LAND USE PLANNING SECTION I Chapter 1 LANDSCAPE LAND USE PLANNING Landscape Land Use Planning : Lessons Learned from the CARPE Program Jim Beck Synthesis Lessons Learned from the CARPE Program 12 Case study 1 Lessons Learned from the Maiko - Tayna Kahuzi-Biega Landscape 21 Case study 2 Lessons Learned from the Sangha Tri National Landscape 36 Case study 3 Lessons Learned from the Maringa - Lopori -Wamba Landscape 46 Nick Nichols CHAPTER 1 13 SECTION I LAND USE PLANNING Landscape Land Use Planning : Lessons Learned from the CARPE Program Jim Beck Plantations of Azadiratha indica planted in front of the Lake Tanganyika 1 Introduction1 cular importance and unique value to forest and biodiversity conservation. Actions are guided by participatory land-use planning (LUP). Land- 1.1 Overview scape LUP is an integrated process composed of discrete parts (land management plans, macro- This chapter provides an overview of landscape- zone plans, annual work plans) joined to form a scale land-use planning and lessons learned rational, logical management approach. from the implementing partners of the US Agency for International Development (USAID)/Central The landscape LUP framework promoted by the African Regional Program for the Environment CARPE programme prioritizes three types of (CARPE) in the development and implementation zones (macro-zones) to be delineated within the of Integrated Land-use Plans for the Congo Basin landscapes: Protected Area (PA), Community Forest Partnership (CBFP) Landscapes. Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), and Extractive Resource Zones The CARPE programme works closely with its (ERZ). Each macro-zone should benefit from a partners to improve Central African natural re- management plan. These macro-zone plans link source management capacities, contributing to directly to the overall landscape plan and must national and regional objectives. Field efforts are articulate how they reflect, support and will contri- concentrated on 12 landscapes, chosen and de- bute to the landscape desired conditions and ob- lineated across the Congo Basin as jectives, as well as how they will address CBFP/CARPE areas of focus due to their parti- site-specific issues and needs. The objectives of 1 Adapted from: US Forest Service. 2008. “US Forest Service Guide to Integrated Landscape Land Use Planning in Central Africa”. Washington, DC: USFS. http://carpe.umd.edu/Plone/resources/carpemgmttools. 14 Synthesis - CHAPTER 1 LAND USE PLANNING SECTION I the three macro-zones of a landscape should and its resources will be available in detail. This therefore be harmonized, and not in conflict, with is true around the world, regardless of the finan- the objectives of the overall landscape. cial and human resources available to the mana- gement authority. Nevertheless, landscape 1.2 Purpose of landscape planning planning must proceed with the view that the plan can call for additional data collection and be revi- Landscape planning seeks to outline and imple- sed with that newly acquired data to make better ment planning processes so that: 1) the long- informed decisions. Therefore, it is important not term ecosystem function of the forest and to delay plan development due to a perceived biodiversity present within landscapes is ensu- lack of complete data. red; 2) the supply of products and income sources that local communities in the landscape Plans around the world vary substantially in their have traditionally depended upon continues; 3) content, level of detail, and complexity. When extractive zones within landscapes are contribu- working through the planning process, it is impor- ting to the country’s economy without negatively tant to keep in mind that, often, simpler plans are influencing local populations or the health of the more effective plans. The likelihood that the plan ecosystem; and 4) in-country natural resource will be more widely read and understood by local management capacity is strengthened. stakeholders, as well as the likelihood of their en- gagement in the process, will increase if the plan Planning is the process in which stakeholders is relatively concise, focuses on what is important (community members, scientists, government re- for resource conditions, and is light on jargon, presentatives, private businesses, non-govern- both scientific and legal. mental organizations (NGOs), traditional authorities, etc.) come together to debate and Landscape-level planning differs from macro- discuss how to manage lands for the benefit of zone planning in that it plans at a larger, spatial current and future generations, and to ensure scale and can assess broader, wide-ranging ecological sustainability of lands and resources. trends, influences and impacts. A broad, wide- The purpose of planning is to develop manage- ranging perspective is needed to adequately un- ment and governance strategies that respond to derstand and assess ecological sustainability and a scientific understanding of natural and social to identify resource use opportunities that contri- systems as well as changing societal conditions bute to economic and social sustainability. Expe- and values. Effective planning processes pro- rience has demonstrated that planning for mote decisions that are informed, understood, ecological sustainability requires larger areas. accepted and able to be implemented. For example, wide-ranging wildlife species often do not confine themselves to particular geopoliti- Planning can be complex depending upon the cal boundaries and therefore in order to plan for number of issues internal and external to the the conservation of such species, a broader un- planning area. Planning requires risk assess- derstanding of ecological health is needed ments and forecasts about anticipated and un- through analysis of impacts, trends and in- certain future events and conditions. fluences. Using landscapes will enable not only Consequently, even the best plan will need to be the development of comprehensive plans for the altered to adjust to improving data and informa- conservation of species and ecosystems, but tion; changing social, economic or other condi- also allow the cumulative effects of current and tions; evolving threats; or feedback from future management actions to be measured. monitoring efforts. Therefore, plans are adaptive in nature, and amendments or entire revisions will 1.3 Landscape planning in the be an outcome of monitoring and evaluation ef- CARPE context forts. Integrated landscape land-use plans developed Central to planning is the recognition that in most for the CARPE programme demonstrate how cases not all of the desired data on the landscape CHAPTER 1 - Synthesis 15 SECTION I LAND USE PLANNING CARPE implementing partners have: 1) asses- The guidance and activities outlined in the land- sed and analyzed activities, resources and uses scape plans and the subsequent macro-zone on the entire landscape; 2) developed and formu- plans aim to contribute to the long-term manage- lated long-term desired conditions and objectives ment, benefit and sustainability of forest re- for the landscape; 3) identified current planning sources in the region and thereby contribute to and resource protection priorities and future the development of sustainable livelihood strate- trends; 4) consulted, collaborated and integrated gies and economic development activities for stakeholders in plan development; and 5) focu- those dependent upon these resources. sed management activities to achieve desired conditions and priority objectives. These plans As a precursor and in order to orient the develop- are meant to promote stakeholder collaboration ment of more formal management plans at mul- across the landscape, focus efforts on prioritizing tiple levels, CARPE implementing partners have produced a Strategy Document (SD) for each management unit. Each SD describes how BOX 1. STEPS IN A LANDSCAPE PLANNING CARPE implementing partners will develop a PROCESS landscape plan, what is needed to develop the plan, and how much time and resources it will The following steps form the basis of the land- take. The elements and analysis needed to de- scape land-use planning process: velop the SD are part of the landscape planning 1. Identify planning team members and de- process. Box 2 outlines the CARPE management fine individuals’ specific roles; approach to landscape LUP. 2. Identify existing and needed ecological, social and economic information on the 1.4 Governance and management au- landscape; 3. Create a Public Participation Strategy thority (PPS); 4. Landscape plan development : CARPE landscape partners do not, and will not, a. Describe the landscape’s unique have a mandate to exercise governance autho- value; rity. This authority lies rather with national, local b. Describe characteristics of the land- and community entities depending on the natio- scape; nal legal framework and structures in place. As c. Develop landscape desired condi- government capacity and presence in the land- tions; scapes varies widely throughout the region, en- d. Develop landscape objectives which gagement and policy influence is challenging at reflect and address the desired condi- best. In order to influence the development of tions for the landscape; good governance practices and structures on the e. Develop and map macro-zones, ta- ground, CARPE partners can strategically use king into consideration already legally the management plan development process to designated areas, concessions, and engage local communities, government agency contracts;