E1256

REPUBLIC OF YEMEN

Public Disclosure Authorized MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION Public Disclosure Authorized

RAINFED AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Public Disclosure Authorized

JULY 2005 Public Disclosure Authorized ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ACU Agricultural Cooperative Union ARA Agricultural Research Authority

CAHW Community Animal Health Worker CBO Community-Based Organization

EA Environmental Assessment EAMP Environmental Assessment and Management Plan EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan EPA Environmental Protection Authority (GOY) EPL Environmental Protection Law

FA0 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

GDAR General Directorate of Animal Resources (MAI) GDP Gross Domestic Product GDMEA General Directorate for Monitoring and Environmental Assessment @PA) GOY Government of Yemen

LC Local Council

MA1 Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (GOY)

NEAP National Environmental Action Plan

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

PSU Project Support Unit (RALP)

PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

RALP Rainfed Agriculture and Livestock Project

SFD Social Fund for Development

TDA Tihama Development Authority

TOR Terms of Reference

YWA Yemen Women Association REPUBLIC OF YEMEN

RAINFED AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

Table of Contents

Page No .

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... i-iv

1 . INTRODUCTION ...... 1 Background 1 Principles and Objectives 2 World Bank Safeguards Policies 2 Methodology 3

2 . DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT SITUATION ...... 3 Description of Physical and Biological Environment ...... 3 Description of Socio-economic Context ...... 5 Description of Stalceholders and Beneficiaries ...... 6

3 . ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY. LEGAL. ADMINISTRATIVE ...... 7 FRAMEWORK Policy Context ...... 7 Legal Framework for Environmental Management ...... 8 Administrative Framework for Environmental Management ...... 9

4 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND ALTERNATIVES ...... 10 Description of Project ...... 10 Analysis of Project Alternatives ...... 11

5 . ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ...... 12

6 . ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 12

7 . ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING CRITERIA FOR ...... 13 SUB-PROJECTS ...... Sub-projects Subject to Environmental Screening...... 13 Use of Environmelltal Screening Criteria for Sub-projects ...... 14 PSU Review and Approval ...... 15 EPA Review and Approval ...... 15 Field Supervision and Monitoring ...... 15

8 . ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND EVALUATION ...... 15 9 . AWARENESS. CAPACITY-BUILDING AND TRAINING ...... 16 P~lblicAwareness ...... 16 Training and Study Tours ...... 18 Consultant Services ...... 18

10. CONCLUSION ...... 19

IBRD MAP NO. 34325

APPENDICES

Appendix I: Map of Project Area ...... 20 Appendix 11: Reports from the Field Visits to Project Areas ...... 21 Appendix 111: List of Stakeholders Met ...... 34 Appendix IV: Environmental Policy. Legal and Administrative Framework ...... 39 Appendix V: Income-Generating Project Alternatives...... 47 Appendix VI: Environmelltal Screening Criteria...... 49 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Tlle Govenunent of Yemen asked the World Bank to prepare an Agriculture and Livestock Project in the rainfed areas in five rural governorates: A1 Mallweet and Sana'a Governorates in the central higllland massif, Hajjah and Hodeidah Governorates in the nortllwestern mountain and coastal area and Lallej Governorate in the so~rthernnlo~~ntainous part of the country. The proposed Rainfed Agriculture and Livestock Project (RALP) is designed to provide economic, social and environmental benefits to the farmers and livestock owners, their families and the rural communities in the project areas througl~increased agricultural and animal productivity as a result of improved seed production, enhanced livestock protection and expanded water and soil conservation and management. On behalf of the Wnistry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conducted an Eilvironmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed project - visiting project areas in the five governorates, meeting with project stakeholders and viewing environmental and social conditions in the rural villages - and prepared an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Environmental Assessment The EA found the project to be a major advance in Yemen for supporting traditional rainfed agricultural systems (as opposed to groundwater withdrawal systems) and improved animal ll~~sbandryin the five governorates. The EA confirmed that the overall environmental impact of the project should be positive - the social and environmental benefits of the project (in terms of increased agricultural and animal productivity as a result of improved seed production, enhanced livestock protection and expanded water and soil conservation and management) will outweigll any potential adverse environmental or social impacts. Further, it found that any potential adverse impacts can be prevented or minimized by the preventive actions and mitigation measures recommended in the EMP. The EA confirmed the "Category B" classification of the project under World Bank safeguard policies, finding no significant, cumulative or irreversible environmental impacts from the project. Furthermore, it found that no other safeguard policies apply, but it recommends capacity building in integrated pest management to address any pest management concerns, in lnanagement and conservation of natural areas to address nat~lralhabitat considerations, etc.

Environmental Management Plan Tlle EMP addresses the range of potential adverse environmental and social impacts presented by RALP interventions, particularly those posed by the rehabilitation of the veterinary labs, the constnlction of the animal quarantine facility at A1 Mukha and the small-scale infrastructure projects for markets, water harvesting and flood control, terrace rehabilitation, etc. to be financed by the project. It proposes a process and criteria for screening the small-scale infrastructure projects, as well as a monitoring and evaluation program for tracking project environmental impacts and a11 envirolmlental awareness, capacity-building and training program for the range of public and private sector institutions and local populations involved in the project. A description of these various parts of the EMP follows:

(a) Envirollmental Management Matrices The EMP outlines the appropriate preventive actions and mitigation measures for addressing the potential adverse environmental and social impacts identified by the EA for the various sub-projects included in the RALP. The recommended actions and measures, covering the design, construction and operation phases of these sub-projects, are presented in two environmental management matrices: one for the construction of the animal holding grounds at A1 Muklla, the other for the rehabilitatioil/construction of the veterinary labs and the small-scale infrastructure sub- projects for markets, water harvesting and flood control, etc.

(b) Environnleiltal Screening for Sub-Proiects The objective of the environmental screening criteria and procedures is to ensure routine review of the small-scale infrastnlcture sub- projects to be financed by tlle RALP in order to identify and address potential adverse environmental impacts. Where potential impacts are minor, they should be addressed through the preventive actions or simple mitigation measures identified in the EMF'; more significant impacts may require review under Yenleni EIA regulations and implementation of specifically-identified mitigation measures. The environmental screening will take place as follows:

Sub-proiects and Activities that Require Environmental Screening The various conlponents of the RALP include financing for a number of different sub-projects or activities, involving the constructiold rehabilitation of small-scale infrastructure works, some of which are identified in the project document (i.e. the laboratories and the animal holding grounds), others of which will be identified only during project implementation (i.e. the market infrastructure improvelnents and the water harvesting and soil conversation works). Because these infrastructure investments may have adverse environmental impacts, they will be subject to environmental safeguard screening criteria and procedures. Use of Environmental Screening Criteria Environmental screening will be incorporated into the regular project development cycle for all sub-projects and activities financed under the RALP, beguming with initial identification of the s~lb- project or activity, followed by review by either the PSU or the technical staff of the Social Fund for Development (sFD)', ending with execution of the sub-project or activity. At the sub-project identification stage, technical staff, worlung with village farmer committee will review the environmental screening criteria in order to identify potential environlnental impacts, suggest appropriate good practices, preventive actions or mitigation measures from the environmental management matrix, and trigger further environmental review, where necessary, under Yenleni EIA regulations. The animal holding grou~ndsat A1 Mukha Port has been treated separately under the EMF' and has its own environmental management matrix. PSU or SFD Review and Approval The PSU or SFD will ensure that all activities or sub-projects have been properly reviewed using the screening criteria before approving execution of a s~~b-project.Where the screening criteria suggest the need for appropriate good practices, preventive actions or mitigation measures in location, design, construction or management of a sub-project, the PSU or SFD will ensure that the appropriate practices, actions, measures or training are provided and that such practices or measures are followed in execution of the sub-project. Where the screening criteria trigger further environmental review under Yemeni EIA regulations, the PSU or SFD will ensure that the appropriate EIA process is followed. EPA Review and Approval The vast majority of RALP sub-projects (i.e., market infrastructure improvements, water harvesting and soil conservation activities), will be small in scale and minimal in impact and thus not expected to req~lirefornlal EPA review. The good practices, preventive actions and mitigation measures identified in the EMP for location, design, construction, and management should be used to address potential environmental impacts. A few activities (e.g., laboratory rehabilitatioldconstn~ction,animal quarantine facility construction) may require EPA review (to be determined by EPA). The PSU will ensure that the EPA's EIA procedures are followed in these cases. Field Supervision and Monitoring The PSU or SFD technical staff will monitor execution of all RALP sub-projects to ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated, i.e., that good practices, preventive actions or mitigation measures are

' The entity in charge will be the PSU for activities under Component 1 and 2, and the SFD for sub-projects under Component 3. employed and that EPA-required mitigation measures are taken. Once a sub-project has been completed, PSU or SFD teclmical staff will certify that the appropriate practices, actions or measures have been ~~tilised.The PSU or SFD monitoring units also will monitor compliance with environlnental requirements and include the results in regular project reports.

(c) Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Although the overall environmental and social impacts of the RALP are expected to be beneficial, the diversity of the project's interventions and the fragility of the ecological conditions in the rainfed proiect areas strongly suggest the need for periodicallv monitoring and evaluating the impacts of the proiect. To this end, the EMP includes the followine; two-tiered environmental monitoring and evaluation plan:

Monitoring implementation of preventive actions and mitigation measures. The PSU and SFD will be responsible for monitoring proper implementation of the various preventive actions (e.g. waste management planning) and mitigation measures (e.g. rangeland rehabilitation) required by the EMP or by the EPA. This will entail periodically making site visits to verify that the appropriate actions and/or measures have been implemented. The PSU and SFD will also conduct random evaluations of project sites to determine the effectiveness of measures taken and the impacts of project activities on the surrounding environment. Monitoring key environmental and social indicators. During the life of the project, the PSU and SFD (in collaboration with their local offices and EPA) will cany OLI~ periodic monitoring and analysis of water resources conservation and management (both quality and quantity), and management, animal and human health. The key indicators will be identified with stakeholder participation during the first year of the project, but they should enable the PSU, MAI, SFD and EPA at least to determine the impacts of the project on (i) the general quality and availability of water for human consumption and use for agriculture and livestock, and (ii) the overall health and welfare of the human and animal populations in the project areas.

(d) Awareness, Capacity Building and Training In order to ensure proper implementation of the various environmental activities recommended in this EM?, the RALP will support a range of awareness-raising, capacity-building and training activities for building both awareness of environmental concerns and capacity for proper environmental management in the project areas. This will include strengthening technical capacity in the PSU and in MA1 and its Governorate and District Agricultural Offices, as well as essential capacity building in ellvironmental management for village farmer committees and for local farmers and livestock owners. The activities to be financed by the RALP will include the development of public outreach and awareness campaigns for the local populations, the delivery of training and study tours for local officials and the provision of specialized consultant services as needed for any special studies or analyses identified during project implementation:

Public Awareness While the EA found a reasonable level of awareness of environmental concerns in the project areas visited, it also identified a fundamental need for basic information on the best practices, methods and technologies for improving management of the limited natural resource base in the rainfed agricultural areas. The RALP will organize comm~lnityoutreach and public awareness campaigns on a range of water and soil conservation, land degradation and environmental management issues. Training and StLldv Tours The RALP will provide appropriate environmental training to the range of relevant project stakeholders (i.e. PSU,MAI, SFD, village farmer committees), both to raise general environmental awareness and to strengthen overall environmental management capacity in the project areas. Furthermore, this trailling will address the specific technical skills necessary to perform the environmental management and monitoring functions required and may include a limited n~unberof study tours to similar World Bank projects in the region. Consultant Services The RALP will provide additional, specialized techcal support for environmental assessment and mallagement through the services of a limited number of national and international environmental consultants as needed. These consultants will be used to enhance the environmental capabilities of the MA1 in specific technical areas, such as proper management of veterinary laboratory wastes. 1. INTRODUCTION

1. This Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMF') has been prepared for the proposed World Bank Rainfed Agriculture and Livestock Project (RALP) in Yemen in order to ensure that the proposed project incorporates sound environmental and social management principles and practices and th~~scomplies with World Bank environmental safeguard policies, as well as with the applicable environmental policies and legal req~~irementsof the Government of Yemen (GOY).

Background

2. Yemen is a mountainous country with an area of 528 000 km' and a population of roughly 20 million people. With very limited natural resources and largely unrealized human capacity, Yemen is among the poorest countries in the world, having a gross national income per capita of only US$ 510. Agriculture is a significant sector of the economy, accounting for about 11 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and employing more than 50 percent of the rural population. Currently, an estimated 73 percent of the population lives in rural areas.

3. The agriculture sector in Yemen grew rapidly in the 1970s and 198Os, driven by investments, market expansion and protectionist policies. Yemeni agriculture today has a market orientation. Rapid growth in irrigated agriculture has brought self-sufficiency in fixit and vegetables and an explosion of qat cultivation, but it has also resulted in a decline in the cultivation of traditional cereals and legumes and in livestock holdings in rainfed areas, with the consequent deterioration 111 watersheds and terraces. The decline in these traditional systems also impacts some of the poorest rural populations in Yemen and undernines some of the most sustainable production systems.

4. Currently agricultural production and productivity in rainfed areas remain extremely low. For example, the national average productivity for sorgl~um,maize and millet are 0.6, 1.2 and 0.4 tonsha, respectively. Furthermore, GOY support services for agriculture and livestock production, faced with tight budgets, have deteriorated in recent years. On the other hand, FA0 has estimated that rainfed agriculture in Yemen has the potential to grow by up to 12 percent per annurn with improved seed crop husbandry and seed supply systems. The World Bank's Seeds and Agriculture Services Project (1998-2004) had a limited component for production of cereals and selected legumes (sorghum, wheat, barley, lentils and cowpea) for rainfed areas. The progress achieved under that project, however, was hampered by the lack of suitable improved cultivars adapted to dry land conditions; hence m~1c11remains to be done.

5. The RALP will be the World Bank's first rainfed agriculture operation in Yemen, as well as its first livestock project. As such, it represents a major advance for the World Bank in Yemen in supporting traditional rainfed agricultural systems (as opposed to groundwater-withdrawal- based irrigation systems) and in promoting improved animal husbandry in the five rural governorates selected: A1 Mahweet and Sana'a Governorates in the central lughland massif, Hajjah and Hodeidall Governorates in the northwestern mountain and coastal area and Lahej Governorate in the southern mountainous part of the country (see map in Appendix I).

6. The JVhnistry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) will be the lead GOY agency responsible for the Components 1 and 2 of RALP, together with the Social Fund for Development for Component 3. A Project Management Unit (PSU) will be established within the Ininistry to oversee management of the RALP and coordinate project activities with other GOY instit~~tions involved in the project (i.e. Agricultural Research A~thority,Environmental Protection Authority, etc.). Principles and Objectives

7. The objective of the envirollmental assessment (EA) in Sections 1-5 of this document is to identify the significant envirollmental and social impacts of the proposed project (both positive and negative) and to specify appropriate preventive actions and mitigation measures (including necessary monitoring) to prevent, eliminate or mininlise any anticipated adverse impacts. The environmental management plan (EMP) contained in Sections 6-8 of the document is the mechanism that ensures that the envirolunental prevention and mitigation measures identified in the EA and any monitoring and capacity building activities recommended will be properly undertaken during implementation of the proposed project.

World Bank Safeguard Policies

8. The World Bank's Integrated Safeguard Data Sheet for the RALP initially designated it a Category "B" project, triggering the Bank's safeguard policy for Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01, BP 4.01, GP 4.01). The EA confirmed the Category "B" classification for the proposed project, finding no significant, irreversible, cum~~lativeor long-term adverse enviro~unental impacts. In fact, the EA identified a number of positive environmental and social impacts (in terms of increased agricultural and animal productivity as a result of enhanced seed production, improved livestock protection and expanded water and soil conservatioll and management) and only minor, potentially-negative impacts (associated with rehabilitation of the veterinary labs, construction of the animal quarantine facility at A1 Mukha and implementation of the small-scale infrastructure projects) that could effectively be prevented or minimized by application of appropriate preventive actions or mitigation measures (see discussion of impacts in Section 6). This EA, wit11 its EMP ensuring implementation of the preventive actions and mitigation measures recommended, satisfies this Bank environmental safeguard policy.

9. Furthemore, the EA found that no other World Bank safeguard policies apply to the RALP:

The Pest Management Policy (OP 4.09, BP 4.09) does not apply because the project will not procure any pesticides nor will it induce an increase in the currently low levels of pesticide use in the project areas. However, the EA recommends awareness-raising and capacity building in integrated pest management to address any future pesticide concerns. The Forestry Policy (OP 4.36, BP 4.36) does not apply since the project will not involve forested or woodland areas and thus will have no impacts on forest health, on local populations dependent on forests or on forest use or management. The Natural Habitats Policy (OP 4.04, BP 4.04) does not apply because the project will involve no conversion of natural areas or critical natural habitats as defined by the policy. However, the EA recommends awareness raising and capacity building in management and conservation of natural areas to address natural habitat considerations, especially for farmers in the Iraf mountainous area adjacent to Wadi Ma'abaq, which is expected to be a declared protected area. The Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP 4.12, BP 4.12) does not apply because the project will not involve any physical relocation of local populations nor will it result in any loss of assets (e.g. farmlands or rangelands) or access to assets or loss of income sources (e.g. crops or livestoclc) or means of livelihood. Nor does the Indigenous Peoples Policy (OD 4.2) or Cultural Property Policy (OPN 11.03) apply to the project because it will not involve indigenous peoples (ethnic minorities or tribal groups) or cultural (arcl~eologcal,historical or religous) property as defined by these policies. Nor do the policies on Safety of Dams (OP 4.37, BP 4.37), Projects on International Waterways (OP 7.50, BP 7.50, GP 7.50) or in Disputed Areas (OP 7.60, BP 7.60) apply because the project areas do not involve any of these issues.

Methodology

10. At the req~lestof MAI, the World Bank asked FA0 to field an environinental assessment mission, comprising an FA0 environment officer' and a national environmental consultant2, to conduct the EA for the project and prepare an EMP document. The initial screening work for the EA began in May 2005 wit11 the national consultant visiting project areas in A1 Mahweet and Hajjah Governorates (24-3 1 May), meeting with project stalteholders and viewing environmental and social conditions in the rural villages. The environmental screening continued with the mission of the FA0 environment officer (1-10 June), when the full EA team3: (i) met with various officials in MAI and in the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Sana'a and with a number of other government officials at the national, governorate and district levels; (ii) visited a number of project sites, including the regional veterinary laboratory in Taiz, the animal quarantine facility at A1 Mulcha port and several rural villages in Lahej Governorate; and (iii) held consultatioils on preparation of the EA wit11 relevant project stakeholders, including local officials, farmers and livestock owners, women's groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The reports prepared after these field visits are contained in Appendix 11.

11. III subsequent field visits in the project areas, the EA team held additional stakeholder consultations and presented the principal findings and recommendations of the draft EAMP for discussion and comment by local officials, farmers and livestock owners, women's groups, NGOs and other stakeholders. The significant comments received during these consultations were incorporated into the final EAMP.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT SITUATION

Description of Physical and Biological Environment

12. Physical Environment. The physiographic characteristics of Yemen are very diverse, consisting of high, steep mountains, escarpments, deserts, coastal plains and hundreds of wadis running between the mountains and through the coastal plains. The country is classified into five physical reDons (Mountain Massif, Eastern Plateau, Desert Regions, Coastal Plans and Yemen Islands). The project areas of the RALP are located in several of these reDons, A1 Mahweet and Sana'a Governorates in the central mountain massif, Hajjah and Hodeidah Governorates in the northwestern mountains and coastal plains and Lahej Governorate in the southern mountainous region of the country.

13. Yemen's climate is largely arid and semi-arid. The country can be broadly divided into three climatic zones:

Arid tropical climate, which covers the coastal plains regon and lower mountain slopes in the west and south and is characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation rangng from 0 to 400 mm. Arid sub-tropical climate, which is a transitional climate between the tropical climate of the coastal, plains region and the temperate climate of the highland region. Mean monthly

Mr. David M. Colbert, Environment Officer, TCIEIFAO Dr. IChaled Hariri, Consultant, Environment and.Natural Reso~ircesManagement The EA team also included Mr. Ahmed Al-Slialabi and Mr. Ahmed Al-Hosamy from the Yemeni Environmental Protection Authority temperature varies foml 16°C to 28°C. Precipitation ranges from less than 100 mnm to 600 mn. It covers the lower and upper mountain slopes and the eastern plateau region. Temperate climate, wl~ichcovers the mountains ranging in altitude from 1,800 to 3,700 nl above sea level. Mean montl~lytemperature in this climate ranges from 10°C to 18°C. Precipitation varies from 200 mm to more than 1,200 nm.

14. hl most areas of Yemen, the reliability of rainfall is a critical concern, reflected in the fact that little or no truly rainfed agriculture is practiced. In virtually all cases, some form of rainfall supplementation occurs, whether tube-wells or hand-dug well systems or flood-water harvesting. Three main types of water collection are utilized for irrigating agriculture:

Rain-water harvesting, which is based on collecting and retaining (mainly through contour bench terracing) overland flow in zones where soils pennit agriculture. The numerous mountain terraces collect and retain rain and overland flow in a similar way in areas where natural slopes may be excessive, 12 percent or greater. Flood-water harvesting (or spate irrigation), which traditionally involves simple earth- built diversion systems and irrigation networlcs near wadis. With small spates, these temporary embankments can be effective; with large spates, they are often swept away. Ground-water irrigation, which supports a11 aagricultural area of about 444,000 ha, of which about 408,000 ha from tube wells and 36,000 ha from spring water.

15. Groumdwater remains the main water source for different water uses. The water levels in most critical aquifers are declining due to heavy extraction; in some cases water is extracted twice as fast as water recharge. Available fresh water per capita is decreasing. It fell down from 1,100 c~ibicmeters in 1,990 to 500 cubic meters in 1995'. Considering the present pattem of water utilization and population growth, it is expected that water per capita will be only 150 cubic meters in the coming 25-30 years. In 20012, about 81 percent of urban and 21 percent of rural populations had access to safe drinking water. Water-bome diseases are one the main causes of infant mortality.

16. In winter, the mountain highlands may experience frosts, especially in Sana'a and Dhamar where temperatures fall below 0" C. Such temperatures may not occur every year but they are not uncommon at higher elevations. High temperatures may reach 25" C with a11 average of 15" C. High temperatures prevail in low lands all year round. The annual average temperature in the coastal plain of Tihama is 30.5~C, the maximum is 45" C and the minim~~rnis 15.0" C. The relative humidity ranges from 15 to 98 percent with an annual average of 65 percent. The eastern plateau experiences high temperatures of 32" C and as low as 18" C in winter. Winds tend to be of low to moderate strength, locally variable and affected by topography. Longer periods of high wind conditions may be experienced in some exposed mountain areas and on the coastal plains where sand storms are quite common.

17. Biological Environment. Yemen is very rich in flora and has a wide range of natural vegetation types, a mixture of species from East Africa, the Sahara-Arabia, and the Mediterranean. The vegetation coverage ranges from 9 to 43 percent and is dominated by grasses and dwarf slm~bs.Precise data on the status and number of rare and endangered plants in Yemen are not available, however, some eight species (seven from the island of Socotra are listed in the IUCN Red Book), plus some 19 additional species are considered endangered at the national level. Medicinal flora is not well documented in Yemen and research on the subject is limited, however, medicinal and aromatic plants are of great interest to rural Yemenis.

National WaterStrategy. NWRA Yemen Human Resources Development Report (HRDR) 2000-01

4 18. Yemen's fauna comprises a population of 71 recorded land mammal species. Five species of gazelle have been recorded, four of wl~ichare believed to be allnost extinct in the country. Other species are ibex, oryx, baboon, red fox, wolf, hyena, jackal and bats. A~nongthe lnost notable is the Arabian Leopard, wllich is considered endangered or already extinct and the cheetah, wllich has not been seen in the wild since 1963. Yemen is very rich in bird life and inore than 350 species have been recorded. The presence of a wide variety of habitats and strategic positioning at the transition of three geographic regons make the country a11 ideal stopover in the flight paths of migratory birds, notably birds of prey and waders.

19. The major tlu-eats to flora in Yemen are cultivation and poor agricultural practices, wood cutting for timber firewood and charcoal, over-grazing, soil salination, wind erosion and expansioll of villages and cities. The major tlu-eats to fatma are over-hunting, killing of animals perceived as dangerous such as snakes, and destruction of habitats flu-ough deforestation and urbanization.

Description of Socio-economic Context

20. As noted above, the project areas for the RALP are located in five of Yemen's 22 governorates, in the central higllland massif (A1 Mahweet and Sana'a Governorates), the nortllwestern mountain and coastal area (Hajjall and Hodeidah Governorates) and the southern mountainous part of the country (Lahej Governorate). In each of these governorates, the project will be ilnplelnented in four to five districts, comprising from 16 to 67 uzlas each, representing a total of 3,759 villages. The population in each project governorate is roughly 250,000 to 290,000 persons, population density rangng from 40-203 personslkm'. The project areas are located from 0 to 3,500 meters above sea level.

21. Althougl~general socio-economic conditions for the rural populations in the project areas have improved in recent decades, these rural people remain largely poor and malnourished, low in literacy and high in infant mortality - the mountainous topograplly cutting off the small and isolated settlements from good access to safe drinlung water, the market economy and basic public services. The Social Assesslnent prepared for the RALP provides useful information on the following key socio-economic indicators with respect to the target populations in the project areas:

Population. The birthrate is 43 births11000 persons. The total fertility rate is 6.7 childrell born per woman. The growth rate of the population is around 3.2 percent per year, while life expectancy is 57 years. The mortality rate for girls is 15 percent higher than for boys. Poverty. Some 45 percent of the population in rural areas lives below the poverty line. For the nation as a whole, 50 percent lives below the poverty line, with as many living on less than 2 USDlday, and 18 percent living on less than 1 USDIday. Health. Around 18 percent of the population cannot afford adequate nutrition and some 46 percent of children under five are malnourished. As much as 90 percent of the population has less than the minimum standard of domestic water supply. Infant mortality, in terms of the number of children dying before reaching age one, is 7911000 live births. Education. The overall primary education rate is 78 percent, but only 55 percent of primary school-aged girls attend school (with even less in nlral areas at 24 percent). The overall literacy rate is 50 percent - male literacy being 70 percent and female literacy 30 percent. Employment. The overall ~lnemployment rate in Yemen is 39 percent, with the elnployment rate for women being less than one-third that of men. Typically, women are employed in low-productivity rainfed agriculture and small livestock activities. Access to credit is limited generally, b~~tespecially for women. Access to Services. Large parts of the project area, especially those located in the mountaillous and remote regons, are inaccessible, with only limited connection via aiceptable roads. Most villages in the hinterland can be reached only with 4-wheel drive vehicles. Few villages have electricity; however, the use of cell phones is widespread.

Description of Stakeholders and Beneficiaries

22. The stakeholders of the RALP incl~ldethe national and local institutions directly involved in the agnculture and livestock sector (i.e. MA1 and its governorate and district offices), local govenllnent institutions (i.e. village councils), national and local associations and NGOs in tlle project areas, and the beneficiaries themselves: the farmers and livestock owners, their families and local populations. The EA team met wit11 various representatives of most of these stakeholder and beneficiary groups to discuss environmental and social aspects of the project (see list of stakeholders met in Appendix 111). A thorough analysis of the various stakeholders is contained in the Social Assessment prepared for the project; a brief description of these stakeholders and their interests in the RALP follows.

23. Farmers and Livestock Owners. The intended beneficiaries of the RALP are obviously the fanners and livestock owners whose productivity and economic well-being will be improved by the interventions of tile project. They will see the direct benefits of the enllanced seed production, improved livestock protection and expanded water and soil conservation and management. In addition to the farmers and livestock owners, their families (women and children), their neighbors and local communities should also benefit from the project in terms of improved living conditions and incomes and expanded economic opportunities. Women in rural areas, whom Yemeni cultural traditiolls have kept at a lower status and prevented from gaining control over important household resources, particularly stand to benefit from the project. There are educated and active women in many villages in the project areas whose roles in local development will be enhanced by the project. The EA team met with a number of farmers and livestock owners, villagers and other locals in the project areas visited in both formal and informal settings.

24. Civil society. The civil society stakeholders for the RALP include associations, tribes and cornmunity-based organizations (CBOs). The principal associations that are relevant in the context of the project are the Agricultural Cooperative Union (ACU) and Yemen Women Association (YWA). Both the ACU and YWA aim to establish cooperatives and women's branches at district and village levels in order to participate in the project. The tribes constitute the traditional social organization of Yemen, the tribe being the primary social unit in Yemen's social structure. Tribal influence remains strong in spite of ongoing efforts to decentralize the governing system, to a large extent because the central government has always been weak outside the main urban areas. The tribes and the values that underpin them are of major importance to the success of the project. The CBOs, which include charitable associations, development associations, committees and groups, are considered NGOs. The charitable associations are the only traditional and grassroots CBOs found in Yemen; the development associations, committees and groups are all established as a result of outside intervention in the form of development projects, and are typically organized around specific on-farm or off-fm productive activities. Many of the CBOs have very high expectations for the project, in part because the project will help alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods and in part because they hope to get financial support for their ongoing or planned activities. The benefits that they see are thus obvious. The EA team met with representatives of the ACU in Sana'a and with members of women's CBOs (e.g. A1 Zahara Social Vocational Association for Women Development in A1 M~lklla)in several project areas.

25. Elected bodies. At the district level, the Local Co~lncil(LC) is the most important body in the decentralized structure. LCs are well organized and control crucial strategic resources. LCs should become important collaborators and partners for the project, so developing close alliances with LCs will be beneficial for the project. The LC representatives are elected from villages through general elections. LC representatives could well be of crucial importance for the success of the project. In their official capacity, LC representatives will likely have expectations for the project's impact at the local level. The EA team met with a n~mberof MAI officials with several LC representatives in districts where the project will be implemented

26. Private sector. The private sector stalceholders for the RALP include the firms and shops that cater to the needs of the agriculture and livestock sector, usually located at regonal markets, which may cover one or more districts, at intermediate markets, which typically serve one or more uzlas, or at local markets in the villages. There are two general types of firms and shops in terms of the services they provide: agricultural inputs and veterinarian services for livestock. These stakeholders are not organized in any way. They clearly control strategic resources, including insecticides and veterinary supplies. They have influence with the Agricultural Offices, with sheikhs, with Local Council representatives and with local people. It is not clear what they expect of the project, if anything. They do not stand to receive any direct benefits fiom the project and have few or no resources they might be willing to mobilize. The EA team met wit11 several representatives of the private sector in its field work.

27. Public and para-public sector. At the national level, the primary GOY stakeholder for the RALP is the MAI and the Social Fund for Development, which will serve as implementing agencies for the project. The MAI will liaise with its Agricultural Offices at the governorate and district levels, as well with the Tihama Development Authority (TDA). These entities are important to the success of the project in the roles they will play in its implementation. MAI's Agricultural Offices have major influence on all agricultural and livestock activities at the local level, but due to lack of resources, inefficiency, lack of trained staff, incorrect priorities and corruption, the influence is minimal. The EA team met with a number of MA1 officials at the governorate and district levels.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

28. This section presents an overview of the policy, legal, and administrative framework for environmental management in Yemen, particularly as it applies to the potential environmental and social impacts of the RALP, and reviews the requirements and procedures for environmental assessment contained in Yemeni law. A more detailed presentation of these issues is contained in Appendix IV.

Policy Context

29. Yemen recognized the importance of integrating environmental issues into its developmental plans only one decade ago. In recent years, the GOY has taken significant steps to ensure a more systematic consideration of environmental issues. Provisions of the 1995 Environment Protection Law enable incorporation of environmental aspects and concerns at all stages of developmental plans. Yemen's National Environment Action Plan of 1996 (NEAP) formally achowledged the inter-relationship of socio-economic development and sound environmental development. Furthermore, the NEAP fonned the basis for the environmental portions of the National Development Plan for the period 1996-2000 and for the National Population Strategy and Action Plan for the same period. These provisions and documents provide the basis for integrating environmental considerations into GOY'S development policies and plans and reflect the cornmitnlents and efforts of Yemen to the integration of environnlental concerns into developmental plans as a major part of the country's developn~entagenda. 30. The development objectives of the NEAP are based on the national awareness that the well-being of the Yemeni people in present and future generations depends on the nation's natural resource base. The plan pron~otessustainable use of nat~~ralresources through a set of policy options addressing priority issues (see Box 1). Environmental issues of national concern were identified and environmental analyses were canied out on the major resource assets and economic sectors; particularly on water, land, marine and coastal resources, urban environment, cultural heritage, biodiversity and natural habitats, oil and energy sector, mining sector and the industrial sectors. Consensus on priority issues was reached based on analyses of the problems according to such criteria as urgency, reversibility, effects on human health and economic productivity.

3 1. Furthermore, Yemen's Second Five-Year Developmental Plan incorporates an environmental protection strategy based on preserving the sustainability of the nation's nat~~ral resources and maintenance of ecological systems by maintaining the balance between socio- economic growth and available resources. The plan proposes a number of actions and measures to accomplish this strategy, including institutional restructuring, natural resources planning and management capacity building, establishment and operation of environmental monitoring systems, reform of the legal framework and information bases, resource mobilization and participation of relevant agencies, target groups and local com~~nities.Finally, Yemen's Povertv Reduction Straten, Paper (PRSP) 2002-2005 aims at reinforcing sustainable management of natural resources, mobilizing beneficiaries, involving the poor and supporting the role of women and youth in environmental conservation. Among the priority programs and projects proposed in the PRSP are several of particular relevance to the RALP, e.g. sustainable environmental and natural resources management, monitoring environmental impacts of agriculture, water and agricultural surveillance network, integrated management of water and underground basins, and improvement of wastewater use in agriculture.

Legal Framework for Environmental Management

32. Yemeni environlnental legislation is relatively recent due to the late awareness of the significance of environmental management issues in sustainable development. Environmental problems started to attract official and public attention only in the early 1990s. Global environmental conferences and donor environmental requirements put more emphasis on the linkages between environmental issues and economic development. The concepts of environmental assessment, public participation and sustainable development grad~~allytoolc their places in official Yemeni doc~un~entsand became a frequent item in the agenda of the GOY. By the end of the century, Yemen had enacted several laws and resolutions, bylaws and regulations. pertaining directly or indirectly to envirollmental management and conservation of natural resources (see Box 2).

33. The Environmental Protection Law (No. 26) of 1995 (EPL) is based on the fundamental principles of envirolunental protection, maintenance of ecosystem balance and rational utilization of natural resources for the benefit of the present generation without affecting the ability of the future generation to utilize these resources. The law gves the responsibility for environmental protection to all parties, emphasizes the incorporation of environmental considerations at all planning levels and the use of environmental impact assessment for developmental projects. The Executing Regulations for the law were issued in 2000.

34. The EPL is the general umbrella law for all environmental policies and covers the environmental issues and problems facing Yemen. The EPL provides the legal a~lthorityfor conducting environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies in Yemen. In particular, the EPL defines Yemen's policy concerning EIA in Chapter 3, Articles 35-47. These articles deal with the environmental assessment of both new and old (i.e. prior to issuance of the law) development and investment projects. The Prime Minister's Resolution (148) for 2000 on the Executive Regulations of the EPL covers, inter din, EIA guidelines and projects categories for projects requiring EIA.

Administrative Framework for Environmental Management

35. The EPA administers the EIA process, as well as other requirements and procedures included in the EIA provisions. This not only involves the responsibility for drafting regulations, guidelines and standards but also involves a central position in preparation of the terms of reference (TOR), review of EIA reports and the monitoring process. Within the EPA, the responsibility for EIA rests with the General Directorate for Monitoring and Environmental Assessment (GDMEA), which liaises with and provides advice to the competent authorities. The GDMEA can use any technical staff within EPA or any specialized person from universities or line ministries or outside these i~~stitutions,if needed.

36. The existing regulations do not specify the EIA procedures to be followed by investors or beneficiary institutions. However, certain procedures have gradually developed since the issuance of the EPL in 1995. A number of elements were considered including the type of project, the financing agency, req~lirementsor conditions of donors, the client ministries or institutions and their comprehension of the environmental regulations. The EIA procedures are described in detail in Appendix IV. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND ALTERNATIVES

Description of Project

37. The higher development objectives of the RALP are to reduce poverty in rural areas and improve natural resources management; the specific project development objectives are to enable farmers and livestock owners to:

(a) intensify the production, processing and marketing systems in rainfed areas; and (b) protect their assets, in particular, soil, water, seeds and animals.

38. The project will realize these objectives through the following three components:

(a) Farmer-based Svsteln of Seed Improvement and Management. The objective of this component is to enable farmers to improve the productivity of their cereals and legume crops in rainfed areas by: (i) adopting of appropriate crop varieties and seed technology practices; and (ii) creating a sustainable, farmer-based system of variety improvement for rainfed crops.

The component will include three sub-components: (a) Crop improvement, variety maibtenance and seed quality assurance, which will promote (i) the collection of local ecotypes of the most adapted land races, (ii) the introduction of drought-tolerant, dual-p~~rpose rainfed varieties; and (iii) quality assurance of the characteristics, purity and health of the variety. These activities should be linked with the activities of the national gene banks of the genetic resources center in Dharnar and Sana'a. (b) Promotion of farmer-based seed management and s~~pply,which will promote decentralized, farmer-based seed producer groups and approaches to seed supply for rainfed crops. (c) Promotion of seed delivery and marketing enterprises, which will provide assistance to the General Seed Multiplication Corporation (GSMC) and seed grower associations to develop seed markets for rainfed areas.

(b) Livestock Husbandnl and Health Services. The overall objective of tlis component is to enable livestock owners in rainfed agriculture areas to benefit fiom improved Government's attention and to have easier access and thus increase use of private goods and services with a view to market lnore and safer livestock and livestock products. The specific objectives are:

(a) to increase the capacity of the MAI to fulfil its core functions regarding animal health and production through: (i) the design and adoption of livestock policies and regulations; and (ii) the development of a national epidemio-surveillance network based on improved diagnostic, analysis and quarantine facilities; and, (b) to establish a public-private partnershp for more accessible delivery of proximity veterinary and animal husbandry services and goods to the livestock owners

The component will include four sub-components: 1. General Directorate of Animal Resources (GDAR) core fi~nctions; 2. Central and regional veterinary laboratories 3. Animal quarantine facilities 4. Public-private partnership for veterinary services and inputs

Component description

The component will finance activities to: (i) help the General Directorate of Animal Resources improve its capacity to fulfil its core functions (technical and legal advice, training, specific surveys and research programs), (ii) rel~abilitate/constructand equip the Central Veterinary Laboratory and tlxee regional veterinary laboratories (Hodeidall, Taiz and Abs); (iii) construct and equip a live animal q~~arantineholding ground in Al Mulld~aand prepare the survey for a similar quarantine station around Al M~~kalla;(iv) promote the training, elnploynent and establislunent of abo~~t300 veterinary technicians and conlmunity animal healtll workers and identify a menu of tested livestock improvement interventions.

(c) Fanner Capacity-Building and Investments

In 22 districts of the five governorates, the component would enable fanners to:

(a) upgrade and diversify their agriculture and livestock production, processing and marketing systems, building upon the comparative advantages of rainfed agriculture and livestock, to serve niche local or distant markets; (b) get organized to exchange experience among themselves, access services, input and output markets; and (c) better conserve soil and harvest water in the Uplands.

Farmers' capacity building is at the core of the component. Capacity building will be achieved either directly through, (i) the provision of facilitators and teclmical advice to farmer groups (male, female, youth) to help them organized; and (ii) indirectly through fanner groups implementing sub-projects of their choice, with technical and financial support from the project.

Sub-projects to be funded could relate to the enhancement of: (i) rainfed cereals and legumes production and post-harvest handling, including seed production and management; (ii) livestock raising, bee-keeping and marketing, livestock product processing (cheese, gl~ee);(iii) small vegetable gardens; (iv) fruit production and post-harvest handlinglmarketing; (v) coffee prod~~ction, post-harvest handling and marketing; (vi) handicraft production and marketing, (vii) Soil conservation, water harvesting, ago-forestry, (viii) others.. .

The activities funded would include:

Seed money for on-farm testing of improved techolo~esand small equipment related to improve productivity and production. Start-up investments to establish agricultural and livestock input outlets at village or district level, or seed storagehank etc. Financin~of labor-saving devices, especially for women, such as biogas stoves; Small aao-processing equipment, in particular for milk collection, storage and processing (gl~eeand cheese). Support for post-harvest handling and marketing activities. Technical advice and training Organizational and managerial capacity-building for existing and/or newly formed fanner go~~ps/organizations.

Analysis of Project Alternatives

39. The EA's analysis of potential project alternatives considered the various technical, socio- economic and sustainability aspects of alternative approaches to the RALP. A summary of the findings of this analysis wit11 respect to alternatives rejected follows:

o The "no action" altelnative was elinlinated because, without the project's interventions the poverty indicators in the targeted districts would worsen and the significallt environmental benefits derived from improved water hai-vesting and soil conservation would not be realized. An alternative involving investlnents in groulndwater extraction for irrigating the agricultural areas was rejected because of the scarcity of such resources, particularly in the mountainous areas and plateaus. These areas are already suffering from shortages of potable water sources for h~unanconsulnption. AII alternative based on desalination of sea water in the Tihama coastal areas could be a solution. However, the cost of desalinated water for growing cereals would be prohibitive.

40. However, Dven that the availability of water would be the limiting factor in increasing productivity and improvements in marketing of crops produced in the project areas in order to alleviate poverty, analysis of the following alternatives offered suggestions for the current project design:

An alternative involving improved water harvesting using different techniques, including fog harvesting and maximization of the utilization of springs and traditional cisterns, would be vital for supporting rainfed agriculture. The project could have a specific conlponent for increasing water sources in rainfed agricultural areas. Such a component could include studies aiming at reduction of water losses in present irrigation methods, improvement of water harvesting techniques, control of floods and growing of crops with high yields and less water consumption. An alternative involving local investment in a joint venture in the rehabilitation of the livestock quarantine facility in A1 Muklla and in livestock production and marketing. The Agricultural Cooperative Union (ACU) has successful experience in investing in dairy products on a colnmercial basis. An alternative increasing the interventions to improve the small-scale income generating projects. The field visits identified the potential for interventions in support of increasing household revenues through small income-generating projects. Details on these potential projects are included in Appendix V.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

41. The RALP is designed to provide economic, social and environmental benefits to the farmers and livestock owners, their families and the rural communities in the project areas through increased agricultural and animal productivity as a result of improved seed production, enhanced livestock protection and expanded water and soil conservation and management. The EA confirmed that the overall environmental impact of the project should be positive - the social and environmental benefits outweighing any potential adverse environmental or social impacts (see detailed matrix of environmental impacts identified by the EA - Matrix 1).

42. The potential adverse impacts the EA identified can be prevented or minimized by simple preventive actions and mitigation measures incorporated into the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance phases of the project (see proposed actions and measures in the EMF' in Section 7).

6. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

43. The EMF', contained in this and the following sections, outlines the appropriate preventive actions and mitigation measures for addressing the potential adverse environmental and social impacts identified by the EA (see section 6 above) for the various sub-projects and activities included in the RALP:

Section 7 presents the recommended actions and measures, covering the design, construction, and operation phases, in two environmental management matrices, one for the construction of the animal holding gro~tnds at A1 M~tkl~a,the other for the rehabilitatiodconst~-~~ctionof the veterinary labs and the small-scale infrastructure s~tb- projects for markets, water harvesting and flood control, terrace rehabilitation, etc. to be financed by the project. Section 8 presents the environmental screening criteria and proced~~resto be used in reviewing the small-scale infrastmcture s~lb-projects that have not been specifically identified in the project docu~nentin order to identify and address any potential adverse impacts, using the appropriate parts of the environmental management matrix. Section 9 proposes a monitoring and evaluation plan for tracking key environmental and social indicators during the life of the project. Section 10 presents an environmental awareness, capacity-building and training plan to address the obvious needs for raising enviroimental awareness on natural resources management in the rainfed project areas and building teclmical and managerial capacity in local institutions for environmental assessment and management.

44. Environmental Management Matrices The environmental management matrix for the project intervention at the animal holding grounds at A1 M~~kllais presented in Matrix 2. It identifies a range of preventive actions and mitigation measures to address environmental and social concerns during the desig~,construction and operation phases of the quarantine facility. The envirolunental management matrix for the construction/rehabilitation of the veterinary laboratories and the other small-scale infrastructure sub-projects is presented in Matrix 3. It also identifies a range of actions and measures to address environmental and social concerns during the design, construction and operation phases of these project interventions.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING FOR SUB-PROJECTS

45. The objective of these environmental screening criteria and procedures is to ensure review of the small-scale infrastructure sub-projects to be financed by the RALP in order to identify and address (minimize or eliminate) potential adverse environlnental impacts. Where potential impacts are minor, they should be addressed through the preventive actions or simple mitigation measures identified in the EMP; more significant impacts may require review under Yemeni EIA regulations (as explained below) and implementation of specifically identified mitigation Ineasures.

Sub-projects and Activities Subject to Environmental Screening

46. The various components of the RALP include financing for a number of different sub- projects and activities involving the constructio~~/rel~abilitationof small-scale infrastructure works, some of which are identified in the project document (i.e. the laboratories and the animal holding gro~mds),others of whch will be identified only during project implementation (i.e. the market infrastructure ilnprovements and the water harvesting and soil conversation works). Because these infrastructure investments may have adverse environmental impacts, they will be subject to the environmental safeguard screening criteria and procedures described here. The general types of sub-projects included in the RALP are identified in Table 1. Table 1: Types of Small-Scale Infrastructure Sub-projects Financed by the RALP

RALP Project Components Sector Sub-project Location Veterinary laboratories: rehabilitate and re-equip GDAR LivestocWanimal Sana'a Central Veterinary Laboratory and health Analytical Laboratory and two Hodeidah , Taiz Regional Veterinary Laboratories construct and equip one Regional Abs Veterinary Laboratory set up pilot vaccine production facility Sana'a hmalholding grounds: constn~cta live animal quarantine LivestocWanimal A1 Mukha holding gro~md health prepare surveys for a quarantine A1 Multalla holding ground Market infrastructure improvements: slaughter facilities wit11 access to Commerce/rural To be determined during water development project implementation small enclosures/pens and animal loading facilities relocation, space distribution and organization improvement of booths, stalls, kiosks hygenic facilities Small-scale water harvesting and soil conservation projects: small diversion channels from the Soil and water To be determined during wadis conservation project implementation water reservoirs/cisten~s/tanksto catch surface water terrace rehabilitation erosion control infrastructure, such as protection of the wadi banks upper catchment re-vegetation with tree or slmb plantation

Use of Environmental Screening Criteria for Sub-projects

47. Environmental screening will be incorporated into the regular project development cycle for all sub-projects financed under the RALP, begillling with initial identification of the sub- project (for those not already specifically identified in the project document, i.e. the laboratories and the animal holding grounds) by the LCs (for market infrastructure improvements) or the village farmer committees (for water harvesting and soil conservation works), followed by review and approval by the technical staff in the PSU or SFD, ending with execution of the sub-project under the supervision of PSU or SFD technical staff. At the sub-project identification stage, SFD technical staff, worlcing with LCs or village farmer committees, will review the environmental screening criteria (see Appendix VT) in order to identify potential environmental impacts, suggest appropriate good practices, preventive actions or mitigation measures from the environmental management matrix (see Matrix 3 in Section 7), and trigger fi~l-tllerenviroimental review, where necessary, under Yemeni EJA regulations. Beca~lseconstn~ction of the anilnal holding gro~lndsat A1 Muldla Port is the largest infrastructure works ~ulderthe RALP and may pose the most sipifica~ltenvironmental risks, it has been treated separately ~lnderthis EA and has its own environlnental management matrix (see Matrix 2 in Section 7).

PSU or SFD Review and Approval

48. The PSU or SFD will ensure that all activities or sub-projects identified in Table 1 (with the exception of the animal holding grounds) have been properly reviewed using the screening criteria before approving exec~ltionof a sub-project under the RALP. Where the screening criteria suggest the need for appropriate good practices, preventive actions or mitigation measures in location, design, construction or management of a sub-project, the PSU or SFD will ensure that the appropriate practices, actions, measures or training are provided and that such practices or measures are followed in execution of the sub-project. Where the screening criteria trigger further envirollmental review under Yemeni EIA regulations, the PSU or SFD will ensure that the appropriate EIA forms are completed and delivered to the EPA for review and that execution of the sub-project awaits approval by the appropriate authorities. The PSU and SFD will provide any additional information needed to facilitate the EPA review.

EPA Review and Approval

49. The vast majority of RALP activities and sub-projects (i.e., market infrastn~cture improvements, water harvesting and soil conservation projects), because they are small in scale and minimal in impact, are not expected to require formal EPA review. The good practices, preventive actions and mitigation measures identified in this document for location, design, construction, and management should be used to address potential environmental impacts. A few activities (e.g., laboratory rehabilitation/construction, animal quarantine facility constnlction) may require EPA review (to be determined by EPA). For these activities the PSU will ensure that the EPA's EIA procedures are followed.

Field Supervision and Monitoring

50. The PSU or SFD technical staff will monitor execution of all RALP activities and sub- projects to ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated, i.e., that good practice, preventive actions or mitigation measures are employed and that EPA-required mitigation measures are taken. Once an activity or sub-project has been completed, PSU or SFD technical staff will certify that appropriate practices, actions or measures have been utilised or that any required mitigation measures have been completed. The PSU or SFD monitoring units will also monitor compliance with ellvirolunental requirements and include the results in regular project reports.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND EVALUATION

51. Although the overall environmental and social impacts of the RALP are expected to be beneficial, the diversity of the project's interventions and the fragility of the ecological conditions in the rainfed project areas strongly suggest the need for periodically monitoring and evaluating the impacts of the project. To this end, the EMP includes the following two-tiered environmental monitoring and evaluation plan:

Monitoring implemelltatioll of preventive actions and mitigation measures. The PSU or SFD will be responsible for mollitoring proper implementation of the various preventive actions (e.g. waste management planning) and mitigation measures (e.g. rangeland rehabilitation) required by the EMF or by the EPA. This will entail periodically nlaking site visits to verify that the appropriate actions andlor measures have been imnplemented. The PSU and SFD will also conduct random evaluations of project sites to determine the effectiveness of measures taken and the impacts of project activities on the surrounding environment. Monitoring key environmental and social indicators. During the life of the project, the PSU and SFD (in collaboration with their local offices and EPA) will cary OLI~ periodic monitoring and analysis of water resources conservation and management (both quality and quantity), and animal and human health. The key indicators will be identified with stakeholder participation during the first year of the project, but they should enable the PSU, SFD, MAI and EPA at least to determine the impacts of the project on: (i) the general quality and availability of water for human consumption and use for agriculture and livestock; and, (ii) the overall health and welfare of the human and animal populations in the project areas.

The proposed environmental and social monitoring plan is presented in Table 2.

9. AWARENESS, CAPACITY-BUILDING AND TRAINING PLAN

52. In order to ensure proper implementation of the various environmental activities (preventive actions/mitigation measures, monitoring and evaluation) recommended in this EAMP, the RALP will support a range of awareness-raising, capacity-building and training activities for building both awareness of and capacity for proper environmental management in the project areas. This will include strengthening technical capacity in the SFD, the PSU and in MAI and its Governorate and District Agricultural Off~ces, as well as essential capacity building in environmental management for the LCs and village farmer committees, and for local farmers and livestock owners. The activities to be financed by the RALP will include the development of public outreach and awareness campaigns for the local populations, the delivery of training and study tours for local officials and the provision of specialized consultant services, as needed, for any special studies or analyses identified during project implementation. Each of these activities is described below.

Public Awareness

53. While the EA fo~~nda reasonable level of public and official awareness of environmental concerns in the project areas visited, it also identified a fundamental need for basic information on the best (and often simple) practices, methods and teclnlologies for improving management of the limited natural resource base in the rainfed agricultural areas. The RALP will organize community outreach and public awareness campaigns on a range of water and soil conservation, land degradation and environmental management issues. Among these are rational water use, conservation and protection of water resources, rangeland management, integrated pest management and simple sanitary-hygienic practices. The EPA should have experience with such public awareness ca~npaignsand should use its local offices to support project initiatives in this regard. National and local environmental NGOs may also play a role in public awareness-raising and should be considered in the development of local programs. Table 2: Environmental and Social Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Human and animal Project areas Periodic area Annually Monitor any n/a da nla Livestock health statistics inspections improvements in owners public and animal health

Review of MIA Annually da n/a nla PSU, SFD/ and MOH MIA reports Training and Study Tours

54. The RALP will provide appropriate envirolunental training to the range of relevant stakeholders (i.e. PSU, MAI, SFD, LCs, village farmer committees and local populations) under the project, both to raise general environmental awareness and to strengthen overall environmental management capacity in the project areas. Furthermore, this training will address the specific technical skills necessary to perfornl the environmental management and monitoring functions required and may include a limited number of study tours to similar World Bank projects in the region. The training program will raise the environmental management capacity within the PSU and SFD by training management and technical staff. It will also reinforce existing capacity within MAI's Agricultural Offices and EPA's local offices by providing specialized training to enhance environmental assessment, management and monitoring skills and practices.

Consultant Services

55. The RALP will provide additional, specialized technical support for environmental assessment and management tluougl~ the services of a limited number of national and international environmental consultants as needed. These consultants will be used to enhance the environmental capabilities of the PSU and SFD in specific technical areas, such as proper management of veterinary laboratory wastes (others to be identified during project implementation).

56. The set of activities included in this awareness, capacity-building and training plan is presented in summary form in Table 3.

Table 3: Awareness, Capacity-building and Training Plan

Component ActivityIUnit Recipients Public awareness campaigns Rational water use LCs, village farmer committees, women's societies, local communities Conservation and protection of LCs, village farmer committees, water resources local communities

Rangeland management Livestock owners, local communities, from Maqatira for Iraf protected area Integrated pest management Village farmer committees, farmers, women's societies, local communities Sanitary-hygienic practices Local communities, women's societies Training and study tours (training Environmental awareness, PSU and SFD management and by EPA, MA1 and local assessment, management technical staff consultants) Environmental assessment, MA1 Agricultural Offices, EPA mitigation, monitoring local staff

Environmental/natural resources LCs, village farmer committees, management local communities

Study tours PSU and SFD specialists, MAIIEPA staff

Local exchange of experience of Yemeni farmers and livestock Component ActivityNnit Recipients Yemeni farmers in different RALP owners districts and other areas of Yemen

Study tours in Egypt for Yemeni farmers, livestock owners farmersttrainers (including women) and women on making improved feed at household level Consultant services (to be Specialized environmental PSU, SFD, MAIIEPA specified) technical capabilities Technical studies on marketing of crops and animal products Technical study on improvement of animal feed and feasibility of fishmeal unit at Ras A1 A'ara Information on appropriate technologies suitable for RALP

10. CONCLUSION

57. The EA team concluded that the RALP would have direct positive impacts in improving water and soil conservation efforts and increasing farm incomes in the project areas, as well as providing opportunities for diversified sources of increased household revenues through small projects. Certainly, the contribution to poverty alleviation would be a major impact of the project. However, in order to optimize utilization of funds allocated for such small projects at the village level, the empowerment of the MA1 agriculture offices at the governorate level to decide on the types of technical inputs in the sub-projects would be vital. The decentralisation of decision- mahng in technical and financial aspects pertinent to the different components in the districts must be made at district level to promote local ownership, community involvement and sustainability. The anticipated success of interventions makes it possible to visualize the project within the context of an extended program since many other districts in Yemen have similar agricultural and socio-economic conditions. APPENDIX I

MAP OF PROJECT AREA

(to be developed) APPENDIX I1

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD VISITS TO PROJECT AREAS

Al-Mahweet Governorate 24th-26thMay 2005

Districts Visited: Mahweet, Rujom, Al- Khabt. Mahweet Town: Meetings wit11 stakeholders, MA1 branclch in the governorate, CARE staff and the Deputy of the Govenlorate. Mahweet surroundings: Meetings with: (1) Urqoob Women's Agriculture Cooperative Society, (2) Farmers at Urqoob livestock and agriculture market. Ruiom: Meeting with director of MAI district office, Visit to livestock markets and potential site for improved livestock market A1 Khabt (Kl~abtan N~~waira)District: Meeting with MAI office staff, Visit to Guba'a uzla- A1 Arqa- Meeting with staff of West Guba'a Charitable Society, Meeting with farmers.

Findings: MA1 staff members in all districts were aware of the project. No speciJic sites were lnzowrz for the implernerztntio~zof the colnpone~ztsin tenns of buildings or irzstnllntions required such as laboratories, stores for rnediciizes and vaccines, cold stores for dairy or meet prodz~ctsnrzd so on. Farmers were not aware of the project or any of its components. Fanners were complaining of their present situation and expressed their readiness to participate fully in the project. They explained that degradation had been continuing in terms of indicators of seed production, livestock numbers and health, poor grazing fields for sheep and goats and farm productivity. They were optimistic that there was rain though early in this season and expected a better year. Women were ready to continue other activities besides bee-lives distribution for increasing honey production. Examples were gven such as support in producing sesame and pem~lts(and thence hnlwn procEz~ctioiz),ghee production depending on support given for increasing and improving livestock, and quality of its products. Milk is not sold at present. They claimed it was insufficient for domestic consumption. Home gardens are limited. Livestock production and availability of fodder for cows and grazing land for sheep and goats are important in the Kllabt an Nuwaira District. Veterinary services are poor. A lot has to be done in terms of training, awareness and capacity development at all levels including local councils, MAI staff, farmers, civil societies' staff and members. Veterinary officers are technicians and there are no veterinary doctors. In addition there is no mechanism for quick response to combat the spread of animal diseases. Apparently there are no land tenure problems. There is available state-owned land besides Awqnf land which could be used for state purposes. There may be a few areas in Awqnf lnrzd where dwellers renting the land would ask for compellsation in terms of resettlement. The potential site for the improved livestock market in Rujom is no problem as it is owned by the state-owned Economic Corporation. There is no slaughter house in the governorate. Work is needed in terms of organizing farmers' gro~~ps,women's groups and societies. There is no awareness of the potential role which could be played by orgailizing farmers in cooperative societies. There are no multipurpose societies at present. A number of photos were taken to illustrate the various findings. Benefits Expected: It is expected that all components would be beneficial to the fanners. However, consideration should be pven to the following potential risks:

Risks: The balance in the ecosysten~sbetween availability of water, increase of livestock production, availability of fodder and grazing land must be considered all the time. In this respect, the following is to be considered: In Rujom, there are limited grazing lands for raising sheep and goats. The increase in n~~mbersof cows should be limited compared to Khabt an Nuwaira area. Honey production would be also limited because of fewer n~lmberof trees. Shibam district is good for grazing sheep and goats where wool production is possible. III JChainis Bani Sa'ad, livestock production could be increased. The main idea here is that the componellts and s~~b-projectsshould be tailored to the nature, capacity and needs of each district. Lack of farmers' cooperative societies could form an obstacle in implementation. A monitoring and evaluation system with clear indicators should be developed for each component. Hence, a simple system for regular reporting from beneficiaries should be established. Decentralization in decision-making must be at the level of the district. Matters involving farmers' groups and societies must be decided upon by involving farnlers and other stakeholders at the uzla level. Training should be directed towards szwtai~zabilityof work of trainees. Target groups must be identified clearly on criteria guaranteeing achievement of objectives. Lack of agriculture research and efficient extension services at the governorate level would be a major hindrance to sustainability of the project in terms of improved seeds production and livestock after the project ends. Willingness of the private sector to invest in some project activities may be clear after the project develops and slzows tangible results, e.g. establishing veterinary clinics, exporting agricultural and animal products to other regions in the country or exporting them to o~~tsidethe country.

Haiia Governorate 2gfh-3oth May 2005

Districts Visited: Hajja Town District: Meetings with MA1 staff, CARE staff Haiia surroundinns: Meetings with (1) Farmers at Wadi Shares livestock and seeds market, (2) Farmers in Wadi Shares using perellnial water for irrigating mango, coffee and bananas, (3) Nursery of MAI at A1 Masara village, (4) Visit to the site of the wastewater treatment plant, (5) Discussio~lwith Agriculture Extension officers and agriculture radio program producer. &: Meeting with director of MAI district office and director of Mustaba district, Visit to Abs market. Hairan: Meeting with director of MA1 district off~ce.The district was visited, though not covered under the project, because it is an important sheep and goat producing area. It is half an hour drive on the main road north of Abs. It is located between Abs and Haradh. The herders could benefit from the services in Abs and interventions of the project.

Findin~s: Similar climatic and agricultural conditio~lsexcept for the variations shown below. No extension services concerning livestock. Limited extension services on agriculture crops and products. Low environmental awareness. Vnrintionsfi.oiizAI-Mnhweet Governorate: Larger area, large number of districts (3 I), larger markets. Veterinary services only in Abs district. Importance of coffee prod~lction. Livestock prices slightly lower than Al-Mahweet. Mango, papaya and bananas are grown in hi&er altitudes by perennial water pumped from Wadi Shares. The water quantity depends on rainfall. Selection of CARE micro grants made through local co~nmitteesat village level. Women apparently more ready to participate, particularly in Hajja district.

Benefits Expected: More stakeholders in terms of indirect beneficiaries and variety of gro~psare found, such as private veterinary doctors and technicians in Abs. Veterinary services should be provided in other place/places in addition to Abs. More potential for marketing products to neighboring Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) provided quality is improved and official trading agreements are made. Potential for developing markets for dairy meat and skin products from the governorate.

Risks: Water availability. No access to veterinary services in all targeted districts and potential spread of animal diseases. Quality of treated wastewater used in growing crops. Quality and quantity of animal feed. Management of waste. Duplication of efforts of CARE. Limited number of targeted districts make the interventions vulnerable to possibility of spread of diseases from the other non-targeted districts Limited capacity building among farmers, particularly women.

Suggested ActionsIMitigation Measures: Increase water harvesting (e.g. fog harvesting). Keep supplementary water tanks for coffee trees watering in times of drought. Use mobile veterinary labs. Provide facilities for handling, packulg, storing & transporting products for domestic and international market. Ensure continuous communication with farmers. Provide awareness programs. Increase distribution of nursery centers. Increase calcium, potassium and other important elements in the animal feed. Construct slaughter houses. Focus extension services on livestock. Provide mobile audio-visual equipment for extension services. Include agricultural and environmental curricula in education in village schools. Involve women in all activities. Sana'a Capital City 23rdMay

Meeting with Assistant Dep~~tyMinister, MA1 Meeting with the FA0 Program Officer

Sana'a Capital Citv lStJune

Meetings with FA0 resident representative, Dr Hashem, briefing by Mr David Colbert Meetings with the Director of the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) and the Director of Quarantines at the General Directorate for Animal Health Meeting with the Deputy Minister, MAI Meeting with the Chairman of the Environlnent Protection Authority (EPA) Meeting wit11 the Agricultural Cooperative Union (ACU)

Taiz Governorate 4th- 5thJune

Meeting with Director General of MAI branch, Taiz; Meeting with the Director General - Agriculture Research and Extension Agency (AREA), Taiz Branch; Meeting with the Director- Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory; Visit to the Veterinary Hospital.

Findings : Total number of employees - 28, of whom there are four veterinary doctors and 14 veterinary technicians distributed in all seven agricultural complexes and 27 agricultural centers. In the hospital there is only one doctor and four veterinary technicians. The hospital provides medical services also for poultry. There is a general laboratory and there are laboratories for surgery, delivery of young animals, vaccines and treatment. There is one nzobile laboratory and a locally made, non-functioning incillerator near the water tank. The hospital building needs rehabilitation. The laboratories lack all necessary equipment and accessories (including sample talung tubes for centrifuge which are at present repeatedly used), chemicals, and recent journals on veterinary sciences. There are no equipmentlfacilities for artificial insemination. The mobile laboratory is not used due to lack of operational costs such as fuel, oil and spare parts expenses. There are no research reports on seeds or on rainfed agriculture at AREA-Taiz. hl Taiz, there is one slaugl~terhousein A1 Barakani area, outside the city of Taiz. The MA1 branch has a department concerned with rural women's development. Veterinary services and vaccines are free, but farmers pay for medicines at cost and they do pay fees for the vets. Wastes from the hospital are sent to the general landfill. The hospital trained 11 woinen in agnculture and veterinary extension work.

Benefits: The intervention of the project would lead to improvement of livestock and poultry health in the Taiz Governorate. It would reduce losses, potentially increase the income of farmers, and iillprove the quality of dairy products. Awareness on animal health could be raised and the potential of training women would be expanded. The beneficiaries would include fanners, nlral women, private businesses in veterinary services, animal traders, prod~tcersof daily products and the consumers at large. The laboratories in the hospital could develop into a regional center to serve A1 Mukha livestock quarantine and Lahej northenl districts.

Risks: Efficient waste management needs care in collecting, separation and handling, transpol-tation and disposal of the waste especially the carcasses and hazardous wastes from the laboratories. Access to veterinary services could be limited to only those who can afford to arrive at the hospital wit11 their animals.

Suggested Actions/Mitigation Measures: Provide mobile laboratories in order to expand the access to veterinary services to benefit farmers, particularly the poor, who cannot afford to travel with their animals to Taiz. Establish a proper waste management system, including separation of hazardous wastes, a modem incinerator (away fi-om the water tank) and a separate landfill. Ensure an adequate supply of laboratory chemicals, equipment and utilities. Provide training on waste management and required equipment.

A1 Mukha Port 5thJune

Meeting with Director General, A1 Mukha livestock quarantine facility. Meeting with some livestock importers. Meeting with A1 Zahara Women's Society.

Findings: The quarantine facility in reality is 350m x 250m in area and has no pens. It is made up of offices, feed stores, dissection room, water tank and a locally made incinerator. Outside the wall there are long ditches where water is kept for the animals. The wooden fenced yards outside the quarantine are used to keep the animals. The lands on which the yards are built were privately owned by the importers and were donated to the quarantine to keep the animals. Only 20% of the animals are kept inside the quarantine. The fees charged by the quarantine facility are 10 Yrsldaylsheep or goat for a maximum number of 21 days. The fees for cows and oxen are 75 Yrsldayl animal. The fees are applicable to all animals including those outside the quarantine facility. If there were symptoms of diseases, samples taken are sent to the CVL in Sana'a and the results of the tests are received normally after one week. On average the sheep and goats number 5 600 heads and the cows\oxen number 1 500lday. There are no laboratories in the q~larantinefacility; the animal feed is imported from Zabeed. A truck load of dried grass (about four tons) costs 60 000 Yrs and reaches 100 000 Yrs in bad season. Apparently, the USAID is not going to knd the development of the quarantine. This was confirmed by the CVL -D.G in Sana'a. However, there are two private societies; the Red Sea Society for the Importation of live livestock (located in Kenya) and the local society Importation of live livestock located in A1 Mul&a had show11 interest in constructing pens o~~tsidethe quarantine. The A1 Zallara Wonlen's Society is active in training women in sewing, maternity and childl~oodawareness programs, fish net mending, artifacts and boat maintenance. The society has its own kindergarten. The women are trained also in home economics. The society is self-financing but needs support to filrtl~erimprove and expand its activities. The society also holds summer camps for various wolnell activities.

Benefits: If the project intervenes, iiz fillly rehabilitntirzg tlze A1 M~~lclzaqzlnrntztirte facility there will be major positive environmental impacts particularly in improving the health of the livestock and the consumers. There would be a large number of beneficiaries including, importers, A1 Muklla residents, farmers, and consumers tluougl~outthe country. Diseases hom imported animals would be greatly controlled. Importerslre-exporters would make more earnings from improved quality of the animals. The potential of improving local breeds from healthy imported livestock would benefit the local livestock breeders and farmers. Waste management is of utmost importance to avoid mosquitoes, flies and the spread of skin and other diseases. Fish silage and fishmeal production horn offals and small fishes caught in the area between A1 Mukha and Bab -A1 Mandab could be encouraged in order to improve the contents and add to the animal feed mix which would increase income of the artisanal poor fishers in this area and reduce poverty. Interventions addressing women through the A1 Zahara Society would strengthen the role of the society, help women's development and increase household income through involving women in various activities suitable for A1 M~lkllaand neighboring areas. Ths could be made through the micro-grants program.

Risks: Inadequatellack of funding would perpetuate, if not further deteriorate, the present unsatisfactory conditions at the quarantine facility and their resultant impacts on the health of the animals and the consumers. The major risks, in case of funding, are as follows: Until the rehabilitation is completed, arrangements are to be made for accommodating the continued numbers of livestock imported. Health control and quarantine is necessary. Length of time in quarantine, high temperatures and humidity factors. Mixing with local and other stocks. Inadequacy of waste management during rehabilitation and operations of the quarantine. Inadequate supply of water for the animals. Inadequate qualified and experienced, well-trained local personnel.

Suggested ActionsIMitigation Measures: Improve fenced yards to accommodate livestock during rehabilitation. Consider potential temporary use of the penslyards of the Economic Corporation in A1 M~lklla. Provide a mobile lab or construct prefabricated laboratory facilities at the site. Strengthen the Taiz veterinary hospital to conduct all tests needed and shorten the present period required for testing samples sent fiom A1 Mukha to Sana'a. Unload herds at one point and direct theln along one protected patWconidor Separate hazardous and non-hazardous wastes generated at the facility. Construct proper waste incinerators and burn all hazardous wastes to ashes. Collect organic livestock waste, construct a drylng facility outside the premises of the quarantine facility and sell the dried product as manure. Transport remaining solid waste to landfill prepared especially for that purpose. Ensure regular supply of water suitable for the animals. Train staff at all levels during and after rehabilitation. Lahei Governorate 6th-7th June

Meeting with the Director General, MAI Meeting with the Director of MA1 in Makatra district Meeting with the Director of Rural Women Development

Tur A1 Baha District and A1 Maqatira District: Meeting held with the Secretary General of the local council in Tur A1 Baha, the Director of the MAI office in Tur A1 Baha district, the head of the planning committee of the local council in Tur A1 Baha, some employees of the MAI office and some fanners. Meeting held with the Chainnan of the local council 111 Maqatira District. Visit to Wadi Ma'abaq to a place near the proposed Iraf Mountain protected area.

Findings: The area suffers from extreme changes in water abundance between droughts and floods. The fanners' earnings and the livestock are adversely affected in the droughts periods; while floods affect the crops grown in the agncultural areas and often cause land erosion, landslides and loss of soils. During dry seasons, only one to two floods are expected per annum, while in rainy seasons the floods n~linberthree to six per annum. A flood forecast station is located in Dukaim village- Wadi T~lbanin Lahej. A flood stream gazrge is installed and the station is ~LIIby the National Water and Sanitation Authority (NWASA) bra~~chin Aden. However, the station is not functioning due to lack of pipes and some accessories. A week before the field visit, heavy rains occurred. The floods washed away palm trees and ca~lsedland and soil erosion, particularly at the banks of wadis. Such damage was witnessed in Wadi Ma'abaq. There are no water hnwestilzg installations in Tur A1 Bnlzn or in A1 Madlzariba and Rns A1 A 'am districts. Old studies were made in the 1980s to control flood waters for spate irrigation in Wadi Ma'aden in Tur A1 Baha, but nothing so far had been done concerning hydraulic constructions in the wadi. There are four main wadis in Tur A1 Baha. These are She'b, Taqar, Bitan and Ma' aden. Grazing areas for sheep and goats belong to villages. Sheep and goats from other villages are not allowed to graze. Farmers in the districts of Tur A1 Baha and A1 Maqatira complained of limited quantities of fodder and limited areas for grazing. They mentioned the spread of animal diseases such as small pox and plague. There are no veterinary facilities, though some technicians are living in Tur A1 Baha. Oxfam made three flood breakwaterlwater weirs to reduce flood speed in Ma'abaq. However, after six months they did not resist water floods in the Wadi and were destroyed. Barrels are used to store selected seeds for growing. There are no farmers' societies at present. There are twoprirnnry- irztennediate co-ed s~lzoolsin Tur A1 Balla. Livestoclc markets are on Saturdays in Tur A1 Baha, and on Wednesdays in A1 Maqatira. The fanners proposed construction of a shaded livestoclc market with pens. They suggested veterinary services at the market place. The number of staff in Tur A1 Baha in the MA1 office is 26 and nine in A1 Maqatira. There are no units on plantlanimal protection or on rural women's development. In A1 Maqatira district, there are three main wadis. These are Adim, Ma'baq, and Eiboh.

A1 Qabbaita In A1 Qabbaita district in Lahej, there are several water harvesting constructions made by the irrigation developnlent project in Wadi Tuban as showl~below: Al Qabbaita District Al-Ajool Water Tank 450 mn3 -Uzlall Al-Yosifain 1Farisat Aljabal Water Tank 7-Uzlall Al-Yosifain 13-400 m3 Uzlall Al-Yosifain 141-Ajjulaimal~ Water Tank 400 m3 Uzlah Al-Yosifain 15-800 mn3 Uzlah Al-Yosifain pgm 1M~~rabahat Aljabal Water Tank 1Uzlah Al-Yosifain 1Dl~hamaran Dam --180,000 Uzlah Al-Yosifain 1Azzeezzeeq (Alojaa) Dam Uzlall Al-Yosifain 1Ayireem Alarkab Dam 7Uzlah Al-Yosifain 400 mn3 Uzlah Al-Yosifain 1 Uzlah Al-Yosifain 1A1-Rimaa Water Tank Uzlall A1 Qabbaita mm/l 15000 m3 Uzlall A1 Qabbaita Haijah Alarjaa Wier 7Uzlall A1 Qabbaita 1A1-Sa'adina Water Tank 7-Uzlah Al Qabbaita 1Al-Ka'thal Water Tank 400 Uzlah Al Qabbaita 1Inooa' Aljabal Water Tanks(2) 1000m3 -Uzlah Al Qabbaita Marabihat Alfahidh Water Tank I/Uzlah A1 Qabbaita 111200 m3 I Uzlah A1 Qabbaita

Al-Maqatira District Al-Ekawish Water Tank =1080 m3 121-Ashboot' Water Tank I1080 m3 Tur AlBaha No Water Structures Ras Al Ayaraand Al Madhariba No Water Structures

In A1 Qabbaita, there are five wadis. These are Wadi She'b, Amma, Dayashi, Subaih and Al Jafi.

A1 Madhariba and Ras A1 A'ara Districts The main wadis in this district are Timnan, AsSlihar, Ubal, AsShaq, AnNabia, and Turbaha. During the field visits, the impacts of recent heavy rains and floods on soil erosion were witnessed. These were clear in wadi banks where the gabion bags were displaced and carried away by the water flow. The small farms were affected and fanners complained of loss of date palms and crops in some places. Both Wadi Ubal and Wadi Adim end in As Shat, the capital of the district. Temporary surface water wells abound in the area and they are hll during floods seasons. Camels are herded in addition to livestock, and the animal wealth is relatively high in the district compared to other Lahej districts. The Arnlcpln~zts(A. prism) used for teeth brushing abound in the wadis. The Secretary General of the council emphasized the benefits of the project in all respects and its importance in alleviating poverty in the district. However, he stressed that inzplenzerztntiotz should be nznde q~~iclclyas there were many missions visiting the district, taking information, collecting data and nothirzg etzszies out of these visits. Fanners mentioned that sorghuln is grown widely in the district, and red ollions form the main vegetable product for the local markets outside the district. The priority interventions anticipated from the project, according to the fanners, were: Water management and increase of water ha~vestingmeans. Land management and conservation of soil. Seeds production increase and improvement of types. llcrease in livestock and camel production including marketing of animal products. Training at all levels.

Benefits: As correctly p~ltby fanners, this is the first project focusing on rainfed agricultural areas. Since most of the farmers dependent on such type of agriculture are poor, the project is expected to have positive impacts on alleviating poverty. It is expected that the project would have positive results concenling water resources and water conservation The beneficiaries from the interventions would include farmers, rural women, animal herders, traders and the districts' inhabitants at large. Water and landlsoil conservation would be by far the main benefits of the project. In addition, alleviating poverty by increasing income of households would benefit the poor families. Indirectly, Jishers in Ras a1 A'ara and A1 Madhariba district could benefit if use of fish meal and fish silage in animal feed mix is encouraged. The fishers should be supported in developing small fish meal producing units or crushers to make use of fish offals and small fishes, such as sardines, anchovies and small mackerels Fanners' societies could be developed and benefit from the experience of the fishers' cooperative in Ras A1 A'ara. Rural women's societies could be formed and supported by the project in developing various activities for increasing household income.

Risks: Weaklinadequate management of water resources. Wealdinadequate management of landlsoil resources. Limited access to veterinary services. Limited grazing land except in Ras A1 A'ara and A1 Madhariba district. Lack of efficient farmers societies/cooperatives. Increased numbers of plastic bags affecting agricultural areas.

Suggested ActionsAVitigation Measures: Increase capacity for forecasting floods through supply of stream gauges and rain gauges. Increase water-harvesting capacity using various appropriate technologies in different areas. Update Wadi Ma'aden study for the use of flood waters. Involve NWASA in the PSU. Encourage local studies to make an inventory of Iraf fauna and flora towards declaring it a protected area. Involve EPA in the PSU. Revive and develop farmers' societies. Enable fishers at Ras A1 A'ara produce fisluneal and fish silage. Arrange for increasing camel production tlxough providing micro-grants. Allocate small fi~ndsfor studying improved marketing of Arak tooth-brushes Improve solid waste collection and disposal though community participation under the principle of fee for service. Provide micro-grants for increased use and marketing of baskets, bags and similar containers from dried palm leaves and develop campaigns to combat use of plastic bags. Sana'a Governorate, Sana'a Capital City 11th-12thJune

Meeting with Director General, Animal Health General Directorate Meeting wit11 D.G. CVL Meeting with D.G. MAI, Sana'a Branch Meeting with Assistant Deputy Minister, MAI Meeting with the Candidate for the position of Project Director

Findings: In addition to the meetings of the 1'' of Ju~ne,additional meetings were held on the 11" - 12'~June with MA1 officials after the field visits to other governorates. Findings of all the meetings held in Sana'a are summarized below: Emphasis on the urgency and significance of the project was made by the Deputy Minister of MA1 and his assistant. The ACU leaders mentioned that they were visited by the USAID specialists who asked questions and requested information on five other governorates namely; Amran, A1 Gawf, Mareb and Shabwa. They also showed willillgness to invest in the rehabilitation of the quarantine in A1 Muklla. The D.G. of the CVL ascertained that there is no commitment from the USAID to finance phase I1 of the CVL or the A1 Mukha quarantine facility. The CVL phase I.has to start early particularly to improve management of waste from the laboratories and make a proper incinerator for the carcasses of dead animals.

Sana'a Governorate Districts 13'~- 16~~June

Bilad Ar Roos District: Meeting at Wa'alan

Findings: Large agricult~~ralareas are rainfed. Water resources include rainfall as a main resource, springs at lower altitudes and wadis and groundwater. Surface wells are 30-50meters deep and deeper wells are at 170-200 meters depth. The main problelns in agriculture are: Land and soil erosion, Terraces degradation, Need to rehabilitate water storage tanks and kareefs, Spread of animal diseases. The agriculture complex of the MAI in Wa'alan is not adequately hnded to conduct the agncultural extension services and fulfill its mandatory tasks. Main wadis are Wa'alan, A1 Mushar, Asa'ad, A1 Wa'ira, Nabia, A1 Ghul, Garef and Afesh. Water dams are in A1 Wa'ira, A1 Maluni and A1 Mikhwar. Seeds selected for next growing season are kept in barrels. Marketing of agncultural products and livestock is done in Sana'a. There are no veterinary doctors or technicians in the district. Training in all coinponents is needed at all levels. There are two farmers' societies, but fanners met claim that the societies did not do much to assist farmers. The agricultural complex is literally a nice looking building on the outside but has no facilities in the inside. It is a typical agricultural complex outside Sana'a with no operation and maintenance costs. The complex has five technicians and four agricultural engineers, including the Director. There is no archive to lceep data and infonnation on agriculture and animal wealth. There is a car and a tractor, b~~tneither one is fi~nctioning.There are three pesticides sprayers. Fanners seeking spraylng services arrive at the complex, pay for the transportation cost of the agriculture extension teclmician and the spray.

Benefits: The interventions of the project are expected to benefit a large n~lmberof farmers, traders, rural women and livestock owners.

Risks: Centralized decision-malung particularly concerning small projects and micro-grants or small soft loans would undermine effective use of project's hnds. Weavinadequate management of water resources. WeaWinadequate management of land/soil resources. Access to veterinary services. LacWinadequacy of criteria to select and serve eligible targeted farmers. Lack/ inadequacy of mechanism to provide small soft loans and micro-grants to targeted farmers.

Suggested ActionsMitigation Measures: Increase water harvesting capacity using various appropriate technologies in different areas. Ensure decision-nzakitzg irz teclztzical,Jilznrzcial ntzd marzngernetzt rlzntters takes place at the level of govenzornte/cEstricts. Develop marketing facilities to improve quality, packing and transport of products earmarked for Sana'a. Assess potential for privatizing agriculture extension services (parallel to veterinary services- see above).

Jehanah District:

Silnilar conditions as in Wa'alan. The agriculture complex of the MA1 in Jehanah has a nursery 600 libna (44sq.m each libna) in area. Fruits grown in rainfed areas include grapes, peaches and pomegranates. Apparently, the main commercial activity in Jehanah town is trading in arms and ammunitions. &sks and mitigation measures would be similar to those of Wa'alan.

Bani Matar District:

Agricultural extension services in Bani Matar are supervised through the Bani Mansoor agriculture complex of the MAI. Neglected terraces have been witnessed during the visit to Bani Matar. Interventions should focus on water harvesting and terrace rehabilitation in the rainfed agricultural areas.

Arhab District:

Findings: > There is practically no veterinary center or agricult~lreextension services unit or plant protection center or any agricultural administrative unit of the MAI. Farmers complain of the treated wastewater unit located at Ar Rowdha area. The flow of - the treated wastewater which was extended to pass through their lands caused spread of diseases and is not used according to tlle fanners. They claimed that the wells are polluted and the problem has spread to A1 Khared dam. They want it to be piped to distant areas o~~tsidethe district. Rainfed areas extend mainly fi-om Beit A1 Utllari to Beit Mirran and to Hil~an. Animal wealth is more in Raluyya-Bani Ali- Shiwaya, Hil~anand Th~lbian.80% of the agricultural land is rainfed. Dams are in the northeastern part of the district. There are no women's societies in the district. There were two agncult~lralsocieties, but they are not f!unctioning now.

Benefits: Interventions could benefit fanners, livestock owners and traders, grapes growers and consumers, rural women and veterinary doctors and technicians.

Risks: Rejection of falmers to interventions ~ultilsome work is done to minimize the adverse effects of treated wastewater (real or perceived) on them. Other risks are similar to those mentioned for Wa'alan district.

Suggested Actions/Mitigation Measures

Pronzote reuse of treated wastewater to belzeJit i~tltnbitn~tsof the district and irzcrease hoz~selzoldinconze. Accompany project interventions with pilot projects to slzow safe use of treated wastewater, as claimed by the MWB. Encourage cultivatioil of grapes (black and other varieties) in rainfed agricultural areas and improve handling, packing and exports to neighboring countries. Involve agricultural societies and/or the private sector in such an activity. Promote cultivation of olives, first on a pilot scale, then spread subsequently to wider areas. Encourage farmers to grow olives in rainfed agricultural areas for increasing household income.

N. B. Amran District, Bani Matar District Information on the two districts was gathered within the context of expanding the proposed project to a program in the hture.

Meeting with Dr A.W. Mukred Consultant on Preparation Team ~2ndJune 2005.

Dr Mukred highlighted the following concerns after discussing t11e environmental impacts of tlle project anticipated by the mission: Managing the Project: Need to empower project implementation units at governorate/district levels, particularly in sub-projects' components and micro-grants Monitoring and Evaluation: Deceiltralizatioll should be stressed to allow monitoring tlxougl~local authorities at gover~~orate/dist~ictlevels. Sinlple records and indicators adequate to monitor performance at the grass roots levels should be developed. Suggested Interventions: Additional studies and inlplemelltatioll by the projectlprivate sector/cooperatives would be required, such as fishmeal and fish silage productioil to improve livestock feed collteilts. Sustainability: Beneficiaries, particularly from the initial s~1ppol-tthrough micro-grants, should be enabled to sustaill activities and increase illcome even after the project ends. Potential for Privatizing Agriculture Extension Services: Similar to supporting veterinary doctors and teclulicians to start their own services; the possibility of supporting agriculture exte~lsiollprofessiollals (e.g. in seeds production, crops and hits production or food processing) or agriculture marketing specialists should be enco~lragedto start their small private businesses. The fanners' societies could employ special technical locals to carry out specific jobs. APPENDIX I11

LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS MET

Sana'a City

MA1 : Abdul Malilc A1 Arashi Deputy Minister Eng. Sale11 Muthanna Albesl~i Assistant Deputy Minister Dr. M. Ghaleb Eriani D.G. hmalWealth Department Dr. Mansoor Al-Qadasi D.G. of Central Veterinary Laboratory Dr. M. Sh~ljaa D. of Veterinary Quarantine Abdul Moumen Haza'a Projects

EPA: Eng. Mahmood Shidiwall Chairman Abdulllakeem Rajeh Salem Baquhaizel D. G. of EIA Ahmed Al-Hosami Agriculture Department

Agricultural Cooperative Union (ACU) A. Abd~~lmalik Head of P~lblicRelations Department Ali Al-Arniri Head of Agricultural Department

AREA Dr. Abdul Wallid Mokrid Deputy Chairman, Consultant Member of Project Preparation Team

A1 Mahweet Governorate

Al-Mahweet City: Local Administration: Mohammed Hamood Al-Matari Deputy of the governorate Abdu as Samad Al-Barati Audit & Inspection Abdullah Al-Fadeel D. G. ofdlnwlcnf

D. G. of MA1 office Esam M. Masood Deputy D. G. of MAI office M. Yakoob Al-Thari Deputy D. Irrigation Department M. Taleb CARE M. Al-Okabi CARE Ahmed Miftah Planning Department Ali Harnood Atall Secretary of D. G. Majeed Tawfeek Al-Atllori Adrian Al-Saidi Abdullah Al-Sunni CARE Omar Ali Hezarn D. of Plants Production Department

Al-Mahweet Surrounding District: Ali M. Al-Besl~ari Director of MAI of Al-Mahweet Surro~uldingDistricts Al-Urqoob Livestock Market: Nagi Hussain Shawter Fanner Ali Abdo Shafal Fanner Saleh Al-Thaibani Fanner Abdo Nawfal Fanner

Urqoob Women's Agriculture Cooperative Society: Safia Ahmed Al-Asiri Chainna~l Nelna Ali Ajlan Audit Fatima Shafal Member

Al- Ruiom District: Abdulrazzaq Al-Shaheth Director of MAI of Al- Rujom Districts

Al- Khabt District: M. Ali Abbas Director of MAI of Al- Khabt Districts Hesham Mohsen Al-Nuwaira Local Administration Ali M. Al-Falah Animal Wealth

Guba'a uzla- A1 Arqa: M. Yal~iaAl-Hajj Farmer Salall Shoai Oinar Farmer M. Ali Saleh Al-Wali Farmer M. Ali Ismail Farmer Mojahed Ali Ali Farmer Yahla Ali Abulghaitll Farmer Abdo M. Abulghaith Farmer Hassan M. Abdullah Farmer Fuad Showqi Hussain Farmer Mansoor Ali Al-Wali Farmer

West Guba'a Charitable Society: Yahia Omar Ali Abdo Chainnan

Haii a Governorate Haiia City: MA1 : M. Yal~iaAl-Shehari D. G. of MAI office Ali Nasser Al-Sodi Veterinary Services M. Yahia Nassar D. of Agriculture Extension Abduhai Abdo Saif Dep~ltyof D. G. & D. of Precaution Malmood Al-Fahh

CARE Projects Staff: Dr. Nasser M. D. G. Of CARE Project Ali Hassan Al-Shehari AbdulRalman Al-Jal~ Ali M. Ad Doah Abdullah Almed Al-Kodami Nawal Al-Z~lbairi hnani Shamsan Elnan Faraj hnal Yallya Al-Haikali Ali M. Al-Sha~li Faezah Hesha~n Abd~~llallAl-Thafiri

Haii a Surrounding District: Wadi Shares - Shat Al-Hatab: Ali Ali Sabian Farmer Abdullah Hassan Thfian Farmer

Nursery at Almasara: Hassan Abdullah Al-Hajaji D. Of the Nursery Yahia M. Al-Thaibani Tecluician

Abs District: Abdulazee~nM. Ismail Director of MA1 of Abs Districts

Hairan District: Ali Nasser Al-Kaham Director of MAI of Hairan Districts

Mustaba District: Hassan Akram Director of MAI of Mustaba Districts

Mabian District: Mabian Agricultural Society: Yahia Al-Kohlani Chairman

Taiz Governorate

Taiz Citv Dr. M. Kaid M. Director of AREA - Taiz Branch

MA1 Office Abdullall Al-Janadi ' D.G. of MAI Taiz Office Dr. Nazar Faisal Al-Akbari Director of Animal Health and Veterinary Hospital Mokha District Dr. M. Al-Mohamadi Director of Molcha Livestock Quarantine

Azzahra Women's Society Belqis M. Qasim Chairrnan Nadiah Salem Member Sarnirall M. Member Khadah Al-Wosabi Member Hend Zawltari Member

Lahei Governorate

AlHawta Citv MA1 Office Ali M. Al-Montaser D.G. of MA1 Lahj Office Talla Al-Maktari Director of MA1 Office, Al Maqatira District Kl~adijaA. Mollsen Director of Rural Wonlen Developnlent

Tur AlBaha District and A1 Maqatira District M. Abdo Mahdi Chairman of Local Adnlinistration for Al Maqatira District Baseln A. Tarish Secretary General of the local Co~~ncilin Tur AlBaha District Kllaled Kaid Salem head of the planning committee of the local council in Tur AlBaha M. Ali M. Director of the MAI office in Tur AlBaha District Abdo Salem Agricultural Extension Officer, MAI Office in Tur AlBalla District

Ali A. Thabet ' Agricultural Extension Officer, MAI Office in Tur AlBaha District Yousof Saleh Tllabet Agricultural Extension Officer, MA1 Office in Tur AlBaha District Ali M. Saeed Dal~ees MAI Office, Tor Al-Baha District M. Ali Abdullah Irrigation Department, MAI Office in Tur AlBaha District Ali Saleh M. Agricultural Extension Officer, MAI Office in Tur AlBaha District M. Khaied Hadl~ar Veterinary Department, MAI Office in Tur AlBalla District Mahmoud Ali Sale11 Veterinary Department, MAI Office in Tur AlBaha District Ali M. Hanash Imgation Department, MAI Office in Tur AlBaha District Abdulllakeem Kaid M. Irrigation Department, MAI Office in Tur AlBaha District Abdullall M. Mokl~der Recorder - Meteorologcal Extension A. Salem Hasan Farmer M. Saher Ali Farmer Abdo Said AlKodi Farmer Abdo Salem Hasan Farmer

Al Madhariba and Ras Al A'ara District Ali Hasan Al-Akl~bari Chairman of Local Administration for Al Madl~aribaand Ras Al A'ara District Abdo Gaber Thamiri Farmer

Sana'a Governorate

Bilad Ar-Roos District Wa'alan Village Abduljalil Haidar Director of MAI Office, Bilad Ar-Roos District Director of MAI Office, Bani Mansoor District Ali M. Mokbel Agriculh~ralExtension Officer, MAI Office, Bilad Ar-Roos District Ali Saeed Abo Kasem Fanner Sadek Sale11 Al-Mali11 Farmer Badr Mohaimned Al-Ashwal Fanner

Jehanah District A. Yahya Delham MA1 Office, Jehanah District Hanid Sale11 Al-Nawfa MA1 Office, Jehanah District Sale11 A. Al-Nawfa Farmer

Arhab District Taller Yahya AlOthari D.G. of AM1 Office Branch of Amran Governorate Kl~amdanYahya AlOthari Farmer Herniar Yallya AlOthan Farmer A. Abdullah Al-Awrnari Farmer M. A. Al-Awmari Farmer Nag Al-Thafari Farmer Hamood Mahdi Fanner Abdo A. Abojaeel Farmer Abdulkareem Fad1 Mahdi Farmer Ali Sale11 AlBatan Farmer Hamed Ashan Farmer Mojaheed Al-Kotaishi Farmer Yallya Abdullah AlAwrnari Farmer Outer Al-Hayma District Bnrzi Mnrzsoor - Outer AlHnylnn Abdulkarim M. Al-Kibsi Director of MAI Office, Outer AlHayma District A. Saleh Al-Kurabi Agncultural Extension Officer, MAI Office, Outer AlHayma District Agricultural Extension Officer, MAI Office, Outer AlHayma District Mulataf AlAli Agricultural Extension Officer, MAI Office, Outer AlHayma District Saleh Ali AlMansori Farmer APPENDIX IV

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

Policy Context. Yemen recognized the importance of integrating environmental issues into its developmental plans only one decade ago. In recent years, significant steps have taken place to enable a more systematic consideration of environnlental issues. Provisions have been included in the Environment Protection Law to enable incorporation of environmental aspects and concerns at all stages of developmental plans. The National Environment Action Plan of 1996 (NEAP) acknowledged the inter-relationship of socio-economic development and sound environmental development. The NEAP fonned the basis for the ellvironmental chapters in the quinquennial National Development Plan for the period 1996-2000 and for the National Population Strategy and Action Plan for the same period. These provisions and documents form the basis to integrate environmental considerations into development policies and plans and reflect the commitments and efforts of the country to the integration of environlnental concerns into developmental plans as being a major item in the country's development agenda. Furthermore, this colnmitment is evident in the GOY'S initiative for the development of Socotra Island, with assistance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other donors. The development of Socotra Island is strongly linked with environmental protection and biodiversity conservation of the island and its archipelago.

The NEAP. The development objectives of the NEAP, which was issued in 1996, are based on the national awareness that the well-being of the Yemeni people in present and future generations depends on the nation's natural resources base. The plan promotes sustainable use of natural resources through a set of policy options in addressing priority issues. Environmental issues of national concern were identified and environmental analyses were carried out on the major resource assets and economic sectors; particularly on water, land, marine and coastal resources, urban environment, cultural heritage, biodiversity and natural habitats, oil and energy sector, mining sector and the industrial sectors. Consensus on priority issues was reached based on analyses of the problems according to such criteria as urgency, reversibility, effects on human health and economic productivity. Priority environmental issues and areas of concern identified in the NEAP are as follows:

Water depletion, pollution and supply Over extraction of ground water Lack of water allocation and conservation systems Inadequate water s~lpplyservices Land degradation (soil erosion, deforestation) Agricultural and rangeland deterioration Loss of farm land due to urban encroachment Degradation of natural habitats (forests, wetlands, coastal habitats) Loss of biodiversity (extinction of endemic, rare and endangered species) Lack of management of ecotourism Waste management (solid and hazardous waste) Pesticide management

The NEAP promotes sustainable use of natural resources through a set of policy options that deal with legdative, institutional, econolnic and financial measures, in addition to information and cornnullity involvement. The kndamental strategy used to address priority issues is in the selection and application of appropriate policy options. The following are the outlines of measures selected:

Legslative measures include developn~ent and redrafting of laws, regulations and standards for envirollmental quality. Institutional measures include capacity building of government institutions, universities, NGOs, community and private sector. Economic instruments include policies for licensing, incentives, prices, import restrictions, user charges, subsidies, penalties and taxation, whch favor so~lndresource use. Financial measures include investments in environmental infiastnlcture and technology. The private sector and local communities are encouraged to gradually increase their involvement. Information instrunlents involve environmental information management, awareness, research and monitoring. Public institutions, universities, NGOs and the public are encouraged to play active roles in collection, analysis and dissemination of data.

The NEAP formed the basis for the environmental chapters in the national population and development plans. It is used as one of the main reference documents by national agencies in planning their environmental work.

The Second Five-Year Developmental Plan. Environmental protection strategy in the Second Five-Year Developmental Plan was based on preserving sustainability of the nation's natural resources and maintenance of ecological systems through maintaining a balance between socio- economic growth and available resources. The environmental strategy and policies are based on the following principles:

Environment protection and maintenance of ecological balance. Pollution control at source rather than solving pollution problems. Promotion of sustainable use of natural resources, use of renewable resources and recycled items. Consideration of environmental aspects at all levels of planning and decision-making. Preservation of the nation's cultural and historical heritage. Polluter pays for damages caused and bears mitigation, removal and compensation cost. Enhancement of environmental awareness and education and encouragement of civil and local community participation in environmental work. National co~nmitment to address environmental issues having regional and global implications within available resources.

The plan proposes a number of measures and actions including institutional restructuring, strengthening of natural resources planning and management capacities, establishment and operation of environmental monitoring systems, upgrading of legal frameworks and information bases, resource mobilization and support participation of relevant agencies, target groups and local comnrn~~nities.The main measures proposed are as follows:

Restructure environmental agencies and strengthen working relationships among them. Complete the legal framework and regulations relating to environmental protection, maintenance of ecological systems and environmental impact assessment. Enhance human resources capacities in environmental protection techniques and management Update and implement environmental policies and action plans. Prepare management plans and manage protected areas. E~lhanceenvironmental ed~~cationand awareness and involve the private sector, women, NGOs and local councils to participate in environmental protection activities and to provide environlnental safety needs. Undertake surveys and studies to assess and monitor environmental inlpacts caused by production and cons~~nlptionactivities. Eld~ance relevant units dealing with efforts to fi~lfil national obligations under international environmental conventions and within available resources. Develop adequate resource mobilization mechanisms to finance environmental protection and pollution control programs.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 2003 - 2005. The GOY ach~owledgesits commitment to the eradication of poverty. This colnmitlnent is evidenced by adoption of a set of policy actions undertaken since the early 1990s, such as the economic and financial reform policy and the PRSP. The PRSP aclmowledges the relationship and linkages between poverty issues and environment protection. The poor are one of the population groups most reliant on environment for their livelihood. At the same time they are the group most affected by environmental problems and the way natural resources are exploited. Also, poverty increases pressure on natural resources, though poverty does not necessarily lead to environmental deterioration. Among the four major developmental challenges identified by the PRSP, two of them, water resources and population, have direct linkages with natural resources management practices and relate to the carrying capacities of the natural resource base. The other two challenges have indirect linkages as they deal with having the right to use natural resources for the benefit of the current population without undermining the ability of the future population and of improving institutional structure and efficiencies for sound environmental management, i.e. sustainability and institutional capacity.

The PRSP aims at reinforcing sustainable management of natural resources, mobilizing beneficiaries, involving the poor and supporting the role of women and youth in environmental conservation. Priority programmes and projects proposed in the PRSP are:

Sustainable environmental and natural resources management. Updating and activation of Environment Protection Law. Monitoring enviromnental impacts of agriculture. e Comprehensive development of Socotra. Water and agricultural surveillance network. Integrated management of water and underground basins. Irnprovelnent of wastewater use in agriculture.

The PRSP proposed a number of measures to strengthen environmental policies and actions such as: Enhancement of technical capacities of relevant institutions to develop comprehensive environment and development programmes based on co~nmunityparticipation. Enhancement of legal framework.. Empowerment of local organizations. Assesslnent of environmental conditions. Enhancement of environmental awareness. Provision of job opportunities through environmental projects. Environnlental impact assessment of developlnental projects. Financial support to projects providing soft loans to the poor. Reinforcement of water resources instit~~tions. Enactment of laws and regulations relating to water rights and exploitation, development and protection of water resources. Improvement of water uses efficiency. Expand sanitation and waste treatment facilities. Suitable use of treated waste water. Improvement of water harvesting.

Vision 2025. Vision 2025 supports environmental and poverty reduction actions. The vision noted that envirolunental degradation affects the poor and development. It reviews major envirolllnental problems such as water resources depletion and pollution, degradation of land resources, natural habitat and biodiversity, waste management, over exploitation of natural resources such as fisheries, and urban expansion over agricultural land. In terms of environmental interventions, the following measures had been proposed:

Development and implementation of sustainable management and monitoring programmes for water and land resources, agriculture, coastal zone, biodiversity and waste management. Development of desertification control progranls. Provision of energy substitutions. Application of environment friendly teclmologies and enhancement of renewable energy resources. Application of environmental impact assessment for developmental projects. Enhancement of environmental awareness. Environment and Sustainable Development Investment Programme 2003 - 2008

The plan presents an outline strategy and priority interventions aimed at controlling and gradually reversing environmental impacts. It also aims at supporting sustainable human development for the people of Yemen. Six main areas of interventions were identified in the plan as follows:

Habitat and biodiversity conservation Sustainable land management Sustainable water resources management Sustainable waste management Sustainable climate change and energy management Institutional developmentlcapacity building

Within each programme area, the plan proposes priority actions and budget for each action. The total proposed investment budget is estimated to be US $ 30.2 million.

International Commitments. The national environment legslation aclulowledges the concem to global environmental issues and calls for national contribution to global efforts u~ndertaken towards these issues. The government reflected its commitment to global efforts by ratification of major international conventions on environmental issues of global concem in 199516. These conventiolls deal with climate change, biodiversity, ozone layer protection, transboundary movement of hazardous waste, desertification, control and persistent organic pollutants. Box 1 sllows a list of the main environmental conventions to which Yemen is party. initiated to fulfil natiollal obligations. A survey has Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste. been carried out on ozone Convention on Biodiversity depleting substances. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COUlltrY Program on ozone- Vienna Convention on Protection of Ozone Layer. depletillg 'lad Desertification Control Convention. Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species. I Stocldlolm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS) been prepared and s~~bmnittedto the convention secretariat. Projects are being developed to support introduction of ozone fiiendly tecl~nologiesin private sector. The national com~~nicationon climate change has been prepared and the process has been initiated to an adaptation programme. A National Desertification Action Plan has been prepared. The Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan are in an advanced stage of preparation. Process has been initiated to prepare a national inlplemellting plan to reduction or elimination of POPS in the cou~try.

Legal Framework for Environmental Assessment and Management. Yemen environmental legslation is relatively recent due to the late awareness of the significance of environmental management issues in sustainable development. Environmental problems started to attract official and public attention only in the early 1990s. Global conferences on the environment and requirements from donors put more emphasis on the linkages between envirolmental issues and development. The concepts of envirorllnental assessments (EA) of projects, participation and sustainable development gradually took their places in the official documents and became a frequent item in the agenda of the GOY. By the end of the century, Yemen had enacted several laws and republican resolutions, bylaws and regulations pertaining directly or indirectly to the conservation of the environment and to natural resources. Examples of such legislation include the following:

Republican Resolution (Preside~ztinlResol~ition) by law number (37) for 1991, territorial Sea, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Continental Shelf. Law number (43) for 1997 regarding amendments to the Rep~~blicanResolution by law (42) for 1992 concerning the regulation of fishing, living marine resources and their conservation. Republican Resolution by law (50) for 1991 on Mines and Quarries. Republican Resolution by law (11) for 1993 on Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution. Republican Resolution by law (12) for 1994 on Crimes and Penalties. Rep~lblicanResolution by law (21) for 1994 on Archeological Heritage. Republican Resolution by law (22) on Tourism. Republican Resolution by law number (22) for1991011 Investment and its amend~nentsby Law (14) for 1995 on Investment. Republican Resolution by law (20) for 1995 On Urban Planning. Republicail Resolution by law (21) for 1995 on State lands and Property. Republican Resolution by law (26) for 1995 on the Protection of the Environment.

In addition, several resolutions issued by the Prime Minister are considered part of the overall legslation. Normally, such resolutions regulate the struct~~reand functions of government agencies. They are considered legal documents as bylaws and regulations. Of relevance to the project are the following Prime minister's resolutions:

Prime Minister's Resolution (94) for 1990 on the Establishment and Formation of the Envirolllnent Protection Council and Stipulation of its tasks. Prime Minister's Resolution (34) for 1992 on Internal Regulation of the Envirolunent Protection Council (EPC) and its amendment by the Council of Ministers' Decree (2) for 2000 on approval of the amendments of the Internal Regulation of the EPC. The EPC is now known as the Envirolunent Protection Authority (EPA). Prime Minister's Resolution (148) for 2000 on the Executive Regulations of Law (26) on the Protection of the Environment.

The Environlnent Protection Law (No. 26) of 1995 (EPL) embodied the main principles of the Rio Declaration, 1992, on Sustainable Development. Among others, the law is based on the principles calling for environlnent protection, maintenance of balance in the ecosystem and rational utilization of the natural resources for the benefit of the present generation without affecting the ability of t11e future generation to utilize these resources. The law gves the responsibility for environment protection to all parties, emphasizes the incorporation of envirolmental considerations at all planning levels and the undertaking of environlnental impact assessment for developmental projects. The Executing Regulation of the law were issued in 2000.

Cond~lctingEIA studies in Yemen is regulated mainly under the EPL and relevant specific sectoral regulations. The EPL fonns the general umbrella law for all environmental policies. It covers the enviromnental issues and problems facing Yemen. In particular, the EPL defines Yemen's policy concerning EL4 in Chapter 3, articles 35-47. These articles deal with the environmental assessment (EA) of new and old (i.e. prior to issuance of the law) development and investment projects. The Prime Minister's Resolution (148) for 2000 on the Executive Regulations of the EPL covers, inter alia, EIA guidelines and projects categories for projects requiring EM.

Chapter 3 of the EPL, entitled 'Projects Licensing and EM', comprises several provisions on the requirements of EIA in projects. The main articles of this chapter and their stipulations are shown briefly in the following table:

Summary of Chapter 3 of the EPL

decree for the determination of the standards criteria, specifications, conditions and procedures to ascertain and find out whether such proposed project or establishment affects substantially the environment or not. Some of these standards and criteria are: Determination of lists of projects and their categories which are by their nature liable to create such effects (cement industry-oil refineries-preliminary treatment of mineral facilities-pesticides industry-hazardous waste treatment and storage.. .etc) Determination of lists of special environment sensitivity of areas and locations (The historical and archaeological places-wet lands-coral islands-natural protected areas- public parlcs) Determination of lists of the resource units (water, equatorial range lands) and environment problems (increased erosion of the soil and desertification) of importance from an environment point of view. 2) The decree referred to in paragraph (1) of the article shall determine the elements that shall compose the statement and shdy of the environment impact assessment, which shall include: A) Description of the proposed activity (map of the location-use of the neighboring lands-the project's requirements of water, energy, drainage and roads-description of manufacturing operations of the projects-raw materials handling-incidents and risks and safety methods and measures-disposal of waste.. .etc B) Description of the environment that potentially might be affected. C)Description of alternatives to proposed project (e.g. using materials of least pollution) D)Evaluation and assessment of the probable environment impact and effects of the proposed activity and the alternatives, including those direct and indirect effects, and short and long term accumulations and contains (solid and liq~~idwaste-gas emissions- land uses- noise levels-socio-economic factors) E) The extent to which areas outside the national sovereignty may be affected by the proposed activity.

Articles 38 to 42 discuss the licensing process and responsibilities of the agencies which are mandated to license projects and the necessity to provide the EPA with the EIA of the projects. The articles do not address EIA procedures In addition; there is no discussion on extensions of existing plants. The Prime Minister's Resolution (PMR) number (148) for 2000 on the Executive Regulations of the EPL comprises seven parts. The first part deals with citation and definitions, xxrl~il~n~rt 3 rlpolr xxrith tl,~nrnt~rtinn nf the tprrp~trialpnx~irnnmpnt R pm~latinnc nn nrntprtinn nf ""IIII" YULL L1 UVUlL.7 "VILLI Lll" yIwCVVCIwII "I LIIV LVllVVLllYl VIIVIIWILLIIUIIL. A.VbUIULL"LI" "1. rLV---LA--- air fiom pollution are under part 3 and protection of the marine environment comes under part 4. Part 5 deals with research on biodiversity resources. Part 6 regulates the establishment of the Environment Fund and part 7 has the transitory and concluding articles.

Administrative Framework for Environmental Assessment and Management. According to Decree No (89) for 1993 of the Cabinet and section tluee of EPL, the EPA administers the EIA process; and other requirements and procedures included in the EIA legslation. This not only involves the responsibility for drafting regulations, guidelines and standards but also involves a central position in preparation of the terms of reference (TORs), review of EIA reports, and the monitoring process. Within EPA, the responsibility for EIA rests with the General Directorate for Monitoring and Environmental Assessment (GDMEA), which liaises with and provides advice to the competent authorities. The GDMEA can use any technical staff within EPA or any specialized person fiom universities or line ministries or outside these instit~ltionsif needed.

The existing regulations do not specify EIA procedures to be followed by the investors or the beneficiary institution. However, certain procedures have gradually developed since the issuance of the EPL in 1995. A number of elements were considered including the type of project, the financing agency, requirements or conditions of donors, the client ministries or institutions and their comprehension of the environmental regulations. The following steps relate to the role of the EPA in the EIA procedures required:

The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) and the EPA, as lead agencies, decide whether a project needs an EIA or not. This decision is arrived at in collaboration with the line ministry, or developer or donor or investor. Project proposals by the relevant collaborating body have to be s~~bmittedto the MWE and EPA for such a decision. Scoping and preparation of TORs is an important role of the MWE and the EPA. Jointly wit11 the benefiting body mentioned above the TORs for the EIA study are preparedlrevised and approved by the MWEEPA. Conducting the EIA is normally carried out by an independent private consultant or consultancy firm. Participation of the EPA and the concerned bodies is required in ascertaining that the EIA follows the guidelines and scope of the study prepared by the EPA. The objective of the participation is to train staff from the EPA and line ministries on the various aspects of EIA preparations. The costs are borne by the investor. General consultation is undertaken by the consultancy firm, in coordination with the EPA, tluougl~organizing a meeting or workshop that includes the EPA, other relevant government agencies, the donors and representatives of local colmnunities affected by the project. Reviewing the EIA report is carried out by the MWEIEPA. No fees are req~liredfor the review except when the EPA hires other professionals to review the EIA report. In this case the fees for theln have to be paid by the investor/relevant ministry. Final consultatio~lis carried out with the EPA to check if the comments d~~ringthe review were incorporated in the final EIA report. Evaluation of the EIA is carried out by the EPA. The evaluation would result in acceptance or rejection of the EIA study. Final decision and environmental clearance is to be made by the MWE through the issuance of a clearance letter. The letter would be based on the decision of the EPA on whether the proposed project is environmentally acceptable or under what conditions it would be. The letter would include conditions, mitigation measures needed, monitoring requirements or requirelnents for operations and maintenance. APPENDIX V INCOME-GENERATING PROJECT ALTERNATIVES

Project Alternatives in Sana'a Governorate 1. Improve and develop processing of pumplins in Belad Al-Roos. 2. Improve management and utilization of spring water (Belad Al-Roos + Gabal Nabi Sll~~aib+Bani Matar). 3. Expand planting of almonds and other deciduous huit trees under rainfed conditions in Bani Matar. 4. Expand the cultivation of KlznrcInl (Arabic for mustard) in Masyab in Bani Matar. 5. Revive traditional industries in Arhab: Wool ginning and textile, skin preparation. 6. Improve traditional methods of water harvesting (rocky cisterns in Arhab). 7. Expand out of season cultivation of vegetables in Wadi A'ashar in Belad Al-Roos and Arhab under rainfed and spring irrigation. 8. Improve techniques of cultivation, harvesting and marketing of grapes to cope with export standards to neighboring and European markets.(Hamdan, Jehanah and Arhab).

Project Alternatives in Mahweet Coffee Prodzlctiorz: 1. Conduct on-farm demonstrations on rehabilitation of old coffee orchards including (pruning to renovate old trees, integrated control of pestldisease and the use of chemical fertilizers in areas where rainfall is adequate or where sources of s~~pplementaryirrigation is available). 2. Introduce cost effective post harvest technologies, such as drymg, grading, husk removal and proper packagng. 3. Introduce new coffee types horn elsewhere in the country hown to be famous for quality (uhini, tufihi, nzntnri, nynsi and hnnzomi, etc.).

Cereal Legzlltz e Crop Prodzlctio~z: The improvement of cereal legume production is likely to be based on the following interventions. 1. Introduce improved approaches to revive the traditional seed maintenance systems such as proper selection of seeds, treatment of seeds with insecticides and pesticides, proper storage of seeds and proper threshing of seeds. 2. Train extension agents and farmers on these techques to apply them in their agricultural practices. 3. Conduct on-farm trials of promising varieties (cereals and legumes) acceptable to farmers in the area which could be released hom on-station research in close coordination with NARS and international centers such as ICRISAT. 4. Promote the expansion of pigeon peas cultivation which proved valuable source of food for households in several locations in the uplands of Al-Mahweet and Al-Rujom districts.

Prodzictio~zof Grozlrzd ~zzrtsand Sesnnze. The production of ground nuts and Sesame is popular in the uplands and highlands of Al- Mahweet Districts. However, yields are low and seed maintenance is lacking. To improve the production of the above oil crops, the following interventions are suggested: 1. Introduce improved seed maintenance program involving: seed selection, seed treatment and storage. 2. Train farmers on these improved techniques. 3. Introduce cultivation of sesame and ground nuts under sing spate irrigation (flood irrigation) in wadis as the case in coastal areas of the country ( Lahej and Abyan). 4. Conduct on farm trials on improved varieties developed and recommended elsewhere in the country and disseminate acceptable varieties in the production domain. Project Alternatives in Hajj a Governorate 1. h~tervelltionsinclude the utilization of sorgl~umfodder to improve animal feed. However, the potential for producing fishmeal and fish silage from small fish, fish offal and small discarded fish fiom Ras A1 A'ara was not considered. 2. The other two suggestions were the improvement of vegetable production and rainfed mango cultivation.

Project Alternatives in Hodeidah Governorate 1. Local cheese preparation in Madhar -Gabal Ras. 2. Promotion of out of seas011 cultivation of vegetables in the vicinity of Okaka irrigation structure in Gabal Ras District. 3. The use of animal manure to produce bio gas for l~ouseholdpurposes. 4. The introduction of fodder stalk choppers to reduce the women's burden and increase the utilizatioll of fodder by l~ouseholdanimals. 5. The use of locally prepared concentrates for the fattening programs of household animals. 6. Introduction of back yard gardening to improve household diet. 7. The making of sesame sweets and candy in Al-Mansuria district. 8. Improvemellt of coffee marketing in Bura'a district. 9. Improvement of women-made ha~~dicraftsand pottery.

Project Alternatives in Lahej Governorate 1. Revive winter cultivation of cereals and pulses under the available moisture in the winter season. 2. Promote increasing of animal ownership in Tur Al-Baha, Madhariba and Ras Al-Ara Districts. 3. Improve date palm production in Tur Al-Baha and Ras Al-Ara districts. 4. Improve the local breeds of sheep in Tur Al-Baha and Ras Al-Ara districts. 5. Improve the cropping pattern under flood irrigation conditions. 6. Improve the use of available resources to increase honey production. 7. In addition to the above suggested interventions, fishmeal and silage production should be developed to improve animal feed mix APPENDIX VI ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING CRITERIA

General Information:

Location: Governorate District Uzla Village Type of project: Laboratory rehabilitation/co~lstruction Market infrastructure inlprovement Water harvestinglsoil conservation Other Brief description: Estimated cost:

Environmental and Social Impacts:

1. Does the project involve acquisition of land or existing facilities? no Yes - resettlement of people or loss of assets/income? no -Yes - conversion of natural areas or habitats for agnculture? no -Yes - procurement or use of pesticides or agricultural inputs? no -yes - If yes to any of the above, see PSU or SFD staff about eligibility of the sub-projectlactivity and/or applicability of other World Bank safeguard policies.

2. Does the project involve use. mananement or rehabilitation of land? no -Yes - If yes, see recommended measures in EMP Section 7

3. Does the project involve use, mananement or control of water resoulrces? no yes- If yes, see recommended measures in EMP Section 7

4. Does the project involve management or disposal of liquid or solid wastes? no yes- If yes, see recommended measures in EMP Section 7

5. Does the project involve the use of hazardous chemicals or infectious wastes? no -yes - If yes, see recommended measures in EMP Section 7

6. Does the project involve generation of air or noise pollution? no -Yes - If yes, see recormnellded measures in EMP Section 7

7. Is the project situated in or near an ecoloFiicallv sensitive site? no -Yes - If yes, see recommended measures in EMP Section 7 8. Is the project situated in or near a population centre or settlement? no Yes If yes, see recommended measures in EMP Section 7

9. Does the project require EPA review? To be determined with PSU OR SFD staff.

10. Provide any additional documelltation: photos, maps, etc.

Local Project Official PSU OR SFD Staff

Date: Matrix 1: Environmental and Social lmpacts

Environmental lmpacts Water Water Landlsoil Landlsoil Agricultural Interventions Quality Quantity degradation Erosion Biodiversity Component 1 sub-component 1 crop improvement 0 variety maintenance 0 quality assurance 0 sub-component 2 farmer-based seed mgmt 0 sub-component 3 seed delivery 8 marketing 0

Component 2 sub-component 1 (GDAR tasks) reorganization of services 0 surveilance network 0 vaccination campaigns 0 training program 0 sub-component 2 (laboratories) rehabilitations of labs lab revolving fund 0 national vaccine production 0 sub-component 3 (quarantine) Al-Mukha quarantine Al-Mukalla quarantine survey 0 sub-component 4 (livestock servic:es ) village vet. pharmacies 0 training program 0 production improvement 0 breed improvement 0 village milk collection 0 Component 3 cap.building/investments org.farmet-s CBO 0 involve farmers groups 0 sub-projects soil and water harvesting + improve technology/eqpt + vet. pharmacies/input outlets 0 labor saving devices-women + agro processing eqpt 0 post harvesting facilities ol+ org, tech,man capacity building ol+

Page 50 Social Impacts Animal Air Animal Waste Household Women Public Community Human Institutional Biodiversity Quality Health Mgmt Income Involvement Health Empowerment Capital Capacity

Page 51 Matrix 2: Environmental Management Matrix for the Animal Quarantine Facility at A1 Mokha Design/Construction/Operation Stages

Ensures local needs are anticipated livestoclc owners/importers) Consult Al Mokha Public Participation community groups Involve Azzabra society in awareness programs on

considered prior to conshuctlon = Water quality = Builds awareness of potential Waste management environmental hazards and ways of preventing or mitigating them Health and safety

oc~o-economic during conshuction about construction

Public Pafiicipation investment in project

Ensure proper un-loading1 storage of construction

Ensure on-site mixing of materials in shielded areas work site and surrounding areas Ensure proper maintenance and repair of machinery

during construction Ensure proper drainage from Encourage water conservation in construction activities Prevent surface and ground-water Minimize use of chemicals pollution from construction activities (lubricants, solvents,

Hold regular public Minimize any potential public consultations to address misunderstanding or dissatisfaction with facility operation concerns/comments

investment in facility

9 Provide fresh water from additional sources to the present ones used by the

any liquid wastes Ensure proper management

Waste Management Encourage reuse of organic animal

Landscape Maintenance Maintain landscaping Build civic ownership and pride

Maintain veterinary

healthlc~uanntineneeds

Socio-economic benefits during operation

work site and surrounding areas

Encourage water conservation in construction activities Prevent surface and ground-water pollution from construction activities

Waste Management

Landscape Intrusion Perform appropriate Low-cost way of building civic landscaping on completion ownership and pride

and national requirements Brief construction crew on health and safety guidelines Socio-economic during construction disruption caused by construction

Hold regular public Minimize any potential public consultations to address misunderstanding or dissatisfaction concems/comments with facility operation

investment in facility

Employ appropriate dust

Minimize use of toxic chemicals (lubricants, handling solid, animal and Prevent pollution from improper Waste Management Ensure proper management and disposal of solid waste Encourage reuse/recycling of organic and other waste

Landscape Maintenance Maintain landscaping

Enforce general health and Ensures worker health and safety safety guidelines

Socio-economic