INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATASHEET APPRAISAL STAGE

Public Disclosure Authorized I. Basic Information Date prepared/updated: /2011 Report No.: 74819

1. Basic Project Data Original Project ID: P 108943 Original Project Name: Country: Project ID: P 108943, P074235 Project Name: The Ankeniheny-Mantadia-Zahamena Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration Corridor Carbon Project, Conservation Component. Task Team Leader: Bienvenu Rajaonson Estimated Appraisal Date: 2005 Signing ERs Purchase Agreement with The Government of Madagascar

Public Disclosure Authorized April 2008 Managing Unit: AFTEN Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: Environment (100%) Theme: Carbon Offset IBRD Amount (US$m.): 0.00 IDA Amount (US$m.): 0.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 PCF Amount (US$m.):1,505,000 (ERs) Other financing amounts by source:

Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Category: C Repeater [] Is this project processed under OP 10.00 (Emergency) or OP Yes [ No [X] 8.00 (Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies) ]

2. Project Objectives

1. Original project development objective:

The project aims to purchase 430,000 t of emission reductions from verified reduced deforestation within the Corridor Ankeniheny- Zahamena- (CAZ) located in the eastern region of Madagascar. This carbon offset operation is fully part of the investments under EP3, IDA project P074234 and its Additional Financing. Public Disclosure Authorized

3. Project Description

2. The Corridor Ankeniheny - Zahamena (CAZ) protected area (432,000 ha) is located in the eastern portion of the country and its management objective is to protect its natural ecosystems and use the natural resources sustainably such that conservation and use are mutually beneficial. It aims at reducing forest fragmentation and reconnecting forest fragments, while at the same time promoting alternative livelihood activities for impoverished communities. More than 30 Communes totaling 315,000 persons are depending on environmental services provided by the forest area comprised within the Corridor. In addition, research and studies have shown that this forest corridor holds a number of important endemic species, 70% of which are threatened according to the IUCN. These endemic species in the corridor include 460 species of flora, 11 lemur species, and 89 bird species. Major pressures to the area consist of slash and burn practices for tavy farming, as well as the expansion of mining and timber harvesting activities.

3. The CAZ reserve has specifically been designed to be eligible as an “avoided deforestation” carbon project and has benefited from one of the first contracts (with the BioCarbon Fund) that will provide carbon revenues long term that will cover the reserve’s core costs. Through the creation of the new CAZ protected area, the project will result in reduced emissions from deforestation. Through the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS), the project will generate Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs) from REDD, featuring as one of the first REDD initiatives in Africa. Through the marketing and sale of VCUs from the project, the Government of Madagascar intends to partially finance the management of the protected area and expand economic opportunities for local communities.

4. The protected area’s category is in line with IUCN VI category and given the local contextual reality, it was decided to develop a co-management governance structure of CAZ. Co- management necessarily implies a sharing of decision making among various stakeholders.

4. Project Location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis.

5. The project aims to reduce deforestation of primary Malagasy forests by creating a corridor to protect remaining native forests between the Zahamena and Mantadia National Parks in east- central Madagascar. The Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor in Madagascar stretches over 425,000 hectares, and includes five protected areas: Mangerivola, , Analamazaotra-Mantadia, Zahamena) managed by the Madagascar National Parks (MNP), 60 areas which management has been transferred to local communities, and four private areas. The corridor encompasses the majority of what is left of Madagascar’s eastern dense tropical rainforest. The corridor is included in Province and the three Regions concerned by its management are respectively, , Alaotra Mangoro and .

6. The project’s site is encompassing a mid range of approximately 700-1000 m and a slope range of 0–60 degrees. The sites selected for the project activity are within the slope range of 20- 45 degrees. The CAZ Protected Area site makes up a vast watershed that holds the sources of eight large rivers and a multitude of water systems, the largest of which include Sahatandra, Ivohitra, Rianila, Ivondro, Ivoloina, Onibe, Ihofika, Namarafana, , Managory, Simianona, Marimboha, Manatsatrana, Onibe and Fanandrahana. These rivers are largely used on a daily basis by local populations as important sources of potable water supply.

5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists

1. (AFTCS TBC) 2.Mr Paul Jean Feno (AFTEN)

6. Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) X Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) X Forests (OP/BP 4.36) X Pest Management (OP 4.09) X Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) X Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) X Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) X Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) X Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP X 7.50) Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) X

II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and Their Management

A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts:

7. The draft EA specifically for CAZ within EP3 framework prepared by the GoM pursuant to OP4.01 and lessons learned from the implementation of the parent project EP3 confirm that large-scale, significant and/or irreversible environmental impacts are not expected. The GOM is committed to the principle of associating surrounding communities to the implementation of the management plan of CAZ and therefore no resettlement is expected to take place. Other necessary safeguards have been conducted under the parent project and disclosed under the same.

8. Activities proposed for BioCF CAZ follow those expected under the parent project EP3, IDA Project P074234 and its additional financing. Therefore, the BioCF resources will help promote sustainable forest management around CAZ as it is conceived and designed to have significant positive environmental and social impacts. Revenues generated from the carbon purchase will be shared in three parts. One major part is dedicated to communities; the second one is for the delegated manager of the Park to ensure a better conservation of the Park and use of carbon revenue and the third one is for the State. So, optimum quantity of carbon available for sale is only generated in the CAZ if the three entities are closely working together and coordinating their respective efforts to reduce and/or avoid deforestation in and around the park. All environmental and social issues related to CAZ are already addressed in the execution of EP3 thanks to the full assessment done on PAPs and corresponding PAPs financing. Overall, the carbon revenue will be a complement of safeguards mitigation activities planned under EP3. It will be then shared more inclusively to PAPs as well as to non PAPs.

2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area:

9. Long-term impacts are those that may be associated with induced activities related to income generating activities and management transfer of forest areas that will be promoted to local communities around CAZ. However, the environmental impact of such an activity has been and will continue to be among the most critical determinants of the capacity building plan dedicated to all involved stakeholders. In addition, the GoM is already committed with its decentralized structures (Forest Department) to put in place enabling corresponding mitigation measures in case leakage as well as slash and burn are extended any time and in compliance with the national legislation. Therefore, no negative long-term impacts are anticipated due to project activities.

3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts.

10. Not relevant.

4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described.

11. The three decentralized forestry directions that cover the Corridor have been mandated to manage the protected area until the permanent protection status of CAZ is obtained. To this end, a technical committee composed with governmental and non-governmental partners involved in the creation of CAZ has been established. The purpose of this technical committee was to orient the process for officially creating CAZ and monitor implementation progress. The technical committee meets twice monthly with a technical support of Conservation International which assures its secretariat.

12. The borrower's capacity to deal with safeguard issues have been improved based on their combined track record in-country, as well as with the implementation of the parent project. Indeed, tools and instruments have been developed, disseminated and experienced in other protected areas through training of trainers and capacity building programme that has been addressed to beneficiaries. Furthermore, the country has performed a good follow up of environmental and social dimensions in the project in association with concerned stakeholders, fact that is very encouraging. However, this performance has to be further continued and strengthened through the present carbon offset project. To further maximize the chance of success of proposed project activities, appropriate safeguard training will be provided to CAZ stakeholders to ensure tangible outcomes and results, and minimize any potential social and environmental impacts and social conflicts risks that may hinders project activities sustainability. To this end, a participative follow up system which involves local grassroots communities has been put in place to better monitor deforestation activities in the CAZ.

5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people.

13. For the proposed carbon purchase financing, key stakeholders include smallholders, local communities, local NGOs, ongoing projects, private sector operating around CAZ, local representative from the Ministry of Environment and Forest and CI. Local NGOs, smallholders and communities in the project area will be involved not only during the preparation of any project activities, but throughout the project cycle. To that effect, they will benefit from awareness raising and specific training concerning community’s rights and obligations and how to seek redress against what they could regard as unfair process. The implementation agency (delegate management) will, in particular, consult potential project affected groups and local nongovernmental organizations on the project’s environmental and social aspects, and will take their views into account. Once completed, the ESMF/Plan on CAZ which refers to this EP3 additional financing will be shared with concerned sectors, nongovernmental organizations, development partners of Madagascar and concerned corporate and communities. It will be disclosed in Madagascar in Malagasy and local language by the Ministry of Environment and it will also be made available at the World Bank’s Info shop. Relevant activities and specific safeguard documents/mitigation plans prepared subsequently will also be disclosed.

B. Disclosure Requirements Date Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? NA Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop For category A projects, date of distributing the Executive

Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors Resettlement Action Plan/Framework/Policy Process: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? NA Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop Indigenous Peoples Plan/Planning Framework: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? NA Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop Pest Management Plan: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? NA Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop * If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources, the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental Assessment/Audit/or EMP. If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why:

8. 9. 10. C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level (to be filled in when the ISDS is finalized by the project decision meeting)

OP/BP/GP 4.01 - Environment Assessment Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report? No If yes, then did the Regional Environment Unit or Sector Manager (SM) No review and approve the EA report? Are the cost and the accountabilities for the EMP incorporated in the NA credit/loan? OP/BP 4.04 - Natural Habitats Would the project result in any significant conversion or degradation of No critical natural habitats? If the project would result in significant conversion or degradation of NA other (non-critical) natural habitats, does the project include mitigation measures acceptable to the Bank? OP/BP 4.10 - Indigenous Peoples Has a separate Indigenous Peoples Plan/Planning Framework (as NA appropriate) been prepared in consultation with affected Indigenous Peoples? If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Sector NA Manager review the plan? If the whole project is designed to benefit IP, has the design been NA reviewed and approved by the Regional Social Development Unit or Sector Manager? OP/BP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement Has a resettlement plan/abbreviated plan/policy framework/process NA framework (as appropriate) been prepared? If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Sector NA Manager review the plan? The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World NA Bank's Infoshop? Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a NA form and language that are understandable and accessible to project- affected groups and local NGOs? All Safeguard Policies Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional responsibilities NA been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard policies? Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the NA project cost? Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project includes the NA monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard policies? Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the NA borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal documents? 11. 12. 13. D. Approvals 14. Signed and submitted by: Name Date Task Team Leader: Mr Bienvenu Rajaonson 02/23/2012 Environmental Specialist: Mr Paul Jean Feno 03/23/2012 Social Development Specialist Additional Environmental and/or Social Development Specialist(s):

Approved by: Regional Safeguards Ms Alexandra C. Bezeredi 07/20/2012 Coordinator: Comments: Sector Manager: Ms Idah Riddihough 10/21/2012 Comments: 15.