Regional : Greater Mekong Subregion Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Project (Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam)

Project Name

Greater Mekong Subregion Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Project (Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam)

Project Number

40253-023

Country / Economy

• Regional
• Cambodia
• Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Viet Nam

Project Status

Closed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Grant
• Loan

Source of Funding / Amount

Grant 0241-REG: GMS-CAM Biodiversity Conservation Corridor

Source	Amount
Asian Development Fund	US$ 19.00 million

Grant 0242-REG: GMS-LAO Biodiversity Conservation Corridor

Source	Amount
Asian Development Fund	US$ 20.00 million

Loan 2721-REG: GMS-VIE Biodiversity Conservation Corridor

Source	Amount
Asian Development Fund	US$ 30.00 million

Grant 0426-REG: GMS Biodiversity Conservation Corridor

Source	Amount
Strategic Climate Fund	US$ 7.40 million

Grant 0433-REG: VIE: Greater Mekong Subregion Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Project - Additional Financing

Source	Amount
Global Environment Facility Grant	US$ 3.79 million

Grant 0488-REG: Greater Mekong Subregion Biodiversity Conservation Corridors

Source	Amount
Strategic Climate Fund	US$ 12.84 million

Strategic Agendas

• Environmentally sustainable growth
• Inclusive economic growth
• Regional integration

Drivers of Change

• Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
• Governance and capacity development

Sector / Subsector

• Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Forestry - Irrigation - Land-based natural resources management - Rural water supply services

Gender

Effective gender mainstreaming

Description

The Project will enhance transboundary cooperation for preventing and mitigating fragmentation of biodiversity rich forest landscapes of the Cardamom Mountains and Eastern Plains Dry Forest in Cambodia, Triborder Forest areas located in southern Lao PDR, and the Central Annamites in Viet Nam.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The biodiversity landscapes in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam are vulnerable to increased development pressures and environmental degradation and need to be conserved to safeguard local livelihoods and investments in energy and hydropower, transport, water, and food security enhancing sectors.

Impact

The Project's impact is sustainable, climate resilient forest ecosystems benefiting local livelihoods.

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

The Project's outcome will be sustainably-managed biodiversity corridors in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.

Progress Toward Outcome

CAM: Grant closing date has been extended to 31 Dec 2020. The CAD delayed due to project design involving multiple small scale infrastructures (SSI) requiring complex due diligence review and clearance. Full DMF achievement is questionable due to current slow progress and quality of activities under grant components. Further issues in relation to reported progress towards outcome, achievements, and reprioritizing of the 2020 workplan priorities in order to effectively delver the project outcomes are on-going. End line surveys and remaining small scale civil works being completed. LAO: The grant closing date was 30 September 2019, the financial closing is on-going. At the end of Q2 2020, overall physical progress is estimated at 100% against an elapsed time of 109% . Cumulative contract awards and disbursement are $19.947 million (99.9%) and $19.902 million (99.7%), respectively. The progress of four outputs are on track: (i) institutions and communities strengthened in biodiversity corridor management; (ii) biodiversity corridors restored, ecosystem services protected and maintained; (iii) livelihood improved and small-scale infrastructure support provided in target villages; and (iv) project management and support services operationalized. The Project covers 67 villages in 5 districts across Champasak, Sekong and Attapeu provinces.VIE: The loan elapsed implementation period is 100%, loan closing date was 30 Sep 2019. Total cumulative contract awards and disbursements (including interest during construction-IDC) are $23.7 million and $22.5 million, respectively, equivalent to 87% and 83% of the net loan amount of $27.052 million. Key project activities completed, disbursement of about $2.4M is pending due to insufficient ODA allocation for 2019. Government committed to allocate additional budget in Q1 2020, and finance post-project activities to ensure project outcome sustainability. To further assess during PCR mission.

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Institutions and communities strengthened in biodiversity corridor management

Biodiversity conservation landscape managed with ecosystem services protected and maintained

Livelihoods improved, small-scale infrastructure support provided and financial sustainability obtained in target villages with reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Project management and support services operationalized

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

CAM: Project Implementation Units fully staffed & functional.LAO: PMUs was established and mobilized VIE: CompletedProcurement of vehicles and motorbikes completed in all 3 countries.- All planned consultant positions under G0241 mobilized.CAM: Completed. Advance actions for procurement were completed in 2011 on schedule.LAO: CompletedVIE: CompletedCAM: EAs submitted report regularly.LAO: Quarterly Progress Report were regularly submitted.VIE: Quarterly progress reports submitted regularly by Viet Nam CPMU.CAM: MOE/PIU recruited an M&E specialist to monitor project performance using the project monitoring system that was developed by the GIC team.LAO: Monitoring/evaluation specialist has been recruited to monitor project performance and establish a monitoring system.VIE: CompletedCAM: Supported the development of a Sub Decree on Biodiversity Conservation Corridors in Protected Areas System for 1.4 million hectares which was endorsed by MOE on 26 January 2017. The area of forest and non-forest land with management plans and biodiversity policy/legal framework in place now covers 980,507 ha (140% of target). There have been four biodiversity corridors mapped and demarcated. LAO: A total of 126 plots covering 1,261,429ha conservation and protection forests were issued forest land use certificates, of which 27 plots conservation forest covering 141,624 ha and 9 plots of protection forests covering 100,490 ha in Attapeu; 12 plots of conservation forsts with 60,714 ha and 19 plots of protection forest with 61,621 ha in Sekong; and 23 plots of conservation forests with 84,884 ha and 26 plots of protection forests with 162 ha in Champasak.VIE: Three year delay vs target year of 2015. Mapping is underway. Thua Thien Hue PPC approved establishment of its provincial BC. Approval by Quang Tri and Quang Nam PPCs is being granted. Final figures for forest area will be updated when three provincial BCs have been established and mapped.CAM: EAs assisted communes to prepare PLUP. Participatory land use plans (PLUPs) have been completed for 14 communes (There are 23 communities as 9CPAs and 14 CFs located in only 14 communes with some communities located in the same commune) and integrated into the commune investment plans (CIPs). Reports were shared in Q2 2019.LAO:- Participatory land use maps were completed for 67 villages and approved by provincial governors.- 126 plots of conservation and protection forests with a total area of 1,261,429 ha in 3 provinces mapped.- 71 big sign boards of land use plan and 310 concrete poles were installed along the corridor boundaries.VIE: Achieved. PLUPs completed in 2015 and final results approved in 2016. CIPs prepared for 35 communes in 2015 and final CIPs approved in 2016 and 2017.CAM: Under MAFF/FA, 14 CFs with an area of 32,769 ha were approved by MAFF and 18,157 hectares under MoE/CPA have been approved by MoE. They have completed boundary demarcation with a total length of 579.97 km. Overall female representation in CFs and CPA management committee is 32.5% (CFs is 36.2% and CPAs is 25.9%, respectively). LAO: Demarcation of the corridor boundaries in Sekong (136km), Attapeu (164km) and Champasak (118km) have been completedVIE: Achieved with 03 year delay. Revised total number of villages is now 37 instead of 40, and 32/37 CFM boards established (13 villages in TTH, 9 villages in QN, 10 villages in QT). The remaining 5 expected within Q2/2018. By Q3 2018, LUC expected to be issued to 14,021.40ha (i/o target of 10,000ha) of community forest.CAM: tate Land Registration (SLR) began 2018 aimed at minimizing and eliminating encroachment within the wildlife sanctuaries (WSs). The SLR working groups have completed the process of listing the core and conservation zones in the two WSs. The Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Cadastral has issued 18 property certification cards to the MoE. Of 18, 10 were the state land titles in the core area of the Peam Krasaop WS in Koh Kong covered 4,672,61 ha and eight were the state land titles in the core area of the Phnom Prich WS in MDK covering an area of 4,551,926 ha.LAO: PLUPs are completed for all 67 villages and approved by the provincial authority.VIE: Achievement expected with 03 year delay. LUC is just now being granted to households. Figure of 2,000 LUCs may be changed. DMF target of plated forest will be substantially achieved (74% vs DMF target): 4,230.95 vs 4,417.1 ha as agreed in AM of April 2017 Mission and 6,000ha of DMF target. Underachievement is due to (i) maximum forest areas identified for plantation in TTH, (ii) low interest of local residents to participate in the project in Quang Tri due to long delay of the activities; and (iii) short remaining time of project.CAM: 116.8% achieved with 46.7% women as participants in training. In total 1,321 training sessions have been delivered with 576 training sessions under MOE with 18,700/F8,798 (47.0%) and 745 training sessions under FA with 15,820/F7,309 (46.2%).LAO:- 1,522 government staff members were trained, of the total number of participants, 45.7% were women.- 21,721 villagers including 11,064 women (50.94%) and 3,159 government officials and project's staff including 906 female staff (28,=.68) participated in technical, management and safeguards meetings.VIE: Done (11,211 trainees) with 42% of trainees are female, 85% from ethnic minorities.CAM: Three mangrove nurseries have been set up and are operational in KKG province and four community upland nurseries operating both provinces and one nursery at the Forest Research Station (FRS) in KKG province. LAO:- Village patrol teams were formed, equipped and operational in all 36 BCC priority villages (SK 14, ATP 7, CPS 15) identified by the biodiversity assessment.- Patrolling plans were developed to ensure effectiveness in dealing with the environmental crime in the corridors.- So far 352,940 ha conservation and protection forests areas have been patrolled.- 397 cases recorded of which are 254 cases of illegal logging, 74 cases of hunting, 67 cases of encroachment on land and 2 illegal NTFP gathering respectively. Against these events, 129 actions taken with 89 education/oral warning and 40 of written notice.VIE: Patrolling commenced since 2013. However, the objective and scope of this activitiy was changed since MTR in 2014. It's expected to restart patrolling activities in 2019 once the clear fund allocation and payment mechanism for this activity is available.CAM: Total 3154.37 ha were restored included 1,673.84 ha enrichment planting, 1,358.78 ha ANR and 121.75 ha corridor planting as detail by EAs as follows: - MoE has completed enrichment planting (EP) on 647.3 ha; assisted natural regeneration (ANR) on 687 ha and corridor planting on 74.22 ha. - MAFF/FA has achieved EP on 1,028.54 ha and ANR on 671.78 ha and corridor planting on 47.50 ha.- 653.5 ha of planted forest have been maintained by MOE;- 13,080 villagers were involved in patrolling and forest enhancement activities under MOE; 4,084 (31%) were women; and- 2,207 local community people were involved in patrolling and forest enhancement under FA; 611 were women (28%)LAO:- The areas planted were completed in 2016 as per the Forestry Plan. Over 2017-2018, 3,542 ha of ANR established with 594.53 ha in CPS, 809 ha in SK and 769 ha in ATP.- 1,450 ha of tree planted in CPS 280 ha, SK 437 ha and ATP 733 ha.- NTFP planting plots: CPS 48 ha, ATP 5 ha and SK 5 ha.- Women's labor input was 86,083 ps-days (50.3%) out of the total 186,385 ps-days of labor for forest restoration.- 138 signs were completely erected at ANR sites in Pathoumphone. Whilst the signs installation in other 2 provinces is still going on.-Survival rates survey undertaken on the total area of 216.06 ha of plantation from 2014, 2015 and 2016 in 13 villages of PTP, CPS with an average survival rate of 74.49%.VIE: Implementation expected to start from 2019 when land use certification is completed, and clear fund allocation and payment mechanism for forest patrolling/protection are available.CAM: Total 4,057 CFs/CPAs households received VDF fund and technical support to improve agriculture productivity and income generation from home garden, agriculture/animal production, honey collection, agro-forestry, echo-tourism, bamboo value change and forest based livelihoods.Training of Trainers for village development fund (VDF) training conducted both in MDK and KKG provinces with total participation of 38 including seven women (18.4%) for both MAFF/FA and MoE.LAO: -68 VDFs organized and are operational in 67 villages with 1,131 members, of whom 647 are women (57.2%).-VDF board composed 340 members (29% women, 66% indigenous representatives, 24% poor people).VIE: Fully achieved. As of 31 Oct 2017, 1,056 households (362 hhs in QN, 477 hhs in QT, 217 hhs in TTH) received support.CAM:VDF saving groups established for all 37 project villages. By June 2019 16 saving groups have been established for 17 villages in nine community projected areas (CPAs) and 21 saving groups have been established in 21 villages in 14 community forestry (CFs). Total seed capital provided to the groups amounted to $380,755 and total member savings amounted to $373,472.Nine CPAs established under MOE PIU are: 1. Boeung Ka Chhang, 2. Peam Krasaob, 3. Chi Khor Lue, 4. Andoung Teuk, 5. Ronus Khnheng, 6. Srae Thom Mleung, 7. Pou Tung PouHung Namhang, 8. Srae Y Nam Phum; and 9. Chi Clab-Phnom.14 CFs established under FA PIU are: 1. Ruessie Chhrum, 2. Ta Tayleu, 3. Thma Dunpov, 4. Samaki Prekchik, 5. O' Chong Nach, 6. O' Pong Rong, 7. O' Glao, 8. O' Khloeu, 9. Krong Ropuk D.A, 10. Dairotabkeskab Chong Long, 11. Trapeang Ka Em, 12. Pou Les, 13. Nglao Krach, and 14. Sre PreahLAO:- 67 BCC villages with Village Development Funds (VDF) established. Funds ($5,000 per villages) disbursed to all 67 villages, regulations establish and training provided.-VDF cumulative amount reaches $387,835 (+13.55%).- VDF has been transferred to Lao Women's Union for continued supervision and monitoring since June 2017.VIE: Done. To date, all 35 CDFs are still operating well. 1,560 hhs were accessed to the loan. Most of people received loan from CDFs are women and ethnic minorities (QT: women are 100%, ethnic minorities are 93%; TTH: women are 69% and ethnic minorities are 85%). However, MOF instructed CDFs, seed capital with interests, to be returned to the government budget after the project is completion in Sep 2019.CAM:Small-scale infrastructure (SSI) subprojects were completed for all target villages for total investment of US$ 1.85 million. Under the Additional Financing there are 30 subprojects identified including rehabilitation of two bio-engineered sea barriers and one irrigation system and the construction of 30 small-scale water harvesting irrigation subprojects. Detailed designs were completed in 2018 and construction has commenced on three sites with bidding commencing for all other subprojects. Total investment cost for these subprojects is US$9.6 million. - Kandaol Sea-barrier construction fully completed with 5.295 km by 31st Jan 2020.- Andoung Teuk Sea-barrier construction has achieved 65% progress with 5.6 km barrier. - Srae Chrey irrigation scheme has achieved 45% progress,1.950 km of dam with a 69 ha reservoir.8 rain water harvesting ponds constructions will commence construction be started soon in Q2 2020. LAO:- out of 65 small scale rural infrastructure subprojects constructed, 32 are fully complete with 100% payment, 28 requires fixing of defects and 4 are under construction and 1 requires additional works.VIE: On track. 77 SSI subprojects proposed in 3 provinces, of which 41 completed and handed over to communities (23 in Quang Nam, 14 in Quang Tri and 4 in TTH).CAM:The Service Provider contract for the VDF was signed on 18 February 2016 and guidelines prepared. A total of 37 VDFs were established and training to the communities on access to the funds conducted. 48% of the committee members are women and 65.5% of the loans have been made to women. Livelihood Improvement Strategy Development and Implementation (LISDI) strategy and action plan completed and implementation of 15 subprojects covering a range of livelihood improvement activities covering both provinces are on-going.LAO: - 111 groups have been set up with 4,947 beneficiaries of whom 2,503 are women (51%).- depending on local demand and resource availability, the programme covers various livelihoods options, including poultry, pigs and goat raising, home gardening, NTFP planting, etc... with the main focus on supporting opportunities for income generation rather than produce for home consumption.VIE: Complied with 42% of female members

Geographical Location

Cambodia; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Viet Nam

Safeguard Categories

Environment

B

Involuntary Resettlement

B

Indigenous Peoples

B

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

During Project Implementation

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

In Cambodia and Lao PDR, the Project requires the services of grant implementation consultants (GIC). GIC teams for Cambodia and Lao PDR have been recruited through firm by the Central Project Coordination Units, and the National Project Management Office, respectively, using Quality and Cost Based Selection using a ratio of 80:20 in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2010, as amended from time to time). Infrastructure design consultants have been recruited in Lao PDR using consultants qualification selection (CQS) method.

A package for livelihood strategy development and implementation has been procured for Cambodia, using Quality -Based Selection method.

In Viet Nam, the Project requires the services of loan implementation consultants (LIC). The LIC have been recruited by the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) through firm using Quality and Cost Based Selection using a ratio of 80:20 in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2010, as amended from time to time). Infrastructure design consultants has been recruited for three project provinces using CQS method.

Infrastructure design and supervision consultants has been recruited for three project provinces using CQS method.

The PIUs in Cambodia, NPMO in Lao PDR and CPMU in Viet Nam CPCU have recruited and will continue to recruit individual consultants, using Individual Consultants Selection (ICS) method.

Procurement

All procurement of goods and works to be financed under the ADB loan and grants will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2013, as amended from time to time). Civil work packages will comprise a number of small works scattered in remote areas of the project provinces, and are not likely to attract international bidders. For LAO and CAM, packages for works valued at less than $3 million but more than $100,000 or equivalent shall be procured following NCB procedures. For works below $100,000 equivalent, shopping procedures will apply. For VIE, packages for works valued at less than $10 million but more than $100,000 or equivalent shall be procured following NCB procedures. For works below $100,000 or equivalent, shopping procedures will apply. For LAO and CAM, packages for goods costing less than $1.0 million or equivalent but more than $100,000 shall be procured under NCB procedures. For VIE, packages for goods costing less than $2.0 million or equivalent but more than $100,000 shall be procured under NCB procedures. Smaller packages for goods valued at less than $10,000 may be procured using direct contracting procedures. Please refer to the respective Procurement Plans for other applicable methods and thresholds.

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

khuc, huong thi lan

Responsible ADB Department

Southeast Asia Department

Responsible ADB Division

Viet Nam Resident Mission (VRM)

Executing Agencies

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Forestry

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries

Ministry of Environment

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Timetable

Concept Clearance

15 Sep 2010

Fact Finding

20 Sep 2010 to 30 Sep 2010

MRM

20 Oct 2010

Approval

10 Dec 2010

Last Review Mission

-

PDS Creation Date

28 Sep 2010

Last PDS Update

30 Sep 2020

Funding

Grant 0241-REG

Grant 0242-REG

Grant 0426-REG

Grant 0433-REG

Grant 0488-REG

Loan 2721-REG