas of the NBC, specifically for Afrocolombians and the indigenous communities of Eperara Siapidara. Some of those activities include: (i) Indigenous Environmental Plans: for the Paeces communities including the implementation of projects for the sustainable management and conservation of ecosystems; in the case of the Eperara- Siapidaara communities the undertaking of an environmental baseline of their territories. (ii) Soil Fertility and Reforestation: (i) Recuperation of soil fertility of 1.400 ha. in the Cauca River basin; (ii) Management of the Vegetation Cover and Rreforestation in 10.000 hectares of the Cauca River basin; (iii) Research on Forest Cover for the river basins of the Pacific region and a pilot project in forest planning. UAESPNN receives financial support from Colombian government and the Dutch cooperation program. They will implement a seven-year community based conservation project in the Munchique National Park, including activities for the implementation of the NBC . Environmental Sustainability The environmental sustainability of the project is based on the creation and consolidation of the network of protected areas that guarantees the establishment and long-term conservation of the longitudinal biological corridor. This consolidation will help to ensure ecological and biological processes such as mobility and dispersion of threatened and endemic populations of species and genetic flow and ecosystem connectivity. At the same time adopting or reintroducing sustainable productive systems which are biodiversity friendly will reduce pressure on the forest resources that border the area. RISKS International experience related to the establishment of biological corridors is limited which makes the successful project implementaion a challenging task. At the same time, during project preparation a systematic effort was made to identify project risks and to examine what actions could be taken to mitigate those risks. The key risks to the project are described below. 1. Existance of social conflicts: 28 The project area in the NBC has been chosen because of the relative absence of security problems and social conflicts and the fact that more than 60% of the nucleus areas of the NBC are uninhabited. In order to further diminish these risks, the project has adopted a flexible strategy for identifying pilot project areas and will have in place a decision-making apparatus which will allow pilot projects to be scaled back or closed in case problems arise. This strategy also permits activities to resume in these critical areas when the intensity of the conflict is diminished. In areas that have been under the threat of conflict, it is worth mentioning the efforts made by the communities to ensure autonomy, particularly in the zones of the Paeces and Eperara Siapidaara. The position of the indigenous communities stated in the Extraordinary Congress of the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (RICC) held in the municipality of Caloto, Department of Cauca, in April of 2001 is to demand the immediate withdrawal of any armed groups. Civil supervisorships were constituted to safeguard the order in these indigenous territories, under the supervision of the People’s Counsel for the Defense which help communities to develop and implement their projects. In cases where armed groups entered these communities, the community has faced them without arms. This is a very value precedent in term of autonomy. 2. Increased pressure on biodiversity from the advance of the agricultural frontier and mining expansion The project area is under increasing external pressure from the advance of the agricultural frontier, mining and establishment of mega development projects. These activities often have a negative impact on indigenous efforts to manage and conserve natural resources and can result in fragmented ecosystems and reduced levels of biodiversity. Nevertheless, communities are becoming increasingly more aware of these threats and recognize the potential economic and environmental benefits of establishing the NBC. In order to address the risks associated with these activities, the NBC project will work closely with communities to design appropriate activities including sustainable productive systems, organizational strengthening and environmental education. Most of the area of the proposed NBC is unlikely to be affected by mining related problems except in the Municipalities of Timbiqui and El Tambo where gold and coal are prevalent and where dredging is causing adverse environmental and social impacts. The Afrocolombian community has taken action to remove the mining company from the area. With the NBC established, Colombian law requires that proposed mining activities be evaluated during a open and participatory process and approval be provided by the Private Natural Reserves Network. The community directly affected evaluates proposed and indicates their support or opposition to the project. The NBC project will work to reinforce these processes and at the same time provide opportunities for communities to develop alternative income generating activities based on environmentally sustainable criteria. At the same time, participation by the CRC and the Ministry of Environment through their participation in the tproject´s technical committee will help to mitigate the risk. F. STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN PROJECT FORMULATION The project has been developed to address social, economic and environmental needs identified through a participatory process of consultation with different national and local level organizations and stakeholders. The formulation of the project was undertaken by Professor Alvaro Jose Negret q.e.p.d., a biologist who has worked many years in the area of the proposed corridor and was well know to the leadership of many of the the communities. With resources from the GEF PDF A and 29 local counterparts, key socio-economic data was analyzed which identified major ethnic groups in the area of the NBC and the basis of their local economies (mining, hunting, small-scale agriculture and timber extraction). At the same time, key organizations working in the area of the proposed NBC were identified (ie. CRC, UAESPNN, University of the Cauca, CIPAV). A consultative and partcipatory process was implemented which provided the opportunity for these groups and organizations to play a role in project preparation. A key product of these efforts was the report titled "Articulation of Institutional Approaches " which laid the groundwork for participation of key institutions in the region, along with community organizations based in the different zones of the corridor. The Association of Town Halls of Indigenous Paeces of the West, as a member of the Consortium, has played a key role in the formulation of the project. A number of inportant studies were reviewed and analyzed as part of the project preparation process. Among the most important were: Feasibility Study for the Establishment of a Bilogical Corridor in the Tropical Forest of the Choco Bioregion. Negret. 1998. A Socio-environmental Assessment of the Rio Guapi Watershed. CRC 1998. The Management Plan for PNNMUNCHIQUE . U.A.E.S.P.N.N, 1999. The Livlihood Plan for the Indigenous Reserves of Eperara Siapidaara de Guajui y San Antonio de Infi 1998. The Livlihood Plan for the Indigenous Reserves of Paeces de Occidente del Cauca 1999. Sustainable Agriculture for Conservation. Institutional Agreement PNNMUNCHIQUE – CIPAV 1999-2000. Biodiversity Studies related to the establishment of the Hidrology, Ecology and Regional Biodiversity (HERB) Project. King´s College. Environment and Land Use Planning for El Tambo, Argelia, Guapi y Morales. Vegetation Cover and Land Use. Satellite Interpretation for the NBC Zone for the Years 19891999. During project preparation, numerous stakeholder workshops, meetings and seminars were held to provide input into project design. Minutes of the meetings were prepared along with letters of support from key community based organizations and local NGOs. This process played a key role in the technical design of the project along with establishing the institutional framewok for project implementation, the Consortium. Among the most important contributors to this process were: the West Cabildos Association, Representatives of the Indigenous Reserves of Guajui y San Miguel de Infi, the local council for the communities of Guapi Arriba, Argelia, Gallera and Playa Rica, the Autonomous Regional Corporation of Cauca and the Special Administrative Unit of the National Park’s System (Surandina Territory). Also during project preparation, important international workshops were held by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Conservation International (CI). The WWF workshop disseminated results of the Choco Bioregion Project that delimited the area of the NBC. The CI workshop presented information on the design of the Choco-Andean Corredor (Ecuador), a region with many of the 30 same ecological, cultural and socio-economic characteristics as the proposed NBCr. The results of these workshops have been very important for both project design and as a vehicle for inputs from international stakeholders. 2. INCREMENTAL COST ASSESSMENT This project both complements existing activities described in the section on current situation and adds new activities to the baseline in order to achieve global environmental benefits. This section includes information used to prepare the Incremental Cost Assessment. Table 1, The Incremental Cost Matrix is presented at the end of the section. Baseline Scenario In the absence of GEF funding, a number of activities related to the projects components would be undertaken. The estimated basline investment cost is US$641,000. 1. Data Collection and Participatory Planning Over the next 2 years, the University of Cauca in collaboration with the CRC will Invest US$5000.00 in preparing a biodiversity inventory of the Pacific coast of the Cauca department. In order to update Cauca’s environmental information system, the CRC has acquired satellite images (land sat, spot and radar). During 2002-2003, CRC will invest US$15,000 in new equiopment for the rocessing of satellite images. The CRC is also expected to provide an additional US$40,000 for the project “Clean Development Mechanisms for Cauca” for the years 2002-2003. The value of this baseline activity is estimated at US$60,000. 2. Protected Areas The UAESPNN began in 1999 working in the Munchique National Park with the project "Integrated Management of the Parks of the Choco Biogeographic Region ". In order to give continuity to the process, over the next three years they will be investing US$100,000 in logistics, operational and research support. The value of this baseline activity is estimated at US$100,000. 3. Sustainable Production and Natural Resources Management The UAESPNN, through an agreement with the Plante Program, will implement the project "Sustainable Agrosilvopastoral Systems" in the buffer zone of the PNN Munchique – in the district of Gallera, El Tambo. Total Investment is US$114,000. The CRC developed the "Management Plan of the Wooded Cover of the Department" for the years 2001-2002-2003. The project is based in the indigenous nucleus of Paez, Munchique- farming communities, the farming communities of Algeria. Total investment is US$266, 000. The CRC in cooperation with the Colombian Forest research Center will launch a project to establish 4 seed banks one of which will be in Morales, a community within the proposed corridor. The total investment is US$6000. 31 CIPAV has carried out sustainable agrarian systems projects in the Munchique nucleus farming communities during year 2000-2001. Total investment is US$28,000. The German company Biosphera with support from GTZ has established a program of international cooperation with the Munchique National Park. This program works with small coffee farmers who live in the park’s buffer zone. Farmers are upgrading the quality of their coffee for export to the tourist hotels of Germany’s Ruegen Biosphere Reserve. Total Investment is US$12,000. The value of this baseline activity is estimated at US$426,000 4. Education and Communication in the NBC. The CRC has committed for 2002-2003 US$55,000.00 for the implementation of a software application so that the municipalities of the NBC can manage information produced by the Environmental GIS. The value of this baseline activity is estimated at US$ 55,000 5. Project Management: N/A. Benefits of the baseline The baseline is limited to the planning and implementation of activities in specific nuclei while the alternative would allow through the establishment and management of the NBC resulting in greater biodiversity conservation and substantial global environmental benefits. The Baseline permits: 1. Data Collection and Participatory Planning: The baseline is limited to the planning and partial implementation of data collection activities in a limited area of the NBC. Monitoring of biodiversity will also be limited to the area within the Tambito Reserve. 2. Protected Areas: The baseline focuses on the process of identification of the dynamics of interconnection of the existing areas, support for the Macay Reserve and actvities targeted at the management of the Munchique National Park and its buffer zone. 3. Sustainable Production and Natural Resources Management: The baseline permits the development of sustainable productive systems in only two pilot areas in the NBC: the area of the Guapi Nucleus of Afrocolombian communities and the Nuclei of Indigenous Paeces of the NBC. 4. Education and Communication: The baseline supports on a limited basis the dissemination of environmental information in the larger Municipalities within the NBC, but does not allow this throughout the NBC. 5. Project Management: N/A. B. GEF Alternative The total cost of the GEF Alternative would be $2,191,000. The GEF Alternative will build on the baseline scenario and support a number of incremental activities in the area of the NBC: 32 1. Data Collection and Participatory Planning: The GEF Alternative will allow the implementation of dynamic and functional zoning with the NBC as the focal point for analysis and planning. Stakeholders in the NBC will play a significant role in these activities including the monitoring of biodiversity. The CRC will continue its work in the formulation of the POT for the indigenous territories of Choco. The Operation Plan for 2002/2003 calls for investments related to the land use plan for the indigenous territories of the Pacific (US$5,000.00) and of the Paeces communities (US$75,000.00). During 2002-2004, PROSELVA will develop activities for promotion of biodiversity in the nucleus of Munchique Pinche of the NBC (US$10,000). It will also establish a permanent biodiversity research project encompassing 25 hectares in the cloud forest of Tambito (US$20,000) Project HERB of the Department of Geography of King's College London in association with PROSELVA and CRC will invest the sum of US$125,000 to carry out experiments for the design and to establishment of a program for monitoring of biodiversity and the development of model-based decision support systems. An additional US$45,000 will be spent on software development for the monitoring of land use change during the years 2002-2003. The cost the GEF Alternative is estimated at US$525,000 of which US$185,000 is requested from GEF and US$280,000 is provided locally. 2. Protected Areas: The GEF Alternative will allow the identification and consolidation of a network of protected areas within the NBC. Project activities are designed to contribute to ecosystem stability and a reduction in human activities that contribute to the loss of unique biodiversity. The CRC will invest US$25,000 in protected area zoning around the indigenous farming nucleus of Paeces, the Munchique farming communities and the Afrocolombian farming communities of Algeria. ASOMICAY has declared conservation zones of the Reserve of the Micay and will invest US $10,000. Over the next 3 years, the Government of Holland will provide resources to cover the costs of specialized expertise in national park management plans, geographic information systems, sustainable agriculture, communications and finance in the area of the proposed corridor. The total investment will be US$100,000. The cost of the GEF Alternative is estimated at US$380,000 of which US$145,000 is requested from GEF and US$135,000 is provided locally. 3. Sustainable Production and Natural Resources Management: The alternative will allow the implementation on a pilot basis sustainable production projects in all of the nucleus zones of the NBC. These activities are essential to integrating the use and conservation of the biodiversity and to insuring that the use of the land takes into account biodiversity and conservation criteria. At the same time, the alternative complements the processes of forest planning, and the processes of qualification and elaboration of the movable courses through the NBC. 33 In order to help consolodate the NBC, the GTZ through its Public Private Partnership will invest US$70,000 in a coffee development project. The World Food Program will provide resources to cover the costs of a senior expert in sustainable agriculture to work in the buffer zone area of the UAESPNN. The expert will work with 1500 families The program will supply seeds, agricultural inputs and tools and invest US$250,000. The cost of the GEF Alternative is estimated at US$1,026,000 of which US$280,000 is requested from GEF and US$320,000 is provided in local financing. 4. Education and Communication: The alternative will help position the NBC as a key area of biodiversity protection and conservation. Through the development of environmental education, outreach and training at the community level and communications at the national and international levels, the NBC will serve as an example for future generations. The UAESPNN will implement the " Integrated Management of the Parks of Choco Biogeography " project in 2002-2003. Total investment is US$15,000.00 for environmental education in the Afrocolombian communities, the indigenous nucleus Paeces, and the Munchique nucleus of farming communities of the NBC. The CRC has a multidisciplinary program of Environmental Education, Participation and Communication, with the Guapi nucleus of Afrocolombian communities, the Eperara Siapidaara indigenous communities and the Munchique farming communities and natives Paeces. The total investment is US$25,000. As part of the Program of Protection and Control of Natural Resources, CRC will invest in the same nucleus the sum of US$5,000.00. The municipality of Morales will provide continuing support to its Office of Environmental Coordination for education activities in the area of the corridor. They will make a total investment of US$30,000. The cost of the GEF Alternative is estimated at US$170,000 of which US$70,000 is requested from GEF and US$75,000 will be provided locally 5. Project Management: This alternative will allow the monitoring of administrative, financial and operational aspects of the project. The consortium will provide an in-kind contribution of US$15,000. The cost of the GEF Alternative is estimated at US$60,000 of which US$45,000 is provided by GEF and US$15,000 will be provided locally. C. Benefits of Alternative The activities implemented in the NBC guarantee the permanence of the different types of ecosystems, thereby providing protection for endemic and threatened species of global importance along with the interconnection of ecosystems through the Network of Reserves. The participation of different stakeholders (farmers, colonists, Afrocolombians and natives Paeces and EperaraSiapidaara) in the NBC guarantees the processes of appropriation, control and monitoring of the natural resources as well as the as generating environmental services. 34 D. Incremental Costs Assessment The total cost of the project will be US$2,231,000. The total cost of the baseline will be US$ 641,000. The incremental costs provided by the GEF will be US$750, 000 and by local sources US$840,000. A total of US$40, 000 was used for project preparation, of which US$25,000 was provided by the GEF and US$ 15,000 from PROSELVA, CRC, UAESPNN and other NGOs. ACTIVITIES NAYA CORRIDOR BASELINE 1. Data Collection and Participatory Planning 2. Protected Areas 3. Sustainable Production and Natural Resources management 4. Education and Communications 5. Project Management TOTAL INCREMENT INCREMENT GEF Alternative (GEF) (Local) 60,000 185,000 280,000 525,000 100,000 145,000 135,000 380,000 426,000 280,000 320,000 1,026,000 55,000 70,000 75,000 200,000 641,000 45,000 725,000 15,000 825,000 60,000 2,191,000 Table 1: Incremental Cost Matrix (US$) Table II: LOCAL GEF INCREMENT (CASH vs IN-KIND US$) Component Data Collection and Participatory Planning Protected Areas Sustainable Production and Natural Resources Management Education and Communications Project Coordinating Unit Total CASH 56,000 IN-KIND 224,000 27,000 74,000 108,000 246,000 15,000 60,000 0.00 172,000 15,000 653,000 3. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CINC (the Consortium) will be the institution responsible for project execution. They will sign and execute cooperative agreements with key organzations that will play a role in the projects implementation. These institutions include: The CRC, The Special Administrative Unit for Parks Management (UAESPNN-DTSA), Project HERB (Geography Department, University of London), and the Technical Group for Forest Certicfication. 35 CRC has provided support to PROSELVA for conservation mangement and zoning. In this project CRS’s Office of Environmental Research and and Geographic Information Systems will provide technical assitance to the project and will cover per diem and consulting costs. The Association of Indigenous Paeces of West Cauca has worked with the UAESPNN-DTSA for a number of years in the consolidation of protected areas, environmental education and the development of protected area management planes. In the MSP, UAESPNN-DTSA will provide transportation, logistical support , per diems and materials. Since 1997, Project HERB has worked in the area of the proposed corridor in the monitoring of local environmental conditions and conservation of ecosystems. HERB will assist the project in the design of a biodiversity monitoring system based on data obtained during baseline investigations. Changes in land use will be identified and maps produced to document these changes. Table 3 below provides operational detailes for Project Activities over the three years of prject implementation. Table 3 PROJECT ACTIVITIES 1 3 6 9 1. Data Collection and Participatory planning of the NBC. 1.1. Two desk-studies about biophysical, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the NBC. 1.2. Eleven fieldtrips to verify and share the biophysical, socioeconomic and cultural information with representatives from social groups in each region. 1.3. Three field trips to collect the additional primary level biophysical, socio-economic and cultural information. . 1.4. Six thematic maps as inputs for the preliminary zoning. 1.5. Eleven workshops to analyze and define the final zoning of the NBC 1.6. Design of monitoring program for the NBC based on the baseline and annual land use changes. 2. Consolidation and promotion of protected areas in the NBC. 2.1. Eleven workshops to identify applicable criteria in defining the new protected areas system. 36 12 PROJECT MONTHS 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 2.2. Six events (touring workshops), for the delimitation, selection and participatory creation of new protected areas. 2.3. Two workshops to organize and integrate the protected areas. 2.4. The design and execution of a management plan for the Tambito Reserve. 2.5. The strengthening of three training centers in the Munchique National Park. 3. Sustainable Production and Natural Resources Management in the NBC: 1. Sustainable Production Systems (Eastern NBC) 2. Forestry Certification (Western NBC) 3.1. Four courses on Sustainable Production Systems, Forest Management, and Certification. 3.2 Four training events and four mobile courses for: (a) participatory planning and environmental management, for biological diversity, systems of production, and environmental monitoring; (b) forest sector planning 3.3. Four training events for young people from Afrocolombian, indigenous and farming communities on the following themes: (a) Recognition of the value of traditional systems of production and sustainable use; (b) development and application of technologies of sustainable agriculture;(c)environmental monitoring; and (d) methods for participatory research. 3.4.Implementation of Sustainable Production Systems on at least 15 farms,and of Forestry Management Plans in at least 3 forest areas. 4. Education and Communication in the NBC. 37 4.1. Eight training events for 30 community leaders in organizational processes, environmental land use planning and GIS. 4.2. An educational training module on conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources for rural schools in the area of the NBC. 4.3. Four media productions (a book, a web site, and a multimedia presentation, and a set of 3 videos); a radio program of 48 episodes (one per week) in magazine format for the community and indigenous T'eek sek Jeñi radio station and the radio station of the University of Cauca. 5. Project Management 5.1. Implementation for the CINC an administrative, organizational and accounting system compatible with the procedures of the implementing agency. 5.2. Coordination Meetings - with other institutions and organizations working in the NBC. 5.3. Two Workshops for monitoring the development of the project 5.4. 3 meetings of the Steering Committee per year 4. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN The proposed area of the NBC is inhabited by different ethnic groups and has a total population of 31,500 inhabitants. Of the total population only about 16,260 have rights over community land use and natural resources. The population density of the area within the NBC is very low (9.3 hab/Km2). The most important of these groups are the indigenous Eperara-Siapidaara and Afrocolombian communities. The Eperara-Siapidaara economy is based on the mining of alluvium, hunting, riverside agriculture and forest and lumber extraction. Most of the Afrocolombian population does not reside in the NBC, but in surrounding areas. They do, however, undertake hunting and tmber extraction in the NBC. Both these groups have benefited from the rights granted to them in the new constitution approved by the GOC in 1991. The Eperara Siapidaara are organized under ACIESCA and the Afrocolombians under Community Councils. Another important group is the indigenous Paeces who reside in the buffer zone of Munchique National Park. They have developed production aimed at achieving food security for their communities. Despite having considerable ancestral knowledge provided by community elders and traditional doctors, these communities have adopted unsustainable productive models that have led 38 to significant degredation of land and natural resources. Recently they established agreements with ACISO that will assist these communities in the environmental recovery of the degraded zones, conservation of sacred places and sustainable agriculture. The last group includes racially mixed and “white farmers”, who have migrated into the region over the last half-century. Their livelihoods are based on agriculture characterized by monoculture, extensive cattle ranching, lumber extraction, open cast mining and slash and burn. In recent years they have been organized through Meetings of Communal Action, constituting committees of education and environment set up to facilitate projects which minimize negative environmental impacts on land and forests. The area where these populations live can be dividided into two geographic areas. The Pacific Zone extends from the axis of the western mountain range to the level of 1500 m.a.s.l and includes: - Napi and Guapi Afrocolombian communities in the Municipality of Guapi (#7) - Afrocolombians communities in the Municipality of Lopez de Micay(#6) - Guangui and San Miguel de Infi of indigenous communities Eperara- Siapidaara in the municipality of Timbiqui (#5) - Huisito farming and Afrocolombian communities in the Municipality of El Tambo (#4) - Pinche farming communities in the Municipality of Algeria (#3) The Andean Zone extends from the axis of the western mountain range to the level of the 2400 m.a.s.l. and includes: - Indigenous Paeces communities in the Municipalities of Buenos Aires, Suarez and Morales (#1) - Munchique farming communities in the Municipality of the Tambo (#2) These ethnic groups are the beneficiaries of the project. Their organizations and communities are conscious of the need to maintain a high level of participation in the propject in order to meet the overall objective of conservation and sustainable development. Forest conservation, maintenance and improvement of environmental services, and changing environmentally unsustainable agricultural practices are important priorities. The strategy for public involvement during implementation is articulated in three different levels: (i) local organizations: This includes a program for community training and dissemination that guarantees the continuity of the processes after the execution of the project. Through the interchange of knowledge and experiences in workshops and field trips, the traditional environmental behaviors of different communities living in the region of the NBC will become shared knowledge. (ii) regional institutions: This includes program activities aimed at strengthening planning and management of the local organizations with participation from key institutions such as CRC, UAESPNN and others. At the national leve (iii) international community: The Internet has become a means of widespread access to information on biodiversity. The communications strategy for the project is based on the development of project Web Pages that will host project information and permit periodic updating. This strategy will also include links with the Web Pages of the Ministry of the Environment, the IavH and the Network of Sustainable Development. Additional web page 39 links will be esatblished based on their perceived value to the project and in cases where international institutions have worked in the region, such as King's College London. Finally the project’s strong relationship with the CEPF led by CI, will permit an efficient exchange of information with the Choco-Andean Corridor project. 40 5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN Monitoring and evaluation of the project will be based on indicators presented in the project summary. The relevant data for the analysis of these indicators will be collected during the different project activities, and in the reports that are made by the CINC on all field activities. These reports will be analysed each semester, in order to monitor project implementation, and results will be discussed at internal team meetings within the CINC and at meetings with community leaders. Monitoring and evaluation will be carried out at two different levels: (i) Community Level. On a local scale, monitoring allows the state or other organizations that invest economic resources in the implementation of the project to monitor the compliance with the commitments stated in the inter-corporate agreements. Equally under Colombian law the communities are endowed with rights to supervise their projects. (ii) Project Management. The Project Coordinator (PC) along with the Technical Committee (TC) will develop a project monitoring system. Quarterly revision of the results of the operative plan of the project will also take place in order for the advances and results of the project to be shared between the beneficiaries of the project and the SC. These revisions will be used to form the quarterly information to the WB. The Web Page, multimedia presentation and videos will also provide needed information on which to evaluate the projects progresss and as they are updated on a regular basis provide important evaluation data. The activities of the project have been developed into a logical matrix that allows one to establish progress, quality and impact indicators, facilitating precise checking and rapid response adjustments. These above noted reports will also include an analysis of some indicators of project impact, both in the field of biodiversity conservation, as in the improvement of quality of life for the communities. Special care will be taken to ensure that information regarding project achievements and impact are fed back to the communities, in an educational form; and in such a way that it can be used as the rationale for making informed and improved decisions regarding social development and environmental conservation at the local level. Results of all these activities relating to project monitoring and evaluation will serve as a basis for the recommendation and implementation of change in the operative development of the project; and it is hoped that they will prove useful as a reference point for the implementation of other similar projects. In addition, the Bank will undertake normal periodic supervision such as annual, half term and final performance evaluation. 41 ANNEX 1. LIST OF ENDEMIC SPECIES OF THE CORRIDOR AND DESCRIPTION OF DECLARED PROTECTED AREAS. LIST OF ENDEMIC SPECIES OF THE CORRIDOR Birds FAMILY APODIDAE S.N. Cypseloides lemosi FAMILY THRAUPIDAE COEREBIDAE Diglossa gloriosissima THRAUPIDAE COEREBIDAE Diglossa indigotica THRAUPIDAE CORVIDAE CORVIDAE COTINGIDAE Cyanolyca pulchra Chloropipo flavicapilla Pipreola jucunda THRAUPIDAE THRAUPIDAE THRAUPIDAE COTINGIDAE Carpodectes hopkei THRAUPIDAE COTINGIDAE CRACIDAE Cephalopterus penduliger Penelope perspicax CRACIDAE Plants FAMILY MELASTOMATACEAE S.N. Chlorochrysa nitidissima Chlorochrysa phoenicotis Chlorophonia flavirostris Tangara rufigula Tangara palmeri Tangara vitriolina FAMILY ANNONACEAE S.N. Guatteria cargadero ASTERACEAE Pentacalia munchiquensis MELASTOMATACEAE Miconia hadrophylla ASTERACEAE Veranonia pallida MELASTOMATACEAE Miconia haugntii BEGONIACEAE BEGONIACEAE BRUNELLIACEAE Begonia killipiana Begonia tiliaefolia Brunelia glabra MELASTOMATACEAE MELASTOMATACEAE MELASTOMATACEAE CAMPANULACEAE Burmeistera killipii ORCHIDACEAE THRAUPIDAE Anisognathus notabilis Bangsia rothschildi CAMPANULACEAE Siphocampylus niveus ORCHIDACEAE THRAUPIDAE Bangsia edwardsi CLUSAICEAE Clusia pentandra PASSIFLORACEAE Penelope ortoni THRAUPIDAE ERICACEAE Cavendishia vinacea PASSIFLORACEAE FALCONIDAE Micrastur plumbeus THRAUPIDAE ERICACEAE Grallaria flavotincta THRAUPIDAE ERICACEAE Sphyrospermum munchiquense Themistoclesia crassifolia PIPERACEAE FORMICARII DAE PIPERACEAE FRINGILLIDAE Catamenia oreophila THRAUPIDAE GESNERIACEAE Besleria spissa RUBIACEAE Betiera viburnoides FRINGILLIDAE THRAUPIDAE GESNERIACEAE Besleria ventricosa SOLANACEAE FURNARIIDAE Oreothraupis arremonops Margarornis stellatus TROCHILLIDAE Chrysothlypis salmoni Heterospingus xanthopygius Chlorothraupis olivacea Chlorothraupis stolzmanni Chlorospingus semifuscus Ericonemis mirabilis Miconia luteynii Miconia micayana Tibouchina elegantula Masdevallia cucullata Rodriguezia lehmanni Passiflora cumbalensis Passiflora popayanensis Peperomia tambitoensis Piper echinocaule GESNERIACEAE Columnea incredibilis SOLANACEAE FURNARIIDAE PARULIDAE Thripadectes ignobilis Myioborus ornatus TROCHILLIDAE TROCHILLIDAE Phaetornis yaruqui Hylocharis grayi HALORAGACEAE JUGLANDACEAE Gunnera atropurpurea Oreomunnea munchiquensis SOLANACEAE URTICACEAE Solanum colombianum Solanum graciliensis Trianae spectabilis Pilea rojasiana S.N. Killipia rotundifolia Birds FAMILY PHASIANIDAE PICIDAE PSITTACIDAE PSITTACIDAE PSITTACIDAE RALLIDAE RAMPHASTI DAE RHYNOCRIPTI DAE STRIGIDAE STRIGIDAE THRAUPIDAE THRAUPIDAE S.N. Odontophorus hyperythrus Picumnus granadensis Ognorhynchus icterotis Pionopsitta pulchra Neomorphus radiolosus Neocrex columbianus Semnornis ramphastinus Chloropipo flavicapilla Otus columbianus Glaucidium jardín Ramphocelus flamigerus Habia cristata FAMILY TROCHILLIDAE TROCHILLIDAE TROCHILLIDAE TROCHILLIDAE TROCHILLIDAE TROCHILLIDAE TROGLODYTI DAE TROGLODYTI DAE TROGONIDAE TURDIDAE TYRANNIDAE TYRANNIDAE Plants S.N. Heliodoxa imperatrix Coeligena wilsoni Boissoneaua jardinii Eriocnemis mosquera Aglaiocercus coelestis Philodice mitchelli Troglodytes monticola Thryothorus spadix Trogon comptus Entomodestes coracinus Myiarchus apicalis Leptopogon rufipectus FAMILY MELASTOMATA CEAE MELASTOMATA CEAE MELASTOMATA CEAE MELASTOMATA CEAE MELASTOMATA CEAE S.N. FAMILY ARACEAE Blakea fissicalyx POACEAE Centronia brachycera Centradeniastrum album Killipia latifolia POACEAE DENNSTAEDTIA CEAE S.N. Anthurium macrocephalum Panicum albicomun Paspalum reclinatum Odontosoria killipii Killipia pedunculata ANFIBIOS Andinophryne atelopoides Eleutherodactylus cacao Atelopus famelicus Eleutherodactylus hernandezi Hylia caucana Eleutherodactylus diogenes Hylia sarampiona 43 LIST OF SPECIES IN SOME DEGREE OF THREAT BIRDS FAMILY S.N. CATE G. FAMILY S.N. CATEG. ACCIPITRIDAE ACCIPITRIDAE Accipiter collaris Harpyhaliaetus solitarius Oroaetus isidori Leucopternis plumbea Cypseloides lemosi Tigrisoma fasciatum Micromonacha lanceolata Semnornis ramphastinus Cyanolyca pulchra Pipreola jucunda Chloropipo flavicapilla Cephalopterus penduliger Ampelioides tschudii Carpodectes hopkei Aburria aburri Penelope ortoni Penelope perspicax LR:nt LR:nt CUCULIDAE DENDROCOLAPTIDAE Neomorphus radiolosus Campylorhamphus pucheranii EN LR:nt LR:nt LR:nt VU LR:nt LR:nt FALCONIDAE FALCONIDAE FORMICARIIDAE FORMICARIIDAE FRINGILLIDAE Micrastur plumbeus Falco deiroleucus Thamnomanes occidentalis Grallaria gigantea Oreothraupis arremonops EN LR:nt VU VU VU LR:nt PHASIANIDAE Odontophorus hyperhythrus LR:nt LR:nt PSITTACIDAE PSITTACIDAE RALLIDAE RAMPHASTIDAE Leptosittaca branickii Ognorhynchus icterotis Neocrex columbianus Andigena nigrirostris VU CR LR:nt LR:nt STRIGIDAE THRAUPIDAE THRAUPIDAE TROCHILLIDAE Aegolius harrisii Iridosornis porphyrocephala Chlorochrysa nitidissima Eriocnemis mirabilis LR:nt LR:nt VU VU ACCIPITRIDAE ACCIPITRIDAE APODIDAE ARDEIDAE BUCCONIDAE CAPITONIDAE CORVIDAE COTINGIDAE COTINGIDAE COTINGIDAE COTINGIDAE COTINGIDAE CRACIDAE CRACIDAE CRACIDAE S.N. Caluromys derbianus Chironectes minimus Marmosops impavida Choloepus hoffmannii Myrmecophaga tridactyla Choeroniscus periosus Diphylla eucadata VU VU LR:nt LR:nt LR:nt EN EN MAMMALS CATEG. S.N. VU Tadarida brasiliensis LR:nt Aotus lemurinus CAT LR:nt FAMILY ANNONACEAE VU FAGACEAE PLANTS S.N. Guatteria cargadero Quercus humboldtii CATEG ? Vu LR:nt Ateles fuscipes VU LAURACEAE Aniba perutilis EN/CR DD Leopardus tigrina LR:nt Panthera onca LR:nt Centronia brachycera Cedrela fissilis VU VU MELASTOMATA CEAE MELIACEAE VU Bassaricyon gabbii Tremarctos ornatus Tapirus bairdii LR:nt ORCHIDACEAE Bollea coelestis EN Vu ORCHIDACEAE VU/EN Vu ORCHIDACEAE Pudu mephistophiles Agouti taczanowskii LR:nt ORCHIDACEAE LR:nt ROSACEAE Epidendrum ruizianum Masdevallia cucullata Rodriguezia lehmannii Cinchona pitayensis Solanum colombianum LR:nt Platyrrhinus chocoensis Phyllostomus latifolius Sturnira bidens VU Vampyressa melissa LR:nt LR:nt LR:nt SOLANACEAE EN/CR EN EW/EX ? CR DECLARED PROTECTED AREAS Munchique National Park: Declared a National Park in 1977, it is 44 000 Has located in the municipality of El Tambo, near the center of the NBC. Altitude ranges from 500 to 3020 m.a.s.l.. The climate varies from 8 degrees Celsius (annual average) in the high summits to 23 degrees Celsius in low areas. The annual average precipitation is estimated at 5000 mm annually, and higher in some areas because of the influence of rain carrying winds from the Pacific. In the western flanks towards the north of the Park, oak forests descend up to 1000 m.a.s.l.. As a whole the Park is an important refuge of Pacific cloud forests, dominated by Clusia sp, Billia Colombiana, Hieronyma Colombiana, Persea sp, Hedyosmun huilense, Croton policarpos, Drymis granatensis, Podocarpus sp, and Viburnum pichinchense. It is important to emphasize the large areas of forests between 2500 and 2800 m.a.s.l. dominated by Quercus humboldtii and Weinmannia pubescens. This exuberante vegetation constitutes a faunal refuge. It is important to note that the register of bird species in this area surpasses 520 species including many species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians under threat of extinction. Tambito Private Reserve: The reserve at the present time covers some 3,000 Has. of primary and secondary forests that span the altitudes from 1,000 meters to 2,500 meters. The temperature and precipitation vary with altitude with around 3,500 mm of precipitation and 10 C average annual temperature in the high part of the catchments (20 of Julio station). This reaches 4,000 mm of precipitation and 18 C on average at 1450 m.a.s.l (the height of the experimental station). 80% of the vegetation that covers Tambito are Andean and sub Andean forests where families such as Palmae, Lauraceae, Sapotaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae and Flacourtiaceae among others predominate. In the recent studies made in Tambito the 331 species of birds have been registered, of these 20 are endemic and around 5 are declared under threat of extinction. Similarly some 30 species of mammals are recorded. The Indigenous Paeces community reserve above 2700 m.a.s.l. This indigenous territory has been declared recently by the autonomous indigenous communities as a conservation area of approximately 10,000 has extending from 2700 m.a.s.l. to the watershed of the Eastern flanks of the western mountain range. The indigenous describe this area as " the territory of the indigenous natural reserve of the Western Mountain range, has special and particular conditions today. On one hand it is a great natural reserve, on the other hand it is a buffer zone of the Munchique National park, it is also a source of hydrological resource that makes a great contribution to the dam of Salvajina, the surrounding area is of indigenous territory with organized communities and community organizations with particular sets of cultural values " Me parece importante dejar esto que esta aca abajo,pues representa el esfuerzo de la comunidad. Fue un error mio borrarlo, pero no encuentro como volver. . esources from 1991 are planning the creation from a reserve in the catchments of the Rio Huisito (the high catchments of the Micay river) in the western slopes of the western mountain range. This group ASOMICAY, have managed to declare an approximate area of 10,000 has for conservation. The area is in the river basin of Rio Huisito in altitudes from 1400 to 1600 m.a.s.l. formed of natural forests. Within the proposal the maintenance of sustainability is a key objective, along with the consideration of this area in the TOP of El Tambo as a municipal reserve. 45 ANNEX 2. Maps (1. delineation of the corridor Ecosystem, 2. nucleus zones of the corridor, 3. actual conservation areas and proposed conservation areas) Maps 1. Delineation of the Corridor Ecosystem 46 Maps 2. Nucleus Zones of the Corridor 47 Maps 3. Actual Conservation Areas and Proposed Conservation Areas 48 ANNEX 3. BIBLIOGRAFIC REFERENCES Arango,R y Sanchez,E, 1997. Los Pueblos Indígenas de Colombia. DNP, Colombia BANCO MUNDIAL/WWF,1995 Una Evaluación del Estado de Conservación de las eco-regiones terrestres de América Latina y el Caribe Harris,L.D. y Scheck, 1991. From Implications to Applications: The Dispersal Corridor Principle Applied to the Conservation of Biological Diversity. IAvH, 1998. Informe Nacional sobre el Estado de la Biodiversidad Colombia 1997. Santa Fe de Bogotá, IAvH, PNUMA, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (Vol. 2) Mittermeier et al 1997. MEGADIVERSIDAD. Los países biológicamente mas ricos del mundo. CEMEX, México Myers, N. 1988. Threatened biotas: Hotspots in tropical forest. The Environmentalist 8:118-208 Negret, A.J. 2000. Aves Colombianas Amenazadas de Extinción. Ed. Universidad del Cauca. Popayán, Colombia 49 ANNEX 4. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS As was discussed in Section 13 of the Project Brief, a " Consortium ", defined and permitted under Colombian law (Law 80, Article 7, 1990), will be responsible for all aspects project management. The “Consortium” is a non-profit organization with administrative autonomy and independent patrimony. For the purposes of this MSP, the “Consortium” is known as Administrative Consortium of the Naya Corridor Sector-Munchique El Pinche (CINC). CINC will remain as a functional organization during the 3 years of project implementation and can extend its legal authority through agreement among its members. To this effect, and without damage to initial constitution, the members of the CINC, in common agreement, will be able to bring in new members with relevant experience in the region of the NBC. CINC is made up of three organizations: PROSELVA, CIPAV, ACISO. ACISO is an umbrella organization that represents the indigenous organizations of Chimborazo, Honduras and Aguanegra. CINC, at the technical, administrative and operational levels will be the focal point for contact with the World Bank and the other sources of project financing. CINC’s headquarters will be in Popayán. Satellite offices will be established in the project area following consultations with local communities and regIonal government. Organization: CINC has set up an organizational structure which includes a: (1) Steering Committee;(2) Technical Ccommittee;(3.) Project Coordinator; and (4) Project Auditor (1) STEERING COMMITTEE (SC): The SC is comprised of one representative from the PROSELVA, one from the CIPAV, and one from the ACISO. The SC will elect a Chairperson who will oversee policies, norms, procedures, and project implementation. The position of Chairperson will be rotated annually so that each one of the partner institutions has the opportunity to hold the position. During project preparation it was agreed that the first Chairperson will be a representative from PROSELVA. The SC will also appoint a Vice-chair to act on behalf of the Chair if he/she is absent. The Project Coordinator (PC) will attend the meetings of the SC and will act as Secretary without a right to vote. The Project Auditor (PA) will also attend meetings of the SC but will also not have the right to vote. The SC will meet at least twice a year. However, the SC could meet and take decisions without previous notice whenever all the members are present. The responsibilities and duties of the SC will be as follows: (i) to determine its own policies related to the implementation of the project; (ii) to direct its administration and approve annual work plans and budgets; (iii) to establish the philosophical and conceptual framework for the NBC; to authorize agreements and contracts for the rendering of services or purchasing and acquisition of goods for a cost superior to three hundred monthly prevailing basic wage; to designate the composition of the Technical Committee (TC); to appoint or remove the Project Coordinator to design the project’s hiring and firing policies along with the determination of benefits to be provided to project staff. 2. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (TC): The TC will be appointed by the SC and will ensure the normal functioning of all technical aspects of project implementation. It will be composed of five individuals, one each from PROSELVA, CIPAV and ACISO alog with one representataive from the CRC and UAESPNN. The number of members of the TC could be increased in the future if warranted. Any increase in the number of members or the composition of the TC requires approval of the SC. No substitute or alternative members are permitted on the TC. Other individuals representing themselves or organizations may be invited to attend meetings of the TC but will not have the right to vote. The responsibilities of the TC are: (i) preparation of 50 the technical, conceptual and methodological framework for NBC project implementation; to meet at least once every three months; and (iii) to discuss and decide matters related to the technical aspects of the NBC. Decisions considered vital to the project’s success require approval of all members of the TC. Other project related matters require approval by the majority of TC members. The Director of the project will act as the technical secretary and will coordinate the execution of the project. The PA will also attend meetings of the TC but will not have the right to vote. 3. THE PROJECT COORDINATOR (PC): The SC will appoint a PC. The PC will be responsible for overseeing on a day to day basis all technical, administrative and financial issues related to project implementation. The PC will have the authority to sign contracts or agreements with any public or private instituion up to an amount authorized by the SC. The PC will ensure that implementation of project activities are consistent with annual work plans and the project’s objectives and outcomes. The PC will also be responsible for preparation of terms of reference for the contracting of technical or administrative personnel and the technical specifications for the purchase or acquisition of goods. 4. PROJECT AUDITOR (PA): CRC and UAESPNN will select the PA. The PA will be responsible for: (i) ensuring that the project contracting and disbursement of funds budgeting is carried out in accordance with Colombian Law and the agreed upon procedures with the World Bank; (ii) preparation and presentation of statement of accounts and annual balance sheets to the TC and the SC. (iii) convoke the SC, if necessary, by his own initiative. 51 ANNEX 5: Focal Point Letter and Governor of Cauca Letter 52 ATTACHMENT 1: PROCURMENT 53 ATTACHMENT 2: Progress Reports, Disbursements, and Audits under the Project Guest122 L:\17sep02Nayafinalprojectbrief.doc October 7, 2002 1:19 PM 54