GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PROJECT DOCUMENT

Name of Country: Republic of Yemen Title of Project: Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Biodiversity of Socotra Archipelago Project Number: YEM/96/G32/B/1G/31 Duration: Five years Project Sites: Socotra Archipelago ACC Code / UNDP Sector: 0440 Marine Resources and Environment 0450 Conservation and Arid Zones Host Country Implementing Agency: Secretariat of the High Committee for Development of Socotra - SHCDS Executing Agency: UNOPS Estimated Starting Day: March 1997 Government Inputs: YR 12,230,000 In kind Parallel Financing: YR 256 million: GoY for Transport Infra-structure US$ 2,500,000: UNDP - Poverty Eradication/ Employment Gen. (YEM/96/001) US$ 72,000: UNDP - Sustainable Environmental Management (YEM/97/100) ECU 5 million: European Union (to be confirmed) UK£ 10,000: British Government UNDP/GEF Inputs: US$ 4,944,700 Brief Description: The longterm objective of the project is to conserve the globally significant biodiversity of Socotra Archipelago. This requires an integrated resource management and development strategy, driven by the local communities, and building on sound ecological and socio- economic bases. In view of the fragile natural and socio-economic environments of Socotra Archipelago, a comprehensive zoning system encompassing the terrestrial and nearshore areas is needed to reduce negative development impacts. The request for assistance from the Government in the formulation of the Master Plan for Development of Socotra Archipelago has provided a unique, timely opportunity whereby GEF could effectively influence major development decisions, to prevent loss of globally significant biodiversity. The organization of the project promotes decentralization by encouraging locally elected village councils to take lead of on-site activities. This organization, enhanced by extensive public awareness programs across the islands, will ensure maximum community participation and ownership to the project, hence strengthen project sustainability. The development of ecotourism and other alternative livelihood will also reduce pressure on the natural resources and contribute to sustainability. On behalf of: Signature Date Name/title

The Government: ______

UNDP: ______

UNOPS: ______

United Nations official exchange rate at date of last signature of project document $1.00=135

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. Context ...... Page 6 1. Country and Sector Background 2. Host Country Strategy 3. Prior Assistance 4. Institutional Framework and Development

B. Project Justification ...... Page 8

1. Issues to be Addressed - Present Situation 2. Expected End of Project Situation 3. Target Beneficiaries 4. Project Strategy and Implementation Arrangements 5. Reasons for UNDP Assistance and Cooperating Agency 6. Special Considerations 7. Co-ordination Arrangements 8. Counterpart Support Capacity

C. Development Objectives...... Page 14

D. Immediate Objectives, Outputs and Activities ...... Page 15

Immediate Objective I : To strengthen institutional and human resource capacity

Output 1.1. An operational Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

Output 1.2. Raised professional and technical skills among the Socotrans.

Output 1.3. Strengthened capability in national environmental and research institutions actively involved in Socotra.

Output 1.4. Strengthened environmental awareness and knowledge base within the Secretariat of the High Committee for Socotra.

Output 1.5. Legislative framework for the protection and sustainable use of the biodiversity and natural resources of Socotra.

Output 1.6. Socotra Conservation Fund (SCF) established and managed.

Immediate Objective II : To establish and implement a zoning system for the Master Plan for Development of Socotra Archipelago...... Page 19

Output 2.1. Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary inventory and mapping of the terrestrial flora and fauna.

2 Output 2.2. Extensive inventory and mapping of social and economic factors which impact on the terrestrial environment and natural resources.

Output 2.3. Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary inventory and mapping of the coastal and marine habitats and resources.

Output 2.4. Extensive inventory and mapping of social and economic factors which impact on the marine environment and natural resources.

Output 2.5. A zoning plan for the management of biodiversity and natural resources, taking into account development needs.

Output 2.6. Development of detailed regulatory mechanisms and management guidelines for individual zones of the Zoning System and overall land and water use policies.

Output 2.7. Implementation and longterm monitoring of the effectiveness of the Zoning System.

Immediate Objective III : To promote sustainable plant resource management...... Page 23

Output 3.1. Effective target areas management, checked by longterm monitoring.

Output 3.2. Widespread planting of endemic, exploited species.

Output 3.3. Reduced exploitative pressure on fodder, timber and fuel species.

Output 3.4. Income generating activities from non-timber plant products.

Output 3.5. Supportive development activities launched to assist sustainable development and enhance public support.

Output 3.6. Longterm monitoring and documentation of ecological and social economic changes induced by project Component 3.

Immediate Objective IV : To promote sustainable marine resource management...... Page 28

Output 4.1. Effective target areas management, checked by longterm monitoring.

Output 4.2. Socotran Fishing Cooperative established and in operation.

Output 4.3. Sustainable management of shark fisheries.

Output 4.4. Sustainable management of lobster fisheries.

3 Output 4.5. Sustainable management of reef fish fisheries.

Output 4.6. Supportive development activities for coastal communities.

Output 4.7. Longterm monitoring and documentation of ecological and social economic changes induced by project Component 4.

Immediate Objective V: To promote environmental awareness and education...... Page 33

Output 5.1. Environmental Education Centre established and operational.

Output 5.2. Increased public environmental awareness through a network of village-based Environmental Extension Officers.

Output 5.3. Increased national and international awareness and recognition of the global significance of Socotra.

Immediate Objective VI : To develop and implement an ecotourism management strategy ...... Page 35

Output 6.1. An Ecotourism Management Strategy prepared.

Output 6.2. Effective implementation of the ecotourism development and management plan.

Output 6.3. Financial sustainability and additional revenue mobilized for further conservation initiatives.

E. Inputs...... Page 37

F. Risks...... Page 39

G. Prior Obligations and Prerequisites...... Page 41

H. Project Review, Reporting and Evaluation...... Page 41

I. Legal Context...... Page 42

J. Budgets...... Page 42

- Budget covering Government Contribution - Budget covering UNDP Contribution

4 K. Annexes

1. The Socotra Archipelago - biodiversity and people.

2. Organization chart of the project and its linkages with other initiatives.

3. Terms of reference of PIU and major posts in the project.

4. Table of target areas for terrestrial interventions.

5. Map of Socotra Island with proposed indicator sites for terrestrial monitoring.

6. Preliminary equipment list.

7. Incremental cost analysis.

8. Letter of country endorsement by designated operational focal point.

9. Indicative Workplan.

10. Schedule of project reviews, reporting and evaluation.

11. Training programme.

5 A. CONTEXT

1. Country and Sector Background

The Socotra Archipelago

Situated some 400 km south of the Arabian Peninsula lies the Socotra Archipelago under the administration of the Aden Governorate of the Republic of Yemen. The archipelago consists of Socotra and three outlying islands, Abd al-Kuri, Samha and Darsa. The long isolation of the islands from the African continent has resulted in very high levels of endemism on the islands. Of the 850 plant species found on the island group, at least 277 are endemic. Recent surveys revealed that the archipelago could be an extremely important area in terms of marine biogeography. The archipelago has been described by the World Wide Fund for Nature as an "Indian Ocean version of the Galapagos", based on the high degree of endemism and unique vegetation types of the islands. For effective biodiversity conservation, the entire archipelago must be treated as a single priority hotspot with exceptional biodiversity under threats, similar to the core zone of a protected area.

The total population of the Socotra Archipelago is estimated from 50-80,000, with the vast majority on Socotra Island where the two main towns Hadibo the capital and Qalansyia are located. The livelihood of the majority of the people on the island is dependent on livestock with the coastal populations rely more on fishing and date cultivation. Since the coastal inhabitants seasonally graze their livestock in the interior, while the rural people of the interior come down to the coast seasonally to fish and have family members permanently settled on the coast, the population of the island must be treated as a single entity. Traditional management practices of land, livestock and fisheries still play a major role in the conservation of the archipelago’s natural resources. Annex 1 gives a more detailed description on the terrestrial and marine biodiversity of the archipelago as well as their interactions with the local people.

2. Host Country Strategy

Yemen has ratified the Convention on Biodiversity in February 1996. In the National Environment Action Plan (NEAP), the establishment of National Protected Area on Socotra was identified as one of the four priority actions of its Habitat Management Action Program.. In March 1996, under Decree IV, the Government described Socotra Island as a special, natural area in urgent need of protection, and announced an allocation of YR 256 million (approx. $ 2 M) for the initial infrastructure (transport) costs of a Master Plan for Development of Socotra Archipelago. The NEAP was subsequently incorporated into the Yemen First Five Year Plan (1996-2000)1 which was approved by the Cabinate in June 1996. The FFYP reflected the needs for both development investment (specifically transport infrastructure) and protection of the natural and archaeological heritage of Socotra.

1 The Yemen First Five Year Plan (1996-2000) - Action to Accelerate the Economic Growth and Development. 6th October 1996. Republic of Yemen, Ministry of Planning and Development, UNDP, DDSMS, Support to Five Year Development Plan, Yem/95/001.

6 3. Prior and Ongoing Assistance

In December 1996, a UNDP Preparatory Assistance Document “Basic Needs Assistance for the People of the Socotra Archipelago” was developed under the subprogramme for poverty eradication and employment generation. The Preparatory Assistance (PA) project will focus on health, water, education and renewable energy, but will also create jobs and promote agriculture, fisheries and handicrafts production. The nine-month PA will lead to a full scale subprogramme of $2 million, contributing to rural development and environmental management of Socotra, and will complement well with the present GEF project which focuses on biodiversity conservation. The British Government has contributed UK£ 10,000 to the PA.

In the 7th EU-Yemen Joint Cooperation Committee meeting, the European Union offered the Government of Yemen to commission a feasibility study on the possible support in the formulation of a Socotra Island Development Master Plan. Pending results of the feasibility study, support from the EU for the Master Plan is estimated at ECU 5 million. Together, the GEF, UNDP and EU initiatives will ensure that the much needed development of Socotra will materialize while achieving environmental and biodiversity conservation goals.

Projects not directly involving Socotra include three GEF funded projects (i) Protection of the Marine Ecosystems of the Red Sea Coast, (ii) Yemen Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Substitution Programme, and (iii) National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and First Report to COP. In addition, the EU/IDA/IFAD IV Fisheries Project began in 1992 has provided assistance in fisheries development in the country, involving stocks and habitat assessment in the Gulf of Aden coast including Socotra. A number of other UN (e.g. FAO, UNCDF) and non-UN development agencies have also initiated various projects on Socotra from forestry and vegetable gardens to immunization programmes and water supply.

4. Institutional Framework and Development

In January 1996, a Government Decree declared the formation of the High Committee for Development of Socotra (HCDS). It was an important breakthrough because until then, there were no clearly identified Government body with specific mandate for Socotra. The High Committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Development, and represented by the Minister of Transport, Public Corporation for Maritime Affairs, Deputy Minister of Petroleum, and the Chairman of EPC, will provide the essential, multi-disciplinary institutional support for the present project. Furthermore, Decree 136/96 effective from 30 September 1996 has designated EPC as the Secretariat of the HCDS. The EPC has since assigned two Socotrans as representative for EPC on the island and is in the process of assigning two technical and liaison officers in Sana’a.

The Government’s requests for assistance from UNDP and EU in the preparation of the Master Plan for Development of Socotra Archipelago indicate strong Government commitment to integrate development and environmental management of Socotra. With guidance and assistance from UNDP which has a longterm commitment for sustainable development and

7 environment in the country, the Master plan will provide the framework and support for continued conservation activities beyond the project period.

The recent official recognition of the communally respected "wise men" and the responsible shaikhs of the locally defined administrative regions of Socotra managed by locally elected village council heads (muqqadim), indicates further support from the Government for this traditional management system. The present project will build upon and strengthen this traditional system to ensure sustainability.

B. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

1. Issues to be Addressed - Present Situation

Threats to Terrestrial Biodiversity - Present and Anticipated

The two main threats on the terrestrial biodiversity already observed are over-cutting of timber species and localised overgrazing. Over-cutting of timber species is likely to increase with the demand for better housing. Habitat destruction and land degradation are important threats anticipated to emerge if development of the islands proceed in the absence of effective landuse and development plans with environmental considerations. Land clearance and degradation near to the coastal settlements are likely to spread to more remote areas when roads are build on an ad hoc, uncontrolled manner. Over-extraction of ground water to meet the growing demand can also have profound impacts on the natural vegetation. The following paragraphs describe in more detail the root causes and trends of the various observed and anticipated threats on the islands' terrestrial biodiversity.

(a) Cutting and Over-collection of Plants

(i) Traditionally, the cutting of live wood for timber is strictly controlled. Anyone cutting a tree on another's land without permission would have to submit to beating or pay a fine. In the past, the supply of locally available dead wood was adequate for building purposes as the majority of the rural pastoralist lived in the many caves of the karstic limestone areas. However this is becoming inadequate as the pastoralist begin to build permanent stone houses which require wooden pillars and roofing beams. The increasing construction of roofed byres similar to human houses for livestock further aggravate the problem. The construction of human and livestock shelters serve as physical indicators of claimed or existing traditional residential and grazing rights. Now live wood is cut to supply the ever growing demand for timber, although strict controls still exists for certain species, such as Maerua angolensis and Metaporana obtusa which are both Socotran endemics categorised as endangered by IUCN, and Ziziphus spina-christi, an important livestock fodder tree which also provides a major source of vitamin C for many islanders.

(ii) Traditional control on the cutting of live wood for fuel still retains. However as the major permanent settlements along the coast expand, there will be an increased demand for firewood, possibly leading to live wood cutting.

8 (iii) There is at present no sign of over-exploitation of plants with ethnobotanical values. Traditionally a number of plants were collected for local use and for export. Plant products are still only collected from within an individual's own tribal area, and any outsider must seek permission under customary law before harvesting. While the local market for plant products is steady at present, there is only a very small and irregular overseas market for frankincense, aloe juice and Dragon's blood resin. However, this situation could change if an international market and access to it were found for any of the islands' plant products before effective export control is set in place. Commercial interest on the aloe juice of Socotra has been expressed.

(b) Overgrazing

No recent census on the number of goats, sheep, cattle and camels on Socotra islands is available and earlier figures tend to be unreliable. Field observations indicate localised grazing impact on the vegetation in some of the coastal areas of Socotra. The movement of pastoralist from the interior to the coastal plains is beginning to weaken the traditional management practices, and to exert more pressure on the coastal vegetation. However, on the whole, overgrazing is not a widespread issue at present. Furthermore, it is anticipated that development will bring in new job opportunities to the younger generations of Socotrans and grazing pressure is not likely to increase over time.

Threats to Marine Biodiversity and Fisheries Resources - Present and Anticipated

(a) Over-exploitation of marine resources

(i) Shark fishery is the only fishery showing noticeable decline and will likely decline further if continue to be exploited at the present rate. The recovery of shark populations from over-fishing is extremely slow due to their low fecundity and late age of maturity. The disappearance of sharks, being on the top of the food chain, may lead to serious irreversible ecological impacts. Given the present dependence upon dried shark, the socio-economic consequences alone would also be disastrous. No other fishery stocks appear to be currently threatened, but a number are increasingly being exploited with growing development pressures. The lobster fishery is vulnerable, since again, late maturation and slow growth makes these high value crustaceans vulnerable to poor management.

(ii) In the absence of effective monitoring, control and surveillance, threats from unregulated industrial fishing, both of pelagics and demersal fish stocks, is anticipated though not yet observed. The impacts on biodiversity will be the results of over-exploitation as well as gear-related habitat loss. Indiscriminate trawling is highly damaging to valuable spawning and feeding substrates, and is a serious problem on the Hadramaut and Al Mahra coasts of the mainland. Improved knowledge of the substrate and habitat types in the shallow coastal waters, especially the patch reefs south of Socotra, would allow targeted control and protection of sensitive or critical habitats.

9 (iii) The capture of turtles is a common traditional practice providing the needed supplementary food for the people during the monsoon from May to September when fishing is difficult. Socotra represents an important breeding and feeding reserve for at least three of the globally endangered species, the Green Turtle Chelonia mydas, Loggerhead Turtle Caretta and Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata. More detailed studies are needed to determine the actual contribution of Socotra to regional numbers and the exact nesting locations so that suitable conservation strategies can be implemented.

(b) Coastal development

(i) Socotran Archipelago’s coastal environment is as yet pristine; the virtual absence of land-based pollution sources, minimal coastal development and a high energy wave climate has meant little or no impact to date. However, the island is apparently at a watershed in its development. Together with a mainland fishery that is now fully exploiting the main commercial stocks, Socotra will be coming under increasing development pressure over the next decade. Therefore, the potential threats are of greater concern then existing issues and preventive measures could be most effective if launched in a timely manner.

(ii) Coastal development can become a real threat to the nearshore coastal environment. The recently begun port construction near to Hadibo was started without an environmental impact assessment. The anticipated expansion of the Hadibo harbour, together with other coastal works, is likely to cause considerable environmental impacts. The exposed nature of the Archipelago’s shores means that coastal development will be restricted to sheltered areas, which are frequently sites of high biodiversity. There is an urgent need for a proactive, holistic management plan based on zonation of habitat sensitivity and the development of appropriate environmental impact assessment procedures prior to significant development initiatives.

(iii) Increasing urbanisation at a few major coastal settlements is likely to result in elevated pollution levels. Serious threats could appear from increased nutrient levels resulting from increased domestic sewage production, and an increase in non-biodegradable solid wastes such as plastics. These can interfere with a number of biological processes, including turtle breeding. These need to be addressed through integrated coastal zone management initiatives which coordinate urban development, waste treatment and environmental protection, within the Master Plan.

(c) Transmigration and Population Pressure

While there is no reliable population growth figures for Socotra, the traditionally high national population growth rate of 4.4% per year (World Bank 1994)2 is a warning signal for the natural resources of the islands. It is difficult to predict the population trend, considering the upcoming development activities for the islands. While some mainland nationals may be drawn to the islands during development, it is expected that

2 World Bank (1994). Trends in Developing Countries 1994.

10 improved external transport facilities will also bring Socotrans to the mainland for better job opportunities. Nevertheless it is important that mechanisms are put in place to secure a sustainable natural resource base for the people should the population increases significantly due to improved health care or immigration. The Archipelago’s marine life is the only substantial biological resource remained to be developed for the islanders of this poor arid land of extremely low agricultural potential. The risk of losing ecosystem productivity and biodiversity to intensive, short-term exploitation is high in the marine sector.

2. Expected End of Project Situation

 Building on sound ecological and socio-economic criteria, a comprehensive zoning system which defines the management of different areas of the archipelago will be formulated. By integrating the zoning system into the Master Plan for Development of Socotra, a holistic management strategy of the biodiversity and natural resources of the archipelago will be ensured. Negative external impacts such as uncontrolled industrial fisheries and commercial extraction of plant products from the islands will be prevented.

 The zoning system will be put into practice as both the local and national institutional framework and capacity will be greatly strengthened through the project. Largely driven by local communities, project activities will demonstrate that conservation, environmental management and development are interdependent rather than mutually exclusive options.

 On the local scale focusing on targeted areas of high biodiversity values and environmental sensitivity, traditional community-based livestock and fisheries management will be strengthened and longterm sustainability achieved.

 The decentralised organization of the project which allows locally elected village councils to take lead of on-site activities, enhanced by extensive public awareness programs across the islands, will ensure maximum community participation and ownership to the project, hence strengthen the sustainability of the project.

 The development of managed ecotourism and other alternative livelihood will not only take away some of the pressures on the natural resources, but also generate alternative income for the local people and raise their incentives for environmental protection. The project will leverage investment interest and resources in these regards.

 The commitment of the Government and support from donor agencies for basic rural development of the islands will provide the needed conditions for the success of the present project. The outputs and momentum generated through this project will be sustained and further elaborated through the Master Plan supported by UNDP and EU.

3. Target Beneficiaries

 Inhabitants of Socotra Archipelago  Government of Yemen and its respective agencies  Research scientists and resource managers in Yemen

11 4. Project Strategy and Implementation Arrangements

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) which is responsible for the management of funds, staffing, contracts and procurement. The Government of Yemen has designated the Environmental Protection Council (EPC) to be the Secretariat of the High Committee for Development of Socotra (SHCDS) which is henceforth the national implementing agency of the project. The SHCDS reports to the HCDS on all activities concerning environment and development of Socotra Archipelago.

The project is an integral part of the Sustainable Environmental Management Programme3 of the UNDP Yemen country programme. A Programme Management Unit (PMU) will be established in Sana’a to oversee the different sub-programmes under the Environment Programme. Specifically, the GEF project forms the Sub-programme 7 of the Programme. The project is also closely linked to a Sub-programme under the Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation initiated to provide Basic Needs Assistance to the People of Socotra (Yem/96/001)4. Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of the GEF project and its linkages with other UNDP programmes in Yemen, coordination of project planning and activities through the PMU of the Environment Programme is essential. A Sub-programme Team will be recruited within the PMU to serve this purpose and to provide administrative and logistics support for the project. The Sub-programme Team will be composed of a National Liaison Officer funded by the GEF project, a National Administrative Officer funded by the UNDP Environment Programme, and two Government employee assigned by the SHCDS. Efforts will be made to ensure that planning missions, design and construction of the project complex, equipment procurement, annual tripartite review meetings and other evaluation missions for the GEF project will be carried out jointly with the Poverty sub-programme for Socotra.

While the PMU of the UNDP Environment Programme in Sana’a provides some administrative support to the project, the actual implementation of all project activities falls within the responsibilities of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to be established on Socotra Island. All sub-contracts will be issued directly by UNOPS upon requests by the PIU. As a general principle, any sub-contracts with external institutions will specify closest collaboration with an existing institution in the country. The organisation chart (Annex 2) and the terms of reference (Annex 3) describe the relationships between different the units and agencies involved in the project as well as the responsibilities and composition of the PIU.

5. Reasons for UNDP Assistance

The project focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of the outstanding endemic biodiversity in the dryland ecosystems, as well as the coastal and marine biodiversity of global biogeographic significance. The objectives and activities meet precisely the criteria of the GEF Operational Strategy and are developed in line with the Biodiversity Operational Strategy, and specifically with the two Operational Programs (i) Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems, and (ii) Coastal, Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

3 Government of the Republic of Yemen, November 1996. Sustainable Environmental Managment - Programme in Support of the National Environmental Action Plan 1997-1999. (Draft for Review)

4 UNDP Yemen, 1996. Preparatory Assistance Document for Basic Needs Assistance for the People of the Socotra Archipelago (Yem/96/001).

12 Given the country's current financial and other resource constraints, it is not possible for Yemen alone to undertake the necessary measures to ensure that its globally significant biodiversity is conserved. It is therefore the intention of this project to organize specific activities in which the global community can share the responsibility to conserve these unique species and ecosystems until Yemen itself is able to undertake conservation measures entirely or primarily with its own resources. The project will focus on building the institutional and human resources of Yemen, especially of Socotra, which are essential for sustainable management of biodiversity in the country.

The holistic approach integrating conservation and development, building on traditional resource management practices, and pooling expertise and resources from the various Government and international agencies (e.g. EU, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, FAO) during the preparation of the Master Plan for Development Socotra Archipelago, will maximize the outputs of the project in achieving global environmental benefits. The economic analyses and marketing of certain alternative income activities to be undertaken during the project will serve as leverage to a broad spectrum of financial possibilities aimed at sustaining conservation activities and improving community livelihood.

6. Special Considerations

The timing of the project is crucial. It is planned concurrently with the preparation of the Master Plan for Development of Socotra Archipelago and will be implemented while the Master Plan matures. This timing allows inputs of the project findings into decision making during the Master Plan process so that conservation objectives will be incorporated during development. At the same time, the project captures the commitment of the Government to develop Socotra which is essential for the success of any conservation initiatives in an area where basic development needs are to be fulfilled. The project has leveraged a substantial contribution from other donors and will also strengthen technical transfer and dialogue exchange between the mainland Yemeni and the islanders.

7. Coordination Arrangements

Coordination of activities among the different international and Government agencies will be achieved through the Programme Management Unit of the UNDP Poverty Eradication / Employment Generation Programme, in consultation with the SHCDS at the planning level, and through the PIU at the on-the-ground implementation level.

8. Counterpart Support Capacity

The interministerial High Committee will provide high level political commitment to the project which is essential when decisions influencing development issues have to be made. The multi-disciplinary nature of the High Committee will make possible the integrated planning and management of Socotra essential to the success of the project. The Secretariat of the High Committee will serve as a bridge between the PMU and the High Committee and provide some national expertise needed for the project. Selected national institutions, especially research institutes, will also contribute technical expertise to the project. The substantial counterpart capacity lies within the local communities of Socotra whose knowledge and management skills of their natural resources will form the bases of

13 any natural resource development schemes within the project. With additional training, the local teachers and health workers can be mobilized to carry out many of the activities under the GEF and UNDP projects. The capacity of the local communities and the national institutions and agencies will be further strengthened through the project as experience accummulate and technical transfer and interactions occur among themselves and with the PIU staff and consultants.

C. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

The long-term objective of the project is to conserve the endemic and globally significant biodiversity of Socotra Archipelago, through community-based resource management, and implementation of a zoning system which will integrate biodiversity conservation, environmental management and development objectives in a holistic manner.

The project consists of six components with the following distinct but inter-related immediate objectives:

I. To strengthen institutional and human resource capacity II. To establish and implement a zoning system for the Master Plan for Development III. To promote sustainable land resource management IV. To promote sustainable marine resource management V. To promote environmental education and awareness VI. To promote ecotourism

D. IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES, OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES

Immediate Objective I : To Strengthen Institutional and Human Resource Capacity

Output 1.1: An operational Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

Activity 1.1.1: In consultation with the mamoor (Director General of the Socotra District), other local Government representatives and village council chiefs, identify suitable Socotrans to work in the PIU. Specifically, a Senior Environmental Officer and a Senior Marine Officer with pastoralist and fisheries background as well as an Educational Officer will be recruited to work with the internationally recruited Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), the Marine Specialist and the Environmental Education Specialist. Mainland Yemeni will be recruited in consultation with the SHCDS when needed. The detailed terms of reference of the PIU and its members are described in Annex 3.

Activity 1.1.2: Organize a public gathering in Hadibo to introduce the project and its PIU to the islanders, and to initiate dialogue with them.

Activity 1.1.3: Hold regular meetings within the PIU and with village council chiefs to plan and evaluate project activities.

14 Activity 1.1.4: Construct project complex and establish facilities for the PIU, which will accommodate offices for the GEF and UNDP teams, meeting rooms/veranda, an Environmental Education Centre, a library, herbarium, specimen museum, laboratories for basic terrestrial and marine research, storage areas, and staff and visitors’ quarters. Prior to the completion of these facilities, another building will be rented temporarily to provide office space for the PIU, storage facilities and staff accommodation.

Party responsible: Contractor

Activity 1.1.5: Install office and laboratory equipment including library literature into the permanent buildings as soon as they are completed. Provide computing facility to the PIU, with a database system that can be incorporated into a GIS later on the project. The construction of the databases will take into consideration existing systems in the country to maximize commonality and facilitate data exchange.

Activity 1.1.6: Repatriate existing data on the flora and fauna of Socotra into the database to begin the development of a complete databank on Socotra. (Substantial data on the vegetation of Socotra Archipelago already exist in the Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh in the form of databases and GIS. Databases on the terrestrial fauna have been developed at the University of Rostock. Base maps and habitat distribution data of the coastal areas of the archipelago have been input in the GIS system at MSRRC in Aden after the project formulation mission in March 1996). New, first hand data will be input into the databank to be developed in Socotra as they are being generated. This will allow the PIU to gain access and to contribute to an established information base crucial to the planning and management of Socotra. This databank will be open to national and international researchers and resource managers stationed at or visiting Socotra.

Party responsible for Activities 1.1.5-1.1.6: RBGE

Output 1.2: Raised professional and technical skills among the Socotrans.

Activity 1.2.1: Consult the Education Department on Socotra regarding the current professional and technical capability of the Socotrans, and to identify the types and levels of training needed to equip the islanders for the management of their natural resources in the long run. Suggested areas for consideration include conservation biology, ecology, coastal zone management, protected areas management, environmental education and economics, ecotourism management, computing, etc. Conduct an island-wide training needs assessment if needed. This will be carried out jointly with the UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project.

Party responsible: Education Department on Socotra

Activity 1.2.2: Based on the findings of activity 1.2.1, provide the appropriate professional and technical training (including academic studies on the mainland or abroad, and short on-site training) to selected Socotrans. Provide preparatory

15 academic and language training if necessary. This will be cofunded and carried out jointly with the UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project.

Party responsible: Education Department on Socotra in collaboration with mainland academic institutes.

Activity 1.2.3: Provide on-the-job training (technical, managerial and administrative) to the local staff of the PIU and other Socotran personnel involved indirectly in the project (e.g. customs/airport officers). Select and arrange Socotran assistants to work with visiting scientists as a kind of on-the-job training.

Output 1.3: Strengthened capability in national environmental and research institutions actively involved in Socotra.

Activity 1.3.1: Organize national workshops and training courses on protected area management for government and non-government personnel involved in the planning, management and research activities in Socotra. These workshops and training courses will refer to case studies from multiple-use protected areas abroad and discuss their relevance and applications in the case of Socotra. Socotrans and external experts will participate as resource persons.

Party responsible: EPC

Activity 1.3.2: Assess the existing operational capability of national research institutions with a track record and commitment for applied research which could contribute to the present project. Based on the assessment, provide support to cover operating costs, equipment (herbarium materials, literature, computers for databases) and/or technical know-how to these institutions.

Party responsible: Short-term consultants

Output 1.4: Strengthened environmental awareness and knowledge base with the SHCDS to incorporate conservation and sustainable use objectives into development in the case of Socotra. Similar environmental objectives applied by relevant line ministries to other areas of biodiversity importance.

Activity 1.4.1: Conduct regular meetings and workshops between the Secretariat, the Socotra subprogramme team and PIU to jointly plan, coordinate and evaluate project activities, and to enhance knowledge transfer among the team members.

Activity 1.4.2: Provide computing facility to the SHCDS, with a database system which duplicate the one at the PIU. This centralized databank on Socotra will greatly strengthen the information and knowledge base needed by the Secretariat in making planning and development decisions regarding Socotra. This databank will be open to national and international researchers and resource managers to facilitate data collation, exchange and application.

16 Activity 1.4.3: When the databases have accumulated substantial amount of data in various fields (e.g. habitat and species distribution, ground water resources, landuse, grazing patterns, fishing activities, etc), and the personnel are sufficiently familiar with the operation of the databases, install and develop a GIS at the SHCDS. The construction of the GIS will take into consideration existing systems in the country to maximize commonality and facilitate data exchange. This GIS will then become a powerful tool for analysing and interpreting existing and new data collected during the project for management purposes. It will be open to national and international researchers and resource managers to facilitate information exchange and enhance its multi-disciplinary applications.

Party responsible for Activities 1.4.2-1.4.3: GIS consultant

Output 1.5: Legislative framework for the protection and sustainable use of the biodiversity and natural resources of Socotra, thereby also for the rest of Yemen.

Activity 1.5.1: Building on the findings of the GEF Biodiversity Enabling Activity project, identify "gaps" in the present national laws, sectoral legislation and their implementation which allow uncontrolled export of endemic and endangered species from Socotra, violation of indigenous property rights, overexploitation of terrestrial and marine resources, and habitat destruction. Identify any contradictory regulations, overlap of government jurisdictions, gaps in treatment of issues and unrealistic enforcement of regulations.

Activity 1.5.2: Based on the outcome of activity 1.5.1, assist the Government in revising the present legislation to better protect and manage the biodiversity and natural resources of Socotra, notably commercial plant species and fisheries, and protected areas management. Specify in the process the needed strategy for enforcement and the training needs to develop the enforcement capacity.

Activity 1.5.3: Develop a system of patents and regulatory mechanisms to protect indigenous intellectual property and control bio-prospecting on Socotra’s biodiversity. Assist in developing legal agreements between local communities and external “prospectors”.

Party responsible for Activities 1.5.1-1.5.3: Legal advisors (consultants) in consultation with EPC.

Activity 1.5.4: Develop the legislative framework needed for the implementation of the Master Plan for Socotra, especially the regulatory mechanisms and guidelines for development and exploitation in the different management zones. Also of particular importance is the regulatory mechanism on house constructions related to population growth and influx to the islands, as well as transmigration within the islands which would put additional pressures on the natural resources of the islands. In the process, ensure the recognition of traditional land ownership, user rights and traditional practices. This activity will be carried out alongside activities under outputs 2.2 and 2.4.

17 Party responsible: Legal advisors in consultation with EPC and Department of Land Disputes on Socotra.

Activity 1.5.5: Develop the enforcement capacity to implement the above legistlative and regulatory mechanisms. This will involve the assessment and elaboration of existing mechanisms such as the local village council system which enforces unwritten, traditional resource use regulations, and where appropriate, mobilisation of the local police and military to reinforce and complement the traditional mechanisms. A series of training programs will be developed to train personnel in different aspects of enforcement (e.g. customs officers, rangers, coast guards). Special efforts are needed to prevent the introduction of exotic species (animals or plants) which may become pests or weeds to the islands.

Party responsible: External consultants in collaboration with EPC.

Output 1.6: Socotra Conservation Fund (SCF) established and managed.

Activity 1.6.1: Define the legal requirements, administration authority and management modality of a Socotra Conservation Fund (SCF).

Party responsible: Legal advisor in consultation with EPC.

Activity 1.6.2: Based on outcome of activity 1.6.1, liaise with potential donors and the Government to capture seed money for the establishment of the SCF. Expand the SCF with community and visitor donations and profits from income generating activities to be developed (Activities under Components III, IV and VI). The SCF will be used to sustain the conservation program and support activities needed as incentives or compensations.

Party responsible: PIU and PMU in consultation with EPC.

Immediate Objective II : To Establish and Implement a Zoning System for the Master Plan for Development of Socotra Archipelago.

Output 2.1: Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary inventory and mapping of the terrestrial flora and fauna.

Activity 2.1.1: Collate existing documentation on the terrestrial flora, fauna and fresh water ecosystems of Socotra Islands, and identify the information gaps.

Activity 2.1.2: Conduct two detailed, multi-disciplinary biodiversity, ecological and resource surveys to fill information gaps such as terrestrial fauna and fresh water ecosystems. These two surveys will last about 30-50 days each and take place respectively in May-June, the driest time of the year, and in August- September when the high mountains receive heavy rain.

18 Activity 2.1.3: Identify areas with tourism potential for subsequent management planning to be developed under Component 5.

Activity 2.1.4: Input the survey results and collated documentation into the databases set up at the PIU and the Secretariat.

Activity 2.1.5: Compile existing information and incorporate new data on the flora and its exploitation into the Ethnoflora of Socotra. The latter will become a powerful tool to assist local villagers and scientists to carry out longterm monitoring of the vegetation and grazing impacts.

Parties responsible for Activities 2.1.1-2.1.5: RBGE with national scientists and Socotran experts.

Output 2.2: Extensive inventory and mapping of social and economic factors which impact on the terrestrial environment and natural resources.

Activity 2.2.1: Inventorize and verify land-ownership and user rights on the islands, especially those constituting permanent ownership and seasonal grazing and cutting rights. A clear system of land tenure and land use will be worked out as an urgent priority. Channel the newly gathered information into the databases at the PIU and Secretariat.

Activity 2.2.2: Document the traditional practices (e.g. rotational grazing, no cutting of live wood for fuel) pertaining to sustainable use of natural resources in different parts of the islands, especially at sites lacking information. Pay special attention to seasonal patterns and interactions between the coastal fishing communities and inland pastoralists.

Activity 2.2.3: Based on the information collected during Activities 2.2.1 and 2.2.2, produce a Manual of Traditional Land Management Practices. This Manual will subsequently be used for promoting awareness at the local level, and also provide guidelines for the Government, planners, developers and resource managers.

Activity 2.2.4: Analyse the existing and potential threats of development in various parts of the islands. Identify sensitive sites of high biodiversity value at risk.

Activity 2.2.5: Throughout the inventories, consult local villagers on their views and understanding on development, environmental and socio-economic issues. Such stakeholder opinions will be reflected in the survey reports and contribute to drafting a socially acceptable zoning system.

Parties responsible for Activities 2.2.1-2.2.5: RBGE with national scientists and Socotran experts, in consultation with the Land Disputes Department.

19 Output 2.3: Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary inventory and mapping of the coastal and marine habitats and resources.

Activity 2.3.1: Conduct a detailed, multi-disciplinary biodiversity, ecological and resource survey of the coastal and marine areas of the archipelago to refine existing habitat and resource distribution maps. The survey will last 30-50 days and may be repeated at different sites according to weather conditions in the two distinct monsoon seasons and transitional periods.

Activity 2.3.2: Input the survey results into the databases at the PIU and Secretariat.

Activity 2.3.3: Identify areas of biodiversity significance and representative ecosystems, turtle and seabird nesting sites, and major fish spawning or nursery grounds. These will become candidates for target areas conservation efforts to be developed under Component 4.

Activity 2.3.4: Identify areas with marine-based tourism potential for subsequent management planning to be developed under Component 5.

Parties responsible for Activities 2.3.1-2.3.4: Marine Consultant Team with national marine scientists and Socotran experts.

Output 2.4: Extensive inventory and mapping of fishing activities and other human factors which impact on the marine environment and natural resources.

Activity 2.4.1: Inventorize traditional fishing grounds, fishing rights and practices of the different coastal villages of the islands, including both those pertaining to sustainable fisheries management (e.g. no fishing with nets during full moon) and those that are less desirable (e.g. use of undiscriminating fishing gear). Pay special attention to seasonal patterns and interactions with inland pastoralists.

Activity 2.4.2: Input the survey results into the databases at the PIU and Secretariat.

Activity 2.4.3: Identify indicator areas representing different coastal and marine ecosystems under present and/or potential threats from both marine-based and land-based sources (e.g. industrial trawling, coastal development, port construction, coral and sand mining, waste discharge or dumping). Some of the target areas identified by activity 2.3.3 may also serve as indicator areas.

Activity 2.4.4: Determine current and potential resource user conflicts between Socotran fishermen and fishermen from the mainland and abroad.

Activity 2.4.5: Throughout the inventories, consult local villagers on their views and understanding on development, environmental and socio-economic issues. Such stakeholder opinions will be reflected in the survey reports and contribute to drafting a socially acceptable zoning system.

20 Parties responsible for Activities 2.4.1-2.4.5: Marine Consultant Team with national marine/social scientists and Socotran experts.

Output 2.5: A zoning plan for the management of biodiversity and natural resources, taking into account development needs.

Activity 2.5.1: Based on the findings from Outputs 2.1-2.4, public consultations and development needs assessment from existing reports, government plans and UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project, develop a draft integrated zoning system for the management of the natural resources of the islands. This zoning system should provide guidance to sustainable development of agriculture and livestock production. The management criteria within the specific zones will be stipulated accordingly.

Activity 2.5.2: Conduct consultative meetings with local village heads (muqqadim) to obtain feedback and suggestions on the draft zoning system.

Activity 2.5.3: Organize open, consultative gatherings with local villagers to obtain feedback and suggestions on the draft zoning system.

Activity 2.5.4: Submit the revised zoning system, incorporating the islanders’ comments and suggestions, to the High Committee for review and endorsement. This zoning system will form the skeleton of the Master Plan for Development of Socotra.

Parties responsible for Activities 2.5.1-2.5.4: PIU, EPC, UNDP Basic Needs Assistance team, and EU Consultants.

Output 2.6: Development of detailed regulatory mechanisms and management guidelines for individual zones of the Zoning System and overall land and water use policies.

Activity 2.6.1: In accordance with existing and revised legislation (Output 1.5), develop detailed regulatory mechanisms and management guidelines (including EIA) for controlling negative impacts from destructive and exploitation activities and promoting sustainable development with conservation. These should be accompanied by practical instructions to enable implementation.

Activity 2.6.2: Develop land use (including coastal zones) and water use policies for future development of the islands. These should reflect the zoning recommendations for areas of varying environmental sensitivity and provide for sustainable agricultural and grazing practices. This will be a collaborative activity with the UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project which will undertake a ground water survey, and the EU Master Plan project yet to be confirmed.

Activity 2.6.3: Where degradation of the inter-tidal or sub-littoral environment has occurred or is envisaged as a result of coastal and land-based activities,

21 develop integrated management systems incorporating the needed terrestrial interventions to combat the negative impacts.

Parties responsible for Activities 2.6.1-2.6.3: Legal advisors with EPC, UNDP Basic Needs Assistance team and EU Consultants.

Output 2.7: Implementation of the Zoning System and longterm monitoring of its effectiveness.

Activity 2.7.1: Conduct meetings with local village chiefs (muqqadims) to announce the designation of the Zoning System. Explain in detail the objectives, implications and implementation of the Zoning System. Obtain feedback from the participants.

Activity 2.7.2: Organize open, regional gatherings with local villagers to announce the designation of the Zoning System. Explain in detail the objectives, implications and implementation of the Zoning System.

Activity 2.7.3: In sensitive areas in need of intensive management, liaise with the local communities to develop practical management procedures (e.g. community watch), building on traditional management systems. This activity is further elaborated under Components 3 and 4.

Parties responsible for Activities 2.7.1-2.7.3: PIU, Land Dispute Department, network of Environmental Extension Officers (to be recruited under Component 5)

Activity 2.7.4: Screen all proposed development projects, based on the management guidelines of the Zoning System and the overall landuse and wateruse policies, and findings of obligatory EIA. Reject proposals which violate the above environmental criteria. Provide technical advice to raise the environmental standards of the proposals. This activity should benefit from Outputs 1.2-1.4.

Party responsible: EPC and PIU

Activity 2.7.5: Implement the long-term monitoring program developed under Outputs 3.6 and 4.7. Channel findings back to the Secretariat and High Committee as means to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the Master Plan.

Party responsible: Network of Environmental Extension Officers with initial assistance from external consultants.

Immediate Objective III : To Promote Sustainable Land Resource Management.

Output 3.1: Effective target areas management, checked by longterm monitoring.

22 Activity 3.1.1: At each of the seven target areas (Annex 4), initiate dialogues with local villagers and resource users to understand the local resource use and social conditions including grazing patterns, land ownership, user rights and tribal management systems.

Activity 3.1.2: Once trust is established, work with local villagers to locate suitable sites for setting up enclosures of various sizes to exclude grazing and cutting pressure. Local villagers will be encouraged to utilize part of the enclosures for their own planting of native, exploited species. One such enclosure was established at Homhil in April 1996. Initially, enclosures will be established at the seven target areas, but more can be established in other parts of the island through community-driven initiatives as the project progress. Such system of enclosures will serve to protect representative communities of threatened, endemic species of the islands.

Activity 3.1.3: Train local villagers to monitor the regeneration and growth of vegetation both inside and outside the enclosures. This will involve training local villagers and students in the identification and recording of the key indicator species. Some of these trained villagers will form part of the Network of Environmental Extension Officers to be established under Component 5. The information and experience gathered will contribute to subsequent reforestation and habitat restoration programs where needed.

Activity 3.1.4: Arouse conservation awareness and stimulate commitment through gatherings. Strengthen traditional livestock management practices which are self-regulatory (e.g. controlled mating). Propose changes where necessary for the conservation of species or sustainability of the pastureland. Provide technical and veterinary assistance through the UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project where necessary.

Activity 3.1.5: Within each target area, establish a permanent 200 meter transect for annual qualitative and quantitative recording of the vegetation. The techniques involved will help detect early signs of change. This would provide an important scientific baseline data for a longterm monitoring programme. This long-term monitoring will be expanded to the other areas at a later stage (Output 3.6).

Activity 3.1.6: If environmental degradation at the target areas is detected, hold discussions with the local community to design and implement appropriate remedial measures. Launch reforestation or habitat restoration programs if appropriate.

Parties responsible: Network of Environmental Extension Officers with initial assistance from RBGE and national scientists.

Output 3.2: Widespread planting of endemic, exploited species

23 Activity 3.2.1: Set up two nurseries for endemic and heavily exploited plant species, especially those used as timber and drought fodder, and/or those lacking regeneration such as Dendrosicyos socotran and Maerua angolesnsis. The two nurseries will be located respectively in Wadi Ayhaft, a relatively high rainfall area in the north and Qa'arah on the Noged plain, a low rainfall area in the south, so that plants across the range of ecological niches found on the island can be grown. Nursery establishment may be extended to other areas at a later stage if needed.

Activity 3.2.2: Record and study the growth and other biological aspects of the planted species. This information will provide some scientific basis needed for successful reforestation and habitat restoration programs.

Activity 3.2.3: Provide on-the-job training to Socotrans in nursery management and growth monitoring.

Activity 3.2.4: Building on the expertise and experience gained at the target areas, organize workshops and visits to promote widespread planting of endemic, exploited species through technical transfer and exchange of horticultural practices and fencing techniques among Socotrans in different areas. Distribute seedlings from the nurseries to villagers nearby and afar for planting.

Activity 3.2.5: Launch reforestation or habitat restoration programs in degraded areas where necessary. Use only native species in such programs.

Parties responsible for Activities 3.2.1-3.2.5: FAO and GDFD.

Output 3.3: Reduced exploitative pressure on fodder, timber and fuel species

Activity 3.3.1: Building on the expertise and experience gained at the target areas on livestock management, organize workshops and visits to promote sustainable livestock management. Provide assistance in reconstructing traditional stone walls to restrict grazing areas.

Parties responsible: Network of Environmental Extension Officers.

Activity 3.3.2: Carry out feasibility studies on subsidised imported timber to reduce demand for native timber, especially before the nursery and reforestation programs become well established. Advise the Government on its implementation.

Activity 3.3.3: Provide technical advice to the Government on the distribution of imported timber through the community linkages strengthened by other project activities, and based on understanding of the local pressure on the native species in different areas.

24 Activity 3.3.4: Carry out economic analyses and feasibility studies for developing low-tech renewable energy (solar, wind, biogas) to reduce demand for native firewood.

Activity 3.3.5: Based on the results of the feasibility studies, provide technical assistance to the islanders on the development of the preferred energy applications on the islands, working with mainland institutions wherever possible to achieve cost effectiveness and promote technical transfer from the mainland to Socotra.

Parties responsible for Activities 3.3.2-3.3.5: These are to be jointly financed and implemented with UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project, involving short-term consultants.

Output 3.4: Income generating activities from non-timber plant products.

Activity 3.4.1: Develop legal measures and contractual framework to safeguard the intellectual property rights of the islanders and to ensure that any economic benefits derived from the exploitation of plants will benefit the islanders.

Party responsible: Legal advisors in consultation with EPC.

Activity 3.4.2: Carry out feasibility studies on small scale production and export of selected Socotran plant products with potential commercial values. The studies will identify production lines which are ecologically and economically viable and their markets, analyse sustainable yields and optimal growth conditions, develop collection techniques and preferable strains or varieties. Based on the above studies, set up local co-operatives to gather, plant and market the selected plants and plant products.

Party responsible: External consultant with Socotran experts.

Activity 3.4.3: Carry out feasibility studies of the production of fumigation mixtures from commonly available scented wood (e.g. Cephalocroton socotranus, Coelocarpum socotranum, several Boswellia spp.). If proved to be economically viable, assist villagers in forming co-operatives and arrange mainland women to teach their skills to Socotran women.

Activity 3.4.4: Carry out feasibility studies, detailed economic analyses and market assessment for bee keeping and the production of honey. If the economic viability of honey production is confirmed, expand the present bee-keeping operations on the island.

Activity 3.4.5: Develop funding mechanisms through the Socotra Conservation Fund (SCF) or credit schemes to support the above activities initially. Once the co- operatives and operations are established, they will generate revolving funds from their own income to cover the recurrent costs.

25 Activity 3.4.6: Provide vocational (technical and financial) training for the development and management of the above income generating activities, incorporating environmental awareness programs which explains the conservation objectives behind these income generating activities.

Parties responsible for Activities 3.4.3-3.4.6: These are to be largely financed and implemented by the UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project, with local consultants.

Output 3.5: Supportive development activities launched to assist sustainable development and enhance public support.

Activity 3.5.1: Collaborate with other development agencies to develop joint conservation and development activities (e.g. water supply, diet improvements, education).

Parties responsible: PIU, UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project team.

Activity 3.5.2: Construct simple water catchment systems (e.g. karifs, gabiya) to assist planting where necessary. Supported by water catchment systems and if located near schools and clinics, the enclosures established will become gathering places where environmental awareness, training and nutritional and health education can be promulgated. School students and other children could be taught to assist in planting and vegetation monitoring of the enclosure, as well as growing vegetables and fruits to improve the poor diet of the community.

Activity 3.5.3: For areas lacking fencing materials to safeguard drinking water and small scale planting, set up collection stations and provide transport to bring palm materials from major date plantations which can be used as fencing materials.

Parties responsible for Activities 3.5.2-3.5.3: These are to be financed and implemented under UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project.

Output 3.6: Longterm monitoring and documentation of ecological and social economic changes induced by project, especially the terrestrial components.

Activity 3.6.1: Carry out a social, economic and attitude survey on the islands, especially in villages located within the target areas, prior to project intervention. Train environmental extension officers the techniques of monitoring and recording changes of these parameters and report the findings on a regular basis. This activity is to be implemented concurrently with activity 3.1.1.

26 Parties responsible: Environmental Education Specialist and Senior Environmental Officer with UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project team.

Activity 3.6.2: Expand the vegetation monitoring programme in the target areas (Activity 3.1.5) to other areas. Based on previous studies, 12 other areas (including 3 on the outer islands) representative of different vegetation types of the islands and under differing pressures, have been identified as potential indicator sites for long term monitoring (Annex 5).

Activity 3.6.3: Collate the results from the vegetation, social, economic and attitude monitoring programs in the different target areas, and later on from the indicator sites. Input as much as possible these data in the databases established in the PIU and the Secretariat (Outputs 1.1 and 1.3). Integrate and analyse the data as appropriate. Document the process of change and disseminate success stories and best practices. In sub-optimal cases, study and discuss with local villagers on the possible causes of failure and revise the intervention accordingly.

Parties responsible for Activities 3.6.2-3.6.3: Network of Environment Extension Officers with UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project team.

Immediate Objective IV : To Promote Sustainable Marine Resource Management.

Output 4.1: Effective target areas management, checked by longterm monitoring.

Activity 4.1.1: At each of the target areas of high conservation potential identified in Output 2.3, assess the existing and potential threats affecting them. This will involve site observations and in-depth dialogues with local villagers and resource users to understand the local resource use and social conditions, such as fishing rights, turtle exploitation and traditional fisheries management systems, as well as Government and private development plans.

Activity 4.1.2: Based on the threat assessment completed above, develop a management plan for each of the target areas. These management plans should be supported by the zoning system of the Master Plan so that development impacts on these areas will be kept to a minimum.

Activity 4.1.3: If necessary, work with the local communities to demarcate areas which need to be protected by temporary or permanent fishing ban, species and spawning aggregation protection, or limited access. Organize community watch systems to enforce protected areas regulations.

Activity 4.1.4: At major turtle nesting sites and the villages nearby, launch turtle conservation programs, involving awareness campaign, research and monitoring of nesting turtles.

27 Activity 4.1.5: Train keen Socotrans from fishing villages techniques in long term ecological monitoring, recording of marine biodiversity, habitat status, fisheries production and social aspects through short courses (including scuba diving) and on-the-job practices. These trained personnel will form a Marine Extension team as part of the Network of Environment Extension team to be established under Component 5.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.1.1-4.1.5: Marine Consultant Team with national marine scientists and Socotran experts.

Activity 4.1.6: Develop supportive activities such as simple methods of product treatment and storage to reduce post-harvest losses of dried fish and improve food hygiene. This will lessen the demand for dietary supplement from turtle meat and eggs, if combined with effective awareness campaigns. Train an extension team of keen Socotrans to promote these techniques. UNDP and other agencies will take the lead in this activity.

Activity 4.1.7: Develop alternative livelihood or other assistance as incentive or compensation for loss where fishing bans have to be imposed.

Activity 4.1.8: Monitor and document the ecological, social and economic trends within and around the target areas, and the impacts of the management. This activity is elaborated under Output 4.7.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.1.6-4.1.8: Marine Extension Officers and UNDP Basic Assistance Needs project team.

Output 4.2: Socotran Fishing Cooperative established and in operation.

Activity 4.2.1: Promote and assist the fishermen to establish a centralized Socotran Fishing Cooperative among the coastal village councils. This involves assisting the fishermen with access to credit schemes necessary to set up the cooperative. The Cooperative will form the institutional structure through which many of the activities under the marine component of the project will be implemented.

Activity 4.2.2: Provide advice and training on the administrative and financial management of the Cooperative through which the selling of all fisheries products can be regulated and the price can be controlled by the local fishermen rather than middlemen or buyers from outside. These will in effect regulate and control exploitation pressure on the fisheries.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.2.1-4.2.2: PIU with UNDP Basic Assistance Needs project team.

Activity 4.2.3: Provide technical advice on developing regulatory measures based on existing national fisheries regulations adapted to local conditions, sustainable

28 fisheries including non-destructive, non-exhaustive, selective fisheries, improved storage, quota and control in sensitive sites, species and seasons.

Parties responsible: Marine Consultant Team and national marine scientists.

Activity 4.2.4: Organize a team of Marine Extension Officers among keen Socotrans to promote the use of selective fishing techniques to replace indiscriminate gears, and village-based watch systems against damaging fishing practices and violation of regulations. These will form part of the Network of Environment Extension Officers to be established under Component 5.

Activity 4.2.5: Promote environmental education outreach programs focusing on sustainable resource management and conservation, building on traditional beliefs and practices. These would be primarily aimed at the fishermen, but would also target school children, women and local Government bodies.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.2.4-4.2.5: PIU with local fishing village chiefs.

Output 4.3: Sustainable management of shark fisheries.

Activity 4.3.1: Carry out assessment of stocks, current exploitation level and economics of shark fisheries.

Activity 4.3.2: Develop a sustainable management scheme for shark fisheries involving regulatory mechanisms and taking into special considerations the possible social economic impacts on the local fishermen.

Activity 4.3.3: Work with the Government, Socotran Fishing Cooperative and local fishermen to implement the shark fisheries management scheme.

Activity 4.3.4: Carry out long term monitoring of landing, exploitation level and economics of shark fisheries. Document trends and management impacts, taking into account regional and global contexts also.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.3.1-4.3.4: Marine Consultant Team and national marine scientists, with Network of Marine Extension Officers.

Output 4.4: Sustainable management of lobster fisheries.

Activity 4.4.1: Carry out assessment of stocks, current exploitation level and economics of lobsters fisheries.

29 Activity 4.4.2: Develop a sustainable management scheme for lobsters fisheries. This should involve regulatory mechanisms and take into special considerations destructive methods, direct exploitation by mainland fishermen, export demand, and the possible social economic impacts on the local fishermen.

Activity 4.4.3: Work with the Yemeni Government, Socotran Fishing Cooperative and local fishermen to implement the management scheme.

Activity 4.4.4: Carry out long term monitoring of landing, exploitation level and economics of lobster fisheries. Document trends and management impacts.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.4.1-4.4.4: Marine Consultant Team and national marine scientists, with Network of Marine Extension Officers.

Output 4.5: Sustainable management of reef fish fisheries.

Activity 4.5.1: Carry out assessment of stocks, current exploitation level and economics of reef fish fisheries, focusing on existing and likely target species.

Activity 4.5.2: Develop a sustainable fisheries management scheme for selected target reef fishes. Emphasize on precautionary measures as the reef fisheries is currently low but potential of market opening to outside fishermen and the potential economic values involved are high.

Activity 4.5.3: Work with the Yemeni Government, Socotran Fishing Cooperative and local fishermen to implement the reef fisheries management scheme.

Activity 4.5.4: Carry out long term monitoring of landing, exploitation level and economics of reef fisheries. Document trends and management impacts.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.5.1-4.5.4: Marine Consultant Team and national marine scientists, with Network of Marine Extension Officers.

Output 4.6: Supportive development activities for coastal communities.

Activity 4.6.1: Liaise with other development agencies or potential investors or donors (e.g. EU) on the development of a monitoring, control and surveillance system for the fisheries activities in the area, especially those of foreign and mainland fishermen.

Activity 4.6.2: Liaise with other development agencies and potential investors to leverage funds for building a simple cold store and fish market at designated fishing outlets, and supporting internal transport between collection points.

Activity 4.6.3: Investigate the potential of resource diversification through feasibility studies of alternative marine resources such as low-tech aquaculture of

30 seaweed and abalone. Liaise with other development agencies or potential investors to develop promising alternative resources while ensuring ecological sustainability and socio-economic benefits for the Socotrans.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.6.1-4.6.3: PIU, UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project team

Output 4.7: Longterm monitoring and documentation of ecological and social economic changes induced by project, especially the coastal and marine components.

Activity 4.7.1: Carry out a social, economic and attitude survey on the islands, especially in villages located within the target areas prior to project intervention. Train Marine Extension Officers the techniques of monitoring and recording changes of these parameters and report the findings on a regular basis.

Parties responsible: PIU with UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project team.

Activity 4.7.2: At each of the indicator area identified at Activity 2.4.3, develop a monitoring program to detect changes in environmental quality and status of the ecosystems. If negative changes are detected, take appropriate remedial actions. These actions may have to be taken beyond the indicator areas where the root causes of the degradation are borne.

Activity 4.7.3: Collate the ecological, social, economic and attitude monitoring program results from the different target areas and later on from the indicator sites. Input and analyze these data in the databases established in the PIU and the Secretariat (Outputs 1.1 and 1.3), taking into consideration that the root causes of environmental or resource degradation may occur beyond the target areas or indicator sites. Document the process of change and disseminate success stories and best practices. In sub-optimal cases, study and discuss with local villagers and government on the possible causes of failure and revise the intervention accordingly.

Parties responsible for Activities 4.7.2-4.7.3: Marine Consultant Team and national marine scientists, with Network of Marine Extension Officers and UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project team.

Immediate Objective V : To promote environmental education and awareness.

Output 5.1: Environmental Education Centre established and operational.

Activity 5.1.1: Establish an Environmental Education Centre in conjunction with the PIU in Hadibo for the general public, school children and tourists. Visiting scientists will be encouraged to give guest lectures at the Centre.

31 Activity 5.1.2: Design and develop a permanent educational display on the natural history, cultural heritage and sustainable resource management practices of Socotra.

Activity 5.1.3: Train local teachers in basic ecology, environmental science and awareness promotion. These trained teachers will then be able to initiate awareness programs at schools and collaborate with the Environmental Extension Officers in village-based activities.

Activity 5.1.4: Design and develop interactive activities, training courses, workshops and social gatherings for school children, women and other special groups, and the general public.

Activity 5.1.5: Prepare educational materials for distribution to schools, villages and mosques.

Parties responsible for Activities 5.1.1-5.1.5: PIU and Education Department of Socotra, involving national consultants.

Output 5.2: Increased public environmental awareness through a network of village-based Environmental Extension Officers.

Activity 5.2.1: Establish a network of Environmental Extension Officers across the islands, composed of local floral, pastoral and fisheries experts and teachers who have shown keen interest in environmental issues during the initial surveys and implementation of the target area activities. Socotrans trained in activities 3.1.3, 3.2.3, 3.6.1, 4.1.5, 4.2.4 and 4.7.1 will form a major part of the network.

Activity 5.2.2: Provide initial guidance to the Extension Officers who will, within their own areas, be responsible for environmental education, supervision of environmental monitoring, planting and fisheries extension activities, regulated livestock management and the distribution of educational materials among the local population. They will report regularly to the PIU.

Activity 5.2.3: Organize regular workshops and gatherings among the Environmental officers to exchange experience and expand activities.

Activity 5.2.4: Building on the Ethnoflora of Socotra, develop targeted, user- friendly guides and materials needed for monitoring impacts from grazing and other pressures, and for the management of target areas

Parties responsible for Activities 5.2.1-5.2.4: PIU and Education Department of Socotra, involving national consultants.

Output 5.3: Increased national and international awareness and recognition of the global significance of Socotra.

32 Activity 5.3.1: Establish the Friends of Socotra, a non-profit making society of scientists, conservationists and students of both local and foreign origin, to strengthen exchange of scientific findings and conservation experiences, and coordination of activities on the islands through newsletters correspondence and functions. Membership fees of the society will contribute to the Socotra Conservation Fund according to the legal requirements and administrative authority defined in Activity 1.6.1. Define specifically the mandate and operational regulations of the society including the administration and monitoring of fund raising activities.

Activity 5.3.2: Organize annual conferences inviting national and international scientists and managers to disseminate and discuss the research findings and environmental experiences generated from Socotra.

Parties responsible for Activities 5.3.1-5.3.2: EPC with local academic/research institutes and NGOs.

Activity 5.3.3: Building on the outcome of the various project components, notably the surveys, the target areas management and the preparation of the Manual of Traditional Land Management Practices, prepare a documentary program for broadcast through the public media in Yemen and abroad.

Activity 5.3.4: Establish a photo bank with contributions from visiting scientists and photographers for the production of promotional publication.

Activity 5.3.5: Produce posters, postcards and other promotional materials on Socotra for distribution and sale in Socotra and the mainland.

Activity 5.3.6: Organize annual photographic competitions and exhibitions as awareness and fund-raising events.

Parties responsible for Activities 5.3.3-5.3.6: EPC and PIU.

Immediate Objective VI : To develop and implement an ecotourism management strategy.

Output 6.1: An Ecotourism Management Strategy prepared.

Activity 6.1.1: Organize a study tour for the local and national Government agencies involved in decision making and planning on tourism development on the islands, to visit sites abroad which serve as good demonstration on integration of ecotourism with nature conservation and local communities participation.

Activity 6.1.2: Develop an ecotourism management strategy (including scientific tourism/expeditions) for the islands, with specific guidelines for individual sites of tourism potential identified in Component 2, taking into account traditional land ownership and user rights. In view of the short favourable season, the fragility of

33 the arid ecosystems and the cultural sensitivity of the tribal communities, both land and marine-based ecotourism on Socotra should be in the direction of high value and low impact.

Parties responsible for Activities 6.1.1-6.1.2: EU Consultant in consultation with PIU.

Output 6.2: Effective implementation of the ecotourism development and management plan.

Activity 6.2.1: Provide technical assistance to location selection and design of guest accommodation, transport and other facilities, to ensure minimal environmental impact, as stipulated in the management strategy.

Activity 6.2.2: Develop marketing mechanisms through the Government tourism representatives in Socotra and the General Tourism Authority on the mainland as well as through the Friends of Socotra.

Activity 6.2.3: Establish regulatory and enforcement capability to control the impact of visitors, such as quota, seasonal restrictions. Regulate access and specimen collection carefully and monitor the impacts. Revise environmental guidelines and management regime to improve the situation when impacts are detected.

Activity 6.2.4: Co-ordinate ecotourism activities between the PIU and the network of Environmental Extension Officers around the island who will be responsible in monitoring impacts.

Activity 6.2.5: Train Socotrans as nature guides and other support staff.

Parties responsible for Activities 6.2.1-6.2.5: EU Consultant in consultation with the PIU.

Output 6.3: Financial sustainability and additional revenue mobilized for further conservation initiatives.

Activity 6.3.1: Develop economic mechanisms involving licensing or visitors fees to pay for recurrent expenses in managing the tourism areas. Channel income and contributions from visiting tourists and scientists into the Socotra Conservation Fund.

Activity 6.3.2: Promote small souvenir industries involving local women and traditional products such as pottery, frankincense and other natural gums, woollen rugs, palm mats, etc.

Parties responsible for Activities 6.3.1-6.3.2: EPC and UNDP Basic Needs Assistance project team.

34 E. INPUTS

1. Government Inputs

In kind contribution of the Government for this project is estimated at YR 12,230,000 and will cover the land for building the project complex in Socotra, staff costs at the Secretariat and PIU, as well as their transport cost. As part of the Master Plan for Socotra, the Government of Yemen has allocated YR 256 million (approx. US$ 2 million) for the construction of the seaport, airport and roads, and for securing regular external transport. These transportation means are essential to the implementation and monitoring of the proposed GEF project.

2. UNDP Country Programme Inputs

UNDP and other UN agencies are contributing to complementary activities that will help to ensure the success of the GEF project. The UNDP “Basic Needs Assistance for the People of the Socotra Archipelago” will contribute initially US$ 675,352 during its Preparatory Assistance (PA) phase, followed by a downstream project under the Poverty Eradication / Employment Generation Programme estimated at US$ 2 million. The UNDP Sustainable Environment Management Programme will allocate funds to support costs on the National Administrative Officer who will work at the PMU in Sana’a; the running costs of which will also be provided by the UNDP Environment Programme. The estimated costs of these support items for the initial three years amount to US$ 72,000. UNICEF, WHO and other agencies are also expected to contribute a significant amount towards education, rural infrastructure and public health.

3. Other Donors Inputs

The UNDP and GEF are instrumental in leveraging funds needed for essential development works on Socotra in support of conservation objectives. As a result, the British Government has contributed UK£ 10,000 for the building of traditional water catchment systems and plant enclosures as part of the UNDP PA. In the 7th EU-Yemen Joint Cooperation Committee meeting, the European Union offered the Government of Yemen to commission a feasibility study on the possible support in the formulation of a Socotra Island Development Master Plan. Pending results of the feasibility study, support from the EU for the Master Plan may be estimated at ECU 5 million. Furthermore, the various alternative income development activities under the GEF and UNDP Basic Needs Assistance projects are aimed at overcoming the initial financial barriers over which the local communities will be able to sustain the activities.

4. UNDP/GEF Inputs

The Global Environment Facility has allocated US$ 4,944,700 for the present project. This amount of funds will support personnel, staff and local people training, equipment, vehicles, infrastructure and operational costs (See budget).

 The following personnel are required for the project, all of whom will be based in Socotra except the National Liaison Officer who will be based at the PMU in Sana’a. The terms

35 of reference of the three international experts and the National Liaison Officer are described in Annex 3.

person/month Chief Technical Advisor (international) 48 Marine Specialist (international) 36 Environmental Education Specialist (international) 24 National Liaison Officer at PMU 48 Logistics/Financial Assistant 48 Secretary/Translator 48 Senior Environmental Officer 48 Senior Marine Officer 48 Senior Education Officer 48 Technician 48 Drivers (x2) 96

Total costs: US$ 1,305,600

 Short term personnel include international experts to serve as legal advisors, fisheries policy advisor and training consultant in the field of regulation enforcement; as well as national experts including botanists, terrestrial ecologists, marine and fisheries specialists, and part-time environmental extension officers. These short term personnel costs are estimated at $ 292,000 (See budget).

 Consultant services from international and Yemeni companies and institutions cover both terrestrial and marine surveys and monitoring, data management including GIS establishment and training, fish stocks surveys, plant nurseries and horticulture training, feasibility studies for ecotourism and plant products. Costs for these consultant services are estimated at $ 1,080,000.

 Infrastructural costs for the construction of the project complex including an Environmental Education Centre, project offices, basic laboratories with specimen collections, a library, storage areas, and accomodation for staff and visitors, are estimated at $ 220,000.

 Training will be provided by standard academic training (two Bsc), short term courses, study tours, workshops and continuing support and guidance from international staff. Annex 11 gives detailed descriptions of these training activities. The total cost is estimated at $208,000.

 The equipment under this project will be procured according to UNDP rules and will be essential to the achievement of the project objectives, and in particular to the development and transfer of knowledge and skills to the local staff, and high impact awareness activities. A project based in a remote location and deals with mobile populations scattered in an archipelago, requires substantial inputs into basic office and living facilities, field equipment as well as vehicles (both land and sea) for the project staff and community activities. These include office, laboratory and audio-visual

36 equipment, computer hardware, GIS, generators, satellite phones, communication radios, reference books, GPS units, survey gear, and scientific instrument for the laboratories, herbarium and specimen museum. Annex 6 provides a preliminary list of the equipment to be purchased. The total cost is estimated at $ 476,700.

 Operational support includes transport and communication costs, maintenance of project complex, production of interpretation materials and publications, awareness campaigns, office running costs, and small-scaled supportive development activities in collaboration with other agencies (e.g. plant enclosures and associated water catchments). These, together with contingency costs amount to about $ 785,100.

 A project of this scale and complexity will incur significant workland and financial burden to the field office. These are relation to the formulation, processing, support and monitoring of the project. In line with UNDP financial regulatons, such support must be reimbursed and should be charged to the project budget. Therefore, the field office requrests reimbursement upto $ 133,681 for the following services provided during the implementation of this project:

National GEF programme officer $ 90,000 Monitoring / field travel of office programme staff $ 30,000 Communications and office supplies $ 10,000 Sundries and contingency $ 3,681

F. RISKS

 At present logistical difficulties exist in getting to the island, and, once there, getting around. Unless the airstrip is upgraded and the seaport built, the island is not reachable by commercial airfreight or by sea for almost five months of the year, due to the strong monsoon and the accompanying high winds and waves.

However, while this will restrain a few of the project activities timewise, it is not expected to pose a major problem, as the activities to be undertaken throughout the year will be implemented by local people and project staff who are residing on the island year-round. The Council of Ministers' allocated budget for external and internal transportation on the island, is a major breakthrough to solving the problems of transport. The implementation and monitoring of the project will greatly benefit from the above Government commitment.

 Although Socotra has not been the focus of much attention, a number of missions to the island of various sorts have taken place over the years. Each one, because it is rare, has brought renewed hopes for assistance to the people of Socotra. Unfortunately, there is a general feeling that promises for assistance have not been kept and this has had a noticeable effect on the attitude of people.

The present project will therefore involve local people in all aspects of decision making and in the implementation of the project activities, so that they are fully on

37 board and are aware of any constraints, and can themselves help to address them accordingly.

 There are anticipated and possibly unexpected environmental and socio-economic impacts on the islands caused by the upcoming development.

The project is addressing these by working closely with the Government and UNDP in the formulation and initial implementation of the Master Plan so that environmental and socio-economic issues are taken into full account before and at the onset of development activities. The strong institutional and capacity building component, as well as the environmental awareness and education component are designed to install and develop the needed local and national capacity to tackle future challenges and changes without external assistance.

 There is currently little coordination between Yemeni institutions with concerns relevant to this project. This is partly attributable to a general lack of necessary resources, few incentives, and little means to share results or accomplishments either within the country or abroad.

The establishment of the GIS databases in the Secretariat for the High Committee of Socotra, but open to use by national institutions and researchers, will promote data exchange and generate incentives for further studies and collaboration.

 Many institutions have lost essential equipment or the remaining equipment is in a state of disrepair and, as a result, have little means of conducting their day to day activities.

The project will support these institutions to carry out the work of the project and will encourage greater collaboration and coordination among these institutions by providing the means in terms of essential equipment as well as meaningful incentives such as the means to publish and share information, both nationally and internationally. Twinning local institutions with international institutions could be means of motivating staff and bringing it into the scientific community.

38 G. PRIOR OBLIGATIONS AND PREREQUISITES

The prior obligations of the Government to the project are as follows:

 Provision of land suitable for the construction of the project complex on Socotra Island.

 Provision of costs for all Socotran project staff, the Liaison Officer and the National Administrative Officer in the 5th year of the project.

 Provision of landing permits and facilitation of emergency evacuation when needed.

Prerequisites of the project are listed as follows:

 The Secretariat of the High Committee for Development of Socotra will provide support in operation and coordination of the GEF projects and other initiatives to take place in Socotra, and to serve as the technical and liaison linkage between the High Committee and the PIU.

 Provision of geographic information and clearance of data produced by the project.

 Collaboration with the project team in the design and implementation of the Master Plan for Development of Socotra to incorporate the zoning plan for resource management and other environmental criteria stipulated from the GEF project.

 Upgrade of airstrip and construction of seaport and roads on Socotra to ensure internal and outbound transport capability.

The project document will be signed by UNDP, and UNDP assistance to the project will be provided, subject to UNDP receiving satisfaction that the above obligations have been fulfilled, and the prerequisites fulfilled or likely to be fulfilled. When anticipated fulfilment of the prerequisite fails to materialize, UNDP may, at its discretion, either suspend or terminate its assistance.

H. PROJECT REVIEW, REPORTING AND EVALUATION

The project will be subject to tripartite review at least once every 12 months, the first such meeting to be held within the first 12 months of the start of full implementation. The CTA will prepare and submit three months prior to each tripartite review meeting, a Project Performance Evaluation Report (PPER). Additional PPERs may be requested, if necessary, during the project.

A mid-term review will be carried out in the third year of the project. A project terminal report will be prepared for consideration at the terminal tripartite review meeting. It will be prepared in draft sufficiently in advance to allow review and technical clearance by project partners at least three months prior to the terminal tripartite review.

39 The above mentioned review and evaluation will be based on the ecological and social indicators developed during the project. The specific outputs/activities contributing to monitoring and evaluation of the project include outputs 3.6 and 4.7 targetting respectively on the impacts of the terrestrial and marine components; as well as activities 4.3.4, 4.4.4 and 4.5.4 specific to different fisheries management.

I. LEGAL CONTEXT

This project document shall be the instrument referred to as such in Article 1 of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement between the Government of Republic of Yemen and the United Nations Development Programme, signed by the parties on 11 April 1977. The host country implementing agency will, for the purpose of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement, refer to the government cooperating agency described in that Agreement.

J. BUDGETS

The budgets showing government and GEF inputs for the project are listed in the following tables:

40