' -l 't'\ / South Pacific Regional Environment Programme t-Lt I E Uffi := United Nations Development Programme Global Environment Facility tt.r\\l

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So uth Pocific Bio divers ity Conse rvetion Programme

Takitttntu Conse rvution Arect Rarotonga, Cook Islands

P RO,l ECT P REPAL4TI O l,{ DOC U bI EliT

E ttvirontnertt Se rvice, C'ook Islands June 1996

F-,r

PROJECT

R^AROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS

PROJECT PREPARATION DOCUMENT.

UNDER TIIE

SOUTH PACIFIC BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

Wayne Tamangaro King June 1996. FOREWORD.

Conservation and development, historically, has always provided a conflict of interest on many issues that often tended to favour one ethic or the other. Over the last decade there has been an increasing awareness that both conservation and development can be harmonised to produce benefits for a target sestor, without degrading the target environment.

Today, that awareness has gained almost universal acceptance in the ficrm of sstainable developmen( where development activities take into account the effect of those activities on the overall environment today, without compromising the ability of future generations to also benefit from their environment.

The Cook Islands has been actively involved in promoting the ethic of sustainable development, yet the road ahead is winding and difficult to follow. Many issues are yet to be resolved.

In 1992, the National Environment Management Strategies (NEMS) formed, through cross-sectoral and public participatiorL the beginnings of an awareness in the Cook Islands of what the concept of sustainable development entailed. The Cabinet endorsed the NEMS as an environmental policy guide and approved the implementation of the various programmes contained within the NEMS framework.

As one component ofNEMS, the establishment of Protected Areas sought to set aside important ecological, cultural or historic areas for the benefit and enjoyment of our people, as well as those who visited our shores. Yet, the component after some assessment did not identi$ a key area which would gain zupport of virtually all landowners. The area that was identified was income generation or resource utilisation that could be carried out in an environmentally sound manner.

Today, with the assistance of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through its South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme (SPBCP), realisation of the main areas of community participation and decsion making related to their resources a-s well as the potential for harmonisation of conservation and dwelopment activities, has contributed to this project on the Takitumu Conservation Area (TCA) on Rarotonga, being established.

The Takitumu Conservation Area prornotes community nranagement in partnership with Gover-nnlent, and seeks to form the partnership in long term rnan4gcment regimes. The landorilners of the Takitumu Conscrvation Area have agreed to establish the area and manage the area as a conservation area" yet allowing for possible development to promote income generation to also take place, although thosc activities are yet to be identified. The Takitumu Conservation Area repres€nts a unique opportunity for us in the Cook Islands to develop and implement in practical terms what the concept of sustainable development is all about. NEMS identified sustainable development in the Cook Islands as:

" Te au angcunga ta tatou lca ran'e i teia tuatau kia kare e riro tei reira ei ta kinokino atu i te oraanga o te au oki ki mua,"

This can be translated as:

" Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own social and econornic necds,"

The Takitumu Conservation Area thus seeks to promote the above concept which in reality was originally practiced in our villages prior to acceptance of westernisation, thus is not a new ethic, as survival in the context of sustenence and prolonging this fact Was the prime motivating force.

In conclusiorL we are both honoured to present this foreword jointly as both the Chairman of the Conservation Area Coordinating Committee (CACC) and as Secretary for the Ministry of Works, Environment and Physical Planning (MOWEPP) as an indication of our mutual support for the Takitumu Conservation Area and acknowledgement of the importance of our work about to begin as a partnership between the CACC, represcnting the landowners and the Government represented by the Environnrent Service, as the lead agency.

We look forward to a fruitful and beneficial project and look to the funrre as our children and their children may see the Takitumu Conservation Area as an enduring and positive progrilune, that will enhance the lifestylcs of the people of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Tli Nicholer Cheirmrn of thc CACC Sccretrry of MOWEPP

Rarotonga Cook lslands. CONTENTS Page Number.

List ofAcronyms iv

Aclnowledgme,nts v

Executive Summary vi

Map of the Cook Islands Fig.1. ,ffiii

Map ofRarotonga Fig.2. xix

Map ofthe Takitumu Conservation Area Fig.3. )o(

Map of the proposed Water Catchment Reserve Fig.a. ,od

PART A. - INTRODUCTION

(1) General I (2') BiodiversityandBiodiversityConscrvation I 2.1. Definition I 2.2. Biodiversity Conservation 2 2.3. Increasing International Interest in Biodiversity 2 2.4. National Interest in Biodiversity J (3) The Project heparation Document @PD) 3

PART B.. THE EXISTING SITUATION

(4) Project Background 4 (5) Features of the Takitumu Consenation Area 5 5.1. Natural 5.1.1. location, boundarieq area 6 5.1.2. climate 6 5.1.3. topography and soils 7 5.1.4. geology I 5.1.5. water resources I 5.1.6. vegetation 9 5.I-7 . e,ndangered species l0 5.2. Wildlife l0 5.3. Scenic attributes t2 5.4. Culnual and tfistoric features t2

i 5.5. Community features l3 5.5.1. population and settlement pattems 13 I 5.5.2. NGO's and institutions t3 5.5.3. role ofwomen in the conrmunitv 13 I 5.6. The system of Land Tenure in Takinrmu l4 (6) Government, Non-Governmenf and Private Sector Support Services 6. l. lnfrastructure and social sewices 16 6.1.1. roads, water $pply, electricity and communications 16 6.1.2. health and healthcare 16 6.1.3. education I7 6.2. Land, Community Services, and Environm€,lrt l7 6.2.I. Justice Department 17 6.2.2. Survey Depatment 18 6.2.3. Water Authority t8 6.2.4. Environment Service 18 6.2.5. Tourism Authority t9 6.2.6. Lands Commission 19 6.2.7. Tourism operators t9 6.2.8. House ofAriki 20

Economic Development Activities 2l Agriculnue 2,1 Forestry 2l Tourism 22 Fishing )) Small business and entreprenureship 23 Subsistence actMty 23

(8) Environment Conservation and Land Use Policics 24 8.L National Policies 24 8.2. Land Use Policies 25

PART C. . RATIONALE FOR THN CONSERVATION AREA. A}ID PROJECT DESIGN

(e) General 27 9. l. Rationale for SPBCP 2',7 9.2. Rationale for the Takitumu Conservation Area 28

(10) Selection of Catchments in the Takitumu Area 29

(f l) hoject Design Considerations 32 I l.l. Strategy and methodology - An Overview 32 11.2. Constraints and other design considerations 32 I1.3. National considerations in the design JJ I1.4. District considerations in the design JJ

PART D. - THE PROJf,CT

(12) ProjectObjectives 34 12.1. The Target goup 35 (13) ProjectComponents 35 13.1. Project management 36 13.2. Sustainable income generating activities 40 13.3. Integrated resource management plan 42 13.4. Conservation area development 45 13.5. Kakerori recovery programme 47

(14) Project Workplan 49 14.1. Activities to date 49 14.2. Work plan over the next four years 49

(f5) Project Costs and Allocations 51

(16) Project Management and Coordination 52

(17) Project Training Requirements

(18) Monitoring and Evaluation 54 18.1. Monitoring of project implementation 54 18.2. Monitoring of project impacts 54

PART E.. PROJECT IMPACTS

(19) Project Benefits 56 19,1. The Takitumu Conservation Area 56 19.2. The Community around the TCA 56

(20) Project Constraints 57

(21) Environmental Impacts of the Project on the Community 37

(22) Economic and Financial Impacts of the Project on the Community 58

PART F.

(23) Bibliography and Reference.

PART G. - APPENDICES

(1) Logical Framework for achieving the Objectives of the Project 62 (2) Detailed work plan by Activity and Year 63 (3) Detailed costing estimate by Component in 1996 68 (4) Costing estimate by Year 74,

lll LIST OF ACRONYMS

ADB - Asian Development Bank

CA - Conservation Area CACC - Conservation Area Coordinating Committee CAP - Conservation Area Project CASO - Conservation Area Support Offrcer CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity CI - Cook Islands ,

EIA - Environmental lmpact Assessment ES - Environment Service

GEF - Global Environment Facility

NEMS - National Environment Management Strategy NGO - Non Governmental Organisation

PPD - Project Preparation Document

SPBCP - South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme SPREP - South Pacific Regional Environment Programme

TCA - Takitumu Conservation Area

TNCED - United Nations Conference on Environment and Development LINDP - United Nations Development Programme LINEP - United Nations Environment Programme

lv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Kia orana tatou katoatoa.

The preparation and drafting of this Project Preparation Document that reflects the thoughts and opinions of so ffiily, could not have been possible by only one person.

In this regard my thanks and appreciation go to those that have contributed to this document, particularly:

Tai Nicholas - Chairman of the CACC Papa Kapu Ioteva Papa Naku Tamariki Philomena Williams Ian Karika, and Tangi Tere on behalf of Kapiri Tangimetua all of whom comprise the Conservation Area Coordinating Committee. lnvaluable technical assistance and input into this PPD has also come from Gerald McCormack currently Director of the Natural Heritage Programme, Prime Ministers Offrce, and Edward Saul, Technical Advisor on the Conservation Area Project and the Kakerori Recovery Programme, as well as Ms. Anna Tiraa-Passfield, who is the Conservation Area Support Officer (CASO). lnput was also given to the drafter on various parts of the PPD by the Tourist Authority, the Water Authority, the Ministry of Energy, and the House of Ariki and Kotou Nui.

Finally, my thanks go to the Director of the Environment Service, Tuingariki Short, without whose support and advice, would have made the development of the PPD virtually non-existent.

My thanks and appreciation to all of the above mentioned persons in assisting me develop this PPD.

Meitaki maata e kia manuia.

June 1996. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TO THE

PROJECT PLANNING DOCUMENT

1. INTRODUCTION

This report is the Project Preparation Document (PPD) for the Takirumu Conservation Area.

The primarl ainr of the PPD is to develop a design for a project that conserves the biodiversity of the Takitumu Conservation Area through the development of community based and conrmurritv managed activities fbunded upon sustainable resource utilisation practices. A long term goal is to develop participatory planning and management skills at the community level. so that the project continues after SPBCP assistance comes to an end.

The PPD describes the area on the basis of known data, presents the rationale for biodiversit! conservation and development and det-rnes. amongst other things, the components. w'orkplan. organisation and management. inputs. outputs, costs and benefits. and risks of the pro.ject. The PPD is a stand alone document and for the most part, is based upon existing infbrrnation only. Horvever. consultations with the Conservation Area Coordinriting Committee (CACC), and other interested people or organisations has been undertaken arrcl is retlected in the document.

The pro.iect design and rvorkplans given in the PPD are not definitive, because of horv long the project take to bear fruit. and how long it will be before the community "vill is ready to manage the project is as yet unknown. However. SPBCP policy allows enough flexibiliti tbr plans to evoll'c' in response to untblding community wants and needs.

2. BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

l'he basis oi'this project preparation document is founded on a concept proposal originalll designed in lc)88 b1,' the then Director of the Conservation Service. 'fhc Director at that tinrc suggested in the concept proposal, the setting aside of tlre habitrrt of an cndemic bird called the Kakerori or Rarotongan Flycatcher (Pomarea climitliuttu. rvhich rr,as in durrger of extinction, with. at that time, only 29 individuals 'l-he remaining. arcl llso contains irnportant Lulcommon and endangered bird and plant species.

vi In I 994 ancl in earh' 1995 there was a series of important meetings between the Environnrettt Sen icc and the landowners of the area. [t was agreed that a Committee be fbrmed and that a rcquest be made to the South Pacit'ic Biodiversity Conservation Programute (SPBCP) tbr assistance in establishing a Conservation Area (CA). In line with the request to the SPBCP. a concept paper was developed and presented to the SPBCP tbr implementation of a biodiversity conservation progftrmme on the specific lands covering the upper areas of three catchments of central inland Rarotonga, including the kakerori habitat as the core area. rvhich also best satisfies the SPBCP criteria for the selection ot' consen'ation areas.

3. FEATURES OF THE TAKITUMU CONSERVATION AREA

The Takitumu Conservation Area is located in the central south eastern part of the island of Rarotonsa and spans the headwaters of two catchments and nvo adjacent basins of another catchment. The catchntent :trclrs kno'uvn as thc r\vana, Totokoitu and Turoa valleys. which form the core area ot'the TCA comprise 155 hectares in total. Most of the core area (90%) is unmoditied inland tbrest about 10% is persistent fernland as a result of fires in "vhilst recent times, The land sunounding the CA comprises: = intact native tbrest with little modification by man or animals (75%); => intrct native tbrest with significant modification by man or animals (10%); = introduced tbresrry areas ( lo4): = open areas r.vith abundant weed species (l%); = open areas regenerating rvith both invasive and introduced species (%); = asriculture growing areas (8%)l - residcnccs ( l7o).

In the core area apart fiom regular visits by Environment Service and Meteorolouical Service w'orkers. verv little human and resource use activity takes place other than sr.tt'rsistence gathering. particularly of Koura vai or freshwater prawn and the tuna or tiesltrratcr eels ru well as tui tui or candlenuts and I'i or Polynesian chestnuts, some recreation. and huuting activities. particularly for goats and the fruit bat known as moa kirikiri.

As r.vell as lhe Kakerori the core area also contains other endemic species which are uncolnlnou and endangered. The I'oi or Rarotonga Starling (,{1tloni.s cinerascensl is uncommon but widespread. Plant species include the Polvnesian Orchid (Habenaria amplifolia) which is abundant in a t'er.'v'small areas. and the Rarotongan Melicope (Melicope bracteata) known from only tirurr indivicluals. all in the TCA. The Noded Ground Orchid (Phains grafei) occurs very 'fCA sparselv onlr in the and some adjacent valleys as well.

\'l I The w'ater resources in the TCA also play an important role in the daily lives of the surrounding population because of the supply of clean potable water from the water intakes installed in both the Avana and Totokoitu valleys.

Geologicallr'. Rarotonga is a young high island approximately 2.5 million years old. and tlre soils in the TCA are leached tiom basalt. The area is of low fertility. but will support natuntl lbrest. The climate is tropical and subject to the South East trade winds. Tlte TCA is irr the \\ettest part of the island. over 3 metres of rain falls in each -fCA "vhere year. Significant strcilms in the provide much of Rarotonga's drinking water.

Data is a','ailable on some of the TCA's features. e.g., climate, soils, geology, and topography'. as well as a l

4. RATIONALE, STRATEGY, OBJECTIVES AND TARGET GROUP OF THE PROJECT.

4.1. RATIONALE FOR THE SELECTION OF THE AREA

The rationale tbr the TCA project can be outlined in the following way:

= The core area of TCA is the only site in the Cook Islands where the Kakerori is found. The lonu term survival of this endemic species is therefore entirely dependent on the success of ct'fbrts to protect in perpetuitv the forests and other vegetation lvpes in the TCA: = Water resources in the TCA are important in terms of qualiry and supply to the people on Rarotott-ga- atrd protection of the water resources tiom pollution is critical. Protectiott of the *'aterslied is also an important tactor in the protection of water resoLrrccs: - The acsthctic ralue oi thc area is be1'ond question with its spectacular peaks and unspuiled scener): + There is little inli'astructure developrnent of the area, and is evident only where the w'ater intakes are fbund in the fbrm of access roads; = The TCA has hi-r-lh conservation value because of the occurrence of endemic. endangered and unconrmon species. as described briefly previously;

VIII = For the Cook lslands. the TCA holds a high diversity of species, and although not quantified presently'. the project aims to address this through resource surveys in the earlv part ot'the project cy'cle; = There is the potential tbr degradation of the environment of the TCA from increased population pressure through activities such as the installation of power and water, then the construction of residences. these activities would have an impact on the TCA; - Alongside of the TCA. to the West. North and East. there is a very large area of uninhabited tbrest tract. This tract has also very high conservation values. In the tuture. once the TCA is well established under landowner management, it is hoped that consideratiort rvill be given to adding all or part of this area to the project; = There is a high recreational/subsistence activity value in the TCA, where although limited amounts of resource use is undertaken such as tieshwater fishing for koura vai and tuna. it is still an important activity which under this project will be continued; = It is itnportartt that ull those interested individuals and organisations which have or are undertaking activities in the TCA. such as the Water Authority. the Environment Sen'ice. the Ounvard Bound Trust among others. should be coordinated in their approach arrd plannirrg of tuture activities. It is vital to the project that the CACC undertake the coordinatinq role in the TCA for all such activities.

4.2. PROJECT STRATEGY

Planning the project needs to balance the wants of some inherently conflicting activities- e.g.. preserr,'ation of natural resources in the area. income revenue ventures, and other cornmunitl,' uses in the area. Because of these conflicts, detailed planning and a long term conlmunitv awaretless pro_qramme is required.

Brietll. the planning of the project r,vill move through four phases:

(l) Definirrg tlie ainrs of the project. infbrming all concemed of what is wanted to be done. and planning ho'uv to do it. This will mean discussions on the aims of SPBCP and relatin-u this tr'r the TCA. various public a\,vareness programmes on the TCA. and the production of thc Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP);

(2) Identitl,ing the opportunities to utilise the resources in the TCA in a sustainable way'. and explaining the economics of doing so to the community. The overall aim in this phase r,vill be to identit-v those activities which must benefit the Takitumu District; 'fo (3) inrplement cornpatible management and sustainable use practices in the TCA. If no suitable uscs lre fbund, initially. appropriate forms of incentive may be provided for a short time:

(4) l'lierc rr ill be u transition tiom SPBCP fturding after the project cycle ends. To plan tirr r stnoollr trurrsition liom SPBCP turrding consideration must be given in the

lx project to. seeking alternate t'inancial assistance from other agencies, reducing the scale of activities. sponsorships. among others. prior to the project ending.

Bchind thcse successive phases of project completion, two streams of activity will constatltl) tltli: tltc dr:y' to da.v- business of operating and maintaining the project and the continuing etforts of the Kakerori Recovery Programme.

4.3. PROJECTOBJECTIVES

The overall goal of the project on the TCA is:

"to consert,e thc L-onscrvution.4rea's biodiversityfor the bCnefit and enjoyment of present dnLl lilturc gcnerutions on Rarotonga".

To achieve the project goal. more immediate objectives need to be attained, such as:

= Develop partnership arrangements between government, landowning groups, NGO's and others tbr ctl'ective management and sustainable use of biodiversity in the TCA;

= Develop arrd implement management plans tbr the wise management and use of biodiversitv r',ithin the TCA:

= Raise public awareness about the importance of and means for conservation of biodilersitv in the TCA:

+ Protttote. inrplement. and support sustainable economic activities by communities associated rvith the TCA:

= Devclop. as appropriate. a model for the implementation of Conservation Area's in other nx15 of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. 'l'hc project vrorkplans set out the inputs. outputs and activities required to achieve these ohtr:ctir es.

4.4. THE TARGET GROUP

I'lrc dircct beneticiaries of the TCA project are the customary landowners and their desccndants living in the Takitumu District. Approxitttately' 2.300 people residing in approximately 623 households are within the district'r'rundaries. Croups representing women and youth are going to be encouraged to play an active rolc in pro.iect planning and management and efforts wilt be made to encourage and intc"lnlte their roles in the TCA development.

5. FEATURES OF THE PROJECT DESIGN

['tc pr,riect has bcen dir,'ided into tive main broad based components:

= Pro.ic-" rltanagement = Inconrc gelterating = Resorrrce ntana_qement plan = Conscrvation Area development - Kakcrori Recoverv Pro!-lramme

5.1. PROJECTMANAGEMENT

'l-'tc prittruv purpose of the project management component is to establish an effectivc con11111ni,u based management structure for the participatory planning and 'fCA. managentcltt of tlte A community based management structure is considered a pre- requisitc litr thc .rchievernent of the project objectives. However. planning and manascn'crtl skills are often lacking at the village level. A major task of this firstphase of the proic,':. rvill he ttt der,,elop these skills.

I itc lead i.rgenc)' promoting the CA programme is the Environment Service, now a division ol'the mirristry of Works. Environment. and Physical Planning (MOWEPP).It is expectecl that tlre Sen,ice will continue to undertake this role until such time when the CACC is ot'the opitrion. and the community agrees. that full control of the project should be transl'crred to the Takiturnu communitv.

\ L'.{CC has been tbrmed fiom representatives of the landowning groups of the TC,A,- t(r rrversee the manaqement of the area. The Environment Service also assists in the managenrcttt ol'tlte CACC in a supportive role. Discussion is soon to centre on whether ' the CA( ( sltoulcl e.xpand its nrembership to include other interested parties or organisat itrrrs.

\ (-'onscl'!'otiort ..\rea Support Of ficer (CASO) has been appointed early in the project. inli she hls bccn extensivelv involved in the activities to date. including assisting in the atlntittistt'r.ttion ancl nranagement of the CACC. organising awareness raising workslt,,l'.s. ctc. ljLrrther consideration has been given to recruiting further staff to assist the CAS() in tlre project.'fhe increase in staff numbers will necessitate the establishment of a prtr.icct otflcc. The project office will need to be located, and equipped in the most optimal pluce . cither in the TCA. or close to where visitors will enter the TCA.

xl \ plrticipator)'s)'stcnr of monitoring and evaluation will be part of the managclltcllt s\ StL'l'tl in order to monitor the etfectiveness of management and in particular tlrc tlcvclopment of community based control. Workplans will be flexible to allou trrr rn,rtlilication according ro community priorities.

5.2. INCOME GENERATING PROJECTS

[.rr,:ul irtctrrtte qenerating activities linked to the conservation of biodiversity are the best inccntircs tbr conserv'ation of natural resources

'l'hc overail goal of this component is to conserve biodiversity in the Takitumu Conserr.rti('11 .\r'cu throu_qh the development of activities based upon the sustainable use of natur';ri 'e sorrrccs of thr,. CA.

$ortrc irrcorne generating activities for the TCA have already been identified in various ttrcctirtus and workshops. among them: nature based tourism. handicrafts and souvenir.s. rs uell as an intbrmatior/vending kiosk located in the central part of town. Althourgh inclicatc-d. manv of the potential activities suggested will require more discussi,'n :.rncl PR.-\ to refine the choice of income generating activities.

Fclsibilities and research on the viability and appropriateness of the proposed project ucct'r'ding to project objectives and to develop detailed work plans for the

implenrui tlt i on o l' approved project.

l-r'usl Funds or Other mechanisms may be established to assist in planning and initiate nrrrigg1 lrctii'ities.

5.3. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

-l-lte citnsc'r''uation area contains si-enificant biological and physical resources of f'lora. t:rrrrtir. \vr.rtcr. and soils. These renewable and non-renewable resources have been successl'Lillr harr.estcd elsewhere in the Cook Islands where traditional resource practices such as t'(t ui or tLtpu d,ppear to have little impact. There is linle evidence to suggest that 1ls 1s56ul'ccs of the CA would escape the threat of development and over-exploitation in the facc ol'irrcreusing population pressure and economic development. What is lurlrril'c1l is tlre possibility harmonisation of modern and traditional management technirqr.rcs. ,rrtcl thc cstablishrnent of a fiamework tbr the sustainable use of natural resourccs irr thc ('.\. An integrated resource management plan fulfills this requirement.

('ttt't'ctttl.r thure is insufflcient data on biological resources and other natural r€soLtter.':' :, rlcrclop an irrtegrated resource rnanagement plan. One of the principal

xii activitics ol'tltis coll'lponent is to strengthen the biodiversity database which will establish a baselirrc ,r!i.tittst rvhich the eft'ectiveness of the management regime can be measured. New datl tlrrough resource surve.vs is anticipated in the following areas:

= Birrl rrrtl lirril hal = Florl = Socit.-cfot11r111ig Surveys of surrounding communities of the CA = Vegctrttirrtt land capability mapping in conjunction with the Lands and Survey GIS systcrlr.

5.4. CONSERVATIONAREA DEVELOPMENT

'l'lte ;'1'i111n1'y purpose of this component is to provide a framework of activities for the phi sicrtl ulcr elopment of the TCA. Development activities in this context are generallv cicscrilrcd as non-income generating and shall assist in the overall goal of sustainahlc ttSC t)t'the natural resources of the CA. which was previously identified in other cotttp(rrtcnts.

( r:'.sct'' rttion Area clevelopment provides for direct physical benefits to the landoutt.'r'.. tltt''rush the undertaking of acrivities related to the TCA. Those benefits may be in thc li,r'rr ,rf tracks. road maintenance programmes, road-endshelters, signs forboth the roarl-crr,-ls utrcl tracks. toilet facilities. water storage and parking iueas, all of which will assisr !rt tltc yrossible generation of income from nature based tourism projects as well as sen icirt': tltc needs of outdoor education programmes on the TCA and its natural resources.

.\ l';ilattcc of development activitv against the conservation of the resources of the CA will I''c ,'.,,,,'''.d by the CACC. lnterest ltit: rtllcadv been generated tiom tor.rr operators fbr eco-tourism activities in the CA ancl riii't'ir1111{i11g creas.

5.5. KAKERORI RECOVERY PROGRAMME

'i iris ,r()nrponent covers the existing and ongoing operational activities of the Kakerori r',-re ,\\ cr'\' progranrme whicli has been carried out in the CA over the past eight years. l'ircsc .rctivities include. the poisoning of rats in the CA and the monitoring of kakerori ;utri tltcir tled-rrlings. Three technical projects seeking to enhance the recovery pro-qranlnlc itin c been proposed under this component. one on an avifauna disease researclt pltrjcct. llte other on a predator control research project, and finally a feasibility on the rt ltctlrcr it is viable to transfer Kakerori from the present habitat to another habitat on Rarolorr,jil. ')r on another outer Island.

Klll 5.6. CCNSERVATION AREA TRAINING AND AWARENESS

'l'iris corrrponent outlines that all levels of project management including the CASO. l:rtvirr'tnrrcnt Otticers. CACC members and the landowning community will need training r;t C'\ nl.rnning and management. The development of community level skills will be :r1'riclllil"lf inrpotlant if the project is to successfully achieve its participatory 'l'rr,if tbcus. [ri]rlslcr of knot'ledge ttom consultants and SPBCP statf to the community is also expr:t:ied to 'akc' place durin_u the project cycle.

..\ nunrber of personnel rvill be involved in the projeci and they will all require training irr various aspects of project planning and management. Training activities are spread ilcross a nrrrnber of components and outputs.

These u ill inclr.rle :

= Stal'l'tlaining in project planning and management, particularly monitoring and evnlrr;rtion as ,r'ell as a shon course on resource management; = Vill.rge aucl crrrrrmunity workshops on management structures. and monitoring. Pro.iccl plannrrru and resource mana-qement courses will be conducted during the pro.tc -'1.

More trli:rin-s rcL'rrirL-ments will be expected in subsequent years over the project cycle. but lrarc \ et to l',c lirll-n- identified.

6. PROJECT COSTS

Tlrc total project cost is estimated at NZ$661.500 covering the four year period irom I 9()6- 1999. Project c(\sts l))' .\()urce of tunds are shown in the table below. All costs are in NZ dollars.

Componcrrt SPIICP CIGOV Others

(l) Pro.icr:t i00.-t90 12.000 6,000 Manrtgc'ttcttt

(2) lncorrr': t+.500 0 6,000 Gensr:ttirrlt

(3) iVlanrrgettrcnt 60.160 12.000 0 Plan

xlv (.1) c.\ 74.900 0 12,000 developnr cn t

(5) Krrlicrnri l-r2.000 26.000 Recovcr..' Progr'.

(6) CA Tr':rinins i7.650 and Arv:rrcncss

Total (osts (NZDt 659,800 2{,000 50,000

l-hc f'ollrrrr ing table shows financial requirements by year for the TCA project All costs ,rrc in \,'rv Zealand dollars. COI\IP(\NEN'I' L'OSTS Value by Year. Total Cost I 1 3 { (NzD)

(1) Pro.icct )[ln ir gement 55.620 96.090 75.740 73.040 300.490

(2) Incorrrc Gcrre ration 0 21.500 1.500 1,500 24,500

(3) Vlannqcnrerrt Plan 29.000 14.760 I 5.500 l ,000 60,260

(4) CA rlcvclopnrent r4.000 43.000 16.500 1.400 74,900

(5) Kakcrori ltccovery I1.000 50.000 "18.000 23,000 142,000

(6) CA Tntinins and 7.5s0 i8.700 8.200 3,200 57,650 Aw:tre ncss

Total Costs (NZI)l 127,170 26d,050 165,440 103,140 659,800.

7. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION

Or crall. pro.iect managen'rent will be overseen by the CACC. Currentlf irc C,\rlC consists of representatives tiom the three main landowning family groups irrr,rlr ecl ri ith the TCA. Those family groups are the Karika. the Kainuku, and the lvtanar lrolr.

'l-lrc CAS( ) is to provide the CACC with advice and serve as the implementor of the C.\ prtrict:t tluring thc' project cycle. The CASO also canies out administrative and managenre rrt lirrrctiorrs fbr botli the CAIIC and the project.

XV Vics's on i\panding the CACC to include other interested and relevant parties e.g.. botlr (;()\'et'llltent and Non-Government organisations have been put forward, howevcr'. lt;.rr e rtr, been dealt vvith in any substantive manner. Possible alternatives to expandirrr ilrc ('.\('C rnal'be to utilise the outside interested parties as technical advisors.

( r)rr1'1[i11.11,,rn is currentlv carried out through the lead agency of the Government, i.e.. the l:rrvirorrrle nt Scrvice in coniunction with the CASO and the Chairman of the CACC. As the C'.\(--C evt''lves as a more etfective management entity, it will be able to pro-uressit cl1' taltc on project coordination.

8. PROJECT BENEFITS

'f.rltitumu Irr ihe Conservation Area. benefits from the project can be identified which sill cnharrce the areir and support the community that reside around the TCA. Some ol':lrose lrcrrefits mal' be iisted as:

= The ir.clcasirr,r pro,iect n'lanagement and planning skills of the CACC to allow project courcl i nirtiorr' lrke place: = The ir,crcr.scri raising of avuareness of conservation in the Conservation Area and its uniclrre specic:, throughout the community surrounding the TCA; = Thc prr'r.icct rr ill outline in detail both community and govenrment management and decision rnal

9. PROJECT CONSTRAINTS

lr Iir.ir.rl plo ject constraints can arise fiom a lack of project management and ettectivc l.lunrring skills rvithin the landowning groups. The shortage of TCA

xvi nlanagenrcnt lirrrrlinq atier the SPBCP tlnancial assistance ends may also be a planning constraint trr thc l,rp,'g1 term viability of components of the project.

.\lrhrrugh I fbcus of the componcnts of the project will be placed upon training of project srul'f. .ur.l lhe CACC. there is the possibitity that a drain of capacity may take place thr,,'rglr thc .lepirrture olke,v- personnel or through economic circumstances.

.flrc. li,.v c,rnstraint is tinancing the management and operations of the TCA after the end r,i-SPB(.1' tirnding assistance. This has been recognised early in the project cycle and u crrrr:ir(\ner'rt ;s devoted solely'to the possible potential forgenerating income from -fC'.-\. rhe l-lrc C'.\CC nral in turn impose a reduction in activities at the end of the project cy'cle to ,1li1rrr' lirr rhc ;rvailable tinance that can be generated for both management and operations irr tltc I-C.\.

Environnrcntal I rttpacts

Errvirourrrcntal impacts tiom the project on the Takitumu Conservation Area is minimal. ltr)\\'e\ cr. with the promotion of the area to visitors both onshore and offshore, may leacl ro tlre cstablishrnent of regulations to govern and control visitors to the TCA, especialli rlr:r'ing rimes ivhen poisoning for rats takes place to enhance the protection of the Kakl',,ri. Tlrc ecotourism trade can in itself be detrimental to the very area that is being prr',tcctccl. Tlre sprcrtl of unrvanred or invasive species may also cause concem through the inc:reaserl rrurrrbcrri of people in the TCA.

Ecoltoll i1: ;ln( l I:irrancial lmpact

l-lris rvill i.e signiticantly higher than the environmental impact. although initially any direct inconrc or re\ienue earning will remain minimal. F-cr:rrt'nric and tinancial impacts can occur through: = The cr,rlnl'l'llnr'r\' l-reing involved in the decision making process; = The ctrrnrrrurrirl being involved in the management and training components of the project: = Thc C' \(-'C pr'()\'idirlg fbr a CASO. that can pass on technicaland advisory skills that rvilI crrlrurrcc r]ranasernent capacity. as well as train a counterpart that can take over the (' 15{ t 1.o>itit)n in the longer term: = Currurrt po[c111ial income earning capability appears to be limited to ecotourism based actir;trcs. alth,rugh rniln)'have yet to be identified: - I itilis;rritrlr r'l''he rcsources in the TC'A may prove to be difficult given the limited nitturJ rt l-' rtitttrlrl rc'sttutces.

I:Lrrrhr-,r rle railccl infbrmation on an.v.. of the fbregoing information will be found throughtrrrt tlrc I'f'D document.

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COOK ISLANDS

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Fig.4 trxr PART A. - INTRODUCTION.

(1) GENERAL

The Cook lsland Environment Service with the support of the landowners of the Takitumu District on Rarotonga, has formally proposed the designation of a Conservation Area on Rarotonga. under the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme' s ( S PRE P), South Pacifi c B iodiversity Conservation Programme (SPBCP).

The proposal to the SPBCP for the hmding of a Conservation Area has been subsequently approved by the SPBCP as the Takitumu Conservation Area (TCA), and is subject to the completion of a detailed Project Preparation Document (PPD) by the Government of the Cook Islands. This present document constitutes the PPD for the Takitumu Conservation Area.

The main objectives of this project preparation document are to:

(l) Provide relevant background information on the Takitumu Conservation Area

(2) Examine issues of concem relevant to biodiversiw conservation within the Takitumu Conservation Area

(3) Identify objectives, activities, and management structures of the Takitumu Conservation Area

(4) Provide a detailed workplan of activities for implementation of the Takitumu Conservation Area under phase I (i.e.. the first year) and a general plan of activities over the subsequent years (i.e., second to fourth years), along with estimated financial cost requirements.

The preparation of this PPD was carried out by Wayne Tamangaro King, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and consisted of a number of consultations with interested relevant parties of whom I thank personally for their assistance and cooperation. (See Acknowledgments.)

(2) BIODIVERSIry AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

2.1. Definition of Biodiversity

Biodiversity can be defined in the Cook Islands as

(l) All the tenestrial and marine ecosystems (e.g., forests, agricultural areas, towns and villages, reefs and lagoons); (?) All plant and animal species and varieties found in the ecosystems identified (e.g., all species of, trees. shrubs, vines, f'ems, seaweeds. shell fish, fish' etc.);

(i) The knowledge. uses, beliefs and language that the people of the Cook Islands have in relation to this biodiversity.

2.2. Biodiversity Conservation

In the context of the SPBCP, biodiversity conservation is seen as synonymous with sustainable use, Many argue that if biodiversitv is not conserved or utilised on a sustainable basis and if traditional management methods and knowledge of these uses or methods is not maintained or strenglhened then modem development regimes could potentially fail on fragile island ecosystems.

2.3. lncreasing International Interest in Biological Diversity

The signing of the Convention on Biological Diversiry (CBD) at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (LINCED), the Rio Earth Summit held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in June 1992,by many States of the world, underlined the important realisation that biological diversity conservation is the key basis for sustainable development at the international and national levels.

The CBD, which provides a framework tbr the protection of both marine and tenestrial biodiversiry, was signed by 9 Pacific Island States, including the Cook lslands at the Earth Summit. The importance of the protection of small island ecosystems is also addressed in Agenda 21 (Chapter 17G), the LINCED Action Plan on Sustainable Development for the next decade leading into the 21st century.

The CBD is a legally binding instrument thus the numerous LJN organised meetings to sort through the issues of biodiversity were in reality melded with political posturing, North-S

Traditional island societies valued biodiversity that could be utilised in some way, e.9., for medicine, cleaning, construction, population control. etc.. or which may be consumed. Those examples that served linle real purpose with the peoples socio-religious lit'estyles ran the risk of complete disregard or became casualties of the society. Today, generally the case is still the same, however, there is an increasing awareness that biodiversiqv is at risk in the Cook lslands of being lost, particularly by rapid development, htrodtrption of alien species, modification of natrual habitats, and poor management practices. A number of Govemment Agencies and people with relevant interests in both the Cook Islaqd culture and its natural resources, are assisting'in raising the awareness of the general public of their natural resources and biodiversity, and of the need to Iook after those resources far into the future. Cook Islanders are proud of their heritage and environment, and this trait can be used to assist them in becomine aware of environmental issues.

(3) THE PROJECT PREPARATTON DOCUMENT (ppD).

A Concept Document was prepared by the Cook Island Environment Service Wildlife Staffat the time of the visit to the Cook Islands and the Takitumu Area, by the Programme Manager of the South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme (SPBCP), Mr.Iosefeta Reti.

The Concept Document outlined. in broad terms, justification for the project, a general description of the area, general guidance on what activities were going to take place in the first year, what the approximate costs were going to be, and management options that would be appropriate and available.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREPySPBCP and the Cook Island Environment Service representing CI Govemment, was signed by parties in December 1995, thus approving the Programme Proposal as outlined in the Concept Document.

Technical assistance for the development of the PPD has come from the Environment Service Stafl the CASO for the Takitumu Conservation Area, Ms. Anna Tiraa-Passfield, and the Technical Advisor to the Takitumu Conservation Area, Mr. Eddie Saul.

Valuable input has also been received frorn the Conservation Area Coordinating Committee (CACC) members, the Water Authority, the Tourist Authority, the Justice Department, and the House of Ariki. PART B. . THE EXISTING SITUATION

(4) PROJECT BACKGROUND

The basis of this project preparation document is tbunded on a concept proposal originally designed in 1988 by the then Director of the Conservation Service, Gerald McCormack lMcCormack I 988).

The concept proposal, then called the Kakerori Nature Reserve, after the endangered bird species the Kakerori or Rarotongan Flycatcher (Pomarea dimidiata) found in the area, sought to establish a nature resen'e, a management committee for the reserve. and the preparation of a management plan of the reserve by the Conservation Service rvith input from the landowners. The reserve was to be established formally rurder the National Parks and Reserves provision of the 1986-87 Conseryation Acr.

The tbcus of the Kakerori Nature Reserve establishment was the Kakerori. This endemic species of bird then numbered 38 individuals and was restricted to the headwaters of two catchment areas and two adjacent basins of the Avana Valley. Unfbrtunately, linle progress was made on the establishment of a natwe reserve, although landowners were in general agreement that the area was of little economic benefit to them, thus indirectly "protecting" the Kakerori.

During this time in 1989, the Kakerori population began a downward slide to 29 individuals, mainly through rat predation and perhaps extreme weather conditions, and drastic action was required to save the bird from extinction. A programme was developed at this time between the Department of Conservation, New Zealand and the Cook Island Conservation Service with funding assistance from SPREP that worked on controlling rats in the Kakerori habitat by ground poisoning using bait stations. Rats have been acknowledged as being the worst predator of the Kakerori. Humans were not known to be traditional users of the Kakerori, however, it is generally held that the clearing of the native forest and introductions of other bird species during colonial times have all contributed to the Kakerori's restricted range and decreased habitat.

over the ensuing six years, since 1989. Kakerori numbers have risen consistently, and it is only now that promotion of the Kakerori area by the Environment Service has begun once again to investigate the possibilities with the landowners to agree to options to allow for a conseryation area.

Since the original proposal by McCormack in 1988. work on the Kakerori has continued unabated, but moves towards reserving the Kakerori habitat was, until recently, considered'"too sensitive", dLre to land ownership problems. However, in 1995, work began on consultations with landowners on the possibility of their agreeing to formally set aside the areas occupied by the Kakerori under the SPBCP programme. After some confusion and much discussion the landowners finally agreed to: ( I ) consider the setting aside of the Kakerori habitat and range as a conservation area:

(2) endorse the work of the Conservation Service (now Environment Service) on activities that conserve and protect the Kakerori;

(3) endorse the Environment Service call that the SPBCP could provide financial and technical assistance to effect the formal establishment of a conservation area. if the landowners so decided, and to assist the Environment Service in the Kakerori recovery prograrnme.

The area involved also includes a number of other important features, namely that it also includes a number of endemic and not so common plants and other species, and although the forest is not of the type that would constitutes any commercial logging interest, nevertheless the area is orre of the last remnants of isolated untouched forest where humans have not made any significant impacts. The catchments also are important in that they serve part of Rarotonga's population as a source of clean potable drinking water. The isolation of the area also contributes to its aesthetic appeal and it is only recently that tour operators have begun to investigate opportunities in this area.

The agreement reached by the key landowners also paved the way for a Conservation Area Coordinating Committee (CACC) to be established to manage the TCA.

The CACC supported the hiring of a CASO, and in tine with the CA concept document requested the SPBCP to allocate financial and technical assistance to establish the Takitumu Conservation Area over a four year time frame. Currently, the SPBCP project cycle ends in 1998. Originally the project cycle was to end in 1996, but after a request to the fi.urding agency, the CEF, through its implementing agency UNDP, for an extension of the project cycle to 1998, it was agreed that the project cycle could be extended to 1998. (5) FEATURES OF THE CONSERVATTON AREA

5.1. Natural

5.1.1. Location. Boundaries, and Area

The Conservation Area (CA) is located in the cennal south eastern pan of the island of Rarotonga (see figure 2.) and spans the headwaters of two catchments and two adjacent basins of another catchment.

The boundary of the CA has been proposed as the sams boundaries as that originally proposed by McCormack in 1988, and which have been agreed to by the landowners. These areas are known locally as: (See Figure 3) (1) Avana Valley - Block 9N (Turangaare) This section in the Avana is on the west side of the river above the Water lntake; (2) Totokoitu Valley - Block 25 (Totokoitu-ki-uta) The upper part of the Totokoitu Valley (3) Turoa Valley - Block 38 (Arakuo Karika-ki-uta) The whole upper part of the Turoa Valley.

To ensure effective implementation of the CA for conservation and sustainable use of resources, an awareness is required of the surrounding lands and their uses. The area sunounding the CA has: - intact native forest with little modification by man and animals (75o/o) - intact native forest with significant modification by man and animals (10%) - introduced forestry areas (196) - open areas with weed species abundant (l%) - open areas regenerating with both invasive and introduced species (4%) - agricultural growing areas (8%) - residences (l%). The total area of the CA approximates 155 hectares of which: the Avana Valley has 64.3 hectares the Totokoitu has 53.0 hectares, and the Turoa has 37.6 hectares All of the catchments in the CA lie in the Takitumu District of Rarotonga (Takitumu Concept Document - Environment Service).

5.1.2. Climate

Geographically, Rarotonga is situated immediately north of the Tropic of Capricorn (23'27'S lat.) and lies within the South East Trade Wind Belt (Leslie 1980). It has a tropical climate characterised by high humidity, warm temperatures and wet surnmers The normal average annual rainfall on Rarotonga is approximately 20l2mm, and as is the case for most tropical islzurds, rainfall is markedly higher during the summer months (December to March). than in winter (July to September). Because of the high peaks in the mountainous interior. the northern side of the island is notably drier. receiving an average of 2048rnm of rain annually. compared to southern areas rvith an annual average of 2728mm.

The CA is located in the wettest part of the island and lies directly in the path of the trade winds and often receives more than 600mm of rainfall per month (this figue is taken from readings of trruo rain gauges in the Totokoitu Valley at elevations of l02m above sea level and226m above sea level). The CA has three streams draining the catchments, two of which are important sources oJdrinking water.

The mean annual temperature in Rarotonga is 24"C, however, the temperature within the sheltered inland valleys (up to 400m a.s.l) is often lower with increased altitude. The humidity within the CA valleys is usually higher than in more exposed areas because of decreased wind speed, and therefore increased moisture is retained in the steep forested valleys. Inland humidity readings can often exceed 9070, while the average annual humidity for the whole island is 84% (Leslie 1980).

lt is also well known that Rarotonga receives frequent high winds and heavy rainfall as well as tropical cyclones. These generally occur in the summer season from approximately November to April each year. Cyclones are dependent upon a number of factors combining to produce low pressure systems. Infrequently the systems can attain hunicane intensity, and although they generally approach from north-westerly direction, the CA is often affected. Destruction is mainly caused by wind, rain, and erosion. resulting in flattened vegetation, uprooted trees and floods (at lower altitudes).

5.1.3 Topography and Soils

Like most of inland Rarotonga, the topography of the CA is characterised by many steep slopes that run directly from knife edge ridges into narrow valley floors.

The highest point of the CA is Koputu at 427m above sea level and the lowest is in the Totokoitu Valley at l00m above sea level. The highest point on Rarotonga, Te Manga, lies adjacent to the CA towering above the Avana Valley at 653m above sea Ievel. The largest valley in both the CA and Rarotonga is the Avana, and is wide and open in a number of places, and on the boundary of the CA has been fired a number of times in the past, although not recently. The Turoa and the Totokoitu are both narrow closed heavilv forested vallevs with short steep headwater catchments.

All of the soils within inland Rarotonga and the CA are derived from volcanic activity and basically are made up of eroded basalt and leached eruptive. Clay loams have also formed, along with small pockets of alluvium. All of these soils are included in the CA, and are categorised as the Pokoinu Hill Soils and the Te Manga steep land soils (Leslie 1980). Fertiliry of these soils is low, and only suitable for growing natural forest. [f the forest is removed, the land quickly reverts to t'ern, from which over a long time forests regenerate.

5.1,-+. Geolog.v

The geology of Rarotonga and the CA is exclusively volcanic. Many ridges have been formed by volcanic dykes, a result of eruptions that have suffered from erosion over the millennia. Rarotonga is a young high votcanic island of approximately 2.5 million years old, with a basaltic core and weathered loams surrounding the corei The TCA lies primarily in a steeply dissected hilly inland area, that are predominantly severely weathered basaltic eruptives, with overlying loams and a small amount of Pokoinu gravels (Wood and Hay, 1980).

5.1.5. Water Resources

There are three main streams flowing through the CA, being the Totokoitu, the Turoa, and the Avana. The Avana is the longest and largest stream on Rarotonga. Both the Totokoitu and the Avana streams have water intakes on them, and are therefore important in terms of resources for the people on the island, The flow of the Avana averages approximately 2,500m3 surface flow per day The flow of the Totokoitu averages approximately 1,000m3 surface flow per day. (WMI Report, 1993; K. Browne - pers. comm.)

The Turoa is not a source of drinking water, as its flow is sometimes erratic in times of drought, and its surface flow has not been measured.

The Avana stream has the most significant surface water flow on the island of Rarotonga and has been subjected to a number of informal assessments as to its potential for further exploitation. Further weirs and a proposal for constructing a dam has been proposed on the existing water intake site in the Avana valley on the boundary of the CA. What potential effect this could have on the breeding population of the Kakerori, if any, is difficult to gauge, and as yet no further examination of the proposal or effects on the environment in the area have been r"rndertaken.

The Totokoitu water intake is also situated on the boundary of the CA, and is due for major maintenance to replace old water pipes that were installed decades ago, with some possible realignment. The weir and the intake itself in the stream have been subject to recent maintenance.

The outline of the work undertaken by the Water Authority on the Totokoitu stream has not affected the CA to any significant extent. No major roading or earthworks has been canied out at the time of writing this PPD, and therefore there has been a minimal impact on the CA and sunounding area. Yet the demand for potable water resources is increasing and this could have a future effect on the areas where water intakes exist or potentially where resources could be further exploited, (particularly in the Avana with the earth dam proposal). Throughout Rarotonga there are also signiticant groundwater resources that have not been exploited in to any degree. The rvater quality has been assumed to be of high standard and in quantities that more than satisf, the current demands, both for domestic purposes and for agriculture. A study undertaken by the Water Management international on behalf of the French and Cook Island Governments in 1993, the W)[ Report on Water Resources outlined the basic assumption that groundwater resources should be exploited for both potable and commercial uses. both at rhe interior level. and at the coastal level.

5,1.6. Vegetation

The CA is well forested with a leafy canopy, a noticeable sub-canopy and beneath this a variable understorey. However, the heights of these components vary with altitude.

The vegetation in valleys with an altitude of up to 400m above sea level is dense and diverse - the canopy height is around l5m with a sub-canopy 5-l0m beneath. The forest is dominated by the endemic Mato (Homalium acttminatum), a moderately tall tree that is almost entirely responsible for the closed canopy because of profuse foliage and multiple trunks. Scattered among the Mato are several relatively common woody species including the Kaiatea (Weinmannia samoensis), a slightly sprawling tree which is common on ridges, Koka (Bischo-fia javanica), a tree which is widespread and common in slope forests, Tuitui lAleurites moluccana), a Polynesian introduced tree with a spreading top, Karaka (Elaeocarpus tonganus), an indigenous tree similar in appearance and height to the Mato; Matira (Canthium barbatum), also indigenous but not a canopy fbrming species; and Turina (Hernandia moerenhoutiana), a substantial though scattered canopy forming tree (Sanders, 1993).

Vegetation along the streams and narrow valley floors consists commonly of Au or Tree Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) and large scattered I'i or Polynesian (lnocarpus Chestnut "fasrfer). When mature, I'i trees are easily recognisable by their massive size and huge bunress roots. The Au tree covers many metres of ground forming a thick tangled layer of intertwined branches that is difficult to penetrate or traverse. The origin of this tree is unknown - although some believe it to be indigenous, its main location near formerly cultivated land and along streams may indicate that it was introduced by early Polynesians (Fosberg 1975. Merlin 1980).

In many areas of the CA, the cornmon Kingfem or Ana'e (Angiopteris longifolia) makes an extensive understorey. These t'ems have bases of up to 60cm in diameter and fronds reaching 3m in length. Often the fronds combine to make a false canopy 2-3m from the ground. Beneath the Ana'e there is usually a profusion of small shrubs and ground covering plants - Kavakava atua (Macropiper latifolium), and Maire rakau (Alyxia stellata) on the ridges. ln lowland areas the introduced Shampoo Ginger plant (Zingiber zerumbet) occurs and covers sometimes large areas of ground. ^lso

Because of the steep slopes and the shallow, unstable soil in areas that exceed an altitude of 400m above sea level, the forest is much reduced. Although there is very little of the CA above this altitude it is worth noting that, generally the canopy is only a few metres high and can be sparse and broken. There is little sub-canopy and in places the understorey is reduced to scattered Ana'e with a few smaller fems such as Moumea (Blechrum orientale) and,Vicrosorium silvaticum. Though Mato is still relatively common. near and on the ridges it is mostly replaced by the endemic Neinei rFirchia speciosa). The Neinei grow up to l0m tall but on the ridges may be only 2- 3m high (Sanders, 1993).

With the exception of a few introduced ground cover plants and the occasional tree in the lower areas, the vegetation in the forested inland areas of the CA is in near- original state (Turbotl1977, Leslie 1980, Sykes 1983, Merlin 1985). The steep slopes and shallow infertile soils allow little potential for forestry or agriculture, however, there is evidence to suggest attempts were made in the lower reaches to undertake these activities. For instance, a two strand barb wire fence, now old and degrading, passes through the Totokoitu Valley, suggesting that canle have been run in this area at one time, Throughout the whole interior of the island and including the CA area, there are remnants of fire scarred areas which were cleared previously for agriculture or forestry crops. These areas are now tbm covered scars scattered over the more accessible hillsides and ridges, consisting mainly of a thick mat of springy Tuanu'e or Tangle Fem (Dicranopteris linearis) (Sykes 1976, Merlin 1985).

5.1.7 Endangered Species

Aside from the Kakerori, there are other endemics which are considered endangered. Within the TCA the I'oi or Rarotongan Starling, (Aplonis cinerascens),is a species of bird that is uncommon but widespread. In several sites of the CA, specifically in the Avana Valley, the Polynesian Orchid, (Habenaria amplifolial, occurs infrequently. The orchid occurs near streams on small gravel platforms (Gerald McCormack - pers. comm.). On Koputu, on the edge of the TCA, another endemic occurs. The Polynesian Melicope, (Melicope bracteatal, which is a small shrub, numbering approximately four individuals. The melicope occurs only on ridges and is rare tfuoughout the interior of Rarotonga (Gerald McCormack - pers. comm.). Adjacent to the Avana Valley within the cloud tbrest zone of Te Manga, a number of endemic plants occur which are considered rare and endangered. Potentiallv this area could be included in the CA in the future.

{t Wildlife

Although 70% of Rarotonga is uninhabited and largely remains unaltered (Leslie 1980, Sykes 1981), there is a surprising lack of wildlife on the island. Rarotonga has a very small land bird fauna comprising four native species - all of which are now restricted to the forested inland - and tv/o introduced species- However, most of these birds are unique, three species - the Kukupa or Cook [slands fruit dove (Ptilonopus rarotongensrsl, the I'oi or Rarotongan Starling (Aplonis cinerascens), and the Kakerori or Rarotongan Flycatcher (Pomarea dimidiata) are endemic to Rarotonga. The Rupe or Pacific Pigeon (Ducula pacifica) is widespread throughout the South Pacific, and the Karavia or Long tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamis taitensis) is migratory by nature and is therefore not restricted to Rarotonga.

The biota of the CA is, for the Cook Islands, highly diverse and all four native breeding land birds as indicated above are found in this area, and are often identified by their calls rather than by sight.

Although only the Kakerori is listed in the ICPB Red Data Book of Endangered Birds (King l98l ), none of the other native land birds appear to be present in large numbers (Turbott 1977,Holyoak 1980, Pratt, Bruner & Berrett 1987).

The Rupe or Pacific Pigeon is the only arboreal pigeon in the Cook Islands. It tends to remain in the high reaches of the tbrest canopy and is often noisy. The Kukupa or Fruit Dove is not commonly seen although its distinctive cooing can be heard up to 500m above sea level. A sub-species (Ptilinopus rarotongensis goodwini) is found on the island of Atiu and is'very similar in appearance to Kukupa of Rarotonga.

Although the I'oi or Starling was thought to be "fairly common" in the 1970's (Holyoak 1980), as',vith all native land birds on Rarotonga! very linle is known about its population status, breeding or habitat requirements (Turbon 1977, Holyoak 1980, Campbell and Lack 198-s, Penins & Middleton 1985).

By comparison, the introduced Common Myna (, cridotherer rrr'strs/ is abundant on the edges of the CA and are slowly intruding into the area. The domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) is also present throughout the CA in small but indeterminable numbers. Three seabirds also nest in the CA area, although in small numbers, as they do throughout the inland of Rarotonga - the Kakaia or Fairy Tern (Gygis alba),the Ngoio or Common Noddy (Anous stolidus), and the Rakoa or White Taiied Tropic Bbd (P haethon leptunts). It seems possible that the lvlyna and the Cuckoo may be important predators/disturbers of other smaller species of birds.

Mammals in the CA are all introduced. The largest is the Moa Kirikiri or Tongan Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus) which has important roosts in the area and is frequently hunted there. The other mammals are small rodents: the Kiore Toka or Ship Rat (Rattus rattus), the Kiore or Pacific Rat (Rattus exulans), and the Mowe (fulus musculus). The Kiore or Pacific Rat has an urknown effect on the Kakerori , however, the other rats are known predators of the Kakerori. Preying on the rats and small birds in the CA are small numbers of feral cats (Felis domesticus). Domestic pigs occasionally stray into the area from lowland farms.

ln the streams the only wildlif'e of any note are the Koura Vai or freshwater prawns, and the tuna or freshwater eels, both of which are gathered for food.

il 5.3. Scenic Attributes

The CA offers spectacular scenic vistas of the interior mountainous peaks, which lie close to the area. For example the highest peak on Rarotonga, Te Manga at 653m above sea level, lies opposite the CA, across the Avana Valley, with near vertical walls extending from the valley floor to the top of the peak. Te Ko'u also lies above the CA, at 588m above sea level, and with a VFIF mast on top, provides rewarding scenic views of the interior of Rarotonga. There are a number of scenic spots, particularly at the higher rain gauge which give views over the Turoa and Avana Valleys and the nturow forested ridge systems interconnecting them all, as well as views of the beaches and lagoons of the southern parts of the island. No formalised viewing points or areas have been developed other than the occasional visitor accompanying the Environment Service staffFand local community members on the high ridge tracks to enjoy the vistas available to them.

Both the Iotokoitu and Turoa Valleys offer beautiful insights into native forests above the water intake and above the previous farm cleared areas, with small swimming holes and cool waters abounding.

Potential to develop the scenic attributes of the CA, with the right care and attention to the water supply and to the protection of the species within the area, could become a valuable asset.

5.4. Cultural and Historic Features

Within the TCA, tittle is known about the cultural or historic features, and there significance.

A "vaianuanua" or rainbow, is said to exist in the upper Avana Valley and lies in the stream (Papa Naku and Papa Kapu - pers. comm.) with a "tiatia" or belt. On the edges of the TCA. on Te Kou, there is a freshwater spring and a large shelter rock called "Te Ana". On the boundary of the TCA in the Avana Valley beside the stream, and alongside a bushy hill called "Taingaopari", the elders relate that a tomb is located there (Papa Kapu - pers. comm.) where stones are piled high. Who is buried there and for what reason is unknown.

However, it is acknowledged to what significance these features represent has not been ascertained, thus allowing for detailed investigation during the development of the resource management plan.

Imnrediately below the TCA, the Manavaroa Family's ancestors planted a number of different crops, eg, bananas, maniota, taro, and accessed the upper valley for hunting and gathering. The "iya" was the name given by the Family to the valley and was part of the "au katikati" or gifting of a parcel of land and a valley to a successive line of chiefs (Papa Naku - pers. comm.).

t2 5.5. Communiry Features

5.5. L Population and Settlement Patterns

The last population census in l99l indicated that 18,432 people resided in the Cook lslands. In l99rl. the ADB Urban lnfrastructure Report (Barrett Consulting 1995) put Rarotonga's population figure at 13.182, although there was discussion by many in the Govemment Agencies that were consulted that these figures were inconect. The Rarotonga Tourism Task Force in October 1995, calculated that there were at the time of the l99l Census - 9967 residents on Rarotonga, zurd this had grown to 12,238 by the end of t994.

Distribution of population around Rarotonga is enatic and not solely confined to each district. however, a population of approximately 2,300 persons live in the Takitumu District (Statistics, 199 1 ).

Population growth pattems shorv that a gradual increase of people from the end of 1994 number of 12,238 residents on Rarotonga to 14,834 on Rarotonga for the year 2000 (Rarotonga Tourism Task Force 1995 - Strategic Guidelines for Tourism Development on Rarotonga 1995 - 2000) do not differentiate districts thus making it difficult to determine the pressure likely to affect the CA and the project.

However, it is known cumently that nobody lives within the boundaries of the CA, although leases have been granted on some perimeter areas to the Ministry of Agriculture in the Totokoitu Valley. The CA is not a source of income for the landowning family groups, and their use of the CA is confined to subsistence hunting and recreation.

5.5.2. Non-Govemmental Organisations and Agencies involved in the CA

Very few NGO's and institutions are involved in the CA. Those likely to have some impact in the future potential of the CA, though, could be identified as Chamber of Commerce. some Uniform Organisations such as the Boy Scouts or the Girl Guides, the Outward Bound School, and some Church Groups.

Those instittrtions involved with the CA currently are the Environment Service. through the Kakerori recovery progtramme. the Water Authority, through supplying the water resources at the water intakes, and the Metrological Service, through reading of the rain gauges situated in the CA.

5.-s.3. The Role of Women in the CA

There are no specific tasks allocated to or by women in the CA, although on Rarotonga, many women are landowners, and therefore have a role in decision making in the use of natural resources and their conservation. There are a number of women's organisations such as the Women's Welfare League, Church Groups, the Cook lslands National Council of Women, Taau Taku Tita, the Business and Professional Wornen's Association. that undertake activities which relate to the environment.

IJ A prime objective or a component of the TCA activities will be the raising of awareness of leatures of the TCA with women, as they are the home keepers in the community, and will pass on knowledge of the TCA to the younger generation. Two of the three family groups which manage the CA are headed by women, and it is expected that decisions related to the management and operations of the CA shall have their input. Also significer:ntly is the fact that the CASO is a women that has family ties with the landowners of the CA.

5.6. The System of Land Tenureship on Rarotonga

(Parts of the narrative below has been taken from Crocombe, 1987)

5.6.1. Pre-Ewopean

Takitumu was the the name of Pati a More's (Pa Ariki's) vaka (canoe) built by Rapu, who settled in the area on Rarotonga around 1200 AD. The name Takitumu means "the whole tree that was lifted (or carried) to the Ava, referring to the harbour, the name also refers to the area in which Tangiia, as a king or high chiel lived (Papa Naku - pers. comm.).

During these times, the eldest bom son under Tangiia (who was the high chief or ariki) was called mataiapo. The mataiapo had his own marae or sacred ground and a tapere or parcel/s of land. The tapere or parceVs of land were associated with a particular descent group, and each successive ariki or mataiapo were invested with lands as well as titles in their respective areas.

5.6.2. European contact

With the anival of European culture on Rarotonga around 1823, there was an estimated maori population of 7,000 persons, and by 1894 had declined to 3,490 persons. From 1888 Rarotonga was a British Protectorate and the "chiefly" system (arikis) was firmly reinforced through recognition by the Royal Navy. It must also be noted that at this time approximately 1,200 acres had been leased or gifted to foreigners and a fi.rrther 5,200 acres was considered arable land for agricultural production.

ln 1894, chiefly power was still supreme, yet in the following year, the Resident drafted a bill creating a Cout which was to have exclusive jurisdiction over cases in which foreigners were involved, and which was to act as a Court of Appeal from the "ariki" courts. The High Court Bill was passed without question, and the political power on the island was effectively transferred to the Resident. The Land Court was established to protect the Maori lands to "prevent reckless alienation". One of the basic reasons for the creation of the Land Court was to increase agricultural productivity of the island, which at this time the maori population was still in decline.

l4 The Cook Islands Act of 1915 established. inter alia, that the land was the "essential basis of maori life". The Act recognised four categories of land: ( I ) Crown Land: land set aside by the Court for public purposes;

(2) Customary Land: land held by natives or descendants of natives (ie, land the title to which had not been investigated by the land court):

(3) Native Freehold Land land which had been Customary land but in respect of which a registered title had been issued by the Court to persons it found to be the Custopnary owners;

(4) European Land: land other than Native Freehold land, the fee simple of which had already been alienated to any person.

During this time many "multiple ownerships" were created. Villages were "investigated" and titles "established". The Court also formalised the entitlement of women to land rights.

In the 1940's, the concept of "Occupation fughts" was adopted to encourage the development of the citrus industry. In 1960, the Cook Island Amendment Act was passed to provide for co-parceners and non-owners to acquire house sites. Up to that time "Occupation zughts" law was only used in relation to the citrus industry; after 1960 it was used for house sites. 5.3.3 The Present Day

Today, much of the interior lands are still uninvestigated yet retain customary owners, while much of the coastal lands are under investigated title. Fragmentation of the lands through successive generations is potentially going to create significant problems in the near futwe.

The "chiefly" system has become fitore ceremonial, and play a much less significant role in land issues than previously, as the judiciary process is dominant.

In the case of the Takitumu CA, the majorit-v landowners consist of members from three families who hold'Iitle" over the entire CA area. Those families comprise:

( I ) The Avana valley (9N Turagaare) - the Kainuku and Manavaroa families (2) The Totokoitu valley (25 Totokoitu-ki-uta,; - the Kainuku family (3) The Turoa valley (38 Arakuo Kariki-ki-uta) - the Ngati Karika tbmily. (Takitumu Concept Document - Environment Service, 1995.)

l5 (6) GOVERNMENT, NON.GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR

SUPPORT SERVICES

6.1. Infrastructure and Social Services

6.1 .l. Roads, Water Supply. Electriciry, and Communications

There are two vehicle access roads within the CA, one serving the water intake in the Avana valley and the other in the Turoa valley as access for forestry plots. The access into the Totokoitu valley is by foot where the CA boundary exists above the water intake. Other than these two roads there are no other vehicle access points within the CA.

There are two water intakes on the boundary of the CA, one in the Avana valley and one in the Totokoitu. Both have been installed for some decades, and have been subjected to maintenance recently in the form of new filtration systems and replacement of old valves. Future maintenance calls for pipe replacement and weir replacement.

There is or has been no requirement for electricity and/or communications facilities in the CA. There are three Meteorological Services rain gauges within the CA, two on the ridgeline dividing the Turoa from the Totokoiru and one in the Avana. The gauges on the ridgelines are visited on foot for their monthly readings. whilst the gauge in the Avana is reached by four wheel drive vehicle.

If there was to be a requirement for any of the infrastructure services as indicated above, the roading would have the greatest impact, as the valleys are nalrow by nature and past experience of the Ministry of Works carr,ving out roading in valleys in other parts of Rarotonga, have left both the Environment Service and landowners who gave such permission, frustrated over the damage inflicted to the vegetation on the road lines and stream margins. Future potential for electricity and/or communications is minimal, thus would not be a significant issue,

6.1.2. Health and Healthcare

The socio-economic status of the population of Rarotonga is generally high, most people are well educated and healthy. Most are employed by Government or in the Services industry, thus reflect a general good health and well being. All this being said, does not belie the fact that there are some critical needs for the population as a whole that is not reflected in their general well being and healthiness'

Over the past few decades there has been, particularly on Rarotonga, a marked swing to consumerism, with the attendant emphasis on westem style fast foods and imported luxuries. This can now be seen in the numbers of people who do not attend growing areas as they used to do, and the general upswing in the unhealthiness of the

r6 population through possible idleness. more people being overweight and not eating balanced diets. and obesiw,

This has had a marked effect in planting and growing areas, that have generally decreased in size through a lack of productive capacit-v among other things (ADB - Cook Islands Economic Pertbrmance, Issues and Strategies - 1995).

Therefore this has a direct link upon people's welfare, well being, and health, although the money earnt by the population through employment may enable them to buy imported goods.

6.1.3. Education

On Rarotonga there is a high standard of education with schooling for students available from pre-school to Form 7. The school system is modeled on the New Zealand Education system, and recently an Asian Development Bank Education Project has assisted in, strengthening the quality of primary and secondary education, strengthening the policy and planning capacity of the Ministry of Education, developing mechanisms to enhance community participation in school level decision making, and examining the feasibility of diversification of financing through the introduction of greater cost sharing (ADB - Cook Islands Economic Performance, Issues and Strategies - 1995).

Recently, in the Turoa Valley inside the CA, a former Outward Borurd Cowse, is being revived and course coordinators have held several meetings recently to gauge interest with a view to reopening the course.

6.2. Land, Community Services, and the Environment

6.2.L Justice Department

The Justice Department in Rarotonga deals with land applications made under both leases and occupational rights. The role of the department is to carry the records and minutes of all meetings and transactions on land issues, and to administer the judicial process. The department also facilitates land court hearings and Criminal/Civil court procedures related to land issues, both on Rarotonga and the Outer Islands. With regard to the CA, the Chairman of the Conservation Area Coordinating Committee (CACC), Mr. Tai Nicholas, is the Secretary of the Justice Department, and acting on behalf of the landowners in the context of resource owners interests in the programme under the SPBCP. The landowners have indicated that the area is at present not to be formalised through any legislative process to permanently set aside the CA as a reserve, although they are willing to allow the CA to be set aside informally as a Conservation Area and to utilise any natural resources in the CA in a sustainable manner.

tl 6.2.2. Survey DePartment

The role of the Survey Department is the keeper of the country's maps, to carry out surveying as parcels and blocks of land are tbrmalised through either occupational right or leases. and to carry out in conjunction with other govemment ug.n.i"r, the esiablishment of a Geographical Information System (GIS)' which will record (over time), all existing and futtue data related to the country, from cadastral to natural resources to infrastructure to demogfaphic nreasurement.

With regard to the CA, the Survey Department has not carried out a formal survey of the bowrdaries, and it seems likely at this present time that a detailed survey will not be warranted, unless investigation of titles occurs over the area.

6.2.3. Water Authority

The role of the Water Authority is to supply water resources to the public. In this context and in the CA, water intakes have been constructed in two of the river valleys, namely the Avana and the Totokoitu. The Water Authorities prime interest is to ensure the intakes and services supply water at the best quality available and that those services remain in operational condition. The Authority ulro has a vested, although indirect interest in the CA, because if the area is designated a Conservation Area, potentially little significant impacts will occur related to the quality of the upstream of the intake water resource. Recently the Water Authority along with the Justice Department, the Ministry of Works, the Sunrey Depanment, and the Envirorunent Service, have formulated a draft plan and map of the interior of Rarotonga which they hope will be considered as a water reselve (See Figure 4). The plan and map was instigated by Cabinet after submission by the Water Authority over the use of the interior lands by the public, particularly in streams above water intakes, the most notable of which is the Cross-Island Track, which traverses the papua Stream which itself feeds a water intake in the lower reaches at Wigrnores waterfall. Unfortgnately for the Water Reserve Group, the land is classified predominantly as uninvestigated. which does not mean it does not belong to anyone, only that no one tamily or person has laid claim to the block or blocks. This therefore means that extensive consultations with the communiry will be required prior to any family or landowners will give consent to the formalised setting aside of a water reserve. The plan and map takes in all interior lands above l50m above sea level on Rarotonga, and includes most if not all of the CA. Consultations have been undertaken betrveen the water reserves group and the Environment Service over the past 12 months, and have arrived at some agreements regarding access in the water intake catchments.

6.2.4. Environment Service

The role of the Environment Service has been to ensure that environmental management of Rarotonga's natural resources takes place, In the context of the CA' the Environment Service has been vigorously pursuing the Kakerori recovery programme at times in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, New

l8 Zealand. Financial assistance has been provided by SPREP, for the recovery programme, particularly in relation to the purchase of rat poison for the area. The Environment Serv'ice has also facilitated the establishment of the CA, through the search of landowning titles for the CA, a number of meetings of the key landowners and finally the facilitating of an agreement trom the landowners for the establishment of the CA under the SPBCP programme. The Environment Service is the lead agency for the Takitumu CAP and administers financial assistance &om the SPBCP programme. The Environment Service will also be monitoring the programme throughout its duration.

6.2.5. Tourist Authoriw

The role of the Tourist Authority is to promote and enhance the tourism potential in the Cook Islands by marketing and promotional campaigns aimed at showing the reasons why one should visit the shores of this country. The Tourist Authority has over the past decade promoted the natural resources and scenic vistas of Rarotonga and the Outer islands worldwide. In the context of the CA, the Tourist Authority has not specifically promoted the area, yet now that the CA is established the Authority will be able to market this area in the sense of community awareness and involvement in the conservation of their own resources.

6.2.6 Lands Commission

The Lands Commission was established to consider issues that affected the title holding of lands, how succession of land titles by new generations is to occur, who are eligible for titled to lands, particularly those who are not residing in the Cook Islands, and any other issues related to lands and titles.

The Commission was formed to hear any grievances on land issues and to take on board suggestions from any person in the community on how the land tenue maybe improved. The fural outcome of the Commission will be to make recommendations to the Minister of Lands on land issues on Rarotonga. A number of key issues will be addressed, as above and among others, to assist the landowners and Government, particularly the Justice Department, to resolve disputes and potential conflicts arising from the current system that is in place (See Part B. - Land Tenure System -Page ?3).

The activities of the Land Commission, therefore has a direct relationship to the underlying ownership of the resources of the CA, and in the context of the establishment, management, and operations of the CA into the future, is not expected to significantly alter the future status or management of the CA.

6.2.7. Tourism Operators

Currently little tourism activity occurs in the CA through organised tours, or through the current tourism outlets on Rarotonga. However, there are a number of private individuals who carry out trekking and cultural walks into the area

l9 infrequently, for example Pa Teuraa, who is a popular guide that treks with tourists tfuoughout the interior of Rarotonga.

The Director of the Natural Heritage Programme, Mr. Gerald McCormack infrequently guides visitors to the surrounding areas of the CA. particularly, visiting botanists, biologists, geologists, ornithologists. and other interested parties, for example school trips,

Environment Service Staffhave also frequently taken both visitors, locals, and school children to the CA, to observe the Kakerori, other birds and flora of the area.

Potentially, there is scope for future development of eco-tourism in the CA, covering the Kakerori recovery programme to general botanicaVcultural walks. Although the potential for eco-tourism activities is being recognised, clearly .*ug.r.nt and control are going to be important issues linked to this type of development.

There is resistance by some interested parties against the opening up of the CA ro tourism activities, based upon the gradual degradation of the very species that the visitors are taken in to observe, and to the potential risk that the resource/land owners might envisage large amounts of money to be made in the CA, thus undermining what is primarily a conservation area. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to see if revenues can be gained from such tourism activities, and whilst most of the visitors to Rarotonga focus on the marine side of their visit, there is increasing interest by visitors to experience the interior of Rarotonga, not just by observing the mountains and bush from afar, but actually getting into the area itself. The optimal experience of course must be a balance of both sides, rigidly controlled and monitored by both the Environment Service and the resource/land owlers.

6.2.8 House of Ariki

The House of Ariki is a l5 member grouping of High Chiefs, 6 of whom are from the main island of Rarotonga. The House was formally recognised by the Land Court. but their powers over land are severely circumscribecl. In the former Cook Island Legislative Courcil some Chiefs had an ex officio place, but were only a minority, In the Constitution adopted on self gou"-*".ri, in 1t65, Chiefs were given no role in the legislature, atthough a House of Ariki recognised their dignity but gave them only nominal powers. This political status is analogous to the Chiefs position in relation to land, for the lesser Chiefs have relatively linle influence and the High Chiefs or Arikis are accorded formal status but little power. Today, there is an increasing awareness on a more informal level within Govemment that the House of Ariki plays an important role in community consultations and with both traditional and community advice on a wide range of issues related to land and community welfare, although still not a formal process within the Westminster System of Governance. Proposals for change have been planned, but are yet to come to light, particularly on Rarotonga.

20 (7) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE CA.

7.L. Agriculture

There has been over the last t'ew decades attempts ar agricultural activities within the CA. Those activities have ranged tiom clearing and tiring forest for crop trials, and fiials on grazing cattle in the Totokoitu valley. Just outside rhe CA in the Totokoitu valley lies the Agriculture Research Station, on Iease land which extends tiom the coastal margins to the hilly areas, and it was in these areas that trials for cropping took place, and still do to this day. We can surmise that the trials that did take place in the more rirarginal hilly sites of the Totokoitu valley were unsuccessful. because of crop unsuitability, poor soil fertility, or poor management practices.

Within the Turoa valley some attempts by the local community to grow crops and plant coconuts have not been successful, and these effiorts have been outside of the CA. A large orange orchard lies immediately downstream of the CA. A Dog Pound half way up to the entrance of the CA was managed up until recently by the Police Department. but has since closed down. Most efforts have been to raise coconuts or maniota, and although the planting has since ceased, evidence of those efforts remain, in coconut plantings still visible, cleared areas of forest now covered in t'erns and a track now in place into the forest.

Much the same can be said for the Avana valley where some time ago there were people living on a part time basis in the valley and grew crops on the valley floor and the more accessible sides. The impact of this activity was to try and clear and fire a number of areas for cropping which has since reverted back to fem and regeneration of both natural and introduced species.

ln summary, although there has been past activity related to agriculture in the CA, those efforts have been unsuccessful, and have been abandoned, and it is likely that activities related to an agricultural regime being carried out in this area in the future look marginal. To the Nofth, West, and East of the CA, there are no economic activities being carried out, as native forests occur and cover 100% of the interior.

7.2, Forestry

Forestry trials were carried out 10 to l5 years ago on the edge of the CA, particularly in the Turoa and parts of the Totokoitu valleys. The activities have been focused on planting of introduced and native tree species in already cleared and some cleared areas for planting. Species trialed were Caribbean Pine, Albizias, lronwood, and Eucalyptus, and the reason for the trials was to see which species would grow best and how well the species adapted to the environment. Caribbean Pine proved to be the most prefened species and the Totokoitu Research Station carry out annual mensuration activities, i.e., measure diameter and height.

2l Currently there are no plans for expansion or utilisation of the existing plantations in the surrounding area of the CA by the Research Station or the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture.

7.3. Tourism

No formal tourism activities occur at present within the cA. Currently tourism activities on Rarotonga are concentrated upon marine based activities, cultural exhibitions and performances and other activities that satisff the types of visitors that are coming to the Cook Islands from Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand. However, there has been over the past five years a growing number of visitors that want to experience the interior of Rarotonga, with its spectacular volcanic peaks and forested inland. In this context, many visitors are utilising tracks and walks which were once poorly marked and badly managed tracks and were used by the local community for hunting purposes. Traditionally some of the valley tracks and very few of the inland tracks were used as access to other parts of the island by raiding parties and tbr access. The Environment Service along with support from the Natural Heritage Project, the Tourist Authority, the local landowners and some operators, and financially assisted by the New Zealand Govemment, have been assisting in the improvement of some of the existing walking tracks to ensure that visitor safety in the interior of the island is of a high standard. The Natural Heritage Project under tlre management of its Director, Gerald McCormack, has published an excellent guide to the walks on Rarotonga, which gives in detail what the walks are like, how hard they are to rurdertake, what flora and fauna occurs on the walk and what you see at the summit of the high peaks. Potentially there is great opporhrnity to market and promote the interior lands of the island including the CA, provided the promotion is sensitive to the landowners wishes, the conservation of the endangered species that occur in the interior, and that development does not take away the experience that people have gone into the interior to see in the first place.

7.4. Fishing

Only a small amount of fresl-rwater fishing activities occur within the CA, and whether these activities can be assumed to be economic activities is debatable. Local ftshermen have been entering the area and fishing for Koura vai or freshwater prawn, and Tuna or freshwater eels, for many years, mainly on a subsistence basis. The small freshwater prawn, the Koura vai, was either consumed or used as a bait in saltwater fishing, however, the Kokopu, a small lreshwater blennie has been known on occasions to be used as bait for night fishing. The amount of stock in each of the streams is considered variable, but remains low to moderate in numbers. The Tuna or freshwater eels is eaten as well as for used for bait in the sea, particularly for Urua or giant trevally.

22 7.5. Small Business and Entrepreneureship

Currently none of these activities exist in the CA. However, the concept of small business and entrepreneureship is not new and as indicated the potential for more "green" activities related to tourism. or "eco-tourism" is rapidly becoming realised. For instance, the Environment Service has been approached recently by one of the resort hotels on the south side of the island to begin vehicle and horse treks into the interior of the island, there to establish a carnp, overnight, and retum out via the same route or a different route. There has also been interest in establishing tbur wheel drive tours for visitors to enjoy the scenic vistas of the area, Both proposals are still in the pipeline, and have yet to be formally proposed to the landowners and the Environment Service, Entreprenureship related to other uses of the CA and its nanral resources is yet to materialise, but is only a matter of time, particularly as the tourism industry grows on Rarotonga, and people want options to enjoy the interior of the island, "to get closer" to the mountains, to supplement their marine based activities.

7.6. SubsistenceActivities

Although these activities are not classified as economic, subsistence activities nevertheless eam tangible benefits to a family. Subsistence activities do not as a whole truly take place on Rarotonga, although one could announce that there is 6oh unemployment on the island, yet those that are both gainfully employed and those that are not, both undertake activities that provide food and sustenance to the family or intend to make the families lives a little more comfortable. For example, one family member may utilise a large portion of his time in paid employment while also carrying out activities with other members in supplying food to the family through fishing or planting activities. Quantifying or evaluating the relative values of these activities is however, difficult.

?3 LAND USE POLICIES CONSERVATION AND (8). ENVIRONMENT,

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ilT11"itH:,HffsT::iii"J"Il'itrTiilirg:l^111"*'ntationpranbvtheproject profiles listed for i;i-d;:;"d to date of the 17 Cabinet of the c;; to Ue implemented' in the process implementation I0 are "i "t "f""' NEMSwasfundedbytheAsianDevelopme{B.s,andtacilitatedbythey*#X Re gi o na I E nv i ronme il;;;;;;i" s o uth P ac i n c "t in conlu ;1f ;:%lT3;11'K and documentation' developmett "r'ilJt"ti*r within a Service. .:-c^ Li^,rirro,cirv comDoneil but identified

"-'"xH$*T,lll:J.'ffi"'ff':[i?:::$::'T'#;;;"*nofendangeredspecies'establishm",,tof"on,"*"tion",easandcommunitymanagement. be listed as: flto*. Profiles can

l'3'l.DevelopmentofELAGuidelinesandMinimumstandards,whichspecifically endangered species"; point to '*n" '""tttt*"* "f commwrity ?.1.1'EnvironmentalAwarenessTraining,whichaimstoraiseawarenessoftheona iituoruing the' o:, natural resources' their community to the importance ?f involving in ttre u.ug;, 0,"]:":.llillopment ability and resotuc. o*n",, "i ""v r'uue a decision making "",tythut tf,e resource o*n"" resources, and acknowtedging in the use ofnatural resources:

or rouri:ll-?Tlf 3 4 r Deve'opment ;*llt exten*t"t ff::'Jli,T,illTi.lHl":i.ilJ be conservation areas after plans could then ug'""*tnt was:::t"::il.;;;;;;ent reached manag( and the to**t*iiytlf drafted;

is documented 3,4'2.ApplicationofTraditionalKnowledgetoResourceConservation.Practices'related to natural resources knowledge r.rtii r'ow where traoitionat ^na ethics' recent conserlation and harmonised with

24 The above examples list horv NEMS has accounted. at the lJational Policy level, for aspects of conservation area development and management, therefore paving the way for unhindered progress on the CA

Implementing NEMS would be difficult and fraught with problems unless there was a clear legal flamework developed to cater for the concept of sustainable development. In this regard and starting in late 1992, the Environment Service sought assistance to draft a legal fiamework that catered for sustainable development and other environmental management issues. The proposed Environment Act was to supersede the existing 1986i87 Conservation Act. The Conservation Act although providing for the establishment of reserves and areas of unique tlora and fauna, and other conservation techniques, did not provide for sustainable development or environmental impact assessment by development projects upon the fragile environment of Rarotonga.

After a number of years of redraft and amendment, the Environment Act in its final form was passed by the Cabinet of the Cook Islands in 1995, and although covering only the island of Rarotonga in the first instance, the Act provided for the precautionary principle, the polluter pays principal, and environmental impact assessment for development activities.

The Cook Island Govemment has also undertaken the obligations of two intemational legally binding environmental treaties, one on Climate Change and the other on Biological Diversity. The new Environment Act accounts for both Conventions, although not by name in the Act, yet does so within its provisions, e.9., the setting aside of areas for the protection. conseryation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Cook Islands, and the protection of endangered species.

Other legal frameworks are being developed that will enhance the capability of protecting and conserving biodiversity and establishing protected areas. An example of this is the proposed Rarotongan Water Catchment Area. which is a proposal formulated by a Catchment Comminee for Cabinet that seeks to protect all water catchments utilised for the capture of potable water on Rarotonga from development activity. The setting aside of this huge area in the interior of Rarotonga begins at the l50m above sea level contour (See Figure 4).

8,2. Land Use Policies

Cunently there is a lack of a comprehensive land use policy on Rarotonga. However, a number of use plans and zoning plans have been formulated over a period of time by different Government Departments. For example. the Ministry of Works employed a UN Volunteer over a two year period to draft a town plan during 1986, and the Ministry of Agriculture has a number of agricultural cropping plans for Rarotonga's arable land. Unfortunately virtually all of the plans formulated have run into problems with community acceptance because of the structtue of the land tenure system, and the fragmented nature of the parcels. Even the capital of Avarua has experienced over time bad planning for commercial enterprises because of the nature

25 of the tenure structure, e.g., where a business establishes itself next to a domestic dwelling in the immediate town area.

It was only very recently that another look into the land use area was undertaken. This work was performed under the Asian Development Bank Urban Infrastructure Study, carried out by Barrett Consulting and the Cook Island Government. A comprchensive land use plan was formulated for the entire island of Rarotonga, yet still has to find acceptance with the community.

The issue of land use on Rarotonga is very sensitive to enable political decisions to be made on any land use planning or activities without a vast awareness and consultation process being undertaken. Even then ,there is likely to be great resistance to the idea, because of the strucftue of the present land tenure system, where customary landholding is predominant over government landholding.

26 PART C. . RATIONALE FOR THE CONSERVATION AREA, AND PROJECT DESIGN.

(e) GENERAL

9.1. Rationale for the SPBCP

The main aim of the SPBCP is to develop stategies tbr the conservation of biological diversity by means of sustainable use of biological resources by the people f ffi:::t*.11i:l;r""1and financiar assistance has been made available to eligible Pacific Island SPREP Member Countries (made up of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. and Western Samoa).

Other mernber countries of SPRIP may participate in the SPBCP supported activities although they are not eligible to receive support trom the Global Environment Facilitv (GEF).

The main emphasis of the SPBCP is the establishment in eligible countries of a system of diverse Conservation Areas (CA) in which human activities can be guided to protect important ecological features and to enable sustainable use of natural resources within the CA. Associated activities include, the provision of information, species protection, regional policies, and educational programmes.

The rationale for the establishment of a system of CA's is that in areas like the Takitumu Conservation Area, as well as elsewhere in the Pacific, where people depend on their tenestrial and marine resources for varying degrees of subsistence and cash production, there is a need to promote the conservation and sustainable use of those resotuces for future benefrts.

Conservation Areas therefore, under this programme are not totally protected areas wherein development is prohibited. Rather CA's are to be areas within which the sustainable utilisation of resources is promoted in an effort to conserve biodiversity (tenestriai and marine ecosystems and habitats, and plant zurd animal speoies and varieties) for the benefit of future generations. This differs from National Parks and Conservation Areas in industrialised countries in which the people are not so dependent on their natural environment tbr their day to day survival, and thus conservation efforts are focused mainly on protection and recreation, rather than on sustainable utilisation.

The main specific objective of the SPBCP, in terms of the establishment of CA's are:

( l) Identification of priority areas for the conservation of biological diversity which could become CA's:

27 (2) Assisting in the creation of CA's that protect biological diversity and demonstrate ecologically sustainable development by the management of natural resources by local communities, NGO's, and government agencies;

(3) Protection of threatened or endangered terrestrial and marine species in the Pacific regiou

(1) lmprovement in regional awareness of the implementation and means of conserving biodiversity; and,

(5) Lnprovement of capabilities and working relationships between difflerent sectors and agencies contributing to the conservation of biodiversity.

The programme is based upon the following aspirations:

(l) It is absolutely essential that local communities be an integral part of the project initiation process and that they agree to panicipate in the development and implementation of the CA project; and.

(2) CA projects are intended to be community driven and owned and must reflect the wishes and desires of the local people, with local communities ultimately taking over the administration and management of the CA.

The SPBCP also recognises that:

( 1) there will be a lack of awareness and manual skills amongst the local communities who have a direct interest (primary stakeholders) in the conservation of biodiversity;

(2) There will be a need to provide and create tangible benefits, including financial retums. through sustainable development activities, to induce primary stakeholders to conserve the biodiversity of the areas selected for inclusion in the CA; and,

(3) Sustainable development will be an ongoing and lengthy process extending beyond the initial funding period of the SPBCP. In the long term. stakeholders will have to become self-reliant and substantially dependent on their own community resources to carry out the conservation measures to ensure the protection and enhancement of the en'rironment for future generations

9.2. Rationale for the Takitumu Conservation Area.

The Takitumu Conservation Area fulfills all of the required criteria for assistance through the SPBCP programme, see table on criteria on page XXX?? Yet there are a number of significant attributes of the area that must be taken into account. Some of the attributes can be identified as both positive and negative to the project, and have been taken into account through the project design.

28 Attributes are:

= Water resources. where there are a rw'o water intakes on the edge of the TCA, and where protection of the watersheds and the water resource is critical; = Aesthetic value, where the scenery is of a spectacular, unspoilt area. with no sign in the area of human activity; + There is no infrastructure development other than the access road to the water intakes on the edge of the TCA; + Conservation values, where there have been identified a number of rare and endangered species, both plant and bird, in the TCA, and where it has been considered by the landowning families as vital to protect these species; = The TCA has a high diversity of species in the Cook Islands, and the promotion of the protection of these species through a Conservation Area is important; = There is the potential for degradation of the TCA through, increasing population pressures. Those pressures can translate into increasing agricultural activities in the valley floors and the buming offof vegetation on hill sides. The potential for residential development is also a concern if a Conservation Area is not established; = There is a recreational value in the TCA, through recreational and subsistence activities currently being undertaken in the TCA. Those activities can be identified as hunting and gathering of resources such as the freshwater eel and freshwater prawn, as well as gathering of mountain bananas, and camping and walking in the TCA; = There is a need to ensure that all organisations that have an interest in the TCA are coordinated by the CACC in particular. The Water Authority. Tourist Authority, the Outward Bound Tnrst, landowners, and the Environment Service, all must be aware of the need to protect the area, yet are able to undertake their interest requirements, but through the coordination of the CACC. Separate activities will only lead to longer term problems. The CACC must urdertake the initiative to define its role within the landowning families interests. then with regard to other organisations interests.

The Takitumu Conservation Area is the only site in the Cook lslands where the Kakerori is found. The long term survival of this endemic species is therefore entirely dependent on the success of efforts to protect in perpetuiry the forests and other vegetation types in the Takitumu CA.

(10) SELECTTON OF CATCHMENTS lN THE TAKITUMU DISTRICT.

The focus of the Takitumu Conservation Area is concentrated upon three river catchments: :+ The Turoa Valley; = The Tototkoitu Valley; = and the Avana Vallev.

29 The purpose of these areas, has been described previously. however much of the background to the establishment of the TCA is anributable. primarily, to the Kakerori habitat. and the Kakerori Recovery Programme. Based upon the previous and current operations of the Kakerori Programme managed by the Environment Service with the consent of the Resource Owners, justification for the CA in accordance with SPBCP criteria has been outlined in the followine table:

Justification for the TCA in accordance with SPBCP criteria Category l. - Essential all criteria must be met. a) Presence of nationally or regionally YES - The area contains part of one of significant examples of one or more the last remaining.examples of tropical ecosystems of global conservation tbrest in the Cook lslands, and is home concern, such as tropical forests, and for the Kakerori, an endangered endemic must be large enough to maintain their bird species tbund nowhere else in the viability. Cook Islands, The area is also considered large enough to ensure the long term survival of the Kakerori and other bird ies at risk. b) Project must be achievable and exhibit YES - The landowners have agreed to the a high degree of commitment by project and have formed a CACC to have landowners. residents, and resource users overall nlanagement responsibility for the and other potential partners in the TCA project. Other govemment agencies have also indicated their willingness to become involved in the proiect. c) Area must be suffrciently large and YES - The core conservation area is 155 complex to encompass a wide range of hectares however, it is anticipated that the interaction among people and natual project may extend to include other resources. important areas outside the CA. Present local activities are hunting/gathering and some recreational activities. One prinicipal activity is Kakerori Recovery progtamme and lar meteoroloeical observ'ations. Ca lI. At least one criterion must be met. d) The area should contain high levels of YES - The area's topography is rugged; it biodiversitv and ecological complexity is covered in r,vpical inland forest and represented by a nurnber of envirorunents, t-emland. These ecosystems represent diversity of ecosystems and/or large about 709lo of the biodiversigv of numbers of genera and species of plants Rarotonga's higher plants naturally and animals occurring inland. It has a large number of streams which supply one third of the water requirement of Raroton e) The area may be important for the YES - The area provides an important survival of endemic species, or of species habitat tbr a number of endemic species, that are rare or threatened nationally, such as the Kakerori. the I'oi, the regionally or globally. Rarotonga Orchid and the Neinei. It also

30 contains important populations of rare trees in the genera Charpentiera md Me f) The area may be threatened by YES - Threats include a trend towards destruction, degradation or conversion. establishing dwellings in the hilly areas. Recently plans have been mooted to clear the forest and plant fuelwood, and also to establish a reservoir in the Avana Vallev construction of a dasr.

(Takitumu Concept Document - Environment Service, 1995).

3I (11) PROJECTDESTGN CONSTDERATTONS ll.l. Strategy and Methodology - An Overview

The design of the project should address the interaction of both conservation and development, and in pafticular cornmunity development, economic development and biodiversity conservation. Although there is an amount of awareness of the natural resources in the CA, this may not be suflicient incentive to contain more immediate issues, like resource exploitation or residence development. from taking place. lncreasing demands are being placed upon the resources of natural areas that were not achievable in the past. In this context, without a CA, and in time. there will quite possibly be increasing pressures from both the commercial and domestic sectors to exploit and develop the resources in the area.

Strategies can be used to minimise the ditTerences between conservation and development activities and any one or a combination of wo or more of the following approaches could be used: a) Initiate or continue awareness/education progr:rmmes knowing they will have a positive etTect. Targeting programmes to special groups. like women and youth, will enhance the awareness process and fi.rnher create benefits. Educational materials should be developed which are clear and concise to the community so that they may understand sound economics, rather than only biodiversity conservation. This then can be taken further to show that biodiversity conservation is not an end in itself, but rather as a means to and an incentive for the improvement of lifestyles in the community households. b) Identif income earning opportunities that directly or indirectly relate to the conservation of biodiversity, and which may be applicable to the area and practical to implement. c) Promotion of sustainable resource utilisation practices can involve not only the physical use or harvest of natural resources in the area, but also the potential to degrade natural resources through the promotion of activities related to both passive and active tourism. Benefits should be promoted to occur over the long term rather than the short term and consideration must be made on the provision of financial or other incentives for resource consen'ation. ll.2 Constraints and Other Design Considerations

The key constraints for the successftll implementation of the Takitumu Conservation Area can be listed as:

( I ) Long term Resource Owner commitment to the ongoing operations and management of the TCA:

32 (2) Lack of tinancial resources options available tor the long term management regimes of the TCA;

(3) A decline in the native flora and tauna due to habitat destruction, predation, and human activities in the surrounding area outside of the TCA;

(1) Unbalanced "eco-tourism" development of the TCA, where there is a need to encourage activities in the TCA that may potentially assist in income generating for the operations of the TCA, versus, activity development which eventually degrades the very thing that the CACC zurd the Environment Service are trying to conserve.

I1.3. National Considerations

The Takitumu Conservation Area assists to fulfill obligations by the Cook Island Government in implementing a number of national policy directives, and intemational legally binding treaties. The National Environment lvlanagemenl Strategies (NEMS).as previously described (in Section 8, on pa-ee 24), establishes the national policy goal of sustainable development. Embodied within NEMS are the policy initiatives on biodiversity, biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilisation of resources. NEMS provides a framework for implementation et a national, at an island, and at a village level of biodiversitv conservation and sustainable use.

The Convention on Biological Diversity, of which the Cook Islands is a Party, obligates all Parties under the relevant Articles, to address biodiversity conservation and to identiff the starus of biodiversity in each State. lf .4 District Considerations

Through Resource Owner pafiicipatory approaches, particularly the CACC, the Takitumu District stands to benefit from the Takitumu Conservation Area. The benefits derived can range from knowledge of the fact that steps have been taken by the Resource Owners to protect and conserve endangered species that inhabit the CA, that the CA is a first for the Cook Islands and has anracted attention region wide for these efforts as well as financial and technical assistance with the establishment of the CA. Other potential benefits may be derived tiom the marketing possibilities of the TCA through the tourism industry and through external conservation agencies.

an JJ D. THE PROJECT

(12) PROJECTOBJECTIVES

The overall goal of the SPBCP is to: "Develop strategies for the conservation of biodiversity by means of the sustainable use of biological resources by the people of the South Pacific."

Primary objectives include:

( I ) "To facilitate the establishment and initial management by local commr:nities. NGO's and Govemment Agencies, of a series of CA's that demonstrate protection of biodiversity, ecologically sustainable use of natural resources and community economic development."

(2) "To protect tenestrial and marine species that are threatened or endangered in the Pacific Region."

The overall goal of the project on the Takitumu Conservation Area is: "To conserve the Conservation Areas biological diversity for the benefit and enjoyment of present andfuture generations on Rarotonga."

To achieve the project goal, the more immediate objectives of the project need to be achieved, such as:

(1) To develop partnership arrangements between govemment, landowning goups NGO's, and others, for the effective management and sustainable use of biological diversity in the TCA;

(2) To develop management plans for the wise management and use of biodiversity within the TCA;

(3) To raise public atvareness about the importance of and means for conserving biodiversity existing in the TCA;

(4) To promote, implement, and support sustainable economic activities by communities associated with the TCA, and;

(5) To develop a model for the implementation of CA's in other parts of Rarotonsa and the Cook lslands.

34 It is recognised by the customary landowners of the Takirumu District, that their declared conservation area is of national interest, contains endangered species, and forms a nucleus for conserv'ation efforts in the inland forested areas on Rarotonga.

A logical ltamework outlining project objectives. indicators of achievement, means of verification and assumptions made is shown in the Appendices on Page 62.

12.1. THE TARGET GROUP

The direct beneficiaries of the project are the customary landowners and their descendants living in the Takitumu District. Although accurate statistical records do not outline a specific population number for the Takitumu District it has been estimated that approximaiely 2,300 residents in 623 households are within the district boundaries (Statistics Department). The land area of which the Takirumu Conservation Area comprises is classified as uninvestigated land which indicates that the land has ownership yet is not forrnally surveyed. Within the direct beneficiaries group their are opportunities for involvement in the CA planning. decision making and development of the CA, by various sub-groups, e.g., women's organisations, youth organisations and the CACC itself.

Indirect beneficiaries can also be identified as:

( I ) Non-residents of the Takitumu District (absentee landowners), yet are customary landowners and entitled to benefits from the project;

(2) Districtrlsland Social Groups and Entrepreneurs, such as tour operators, guides, and associated businesses;

(3) Environment Service of the newly formed Ministry of Works, Environment, and Physical Planning, who are the lead agency, and for whom a benefit shall accrue through the formation of a CA.

(4) Other customary landowning groups who may consider this project as a viable option for other areas with unique biodiversity or other significant feature.

(13). PROJECT COMPONENTS

The following project components have been identified at this stage, however, it is possible that other components could be identified in the course of project implementation.

35 The project comPonents are:

( l) Project Management (2) Sustainable lncome Generating Activities (3) lntegrated Management Plan (4) Conservation Area Development (5) Kakerori Recovery Proglamme

13.1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

(1) lntroduction, Rationale and Objectives

The primary purpose of the project management compohent is to establish an effective communitybaied management stnrcture for the panicipatory planning and the management of the conservation area. Such management structure will allow for full participation of the landowning community in the planning and management of the p.;..i and is a pre-requisite for the achievement of the project objectives, A Conservation Area Co-ordinating Committee (CACC) comprising representatives from the landowning communlty and officials from the Cook Island Environment Service has skills already been established. It is, however, recognised that planning and management are otten lacking at the village level and to develop these skills will probably take months if not years, In the short term, therefore, the participation of other key agencies of govemment and the private sector in the work of the CACC will be important in overseeing the management of rhe project, with the local community taking on increasing a clear responsibility as they gain managerial experience. It is extremely important that mechanism fot transfertitrg control of the project to the local community is established within a defined time line.

Currently, the Environment Service is the lead agency promoting the project" and when it is expected that the Service will continue to undertake this role until such time the CACC is of the opinion, and the local community agrees, that full confol of the project should be transferred to the Takirumu commtrnity'

The CACC has appointed a Conservation Area Support Officer (CASO) who is The charged with the responsibility of implementing activities under the work plan. CASO may also train a countirpart drarvn from the landowning $oups or other interested parties to eventually take o,n", tir. CASO position once overall responsibility passes to the Iandowners. The CASO is supported by other officers of the Environment Service, and has access to the facilities of the Service as and when required. It is noted that the SPBCP has funding for the recruitment of volunteers until I997 and that the CACC might therefore wish to decide on this matter as soon as possible'

Although the CASO is employed under contract to the CACC, and enjoys the support of the birector of the Environment Service, there is a need, because of the inter- aisciptinary nature of the project, for the CASO and CACC to utilise in an advisory

36 capacity other govenlment agencies, such as, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, the Water Authority, the Meteorological Service, the Tourism Authority. and any other specialised organisations.

The training and development of skills will be a very important aspect of the project management component. All levels of project management including the CASO, Environment Officers, project manager, CACC members and the landowning community will need training in conservation area planning and management. The development of planning and management skills at the community level will be particularly important if the project is to successfully achieve its participatory tbcus. SPBCP staff, short term consultants, and staffof the CIES could be engaged to provide such training.

Research work and other work plan activities requiring specialised skills could be contracted out to agencies and organisations with the necessary experience. The CASO will have overall responsibility for the co-ordination of these activities. A participatory system of monitoring and evaluation will also be developed as part of the management system in order to monitor the effectiveness, and in particular, the development of communitv based control.

Finally, the CASO currently is based out of her residence, and it is not appropriate to expect this to continue well into the project implementation, particularly when receiving visitors or for the administrative management of the CA. The CIES also has limited offrce space available for accommodating the CASO. It is planned, therefore to construct an office building for the project with sufficient space for an office, store room and information display.The otfice building will be constructed close to the project area if possible and will be one of the first stop points for visitors to the CA.

(2) Outputs, lnputs and Activities

A number of outputs have been identified for the management component of the project. Activities and Inputs required to achieve these outputs are also identified.

Output l. Community Commitment and Support for the Project.

Activities:

t.l. Commturity meetings and workshops

l) CACC to consider activities outside of the core CA

t.3. Community participation in meetings of the CACC, as appropriate

1.4. Media advertising of the establishment of the project

1.5. Assistance to the CASO in implementing project activities

)t Inputs:

Meetings, media advertising

Output 2. Support for the CACC so that it can effectively oversee management ofthe project.

Activities:

2.1. Foster awareness of the SPBCP and the TCA project with the CACC

2.2. Finalise and agree on the role of the CACC in project management

2.3. Deterurination and provision of resources to support meetings of the CACC

2.4. Identiff other resouces (funds, staff, equipment, etc.) required to effectively manage the project

2.5. With the CASO develop CA work plans and budgets

2.6. Foster a working relationship with relevant and interested parties in the project.

lnputs:

Assessment of CACC needs.

Output 3. Project staff recruitment

Activities:

3.1. Preparation of terms of reference for other staff, volunteers, and consultants as required.

3.2. Advertisement and recruitment of suitable candidates

3.3. Liaise with SPBCP regarding recruitment of consultants and volunteers.

Inputs:

Working space for additional staff, consultants and volunteers.

Output 4. Training of project personnel

38 Activities:

4.1. Identifo training needs of project personnel (i.e., CASO, CACC. Counterpart, workers. and community).

4.2. Prepare a long term plan for training of project personnel

1,3. Identiff appropriate trainers to conduct training

4.4, Conduct training in accordance with training plan

4.5. Organise study tours for CACC to other CA's il South Pacific

Inputs:

Travel, per diem, venues for training, consultations with other CAP's.

Output 5. Development of Administrative Structure for project management

Activities:

5.1. Locate, establish and fumish project office

5.2. CASO to develop a filing system

5.3, CASO and CACC to prepare operating procedures manual to cover methods of financial control, reporting procedures, monitoring and evaluation. etc.

5.4. CASO to continue to refine project work plan outlining outputs, activities and inputs

Inputs:

Office building, furniture, office and other equipment, workshops and reports.

Output 6. Development of skills in project planning and management

Activities:

6.1. Community workshops and Participatory Rural Appraisal exercises in project planning, management and monitoring and evaluation activities 6.2. Develop and organise "refresher" courses on project planning and management for local communities

39 6.3. Recruitment of trainers on specialised skills as necessary'

Inputs:

Trainers, travel. venues for workshops. training facilities'

13,2. SUSTAINABLE INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES

(l) lntroduction, Rationale and Objectives

It is widely accepted that local income generating activities linked to the conservation of biodiversity are the best incentives for conserving resources. Without income generation, there may be littler incentive to conserye resources. There is a danger however, that the generation of income may lead to the unsustainable use of resotrces.

The overall goal of this component is. theretbre, to conserve biodiversity in the Takirumu CA through the development of activities based upon the sustainable use of natural resources of the CA.

The achievement of the goal for this component requires the careful identification of and support for ecologically sustainable economic activities which could be carried out within the CA. A number of potentially viable income generating projects have been idenrified. These include. eco-tourism or nature based totuism, handicrafts, etc., and it is likely that other options will come to light as the project develops.

The CACC has already identified the need for infrastructure development for the use not only of the visitors to the CA but also for school children from around the project area. Trails and resting facilities will be developed and public facilities has been requested.

There is a need for more discussion and PRA exercises to identify and refine the choice of income generating activities. Feasibility studies will need to be carried out to determine the possible impact of some of the activities identified on the resources of the CA. Clear and concise thought must be put into the types of income generating activities proposed to ensure that profits do not dictate the choice of activity. rather a choice of activity with minimal impact yet generating a benetit.

The Cook Islands Tourist Authority has indicated its willingness and support to assist the TCA in its marketing and promotional strategies, particularly overseas. CITA also confirms that it will assist in the development of a flyer promoting the TCA which will form an integral part of an overall Cook Islands Tourism Promotion Strategy.

40 How to manage income from activities carried out in the CA is going to be difficult in terms of the CACC. However, it is extremely important that this should be resolved from the outset of project development. The question of how the project is to be sustained after SPBCP support comes to an end should be a key consideration in discussions on this area. lnvesting income in a Trust Fund for the continued operation of the CA would ensure the long term sustainability of the project, yet other options may be possible and need consideration. There should be consensus by all of the stakeholders on how the income raised from the project activities is to be used.

(2) Outputs, Activities and lnputs

Output l. Identification of sustainable income generating activities

Acfivities:

I .1. Assess the feasibility of activities so far identified, e.9., eco-tourism or nature based tourism, handicrafts, souvenirs, etc.

1.2. Village meetings/workshops to discuss village involvement and participation in selected income generating projects

1.3. Discussion and agreement on how income from the project is to be used

1.4. Identifr appropriate persons to carry out the feasibility studies of selected activities

1.5. Liaise with SPBCP on preparation of terms of reference and recruitment of appropriate persons.

Inputs:

Workshops and meetings

Output 2. Implementation of Income Generating Activities

Activities:

2.1. Phasing of income generating activities

2.2. Implementation of income generation activities in conjunction with relevant govemment agencies, business sector and NGO's

2.3. Promotion and marketing of products from project activities

4I 2.4. Development of investment portfotio in-country for income generated from project activities

?.5. Establishment of a Tnrst Fund and/or other mechanisms for the investment of income from CA projects

Input:

Labour, equipment, resources from other agencies and NGO's.

Output 3. Monitoring of Income Generating Projects

Activities:

3.l. Development of a monitoring system by the CACC

Inputs:

Reports, CACC time.

13.3. INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

(l) lntroduction, Rationale and Objectives

The conservation area contains significant biological and physical resources of flora, fauna, water and soils. These renewable and non-renewable resources have been successfully harvested elsewhere in the Cook Islands where traditional resource management practices such as ra'ui or tapu appear to have little impact. There is little evidence to suggest that the resources of the CA would escape the threat of development and over-exploitation in the face of increasing population pressure and economic development. What is required, therefore, to avoid the damaging asPects of current resource exploitation activities is the possible harmonisation of modern and traditional management techniques and the establishment of a framework for the sustainable use of natural resources in the CA. An lintegrated Resource Management Plan fulfils this requirement.

In order to develop an Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) with ecological sustainability as the goal, the current starus of biological and other natural resoruces in the CA must be determined. The purpose of this data gathering exercise is two-fold, firstly to allow for the design of an effective management regime, and secondly, to establish a baseline against which the effectiveness of the management regime can be measured. A number of resource surveys have been canied out previously, particularly on non-renewable resources, e.g., geology, and soils, however, for renewable resources no

42 comprehensive resource surveys have been completed other than for a unique bird species, the endemic Rarotongan Flycatcher.

A large amount of data already exists, although fragmented on the CA, e.g., held in files with the Environment Service, the Natural Heritage Project of the Prime Ministers Department. the Department of Conservation in New Zealand, and with other interested parties. In this context , the first step in the development of an IRMP would be to determine any gaps in existing information and knowledge of the resources of the CA, followed by the gathering of new data required to complete our understanding of the resources of the CA. Some available data may now be out of date and it may be necessary to update this information. Socio-economic surveys may need to be undertaken to determine current uses by the local communities of the resources within the CA and their future aspirations and expectations from the project. Until this information is to hand, it will be difficult to meet the goal of this component.

Project Outputs, Activities and linputs for this component follows:

Output 1. Strengthen Resource Information Database

Activities:

l.t. Baseline suvey of other bird species and fruit bat including curent use

1.2. Baseline flora survey

I.J. Production of vegetation maps

1.4. Socio-economic surveys of the communities around the CA

1.5. Land capability map, based upon soils/land use and vegetation

Inputs:

GIS. satellite imagery, aerial photogiaphs, existing survey reports, consultants.

43 Output 2. Development of a draft resource management plan

Activities:

2.1, Prepare tenns of reference for consultant

2.2. Liaise with SPBCP on recruitment of consultant

2.3. Prepare draft IRMP

2.4. Presentation of draft IRMP to CACC and local community

2.5. Amend draft IRMP on the basis of comments from CACC and village grouPs

2,6. Endorsement of plan by CACC

Inputs:

Meetings, survey reports, maps and consultants.

Output 3. Develop regimes for monitoring of key indicator species

Activities:

3.1. Identify key indicator species (including kakerori) on the basis of information gathered from resource suveys

3.2. Develop methodologies for monitoring performance of key indicator species within the CA

3.3. Prepare case studies on selected indicator species as required

Inputs:

Literature review, survey reports and maps.

Output 4. Publicise Integrated Resource Management Plan

Activities:

4.1. Prepare posters and any other educational material on special aspecb of the IRMP in general and on key indicator species

4.2. Publication and distribution of posters and other information on the CAP

44 4.3. Organise and conduct awareness raising workshops for relevant interested parties on the CA and its management plan

4.-1. Develop media programmes for the promotion of the management plan

Inputs:

Workshops, publicity materials, media advertising.

Output 5. Implementation of the IRMP

Activities:

5.1. Prepare work plan on the basis of activities identified in the plan

5.2. Prepare budget for financing the plan

5.3. Identifr other sources of funds for implementation of the plan

5.4. Continue to review and update the plan as necessary

5.5. lmplement work progratnmes

Inputs:

Funds, labour, equipment, etc.

13.4. CONSERVATION AREA DEVELOPMENT

(l) Lntroduction, Rationale and Objectives

The primary purpose of the conservation area development component is to produce a framework of activities for the sound physical development of the area. Development activities in this context are generally described as non-income generating, and shall assist in the overall goal of sustainable use of the natural resources of the CA, which was identified in the previous component on sustainable income generating activities.

Conservation Area development provides for direct physical benefit to the landowners of a number of activities related to the CA. Those benefits may be in the form of tracks, road maintenance programmes, road-end shelters, signs, toilet facilities, water storage, and parking areas, etc., all of which will assist in the possible generation of

45 income from nature tourism based projects as well as servicing the needs of outdoor education programmes on the CA and its natural resources'

A balance of development activity against the conservation of the resources of the a tour CA will be required by the CACC, although interest is already being generated by operator for a proposed four wheel drive tour to the boundary of the CA, then r.rndertaking a a guided trek for visitors over a portion of the CA to another road end whereupon pi.tr.tp is made by the ,u-. op.r"tor. This type of proposal may reflect the types of activities that will be proposed for the CA.

Output 1. CA road end and track development

Activities:

l.l. Identi$ areas in the CA for road end maintenance and track development and implement as an ongoing development plan in the project

1.2. Develop road end information signs and track signage as appropriate

1.3. The design and creation of a brochure outlining the developments in the CA

Input:

Tools, equipment, labour force, consultant.

Output 2. CA facilities development

Activities:

1.I . Identiff needs and requirements at road ends for facilities, such as shelters, toilet facilities, tables and seating, water supply, rubbish facilities

1.2. lmplement facilities requirements as an ongoing development plan in the project

1.3. Identiff the need for an information kiosk in Avarua, and implement as neeessary

1.4. The development of a brochure outlining the facilities in the CA

Input:

Tools, labour, basic equipment for facilities, consultant.

46 13.5. KAKERORI RECOVERY PROGRAMME

(l) lntroduction, Rationale and Objectives

The Kakerori Recovery Programme began approximateiy eight years ago when it rvas established that the endemic Kakerori or Rarotongan Flycatcher (Pomarea dimidiata) numbered only 29 individuals. The number of birds indicated that the Kakerori may be on the brink of ecological disaster and that action to save the bird from extinction was required. The Kakerori occurs in the Cook Islands only on Rarotonga in the TCA. It has been acknowledged over the past eight years that ihe occurrence of ship rats in the Kakerori habitat contributes to the decline in bird numbers, thus one of the key prograrnmes lor rehabilitating the species is the control of rats and predators, like feral cats.

This component covers the operational aspects of the ongoing Kakerori recovery programme which has been carried out in the CA over the last eight years. These activities include the poisoning of rats, and the monitoring of the kakerori and their tledglings. while a number of technical projects have been proposed to enhance the recovery programme. These projects cover the areas of predator research, particularly rats. in the CA and an avifauna disease research programme, whereby, a study on potential avian diseases to the existing bird species in the CA is proposed. Currently the Kakerori recovery programme is being supported by the CIES with financial and technical assistance also being provided by the Department of Conservation in New Zealand. This year, 1996, the predator control aspects of the Kakerori programme has received an amount of financial assistance from the Pacific Development and Conservation Trust formed from the interest accrued from the compensation paid out to the New Zealand Government over the bombing of the Greenpeace vessel "Rainbow Warrior", recently. A fuither study is to undertake a tbasibility on the viability of possibly transfening the Kakerori from its curent habitat to firstly, other potential habitats on Rarotonga, and then to identiff potential habitats in the Outer Islands of the Cook Islands.

The objective of this component is to rehabilitate the population of Kakerori to numbers that will ensure that the population can be self-sustaining tahing into account naftual mortalities.

The following outputs have been identified tbr the CA development component of the project:

Output 1. Continuation of the Kakerori Recovery Programme

Activities:

I .l . Poisoning of rats

17 l.?. Monitoring of the kakerori

1.3. Annual census of the kakerori population

1.4. Avifauna disease research proposal

1.5. Predator research proposal

1.6. Feasibility on whether it is viable to transfer Kakerori to other parts of Rarotonga, and to another Outer Island. lnput:

Wage workers, technical assistance, poison, aluminium bzurds, bait stations

48 (14). PROJECT WORKPLAN

I.I.I. ACTIVITIES TO DATE

To date the following activities have been taking place in the CA'

year activities (t) Continuation of the Kakerori Recovery Programme, whereby each carried out cover: the (i) the poisoning of rats, as they are acknowledged as a known predator of kakerori fledglings; (ii) the annual census of the kakerori population, thus indicating status (iii) the annual monitoring of the kakerori population, indicating territories, mortalitY, breeding Patterns' to (iv) Maintenance of tracks, bait stations, and tree bands, to assist with access the kakerori area, and to enhance survival of the population

(3) Establishment of the CACC with regard to the TCA' the A number of meetings were held between the landowners of the TCA and of the kakerori Environment Service in :g94l95 to reach an agreement over the concept the landowners habitat being formed into a Conservation Area. tn reaching an agreement, the landowners nominated a small group of representatives to serve in the interests of conservation when dealing with the Environment Service over promoting the area as a area. The representatives were to become the CACC'

Toward the end of 1995, the CACC appointed a CASO to assist in the During that time a implementation of the SPBCP project once it was agreed to by SPREP. froiect Concept document was produced for the TCA, and was received at SPREP' SPBCP from Assistance to produce the document was given by the Programme Manager' to the CACC for SPREP. and an amount of implementation funding was apProved preliminary activities and equipment purchases'

14.2. WORKPLAN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS

the project, The workplan indicates the activities to be undertaken over the life of quarter 1999' i.e., from the third (3rd) quarter of 1996 to the fiourth ('lth) of

phases: The work in the TCA can be divided into three distinct but overlapping interest and commitment Phase 1 Confirmation of landowning management Phase 2 plans developed for income generation and resource of activities Phase 3 TCA development and implementation

49 The first phase activities as described above in Section 14.2. No'2 outline that initial commitment from the landowners of the TCA has been agreed and committed, including support from the Environment Service, and the establishment of the basic management stnrcture of the CAP.

The second phase can be considered both a planning phase and implementation phase, whereby community based management training on the TCA, and studies are undertaken to assist in the preparation of a Resource Management Plan, whilst ongoing programmes of work in the development of the CA and the undenaking of the Kakerori Recovery Programme takes place.

The third phase outlines that sustainable income generating activities are identified and implemented, whilst also ensuring commmity based management and decision making skills are continued from the second phase toward the end of the project cycle. lndicative Workplans:

Indicative workplans for the first four years of the project are shown in the Appendices on page 63, and are only comprehensive in the first year of project implementation. The remaining years show flexibiliry and may be possibly amended during subsequent quarters as the CACC and CASO meet to consider activities/budgets and time lines.

50 (15) PROJECT COSTS AND ALLOCATIONS

The SPBCP disbwses funds to projects that incorporate the conservation of biodiversity . lntegral to the project design is the key element of participation of govemment agencies, non-govemmental organisations. and other interested parties, in addition to the landow'ning communiry of the TCA. The sources of funds (in terms of cash. time or human resource, and use of equipment), theretbre is the SPBCP. the Government of the Cook Islands (through the Environment Service. Tourist Authority, Water Authoriry, etc.), the landowners themselves and other interested parties to be identified as the project cycle continues. ,

Project fr.rnding is assumed to be provided by the SPBCP until the end of 1998, and it is hoped that a two (2) year extension of financial assistance may be approved that will enable continued firnding of the project through the SPBCP until the fi.rll project cycle of five years is complete.

Whether the project cycle terminates in 1998 or in 2000 is only significant when consideration is made of further supporting the project after termination. New sources will be required, and whether those sources are identified through current programmes, e.g.. SPREP, New Zealand Overseas Developnrent Assistance, Corporate Sponsorship or income generated, remains to be assessed throughout the project. Indications are that the SPBCP has sought extension to the overall programme in the South Pacific through the financial mechanism which is UNDP.

The table below summarises costs by project component and principal source of firnding. The Appendices on pages 68-74 shows the estimated costs in spreadsheet form.

Funding Source. Component SPBCP CIGOV Others

Project 403,640 12,000 6,000 Management

Income Generation 24,500 0 6.000

Management Plan 63.510 12,000 0

CA Development 47,900 0 12,000

Kakerori Progr. 122,000 26,000 Total (in NZD) 661.550 24.000 50.000

5l (16). PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CO-ORDTNATTON

Overall. project activities will be overseen by the CACC. Currently the CACC is made up of representatives from the tfuee main landowning groups. the Karika, the Kainuku, and Manavaroa families.

Views related to the possible expansion of the CACC to include Govemment Agencies, non-govemmental organisations or other relevant interested parties, as appropriate, have been put forward, yet no recommendation has been made to the CACC at this early stage of the project implementation. lf there is a hesitation on the part of the landowning families then there is the alternative that a number of these organisations may be able to be co-opted at specific times to provide advisory services in relation to their particular expertise or interest,

The CASO is to provide the CACC with advice and serve as the implementor of the CA project during the project cycle. The CASO must also carry out administrative and management functions for both the CACC and the project.

Co-ordination currently is canied out through the lead agency of the Govemment, ie, the Environment Service with the CASO and the Chair of the CACC, however, with recent institutional and structural changes in the Government, the Environment Service has been absorbed into a mainstream ministry, called the Ministry of Works, Environment, and Ph-vsical Planning. This takes effect from 1 July 1996, and although may pose some initial concern, the fbrmer Director of the Environment Service, has been promoted to the post of Secretary of the Nlinistry, thus ensuring the co-ordinating and lead agency role of the Environment Division continues. As the CACC evolves as a more effective management entity, it will progressively take over project co-ordination.

(17) TRATNTNGREQUTREMENTS

A number of personnel are involved with the project and they all require training in various aspects of project planning, management and implementation. Training activities are spread across a number of components and outputs. To put training activities into perspective, it is useful to summarise training activities in the fcrllowing table for the early phase of the project. Specific training requirements and needs are expected in subsequent years but are yet to be fully identified and detailed.

52 Project Training Requirements for the early phases of the CAP

Course Trainer Trainee Approx. timing of Requirement training

CACC and Project Staff.

( 1) Project planning SPBCP advisor and CASO, CO'S, Five days and management, a project CACC monitoring and management evaluation, PRA consultant techniques (2) Resource Resouce CASO, CO's CACC Three days management management consultant Village Workshops (l) CA Management CASO, local CACC and Three days including skill consultant community training, monitoring and PRA (2) Income CASO,local CACC and Three davs generating activities consultant communiw

A number of training sessions have been planned through out the project cycle. These sessions can be divided into nro areas; training sessions for project staffand training sessions for the community surrounding the TCA. Project staffwill be trained first by appropriate consultants and SPBCP staff. Skills passed on to the project staffwill then be passed on to the local community surrounding the TCA.

For project staff, in particular the CASO, the CO's, and CACC the first training sessions will be five day sessions on project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation procedures and PRA techniques. Further training of project staff will cover resource management issues.

The community around the TCA will also have the opportunity for being involved training sessions, firstly on planning and management of projects, as well as developing skills for monitoring and evaluation, and PRA exercises. Secondly, the community will have the opportunity to become involved in income generating activities workshop, where focus will centre on types of activities, production, revenue generation, small business development and management. Both sets of workshops will cover three days duration and will be conducted by project staff.

53 (18). MONTTORTNG AND EVALUATTON

ln the early phases of the project, the CASO with the support of the lead agency, the Environment Service, will be responsible for co-ordinating, monitoring and evaluation activities. However. as the project cornmences, the communiry sturounding the TCA will be encouraged to establish their own monitoring and evaluation procedwes.

There are two levels of monitoring activities: a) monitoring of project implementation b) monitoring of project impact.

18.T. MOMTORING OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

For the project management component the major indicators would include:

= Employment of the CASO = Effective operation of the CACC + Completion of a project procedwes manual = Effective reporting of financial and physical progress :+ Framework established for effective panicipatory plaruring.

For the resource management plan, income generating, and CA development components, indicators would include the achievement of major inputs and plan reports.

These indicators of achievement will be subject to quarterly project progress reports.

18.2. MOMTORING OF PROJECT IMPACTS

Achievement of the following will indicate project success a) The impact on community management

= achievement of management and administration activities at cornmunal level: operating bank accounts, employing staff, CACC management role, effectively enforcing regulations for land use in the TCA, active participation in ecotourism and other income generation activities; = widespread level of understanding aud ownership amongst the community; =r minimal number of complaints from community relating to project activities and distribution of funds.

54 b) The impact on biodiversity conservation and land management

= increased numbers of target or indicator species; = no further reduction of primary forest; = any agricultural activities contained within scrub areas. c) Impact on short term welfare of the community

=, increased nurnber of ecotourists; = development of other income generating activitiesl d) Impact on the involvement of women and youth

+ high participation of women and youth in project activities; = women and youth trained as part of the project.

Having adopted a process system of project implementation it is important to adhere to rigid systems of monitoring and internal and external evaluation activities. This will enable an effective system of ongoing project design. There is a need to make sure the original objectives are maintained and in any design modifications these are made with respect to them. This does not mean objectives cannot be changed but there needs to be a strong justification for this such as the original objectives becoming irrelevant in the light of new information or there was a major external factor such as a cyclone that altered the nature of the area.

55 PART E. PROJECT IMPACTS.

(19) PROJECT BENEFTTS

19.1. The Takitumu Conservation Area

A number of project benefits can be accrued in the Conservation Area which in essence signifr why the project should proceed and what activities can be undertaken in the Conservation Area. Those benefits identified can be listed as follows:

(l) Conservation ethic will be reinforced related to Cook Island biodiversity. In reality a raising of conservation awareness throughout the community and within Government will focus upon the unique, endangered. and culturally important species in the area:

(2) The Kakerori Recovery Programme will continue its operations in the area with adequate financial and technical assistance for a number of years, thus ensuring fuither protection of the species and its habitat:

(3) The project can serve as the basis for other potential Conservation Area proposals on Rarotonga and within the Cook lslands. In this sense, utilising the Takitumu CA as a model for other areas, and having the experience and knowledge of implementing the Takitumu CA will provide local insight into further CA development;

(4) The project will outline in detail both community and government management and decision-making as a partnership in assisting with conservation of rare and endangered species, whilst not ruling out subsistence activities;

(5) By raising community awareness on the conservation of endangered species, long term decisions on protecting species can be possible.

19.7. The Community around the TCA

(1) An improvement to community awareness will allow for more informed decision-making related to the Takitumu Conservation Area, particularly targeting youth and women in the overall education and awareness campaign of the project. It is essential that they are aware of the project, its objectives and the medium to long term goals;

(2) lncreasing community skills in relation to project planning and management, in the TCA is also an important aspect of the project which will provide benefits related to decision making and effective operations of the TCA in the long term;

(3) While there is a need for long term commitments from the Resource Owners, the project can also assist those owners in developing potential entreprenurial skills as

56 well as looking into developing financial incentives for generating any possible income that once derived will go into assisting with the management and operations of the Takitumu Conservation Area;

(5) Currently there is little activity in the CA. aside from the Kakerori Recovery Programme. Subsistence activities are still carried out rvithin the area. such as the gathering of koura vai or fteshwater prawns and tuna or freshwater eels. With increasing pressure on the area from both landowners and tourism operators, the CACC will consider more fully the issues of sustainable use of resources in the CA.

(20) PROJECTCONSTRATNTS

Major project constraints can arise from a lack of project management and effective planning skills within the customary landowning groups. The severe shortage of TCA management fiurding after the SPBCP financial assistance ends is also a major planning constraint to the longer term viabiliry of components of the project.

Although considerable focus is placed upon training, the project staff, the CACC and the community around the TCA, there is the possibility that a drain of capacity and human resource can take place which could leave the TCA with a severe shortage of skills. There is also the possibiliry that there may be a long term failure to carry the momentum gained through the initial phases of the TCA project being implemented with the assistance of the SPBCP.

Financing the management and operations of the TCA after the end of SPBCP funding assistance has already been recognised very early in the formulation of the concept document, and although there is a component that will detail viable income generating activities, it is nevertheless appropriate to consider that if there is only minimal viability to come from specific income generating projects the CACC may be forced to reduce activities in the TCA to allow for this problem. It is also acknowledged that the TCA in the Cook Islands is not resource endowed in ternts of commercial forests, or species that may be sustainably harv'ested, as in many Melanesian countries. This places constraints upon the types of possible income generating activities that are able to be undertaken in the TCA.

(211. ENVTRONMENTAL TMPACTS

The potential for environmental impact from the project on the Takitumu Conservation Area is minimal at the present time.

Holever, with possible further development and promotion of the TCA within the Cook Islands and extemally, e.g., through overseas marketing torus by the Tourist Authority, the risk of some form of environmental impact on the Area will rise.

The risk could rise through the following areas: (l) Avifauna diseases, types and possibilities

57 (2) Spread of invasive species throughout the CA through underfoot vehicles other means, e.g.,wind, birds

(3) Quarantine flora and fauna introductions posing considerable risks

(4) ..Eco-tourism", development that allows increased human pressure on the atea, particularly when associated with financial incentives'

(6) Development per se, where increased pressure on the area surrounding the TCA in the form of developed tracks, roads, camping areas, etc'

Any other environmental impact of the project upon the community will in the medium to long term remain negligible. as the decisions that the Resource Owners (including the CACC) make in terms of operations. management, and commitment, will reflect the amount of environmental impact. Currently, this impact is difficult to quanti$/. (221 EcoNoMlc AND FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON THE COMMUNITY

The economic and financial impact of the project on the community will be significantly higher than the environmental impact, however, during the long term, direct income or revenue earning form will remain minimal. The economic and iinancial impact of the project on the community can occur through:

(1) The communit"v being involved in the decision making process;

(?) The community being involved in the management and training components of the project;

(3) The CACC providing for a Conservation Area Support Officer (CASO) that may not be a resotrce owner. yet will pass on any technical and advisory skills to the C.A,CC, and over the course of the project the CASO will train a local counterpartl

(4) Current potential income earning capability seems to be limited to "eco- tourism'i type ventures with limited potential for other ventures, which have yet to be identified;

(5) The rationale of the SPBCP criteria is difficult on this project, particularly in the area of sustainable utilisation, because of the timited nature of natural resources, for example, there is no reserve of millable forest available, there are no minerals available for exploitation, and very limited amounts of huntingigathering occurs in the CA.

58 PART F. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES

Office of Pacific Operations. 1995. Cook Islands Economic Performance, Issues and Strategies. Asian Development Bank.

Cambell, B. & Lack, E. 1985. A Dictionary of Birds. Pitman Press, Bath.

Crocombe, R. 1987, Land Tenure in the Pacific. University of the South Pacific.

Environment Service. Rarotonga, Cook Islands. 1995. Proposed Takitumu Concept Doc ume nt. Environment Service

Fosberg, F.R. 1975. Vascular plants of Aitutaki. Atoll Research Bulletin; 190:158- t70.

Hay, J.R. & McCormack, G. 1985, Conserving the Kakerori. New ZealandForest and Bird, l5(?):23-?4.

Hay, J.R. & Robertson, H.A. r988.Ecologt of rhe Kakerori-A draft Recovery plan. Ecology Division, D.S.I.R., New Zealand.

Holyoak, D.T. 1980. Guide to Cook Island Birds.

King, W.M. 1981. Endangered Birds of rhe World. The ICBP Red Data Book. Smithsonian lnstitute Press and ICBP, Washington.

Anon. Land and Environment Unit, Ministry of Lands. Survey and Natural Resources, Kingdom of Tonga. 1995. Ha'apai Conservation Area Project Preparation D o cum e nt. South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme.

Leslie, D.M. 1980. Soi/s of Rarotonga. New Zealand Soil Bureau.

Martel, F. 1995. Niue: The Huvaltt Project - Project Preparation Document. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme.

McCormack, G. 1988. The Kakerori Nantre Reserve - A concept document. Conservation Service, Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

McCormack. G. & Kunzle, J. 1990. Kakerori: Rarotonga's Endangered Flycatcher Cook Islands Natural Heritage Project

McCormack, G. and Kunzle, J. 1995. Rarotonga's Mountain Tracl

Merlin, M.D. 1985. woody Yegetation in the upland Region of Rarotonga, cook Islands. Pacific Science; 39( I ):8 1 -84.

59 Native Lands Trust Board, Suva, Fiji. July 1994.The Koroyanitu National Park Project - Project Preparation Documenr. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme.

Perrins, C.M. & Middleton, A.L.A. 1985. Encyclopedia of Birds' Facts on File Publications, New York.

Pratt, H.D., Bruner, P.L. & Berrett, D.G. 1987. A Field Guide to Birds of Hatrtaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

Saunders, K. Unpublished. 1993. Kalcerori: The Ecologt of the Kakerori (Rarotongan Flycatcher) A thesis presented in partial fulfilment for,the degree of Master of Science in Ecologt Massey University, New 7*aland

Saul, E. Unpublished. 1995. Toward 2000: A Management Planfor the Kakerori's next 5 years. Environment Serviceo Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

Sykes, W.R. 1981. Botanical Science. Bibliography of Research on the Cook Islands. New Zealand Man and the Biospirere Report No.4. Lower Hutt Soil Bureatr" D.S.I.R., Wellington.

Turbott, E.G. 1977. Rarotonga Birds wirh Notes on Land Bird Status. Notornis; 24:149-157,

Wood and Hay. 1986. Geologt of the Cook Islan [t. D.S.I.R.' New Zealand.

60 PART G.

APPENDICES

(l) Logical Framework for achieving the Objectives of the Project - Page 67 (2) Detailed work plan by Activity and Year - Page 63 (3) Detailed costing estimate by Component in 1996 - Page 68 (4) Costing estimate by Year - Page 74.

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a.t P CL It 5 -oot ot F t) o 3 o 'o (rl (tl 0 o o o o o o o o o o o c tt z3 N go AI o ah o -o J'|o Jr,o Juo o o o o o o oa o o o o o-l N AI 5 ctr -(rt 5 A o -olo o o (,| (tr o o o o o () o o o o o o o o o o cl o lN I I i { o t- l'o 7 I I ! I g lol" l3 l{ l:rl* o It o o { o - t< la lo lo l(o o, tE IE o o to o (D EI o { o l- lo l0) l> I lo l5' 0t z lo l-r to II o o t3 rt c IE lal l-o la) 3 l3 c' o o o a 3 L lo l6 lo 0, lo At m o o, lo) l6- I= ls 0, c o lf IE (D o l- o. rL o n t l- il A) t- o o o lo lo l3 lo) --.ol o o. lo o o Et Iqt t< lo IO l3 7 lqt o to lQ If U' to o (D ct= no lo- t- 16 9. lo. z lct I lrr o o o, o o lo lo la. o, l= ]C o =o m 5 (I) t< ta lo U' 3 z I =v, lot rL= lo. lo tolot t< o 3 o v o lo o to IF tt o 5 I lo qr an lo = qt v l(D It t< tro o l= p. o m J t(D lgt l:r (D o lo r =o l- o, o= l= Ot o o la l5 lo o ot to CL o z F I 5 o = o lo) l(D o m 5 o .D lf lo o l" m v o lo m lq) lo tE o 0) lCr l3 ! ! lo ! l6' l3 m t.n = I l- {z I o v o v 3 {o ! o zo z m o z P { o o o o o {U, x g o cn u, o I o F E. m z (D D o. o @ T' v o E qt a o GI a z (D o m N o (o (D C" (D ir = CL o o

(.t CL o (r! N N -Ut o 3 qr ('l -o 'o '(t (tl o o o UT b o o o o o o o o o o o o o o tr v, z N 0 5 o ql o o oOt o(tl o c o o (3 o o o o o o o o o{ a 5 UT N N (,r (t 'Or ('| (rt (rr o o o o o o (t o o o o o o o o o o e o -{ .It -Tl i rn { o l, o g o o (D o x a o) = = o I o g. ct q, c= = 5 o Ot c g x c g o 5 o =,J m q, o o o tr v C o o o o (o= ll o o = o an tn =an o o 4, o = o o o o an o o 0t q' (n f o o o Vl o v z o c ct o (n o m o =(D o o m o f=. 3 = a o |q !tx o o v m (o=' o x o A' aa o m D o, I c v o o o I gtv =(D o o gr € o =. ! z E (n vo v o o ot o v c o o m o, o o v o= = Q ! a ! = ! o =m tr' 5 ? o I ot a o ql o v o= 3 v (D 3 =! o o o { an z o m z d z o o { P o o o o o{ xo I (] tn (D <1 o ml t- g. o >1 (D ,01 z CL o tD t ol o c, q, zl o. (a MI (cl o (D A.) rol o ol.ol =o ht 3 -.t EL o o

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C., CL =o F -ot\t o 3 (^t (Jl l\) -(t (,t o o o (n o o o o o o o o o o o o o a c o= z N tr, .F o 9' ti gJ -o -oN o t\to o t\,o o o o o c) o c) o o o o o o o o 5 !, ('t ('| -('r -o gr N N o o o o o o o o o o o o(rl .lt I !-, F -Tl P f! a n -l -l al l, v o- rn ll U) ! v (D o o o o o o o F 3 o o o a. c o o x o 0l o o 3 an o g c .0. tn o ! o- o) E o th o = o 6' o E (D { 3 ql o o, o o o o 6' o c o a d o, o a = 3 o 3 =. - @ 0) 3 o) o -o _:. o tr - o= =.6 a o o) a. o o o) 5 o a (o m o=, o =: o. (o o (o ql ot- = =C C) cn €' o (D ql -Tl o =. o, o C) 3 o o g 6' :i. Ot a (A ot o ET o ql o o o = 3 o) at, o, (D c =.o @ aa E x 0)=. o - o o o o AI U' =o o 3 =AI 3 c t3. A o a o. ID f = = o z o o = o q) n : (D = 5 3 El o u, = F AI o ot o o c o o o ah o m q g o 1' a qt o I o) o 6' o o =o m v o o A' A' e, 3 = o o o E o) ? 3 s. o o = o x o g o o -. =. tn = I o) 3 ,a o c, .T o 3 U1 o t ! 3 o o an o o o J !, 0r. o o o lC o= o) tl 3 o o =q El o) o ! u, to o v o o o ;' q, o. z CL o o 0, 1t (n o-' 3 6' o :L o o o= 3 o o) 7 I o o o c : o 3 o m ! o (D = q v gt E o m ! o qo (] v I aD .o v v N N o v CO (r| (r) (.) o -Ol -(t -q) -o Jo -5 -\l m o (D itt b (t (tl o (rr '@ 5 (o I\: o o o o o o o o (J gr N o (0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o () o o gr { zo o o q o P (D o g. m o o ct t9 o .0 x u,c ctr an a (ao. .It N o @ tr (D o (rl N 5 N 5 r0 P ot (,| 'o 'o J\, S,t Ju Ju -o .CD _{ -(r) so -$ (0 z (o C.l b (rl cn { O (,| o (.) o ct, r0 o (D C'| o o o o o ot o o o o o ct't o 5 o a0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o ct o o o tn ('l (D o{

o 3 0) e o) r0 (r) (rJ o -o -(tl -('t -o 'o -o{ i.) Jv c N o (tl o (tl b o) 5 (o z 5o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o eo o os o e€ -{ z Nz 0 o vF o, Q (D -o -(,' o, f, (o ('l (,r 5 o (Jl o iu o) i\) a9 5 o o o o o o o o s o i0 o o o o o o o o a o o o o o o o o o o t0

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D o 3 ot C) gr ql (, (tt (rt (oe o o -o5 -o -oot -o@ 5 b iu 'o 'o ht ro 5 o o o o o o o 5 (O z cl o o o o o o o o o o o o ql z z N tr, ro 75 o gr (t J' N -o 'o -os i or iu o io aa 5 o o o o o 5 @ o o o <) o o o o o o o a o (o

ot 5 o crl N N J o) qr !l @ o) Je Ju @ -(o .(r, -s I -o Ju o (tt 'o e 6 C'T (,! (,r o o o o o o o (t o o oa o o o gt ct o o o o o c) o o o o o c