Tanintharyi Conservation Programme (TCP)

Home , Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region, Tanintharyi Township

DCI-ENV/2013/323-891

‘SECURING LONG-TERM PROTECTION OF KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS IN THE SUNDAIC SUB-REGION OF MYANMAR” 01 February 2014 to 31 March 2017

FINAL PROJECT NARRATIVE REPORT

M Grindley, R Howard, Nay Myo Shwe, U Myint Soe Oo, Saw Soe Aung and Zau Lunn Senior Management Team, FFI Tanintharyi Conservation Programme

TCP Report No. 55

Yangon, November 2017 With funding from: FFI Myanmar, Tanintharyi Conservation Programme

The program The Tanintharyi Conservation Programme is an initiative of Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Myanmar Programme, implemented in collaboration with the Myanmar Forest Department, Fisheries Department and a number of local, national and international collaborators and stakeholders. FFI Myanmar operates the programme under a MoU with the Forest Department and LOA with the Department of Fisheries specifically for marine and terrestrial conservation activities in Tanintharyi Region.

Funding The Programme is supported by the financial assistance of the European Commission, Helmsley Charitable Trust, Segre Conservation Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcadia Foundation and several other donors.

Suggested FFI (2017). Securing Long-Term Protection of Key Biodiversity Areas in The citation Sundaic Sub-Region of Myanmar: Final Narrative Report of EU Project DCI- ENV/2013/323-891. Report No. 55 of the Tanintharyi Conservation Programme, a joint initiative of Fauna & Flora International (FFI), the Myanmar Forest Department and The Myanmar Department of Fisheries. FFI, Yangon.

Author details Mark E Grindley is the Tanintharyi Programme Manager for FFI Myanmar Robert Howard is the Marine Technical Advisor for FFI Myanmar Nay Myo Shwe is the Field Coordinator for FFI Tanintharyi Programme U Myint Soe Oo is Community Forestry Team Leader for FFI Myanmar Saw Soe Aung is the Senior Biologist for FFI Myanmar U Zau Lunn is Marine and Freshwater Programme Manager for FFI Myanmar

Copyright Reproduction of this report in full or in part is granted for the purposes of education, research or awareness, with the sole provision that the authors and authoring organisations be properly credited.

Cover images Front: A Project diver surveys coral reef in the Myeik Archipelago. Systematic marine surveys led to a spatial plan, proposed marine protected area network and the establishment of locally managed marine areas at key sites. © Michelangelo Pignani/FFI (2016).

Rear: Mangroves in the Project site. Mangrove proved to be one of the most underestimated habitat types the Project looked at: © U Saw Htun/FFI (2016).

Disclaimer The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Fauna & Flora International, and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or other donors.

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Figure 1. Map of the Project landscape in Tanintharyi Region, southern Myanmar

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I. CONTENTS

II. LIST OF TABLES 5 III. LIST OF FIGURES 5 IV. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 5 V. CONVENTIONS 6 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 8 1.2 Name of beneficiary 8 1.3 Contact person 8 1.4 Partners in the Action 8 1.5 Title of the Action 8 1.6 Contract number 8 1.7 Start and end dates 8 1.8 Target country 8 1.9 Final beneficiaries and target groups 8 2. ASSESSMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION 9 2.2 Executive summary of the Action 9 2.3 Activities and results 11 2.3 Activities that have not taken place 34 2.4 Assessment of results 35 2.5 Outcome on the final beneficiaries/target groups 37 2.6 Materials produced 38 2.7 Contracts above EUR 10,000 38 2.8 Continuation of the Action 39 2.9 Mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues 40 2.10 Monitoring and evaluation 40 2.11 Lessons learned 42 3. PARTNERS AND COOPERATION 43 3.1 Relationship between the partners 43 3.2 Continuation of the partnership 43 3.3 Relationship with the State 43 3.4 Other organisations involved in the Action 43 3.5 Links and synergies with other Actions 45 3.6 Relationship to previous EU grants 45 3.7 Cooperation with the Contracting Authority 45 4. VISIBILITY 46 5. REFERENCES 48 ANNEX 1. GIS DATA PRODUCED 49 ANNEX 2. TECHNICAL REPORTS PRODUCED 54 ANNEX 3. VISIBILITY OUTCOMES 56

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II. LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Summary of Overall Progress against original workplan 10 Table 2. Biodiversity and socio-economic surveys conducted during the Project 12 Table 3. Main actions towards participatory protected area gazettement and zonation 15 Table 4. Main actions towards establishment of PES and sustainable PA financing 16 Table 5. Village, type and status of Community Forestry applications supported by the Project 17 Table 6. Main steps undertaken for LMMA establishment and support 19 Table 7. Main actions taken for SGS beneficiary group establishment and support 21 Table 8. Summary of SGS village/group beneficiaries and subjects (2015-2017) 22 Table 9. Activities conducted for mainstreaming of HCV into regional spatial planning 25 Table 10. Activities conducted for consultations on an environmentally friendly spatial plan 27 Table 11. Main palm oil sector activities and results 29 Table 12. Main interventions in support of monitoring forest crime and illegal fisheries practices 30 Table 13. Activities that did not take place, and reason 34 Table 14. Outputs, outcomes and results against Objectives 36 Table 15. List of contracts above EUR 10,000 awarded under the Action 39 Table 16. List of informal partners and donors engaged in the continuation of some Activities 40 Table 17. Project feedback from partners and beneficiaries 41 Table 18. List of other organisations involved in the Action 44 Table 19. List of other visibility materials produced by the Project 46

III. LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Map of the Project landscape in Tanintharyi Region, southern Myanmar 3 Figure 2. Logos of co-funding donors, Project partners and collaborators 7 Figure 3. Cover of the Tanintharyi Atlas CD 26

IV. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

BANCA Myanmar Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (Partner) CF community forestry CFUG Community forest user group C&I criteria and indicators (used in forest management) CSO civil society organisation DoF Department of Fisheries (of MoALI) DRA Dawei Research Association (Partner)

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EIA environmental impact assessment EU European Union EUR Euro (currency of the EU) FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations FD Forest Department FFI Fauna & Flora International FUG forest user group GIS Geographical Information System HCV High Conservation Value HCVRN High Conservation Value Resource Network IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources KBA Key Biodiversity Area KFD Karen Forest Department KfW German government-owned development bank MFF Myanmar Fisheries Federation LMMA locally managed marine area MIMU Myanmar Information Management Unit (an initiative of UNDP) MM Myanmar or Myanmar (used for the country, or the national language) MMK Myanmar kyat (currency of Myanmar) MoALI Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation MPA marine protected area OMM One Map Myanmar (a national mapping progamme) OP oil palm PA Protected Area PES payment(s) for ecosystem services PPS participatory protection system (a forest management model) REDD Reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation RF Reserved Forest SGS small grants scheme SME small and medium enterprise(s) USD United States dollar VCG village conservation group WCS Wildlife Conservation Society

V. CONVENTIONS

We use hectares (ha) in favour of acres (ac), though the latter is more commonly used in Myanmar.

During the project, the Myanmar kyat (MMK) traded at between 1,000-1,300 MMK to the USD and 1,300-1,500 to the EUR.

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Integrated Tiger habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP)

Figure 2. Logos of co-funding donors, Project partners and collaborators

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1 . PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1 . 2 Name of beneficiary

Fauna and Flora International

1 . 3 Contact person

Mr Frank Momberg, Country Manager, FFI Myanmar

1 . 4 Partners in the Action

Dawei Research Association (DRA) Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA)

1 . 5 Title of the Action

Securing long-term protection of Key Biodiversity Areas in the Sundaic Sub-region of Myanmar.

1 . 6 Contract number

DCI-ENV/2013/323-891

1 . 7 Start and end dates

1 January 2014 to 31 March 2017 (39 months)

1 . 8 Target country

Myanmar (Tanintharyi Region); for exact location see map (Figure 1)

1 . 9 Final beneficiaries and target groups

Target Groups: i) Local forest and marine resource dependent communities in marine and terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas, particularly members of community groups such as Forest User Groups or Locally Managed Marine Areas, ii) The Forest Department (FD) of the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF), iii) FD line agencies and other local government institutions responsible for land and resource management, iv) private sector, particularly plantation owners interested to improve their environmental and social performance, v) Local civil society organisations in Tanintharyi, especially the Dawei Research Association, and vi) The Myanmar Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA). An additional beneficiary is the Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development.

Final Beneficiaries: Forest or marine dependent communities (approximately 10,000 people) in Tanintharyi division, local stakeholders in the buffer zone of Lenya and Tanintharyi Proposed Protected Areas.

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2 . ASSESSMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION

2 . 2 Executive summary of the Action

The EU-funded Project “Securing Long-Term Protection of Key Biodiversity Areas in The Sundaic Sub-Region of Myanmar” was implemented by Fauna & Flora International in cooperation with the Myanmar Forest Department and Department of Fisheries, and two local NGOS, the Dawei Research Association (DRA) and the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA).

The Project ran from 01 February 2014 to 31 March 2017, and was implemented on budget and within the proposed timeframe.

By the end of the Project, 12 of 22 activities had been completed largely or entirely on schedule, while the remaining ten had been somewhat delayed or partially completed. No activities had been cancelled or missed. Overall progress is indicated in Table 1.

Objective One aimed at identifying and protecting Key Biodiversity Areas. One of the most significant overall results under this Objective was the confirmation of the global importance of southern Tanintharyi. It has a unique biological diversity due to its location at the intersection of Indo-Chinese and Malayan biological regions, with species assemblages that include representatives of both.

However, notwithstanding the global importance of the Region’s biodiversity, the Project indicates that overall ecosystem health is declining due to habitat degradation and loss, and over-harvesting.

Under this Objective we also compiled an unprecedented spatial dataset, which is now being used by government and other stakeholders for land use planning and management, conducted extensive marine and terrestrial surveys to identify key biodiversity areas, and assessed the feasibility of ecosystems services payments.

Under this Objective we established, trained and provided small grants to over 40 community groups, and six to local civil society groups, for both improved resource management (such as community forestry or establishment of crab banks), livelihood development, and applied research. Twenty-one groups should achieve CF certification in the coming months.

This Objective also saw the introduction of Locally Managed Marine Areas, with a suitable legal environment identified, and Myanmar’s first three LMMAs were officially declared on the very last day of the Project. This marks a significant achievement in the fight to address the imminent decline of fisheries in the Myeik Archipelago.

A Marine Protected Area network was also defined by stakeholders, and FFI will continue to move that forward through ongoing support to a new Regional working group.

Objective Two aimed at building capacity in spatial planning, and introduced the High Conservation Value (HCV) approach with the conduct of Myanmar’s first HCV assessments. We also engaged with the oil palm sector to promote improved environmental and social standards; while this effort ultimately failed, many lessons were learned and our work precipitated a thorough review of the oil palm sector by the incoming government, launched in 2016.

Objective Three aimed at facilitating national policies for biodiversity conservation, and was particularly successful in introducing spatial planning and sustainable tourism development ideas within the Myeik Archipelago.

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Table 1. Summary of Overall Progress against original workplan

Original Plan (Semester) Activity Status* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Completed: Stakeholder workshop and most 0.1 Project Inception X recruitment and office establishment finish in S1

1.1 Biodiversity and social baseline Completed: Widespread initial surveys were X assessments, threat assessments augments with more targeted further studies Partially complete: Widespread consultations were held; government pulled back from 1.2 Facilitate participatory protected area X X X terrestrial PAs to not hinder the peace gazettement, zonation, co-management process. Marine PA plan was moving ahead by Project end

Completed (delayed): Focussed on 1.3 PES feasibility study X X mangroves and coastal services, and options for sustainable financing

Incomplete: Partial financial security in place 1.4 Long-term financing planning for new for some mangroves, community forests and X X PAs marine areas. Additional funding secured to extend key Project activities

Completed: Groups formed and 1.5.1 Establish and mentor LMMA and X trained/supported over the course of the forest user groups Project.

1.5.2 Provide training for small grants Completed: Several groups made second or management, and livelihoods X X X X X third applications, and one beneficiary diversification and enhancement applied to another external donor

Completed (delayed): Myanmar’s first three 1.5.3 Facilitate LMMA management/ forest LMMAs signed off by Minister on the last day X X conservation agreements of the Project! Seven community forest areas submitted for certification

1.5.4 Implement and monitor small grants Completed: Over 30 groups formed to programme, provide start-up grants for X X X X X X engage in implementation of small grants sustainable livelihoods in the context of projects conservation agreements

Completed: Eight additional funding sources 1.6 Engage private companies and X X X X secured to expand or extend Project statutory donors for long-term financing activities

Completed (delayed): Training of various stakeholders; staff and data taken up for 2.1 Environmental spatial planning training X spatial planning by Tanintharyi region government

Completed (delayed): Extensive datasets 2.2 Land use/ forest cover assessments X X prepared and widely shared in digital and hard copy

Partially complete: Mapping of HCVs, forest 2.3 Consultations to develop Tanintharyi management planning, KBA map revision, X X spatial plan tourism spatial planning (using FFI marine data)

Completed: Multiple activities introduced 2.4 Introduce RSPO principles X X RSPO standards; some are being take up

Complete (late): Several separate reports combined into one ‘sustainability 2.5 Review of palm oil sector in Tanintharyi X assessment’; led to full review of the sector by new regional government

Completed (late): Six village Conservation 2.6 Training for forest crime X X Groups and three LMMA groups undertaking control/monitoring crime monitoring by Project end

2.7 Regular field visits, monitoring and end Completed: Senior management staff X X X X X X X of project evaluation regularly visited all project sites

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Original Plan (Semester) Activity Status* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

3.1 National policies etc. for collaborative Partially complete: LMMA Notification signed protected area management and X X off by Director General of Dept. of Fisheries alternative financing

Completed: National ‘working group’ formed 3.2 Establish national RSPO working under the Myanmar Chambers of X X X group and adopt/develop guidelines Commerce, but was ultimately not successful

Completed: Culmination was two national 3.3 Share lessons learned from Biosphere X X workshops to launch marine and coastal Reserve/ PA creation and planning protection planning in southern Tanintharyi Completed: Multiple trainings, workshops 3.4 Share lessons learned on sustainable X and study tours held, and a final report and palm oil production workshop presented results

3.5 Share lessons learned with relevant Completed: Study tour to Mayalsia to programmes in Cambodia, Vietnam and X X examine sustainable mangrove Indonesia management undertake in stead

Notes: * Green = Completed (largely on schedule), Orange = Completed late or only partially completed, Red = Incomplete by end of the Project.

The project produced over 60 technical reports and several formal publications, including an Atlas of Spatial Data for Tanintharyi and a calendar highlighting biodiversity values and the many activities of participating stakeholders in its protection, management and sustainable use.

The Project leveraged considerable support from government departments, and local and international groups. In all, in excess of 5m USD was leveraged from other donors to support the continuation of the most promising of Project activities.

2 . 3 Activities and results

Specific objective 1: Pilot innovative finance mechanisms for the long-term protection of three KBAs in Tanintharyi Region (Lenya/ Ngawun & Tanintharyi Reserved Forests, Myeik Archipelago)

Activity 1.1: Conduct biodiversity and socio-economic baseline assessments, threat assessments in Myeik Archipelago and Tanintharyi Range for KBAs

Tanintharyi has received very few recent systematic biodiversity surveys due to over fifty years of conflict. FFI and our Project partners sought to address this through multiple assessments of marine, coastal, island, inland forest and freshwater ecosystems.

Topics/activities covered Surveys covered a range of taxa, including birds, mammals (including marine mammals), reptiles and amphibians (‘herpetiles’), marine and freshwater fish (including sharks and rays), insects, various forest types (including Sundaic lowland and mangrove forests), corals and seagrass. We also targeted specific species of interest, particularly tiger, elephant and Gurney’s Pitta – a charismatic bird endemic to Tanintharyi, and the only species for which reliable field data exists (in this case distribution data from the late 2010s). Likewise, there was very limited socio-economic data available for the Region1. We thus also undertook surveys to collect baseline village-level information to aid prioritisation, design and monitoring of community centred activities.

1 This has partially been addressed by the publication of the 2014 national census results. However, the dissemination of results has been sporadic, and with no certainty as to the resolution or format. Either way, at Project launch it was far from certain the census data would be of any use.

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Results of this Activity This Activity addressed the almost complete lack of data for biodiversity management and planning in Tanintharyi, which was used to direct the rest of the Project. The main actions are listed in Table 2, and led to the following significant results:

· The generation of extensive new, geographically explicit biological and social datasets covering the marine, coastal and inland components of the Project landscape · Guidance on and baselines for monitoring efforts to address threats, and encourage community engagement and spatial planning (see below) · Sufficient information for the conduct of Myanmar’s first HCV assessments · Revision of the KBA network for southern Tanintharyi, and justifications for new marine protected areas (MPAs) · Support for revision of District Forest Management Plans · Guidance for Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) establishment, particularly through provision of essential understanding of the resource uses and threats present in those villages · Evidence for use in determining and monitoring interventions in inland villages for support through the Project small grants scheme

Reasons for modification No significant modifications were made, and the logframe assumption about continued peace and safety proved correct. However, in the Project design we underestimated the uniqueness and global importance of the Tanintharyi mangroves. Combined with the difficulties in working in some inland forest areas (see below), we put more emphasis on mangrove and coastal surveys than originally planned.

Table 2. Biodiversity and socio-economic surveys conducted during the Project

Date(s) Action Participants Results 22 Mar-9 Apr 2014 Socio-economic assessments in 3 FD, 3 FFI, 4 DRA; led by a Extensive village resource use and 18 villages along the Tanintharyi consultant to FFI (Aylette threat data, later used to prioritise River Villemain); representatives from 18 small grants activities and revise villages (including 80 household the boundary for the proposed park interview) (TCP Report 01)

11-22 Mar 2014 Survey of coral diversity & reef CORDIO, IUCN, Smithsonian 287 coral species identified and resilience in the Myeik Archipelago Institute, FFI, FD, Navy (14) resilient sites for protection identified (TCP Report 03)

April & May 2014 Survey of Mangroves in Auckland Marine Science Dept Myeik Status of mangrove habitats Bay and Adjacent Areas University, FD (3) identified and CR species discovered and sites feed into MPA planning process (TCP Report 04)

Jan 2013-May Assessment of the Myeik FFI marine team, FD (6) Status of coral reefs known and 2014 Archipelago Reef Ecosystem preliminary biodiverse/intact sites identified for protection (TCP Report 05)

May-Sep 2014 Soc-mon surveys in four villages, FFI staff, DRA, university students Datasheets, images, sketch maps groups identified during initial and community members and other field data for prospective scoping trips LMMA villages (TCP Report 10)

10-19 Dec 2014 Liveaboard dive surveys in outer IUCN, Smithsonian Institute, FFI, New information on coral disease, islands of the Myeik Archipelago FD, Myeik, Mawlamyine , Cornell sponge diversity, fish species and and Hong Kong Universities, Navy, reef resilience collected and feed Darwin Museum (14) into MPA planning process (TCP Report 11)

Nov 2014-Feb Assessment of the Myanmar shark FFI, Mawlamyine University, Scale of shark/ray fisheries known 2015 and ray fisheries, including threats, SEAFDEC Malaysia, DoF (8) and main threats identified with status and economic importance recommendations for national pan of action submitted to DoF (TCP Report 12)

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Date(s) Action Participants Results 10-19 Dec 2014 Coral Reef Fish Taxonomic Report FFI, Darwin Museum (3) 409 species identified and from Myeik Archipelago biodiverse sites feed into MPA planning process (TCP Report 13)

Apr 2014-May Socio-economic assessment in 25 3 DRA, 4 FFI and two independent Village and livelihood data on 2015 villages along the boundary of consultants, plus additional villages to prioritise Lenya Reserved Forest interventions and assist with delineation of Lenya NP boundary (TCP Report 17)

2014-2017 Three bird surveys of the northern, 2 BANCA, 2 national consultants, Status of key species, including central and southern Tanintharyi 2 volunteers, and 1 international RAMSAR trigger species, and coast and coastal islands consultant (C. Zockler) mapping of mangrove degradation (TCP Reports 18, 32 and 44)

May/June 2014, Gurney’s Pitta surveys focussed 2 BANCA lead researchers, 2 FFI Documentation of habitat and 2015 & 2016 on Lenya and Ngawun RFs and local guides range reduction and population decline; proposed upgrade to CR (results presented in TCP Reports 21 & 36) 6-30 May 2015 Bird surveys in the Lenya 2 BANCA, 1 national consultant 203 species recorded, including 8 Proposed National Park and 1 international consultant, plus globally threatened; conservation local guides recommendations (TCP Report 21)

25-28 May 2015 Assessment of the crab fishery in MFF/IUCN consultant, FFI, Lin Sustainable crab fishery method Thayawthadangyi Island (including Long/Paraw LMMA, DoF (7) identified i.e. crab banks and importance, status and threats) subsequently crab banks established in 2 LMMA sites in 2016 and 2017 (TCP Report 22a)

June 2015 Lenya Proposed National Park 27 people; DRA (3), BANCA (3), Provided recommended revised Extension Threats Assessment (by Smithsonian (3), LNGOs (5) park boundaries, taking into Daemeter Consulting) Arcona (1) and FFI (9); led by account biological and social Daemeter Consulting (3) considerations (TCP Report 23a)

6 Mar-31 May Seagrass Cons & Monitoring in Mawlamyein University, FFI (5) Species diversity, extent and 2015 Myanmar status of seagrass identified for archipelago; sites fed into MPA planning process (TCP Report 26)

Apr-May & Nov Fish surveys in the middle and Led by Maurice Kottelat, with 1 103 species were recorded river, 2014 upper Tanintharyi River drainage DRA, 2 FFI and 4 local community including 30 new species records (8 survey sites) members for Myanmar (TCP Report 26)

Nov 2014 Fish Species Observed in Lenya Led by Maurice Kottelat, 1 DRA, 54 species recorded, including 1 River Drainage Basin, Tanintharyi with 2 FFI and 2 local community possible endemic and 5 species Region, November 2014 members new to science (TCP Report 29)

Jan 2014-Aug Camera trap surveys of Tanintharyi 5 FFI, 4 DRA, 4 FD and over 20 Illuminated the distribution of key 2015 and Lenya Proposed National community members species, but also the threat posed Parks by hunting (TCP Report 30)

May 2015 and May Botanical surveys in Lenya 5 national consultants, 10 490 species of vascular plant, of 2016 Proposed National Park (x2) University students, 2 DRA and 2 which 60 species are globally FFI threatened; several conservation recommendations (TCP Report 37)

1-11 Mar 2016 Survey of coral reef fishes of the FFI, Darwin Museum A further 69 species recorded and Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar biodiverse sites feed into MPA planning process (TCP Report 38)

2014-2017 Herpetological surveys in Lenya 2 national consultants, 1 expert Species record database, and 2 and Ngawun forests, and the from Smithsonian Institution, 2 FFI, new gecko species (internal Myeik archipelago (over 50 field 2 DRA reports; Herps field guide in survey days) preparation)

2015-2016 Village profile data and resource Mixed teams of DRA, FD, FFI and The village database has since use maps for additional 20 villages occasional consultants been used to prioritise small grants (mostly adjacent to Ngawun RF and livelihood interventions, and and along the Mawtaung Rd) monitor changes in key indicators (data unpublished)

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Activity 1.2: Facilitate participatory protected area gazettement and zonation, the development of co- management structures for the new Protected Areas

At the start of the project there were only three government-recognised Protected Areas in Tanintharyi Region; Tanintharyi Nature Reserve, Moscos Island Wildlife Sanctuary and Lampi Marine National Park. The project envisioned assisting the Union government with the gazettement new marine and terrestrial parks, and indeed three terrestrial parks had already been proposed between 2002 and 2004.

Topics/activities covered During the Project lifetime much effort was spent working with the Forest Departments of Tanintharyi and Bokepyin townships on the preparation of proposal documents for the parks, focussed on mapping of plantations, village boundaries and other significant land uses, in addition to village level consultations under Activity 1.1. We also supported village consultations by the Tanintharyi Township ‘Land Settlement Committee’, formed specifically to supervise the necessary preparations for Tanintharyi National Park. We also invested heavily in the development of co-management structures for marine and coastal areas.

Results of this Activity This Activity engaged stakeholders for conservation management of a number of High Conservation Value areas within the Project landscape through a combination of formal measures in uncontested areas and less formal measures in contested ones (Table 3), and led to the following main results:

· Establishment of 14 Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) in mangrove and inland forest areas, with formal certification well advanced and no significant obstacles envisioned · Formation of three Village Conservation Groups to support protection in Lenya and Lenya extension proposed National Parks · Community protection of Key Biodiversity Areas through establishment of three LMMAs and formulation of management plans (see below) · A further ten villages who have not yet decided to apply for Community Forestry (CF) are nonetheless undertaking voluntary forest protection under a new model2 introduced by FFI · A ‘conservation zonation´ for Myeik Archipelago was prepared and is being used by the Regional government to guide tourism development, under the direction of the regional Chief Minister, and has been the subject of three regional consultation workshops hosted by FFI · A network of at least three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has agreed by stakeholders under a wider marine spatial plan that also includes LMMAs and tourism development zones; this is being taken forward by a new Regional committee formed under the Project

Reasons for modification Establishment of MPAs progressed more slowly than anticipated, but nonetheless by the end of the Project the national government had established a ‘National Committee on Coastal Resource Management’ (Chaired by the Vice President) that was taking forward the results and suggestions from the Project. FFI remains closely involved in that process. However, despite our best efforts the process for establishment of terrestrial PAs was hampered by the lack of any final peace settlement between the Union Government and Karen National Union, and the fear of loss of access to land and sovereignty due to establishment of the proposed ‘national’ parks. The assumption of “continued peace and safety” identified in the logframe proved correct, however conflict remained and the Karen still do not sufficiently trust the Union Government to be able to engage with them fully on biodiversity conservation in Karen-controlled areas. We would therefore have benefitted from a conflict sensitivity analysis. In the end, rather than pursuing Protected Areas where they were clearly divisive, we shifted our focus onto building capacity for conservation management, a subject on which most stakeholders could broadly agree (see also 2.11 Lessons learned).

2 We have termed the new model “Participatory Protection System”.

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Table 3. Main actions towards participatory protected area gazettement and zonation

Date(s) Action Participants Results October 2014 Workshop on MPA management in Gov’t Depts (30), Business (10), Agreement to use the LMMA Myanmar. Results of first year Civil Societies, Local NGOs and model for conservation and biodiversity surveys presented to International NGOs (16), Host sustainable fisheries management. stakeholders organization (FFI), (IUCN) & Process for the creation of an MPA presenters (15), Media (2) network for the archipelago to proceed (TCP Report 07)

Dec 2015-Jan Village-level consultations on the Led by Tanintharyi township FD Signed agreement from several 2016 revised boundary for Tanintharyi (3), with township GAD (2) and FFI communities confirming the National Park (2) boundaries proposed by FFI

Oct 2015 Study tour to Philippines Project marine team, LMMA Exposure to several examples of community managed conservation areas and supportive legal framework; launched LMMA work

March 2017 Preparation of outline marine Updated based on the 2016 MPA Draft map of high priority sites for spatial plan for submission to workshop, feedback from marine conservation for use in Tanintharyi regional government participants in MPA training and tourism development planning further consultations

25-26 Aug 2016 National workshop on MPA C.100 from national and regional The workshop, including important establishment (held in Dawei) government, line departments, preparatory work, laid out a fisheries and tourism sectors, blueprint for an MPA network in the NGOs and CSOs Archipelago (TCP Report 39)

13-17 Feb 2017 MPA planning training 18 participants from National and Prioritisation of high priority sites regional FD, local FD and DoF and for conservation, and an overall Myeik University Marine Science workplan and consultation process Dept for MPA establishment

May 2015 onwards Establishment and training of Approximately 34 community The VCGs have helped change Village Conservation Groups, to members are represented in the local attitudes towards hunting and undertake wildlife surveys, SMART groups, supervised by village remove 10s of snares patrolling and snare removal leaders and supported by local FD

16-17 Mar 2017 Mangrove co-management 71 participants; 16 from mangrove Presentations of Project results, workshop, Myeik town villages, 3 from Myeik Uni, 2 from and the Matang study tour. INGOS, 4 from LNGOs, 16 from Resulted in formation of a Green Network, 14 from FD and Tanintharyi Mangrove Fisheries, 16 from FFI Project Conservation Working Group and team 6-month workplan (TCP Report 49)

Activity 1.3: Undertake feasibility study for PES mechanism based on economic valuation of forest protection in the Tanintharyi River watershed

Sustainable long-term financing for conservation is one of the biggest challenges facing the achievement of global biodiversity targets. There are few good examples in Southeast Asia and currently none in Myanmar. We therefore took a broad definition of a viable Payment for Ecosystems Services (PES) model might look like.

Topics/activities covered This Activity sought to investigate possible mechanisms that might transfer payments for ecosystems services to those communities who provided them, for example, through their land use and forest management decisions. There was some overlap with two other initiatives that had not been foreseen (see below). We therefore chose to focus on ecotourism and forest carbon, particularly in the extensive mangroves of coastal Tanintharyi which are under particular threat of under-valuation.

Results of this Activity We piloted a number of options for sustainable, non-consumptive use of ecosystems, and conducted a rapid assessment of ecosystems services and options for sustainable financing. The main actions and under this Activity are listed in Table 2, with the main results being as follows:

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· Promotion of ecotourism as a sustainable, non-consumptive ‘use’ of nature in Tanintharyi – particularly the Myeik archipelago and in addition the formation of a community tourism pilot project in Payartan Cave area (Lenya Proposed National Park) · Extensive consultations for the drafting of a sustainable tourism strategy for Tanintharyi and a spatial plan for tourism and other developments in the Myeik Archipelago · Support for the establishment of an unofficial Myeik ‘Tour Guides Association’, including bird watching training and support for participation in the regional tourism strategy consultations · Draft tourism maps prepared for the Tanintharyi tourism department, and support provided to the local independent map producer (Kinter GIS) to update the ecotourism map of Tanintharyi · An assessment of ecosystems services and sustainable financing mechanisms in the Tanintharyi River downstream – including participatory identification and verification, analysis of remote sensing data, and discussion of results. One of the recommendations was to introduce improved cook stoves and gas burners to villages dependent on mangrove for household fuel, both of which FFI is following-up

Reasons for modification Just prior to the start of the Project, WCS released a generic report on the value of ecosystems services in Myanmar’s Protected Areas3, negating the original activities planned under this Activity. It also became increasingly evident through Project implementation that inland forest management was going to be a complex affair, particularly as the issue of political sovereignty was still contested (see above). The new government which took office in 2015 had their own ambitious legislative agenda, and there was little scope for discussing such a new idea as formal PES systems. So with these considerations in mind, we selected to narrow our focus on practical measures that could be employed under the existing legal framework, and used to improve productive forest management, particularly in mangroves that we had already identified as productive, but potentially sustainable supplier of goods and services. The Project logframe identified “access to government data” as an assumption, and by and large this was valid.

Table 4. Main actions towards establishment of PES and sustainable PA financing

Date(s) Action Participants Results Mar-May 2016, Tour guide, hospitality, cooking Seven community members from Two teams of four trained and and Jan 2017 on and camp management training for Yatanaporn village (27 Mile) in the undertaking Gurney’s Pitta tracking villagers in the Gurney’s Pitta Lenya Proposed NP and habitation; upgrade to field range accommodation facilities

16-18 Sep 2016 Bird guide training for regional tour 21 participants, including local An introduction to key species of guides guides, Myeik University, BANCA tourism interest, seasonality, and DRA behaviour and habitat preferences

19-20 Dec 2016 Tanintharyi sustainable tourism 58 participants, including regional Recommendations for management and planning govt., tourism sector, civil society development of sustainable workshop (Myeik) and international experts tourism in the Archipelago, and next steps (MM report submitted to Regional Govt.)

Sep 2016 to Mar Detailed assessment for draft Led by an international consultant, Baseline Assessment and 2017 Tanintharyi sustainable tourism Andrea Valentin, with support from Responsible Tourism Strategy for development master plan MCRB; over 50 stakeholders in Tanintharyi (Draft report for Myeik and Kawthaung consulted consultation)

16-20 Jan 2017 Study tour to Matang Mangrove 17 stakeholders were represented: Interesting lessons were learned Forest Reserve, Malaysia; an FFI (4), FD (5), CFUG members about sustainable, productive FSC-certified example of best (4), local CSOs (4) mangrove management with high practice biodiversity value (TCP Report 48) Jan-Feb 2017 Participatory PES assessment Initial consultation with 12 Project The initial findings indicated stakeholders, representatives from potential for a mangrove carbon 8 mangrove communities, financing system, and the potential numerous additional consultations of LPG to reduce mangrove during field research degradation (TCP Report 50)

3 Emerton, Lucy and Yan Min Aun (2013). The Economic Value of Forest Ecosystem Services in Myanmar and Options for Sustainable Financing. International Management Group, Yangon

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Activity 1.4: Facilitate the development of a protected area management and financing plan

Long-term financing for Protected Areas is a global challenge, with most being state funded. In Myanmar, government investment in conservation is tiny and despite an international commitment to putting 10% of the total area under protection, almost none of the existing PAs (covering 4.7%) have sufficient staff and many have none at all. This Activity was designed to investigate solutions to this challenge for the three new PAs the project was intended to help establish. It was also intended to provide management plans for the new parks.

Topics/activities covered Shortly after the Project launched, WCS released an assessment of protected area financing in Myanmar4, confirming very low levels of state funding for existing parks and limited options for financing such a state-centred model. Meanwhile, the progress of Protected Area establishment in the Project area was much slower than originally envisioned. We thus focussed on developing the background information necessary for future PA management plans, while supporting improved management for the smaller landscape units including PA buffer and community use zones.

Table 5. Village, type and status of Community Forestry applications supported by the Project

Status by Project end5 Year # Village Type CF & Started Zone & VT MP CF cert 105/106 Map approve prepared issue app.

1 Taw Htwin Gyi 2015 CF X x x x In proc 2 Ka Dae Ka Dot 2015 MCF, ICS x x x x In proc 3 Thar Ya Mae 2015 MCF, ICS x x x In prep In proc

4 Yae Kan Aw 2015 MCF, ICS x x x In prep In proc 5 Kan Maw (Khaung Tone) 2015 MCF, ICS x x In proc In prep In proc

6 Shaw Taw Maw 2015 MCF, ICS x x x In prep In proc 7 Pyin Thar 2015 MCF, ICS x x x In prep In proc 8 U Yin Gyi 2015 MCF, ICS x x x In prep In proc

9 Setain Chaung Pyar 2016 CF x x x x In proc 10 Kayin Nantaung 2016 CF x x x In prep In proc

11 Chaung Nauk Pyan 2016 CF x x x X In proc 12 Htin Mae 2016 CF x x x In prep In proc 13 Pyin Thar 2017 CF x x x x In proc

14 Kyauk Paik 2017 CF x x x In prep In proc 15 Pa Ya Kyun 2017 CF x x x x In proc

16 Kaw Ka Nin 2017 CF x x x In prep In proc 17 Yae Kan Aw 2017 CF x x x x In proc

18 Ta Baung Taung 2017 CF x x x x In proc 19 Shaw Daw Maw 2017 CF x x x x In proc 20 Taw Twin Gyi 2017 CF x x x x In proc

21 Ka Tan 2017 CF x x x x In proc

Notes: “x” = complete, MCF = mangrove CF, ICS = improved cook stoves, VT = village tract, in proc = in process.

4 Emerton, L, Kyin R, and Tizzard, R (2015). Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas in Myanmar. Yangon, Wildlife Conservation Society, 95pp (https://programs.wcs.org/myanmar/) 5 VT= Village Tract approval, 105/106 = legal certificate of land availability, MP = management plan. The last step is the issuance of the certificate by the Township FD; seven were expected to be issued shortly after the Project end.

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Results of this Activity This Activity led to outcomes primarily aimed at helping community based forest management and LMMAs become self-sustaining:

· Management plans prepared for three LMMAs, based on a totally new management plan format and process developed by the Project, and which will form the template for future LMMA management plans · Management plans for 11 community forests (both inland and mangrove) were finalised for submission, with a further ten in preparation. All incorporated FFI’s standards on threats assessments and benefit sharing · A blueprint was prepared for MPAs in Myanmar (see TCP Report 47 and TCP Report 56 in prep), with a focus on integrating LMMAs within a mixed-use seascape · Sustainable financing for marine protected areas is included in the draft Tanintharyi regional tourism development strategy (Valentin in prep) · An HCV assessment (TCP Report 47a) and accompanying threats assessments (TCP Report 47b) were prepared for Lenya Proposed NP by external assessors, in preparation for management planning once protection status is agreed (also see above)

Reasons for modification As the creation of new terrestrial parks looked increasingly challenging, we moved attention to the marine parks and smaller conservation management units, while ensuring we could still provide sufficient background information for future management planning of inland PAs. The Project logframe identified “national government support” as a key assumption for this Activity, which was generally forthcoming. However, in reality the government is highly centralised both by design and tradition, and national-level support can only achieve so much when working with lower levels that are not encouraged to take any initiative. We sought to partially address this through formation of working groups and establishing workplans that could be approved, but centralisation remains a constraint on improving government performance in many sectors in Myanmar.

Activity 1.5: Establishment of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs), forest user/co-management groups, and provision of small grants to local communities for the implementation of community forestry and other sustainable livelihood activities

1.5.1 Establishment of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs)

LMMAs are an international standard and considered best practice for management of small-scale fisheries and marine habitats that are easily defined and managed by a community such as a permanent village. However, with no precedent for LMMAs in Myanmar the Project had to develop the whole implementation process from the ground up.

Topics/activities covered The Project built the programme slowly, starting with initial introductory meetings and a workshop, followed by a study tour to visit some established LMMAs (in the Philippines), training of staff and facilitators, and development of a legal framework. These were supported by ongoing advocacy and awareness among government decision-makers, and of course long-term engagement with the beneficiary communities.

Results of this Activity This Activity took many steps (Table 3), but finally resulted in establishment of Myanmar’s first three LMMAs, with several additional villages requesting to participate: · LMMA capacity, legal framework and sustainability established, with the three pilot LMMAs designated after nearly three years of Project inputs6 · Ten fisheries and FFI staff, and three village facilitators trained in LMMA methods · Three LMMA committees established and trained, and taken through a detailed management planning process, boundary demarcation, signing and notification

6 The LMMAs were established since the second half of 2016, but only declared on the last day of the Project!

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Table 6. Main steps undertaken for LMMA establishment and support

Date(s) Activity Participants Results Jan 2014 Training for FFI and partners in Myeik, Mawlamyine and Pathein Finalised methodology and socio-economic surveys Universities, govt and local NGOs workplan

Oct 2014 Preliminary soc-mon results Community representatives and Recommendations and next steps presented to stakeholders at a Survey participants for moving ahead with LMMA workshop co-hosted with IUCN formation (TCP Report 07)

Oct 2014 Write-shop for survey participants Survey participants Baseline assessment of to collate, analyse and present community livelihoods for long- results term monitoring (TCP Report 10)

Nov 2014-Jan Scoping trip and on-the-job training FFI staff, community Scoping report, detailing action 2015 for LMMA establishment by FFI representatives of prospective plan for LMMA establishment in Technical Advisor LMMA villages the target villages (TCP Report 09)

Feb-May 2015 Ongoing discussions with LMMA LMMA communities, DoF, crab Drafted zoning plans developed communities and DoF; assessment buyers and potential committee members of Thayawthadangyi crab fishery identified

May-Jun 2015 Drafting of LMMA boundaries, LMMA communities, DoF Draft zoning maps, committee internal zonation and threat member list submitted to DoF management

Aug-Sep 2015 Development of an awareness and FFI international LMMA advisor, Education and outreach strategy outreach plan for the marine LMMA communities and schools for implementation by the Project environment / LMMAs outreach and awareness team (TCP Report 22b)

Oct 2015 Recruitment and initial training of LMMA village facilitators VFs inducted into FFI programme LMMA village facilitators with understanding of goals of the LMMAs and roles and responsibilities of being a VF

Nov 2015 Myanmar’s first National workshop Senior National and Tanintharyi Legal basis for LMMAs agreed on LMMAs (Napyitaw) Region Fisheries and FD officials; (Section 23 of the Fisheries Law); members of all three LMMA consensus reached on proposed communities boundaries

Dec 2015 Drafting Myanmar’s first LMMA Led by ex-Director General of Draft Notification developed for Notification (legal basis for this Fisheries, employed by the review by stakeholders transfer of management rights and Project; inputs from DoF legal responsibilities) department, FFI and LMMA community representatives

Dec 2015 FFI education Officer conducts LMMA schools and Teachers in Teachers provided with resources marine awareness sessions in all LMMA communities on environmental education. schools within LMMA sites Students have exposure to environmental issues and ways they can help

Jan 2016 Field visit by the Deputy Minister of MoALI Ministry, regional Exposure to on-ground situation of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries government departments and the LMMA areas and communities and Rural Development (now Langann LMMA communities for the Ministry Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation) to LMMA sites.

Feb 2016 Small grants programme launched Lin Long Parawa and Don Pale Crab bank, net exchange and in LMMA villages LMMA communities coffee enrichment of betel plantations identified as important to support the LMMAs; subsequently funded through the Project small grants scheme

Jan-May 2016 Draft LMMA Notification Led by ex-Director General of Final Draft submitted to MoALI completed, then submitted to Chief Fisheries, employed by the Minister Minister by Tanintharyi DoF Project; inputs from DoF legal department, FFI and LMMAs

Jan-Oct 2016 Three patrol boats constructed and Three LMMA communities Communities have the means to loaned to LMMA committees patrol LMMA areas and undertake compliance and awareness

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Date(s) Activity Participants Results Jul-Oct 2016 LMMAs agreed by the DG of Signed off by: Ministry of Consensus across six ministerial Fisheries Department Commerce (4 Aug), Ministry of offices for the creation of LMMAs National Planning and Finance (12 Aug), Ministry of Transportation and Communication (12 Aug), MoALI (14 Aug), Attorney General Office (26 Aug) and Ministry of Defence (7 Oct)

Oct-Nov 2016 Participatory management plans LMMA communities with support Draft management plans for each drafted for each LMMA from DoF and local government; site, subsequently submitted to technical support from FFI LMMA DoF (TCP Report 43) advisor

Dec 2016 Demarcation of LMMAs with signs LMMA committees with DoF and Physical demarcation; locations and buoys FFI also notified to the fishing fleet through MFF

Mar 2017 LMMAs finally gazetted by degree MoALI through the Director Myanmar’s first three LMMAs from Minister of MoALI General created by law 8 Jun 2017 Official opening of Myanmar’s first LMMA communities and Knowledge of the LMMAs and the three LMMAs (World Ocean Day) committees, DoF, FD, SLRD, official gazettement reaches a Tourism, Local TV news. regional audience.

Reasons for modification There were no significant modifications to the workflow, approach or outcomes envisioned at the start of the Project. There were also no assumptions identified in the logframe.

1.5.2 Establishment of forest user/co-management groups

Community forestry (CF) has been part of the national forestry strategy since it first became legal in 1995. However, there were rather few examples in Tanintharyi prior to the Project, particularly in the southern Districts, and none in mangrove areas. By contrast, the largest CF areas were established in the perimeter of Tanintharyi Nature Reserve (in the north of the Region), as a buffer against higher- intensity land use such as shifting cultivation and permanent agriculture. There was therefore a precedent for large areas of natural forest being placed under community management.

Topics/activities covered Our approach followed one used on our previous EU NSA project in the north of the country, which adheres to the CF Instruction but with inclusion of a threats assessment and a benefit sharing agreement within the management plan. We also have a detailed training manual developed under the previous project, which the FD has already endorsed. CF is not so easy to establish on lands not directly under the management of the FD, whether under MoALI or areas of Karen control. We therefore augmented our CF programme with new models of agroforestry and a “participatory protection system” (PPS) that gave more flexibility to meet the needs of forest- dependent communities.

Results of this Activity A number of inputs were undertaken to establish and support 22 community and university groups (see Table 6 and Table 7) with the following main results:

· Management plans prepared for 16 CF sites and certification expected later in 2017 · 40,000 USD provided in small grants to local groups, in support of CF, non-CF forest management, livelihood activities and applied research7 · Livelihood activities included agroforestry, pig raising, establishment of crab banks, and ecotourism training

7 This was a new grant stream established in 2016 (with project co-financing) that was a response to a growing demand from academia and civil society for small funding to undertake research. FFI decided to grant those proposals through the SGS provided they could be shown to benefit the conservation goals of the Project.

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Reasons for modification The Project approach that was outlined in the original Project document envisaged establishment of up to 14 FUGs, which we surpassed. However, there was an initial assumption that the focus would be the inland forests of the ‘Tanintharyi range’, and while we did invest a lot of time in that area the complexities of working in Karen controlled territory – and our parallel prioritisation of the coastal HCV areas – led us to put emphasis on CF for sustainable productive management of mangrove and peat habitats. There were also no assumptions identified in the logframe.

Table 7. Main actions taken for Small Grant Scheme beneficiary group establishment and support

Date(s) Activity Participants Results

Jun-Aug 2014 Awareness, group forming and Kaw Ma Pyin, Hein Latt, Baw Lu 8 FUGs established, and initial Management committee election Hta, Tin Baw Oo, Kin Ni Kyaw, Ti small grants concepts defined8 for CF, AF and livelihood Wa Shauk Gone, Phar Kwin, Sin development Ma Kyun

12-14 May 2015 Community-forestry technical and 13 FUG members (F=2, M=11), in Small grants proposals agreed and financial management training Tagu village (3 days) provision made for first payments, including 6-month workplans

Sep 2015 Awareness, Group forming and 14 mile, Htin Mel, Shan Nantaung, 10 village groups formed, and Management committee Election Bankalar (Htaung Khaw), Kayin proposals drafted for the second for CF , AF and livelihood Nantaung, Lan Poe Hkan, round of small grants development Kayinsu, Hinn Line, Ye Nauk Chaung, Chaung Sone, Yone Taw

26 Aug 2015 Introductory presentations and Around 40 students and faculty An initial list of interested students discussion on wildlife trade from Myeik University and contact details for focal points to develop the Myeik survey

27-31 Dec 2015 CF technical and Financial 34 FUG members (F=11, M=23), Small grants proposals agreed and management Training (FFI Office) held in the new FFI Office in Myeik provision made for first payments, including 6-month workplans

27-30 Jan 2016 CF technical and financial 23 FUG members (F=2, M= 21); FUGs ready to accept Project management training in Nant held in Nant Taung village, Pyi Gyi funds and follow SGS book- Taung, Pyi Gyi Man Daign Man Daing Township keeping requirements township

16-17 Jul 2016 Planting, protection technique and 39 FUG members (F=15, M=24); Technical training provided for CF management plan production held in FFI office, Myeik beneficiaries, including 6 month for (Yae Kan Aw, Kyun Su) workplans for all FUGs

Aug-Sep 2016 Awareness, group forming and Kee Chaung, Ywa Thar Yar, Six FUGs and management management committee election Myanmar Htin Mel, Nant Taung, committees established, and draft for CF, AF and livelihood Chaung Nauk Pyan, Lan Phone grants proposals developed development Kan villages

1-2 Oct 2016 Efficient Stove manufacture 42 FUG members( Male=30, FFI Office & Taw Twin Gyi training Female=12)

8 Oct 2016 Initial market survey in Myeik for c. 30 students and faculty, with This pilot helped define the illegal wildlife products technical support from FFI and approach for the later field surveys, Kinter (local GIS services and provided a baseline for company) monitoring changes in Myeik

17 Nov 2017 CF stakeholder workshop on FUG Facilitated by CF advisor, Bjoern Working group recommendations strengthening and network forming Wode; including 61 stakeholders for CF networks, SME from FD, local CSOs and 42 FUGs development and sustainable harvesting standards (TCP Report 46)

2-6 Feb 2017 CF Technical and financial 37 participants from 9 villages (in FUGs ready to accept Project management training in Boke Pyin (Boke Pyin Monastery Hall) funds and follow SGS book- keeping requirements

7-10 CF Technical and Financial 44 participants from 17 villages (in FUGs ready to accept Project February,2017 management training in Kyun Su the Monastery Hall, Payee Kyun) funds and follow SGS book- township keeping requirements

8 Ultimately, grants were only provided to four of the original villages; see below.

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1.5.3 Provide small grants to local communities for the implementation of community forestry and other sustainable livelihood activities

The FFI small grants scheme is the primarily modality we have used in Myanmar to build motivation and capacity for beneficiary villages to implement community forestry and livelihood interventions since the late 2000s. It is an empowering modality that is intended also to build independent financial management and self-sufficiency. The mechanism was however new to Tanintharyi and it took some time to establish a functioning mechanism.

Topics/activities covered We first set up the small grant scheme (SGS) using the two small grants types (‘streams’) identified in the original Project proposal; grants for improved resource management, and grants for development of sustainable livelihoods. Following training for staff and partners, we then prepared a Tanintharyi SGS manual, identifying the selection process and criteria, responsibilities of FFI and sub-grantees (beneficiary FUGs), and so on. Implementation was then through a mixed team of CF and finance staff.

Results of this Activity Under the small grant scheme the Project disbursed nearly 58m MMK (about 35,600 EUR) to 42 beneficiary groups in support of CF, LMMAs and applied research (see Table 8).

Reasons for modification During Project implementation we worked increasingly closely with Myeik University, who occasionally requested funds for research. We saw this as an opportunity to build local ownership of Project activities while making use of the research capacity of the university, and in the 2016 Project budget revision we requested EU to add a third SGS funding stream for “Applied research”, which was then used to fund several of the outputs mentioned above. The slow disbursement of small grant funds in the last year was due to slow implementation by some of the beneficiary groups, meaning the second payments could not be made within the Project period. These costs will nonetheless be charged to one of the co-funding donors. There were no assumptions identified in the Project logframe.

Table 8. Summary of Small Grants Scheme village/group beneficiaries and subjects (2015-2017)

Year Group / Village Subject Grant Value

2015 8 village groups: Taw Htwin Gyi, Ka Dae Ka Dot, Thar Ya CF, improved cook stoves, 28,144,600 MMK Mae, Yae Kan Aw, Kan Maw, Maw Khaung Tone, Shaw participatory protection system, Taw Maw, Pyin Thar, U Yin Gyi wildlife trade research 1 local CSO: Green Network 3 University groups: Zoology (2), Botany

2016 13 village groups: Setain Chaung Pyar, Kayin Nan CF, improved cook stoves, 20,862,500 MMK Taung(3), Chaung Nauk Pyan, Htin Mae, Phoe Kyun, Kaw participatory protection system Ma Pyin, Hein Latt, Yae Pu, Thin Baw Nan, Hin Line, Yae Naunk Chaung, Yone Taw

2016 3 marine village groups: Done Pale, Lin Long Crab bank, net exchange, pig 8,479,500 MMK rearing

2017 16 village groups: Pyin Thar, Kyauk Paik, Pa Ya Kyun, CF, improved cook stoves, 8,906,950 MMK Kaw Ka Nin, Yae Kan Aw, Ta Baung Taung, Shaw Daw participatory protection system, Maw, Taw Twin Gyi, Ka De ka Dot, Ka Tan, U Yin Gyi, LPG gas (charcoal replacement) Htein Chaung, Ka Bin Chaung, Leik Kyal, Ka TaLu, Tee Pu 1 local CSO: Green Network 2017 4 marine village groups: Done Pale, Lin Long, Parawa, Crab bank, pepper, waste 11,510,000 MMK Langann, Za Latt management and disposal

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Activity 1.6: Engage private companies and statutory donors with interests in Tanintharyi Region to provide long-term financing support through biodiversity offsets or grants

There is little precedent for private sector funding for conservation in Myanmar, and there is no experience of grants mechanisms for biodiversity within Myanmar. However, the democratic transition the country was undergoing during the Project offered significant new opportunities for engagement with several stakeholders to develop longer-term funding models, and generate additional grants from statutory and other donors while more sustainable models are developed.

Topics/activities covered Our work on oil palm under this Project gave us the opportunity to discuss the possibility of offsets to meet RSPO criteria with the single largest landowner class in southern Tanintharyi. We also worked with private sector tourism actors keen to develop a sustainable industry in the archipelago. Lastly, we took advantage of lessons from the Project and an increasing interest from donors, government and other stakeholders in sustainable, environmentally friendly development in Tanintharyi to expand the programme, including helping partners raise more funds.

Results of this Activity As a result of our efforts, we have more experience and time to better develop sustainable conservation models as in southern Myanmar emerges from years of conflict and under- investment, and have attracted seven more years of funding towards those goals: · Two private sector bird tour companies are now liaising directly with two project-supported communities to provide guiding and logistical support for their clients, providing valuable income to their communities · Two Project collaborating CSOs have directly made applications for follow-on funding with support from FFI, indicating our commitment to capacity building · Three village conservation groups and around seven community FUGs are submitting applications to register as Associations, which will provide them with greater fund-raising and financial management opportunities · Around 1.5m USD of species-focussed funding was secured from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and ITCHP9 and others to follow-up on · Around 1 million USD of additional ongoing funding was secured for the Project’s wider conservation management activities from several donors10, currently through to 2018 · Increased knowledge of needs and opportunities for sustainable financing; for example, our technical reports, staff and collaborators are increasing approached as a source of information for new development projects · FFI and the Project has become a trusted partner of the Regional government, and we are now routinely invited onto steering and advisory committees, notably on environment and sustainable tourism development · The landscape-level approach has been adopted into a new GEF11 project that will bring an additional 5m USD over six years for “reef to ridges” conservation in southern Tanintharyi, with a specific focus on maintaining landscape connectivity and community empowerment

Reasons for modification We ultimately had little luck with the private sector beyond those results outlined above, two main challenges being the limited diversity of the Tanintharyi economy, and the fact that none of the oil palm producers was interested in reaching export markets. Nonetheless we continue to work with and develop private sector partnerships, through engagement with private schools, to the tourism and fisheries sectors. No assumptions were identified in the Project logframe.

9 The Integrated Tiger Conservation Habitat Conservation Program, a global initiative funded by the KfW, the German Development Bank, and managed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. 10 Most significantly two additional grants from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, a Project co-funder. 11 The World Bank’s Global Environment Facility. The new project will be managed by UNDP, with FFI and the Smithsonian Institution as the main implementing partners.

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Specific Objective 2: Build capacity of local stakeholders in environmental spatial planning and management of ‘Reef to Ridge’ finance mechanisms for the long-term protection of KBAs in Tanintharyi Region based on sound science and public consultation

Activity 2.1: Provide training for local NGOs, local authorities, and forest/environment departments in Tanintharyi Region in mainstreaming High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) area assessment into spatial planning

Despite the adoption of the much-awaited Myanmar Land Use Policy in 2015, there has been no law of land use planning and the thorny issues of land ownership and rights remain significant challenges to the peace process in Myanmar. This situation left few options for formal spatial planning, though there is still sufficient scope within the previous legislation to achieve some degree of spatial planning, particularly at the sector level. Identification of HCV areas – including forest and non-forest – was one example, with a view to guiding spatial planning now, or as preparation for more detailed spatial in once conditions allow.

Topics/activities covered The Project approach to capacity building was mixed, and included provision of basic mapping skills to selected beneficiaries, partners and technical staff; advocacy and awareness; seminars and workshops that considered spatial dimensions to specific conservation or sustainable development challenges; and local level mapping and spatial planning.

Results of this Activity This Activity achieved a number of significant results that will contribute to conservation and sustainable development goals in Tanintharyi moving forward: · Initial sensitisation to stakeholders on the HCV approach, under the aegis of our work on the Roundtable on Responsible Palm Oil · Translation and dissemination of key HCV documents · Formation and training of a fledgling Myanmar HCV network of FFI staff, EIA practitioners and independent experts · HCV assessments at four resolutions, all conducted as ‘action learning’ with project stakeholders and partners: Ø Landscape level HCV and oil palm suitability assessment, which showed how marginal is land in southern Tanintharyi for this crop and helped build the argument for a moratorium on further expansion Ø Sub-basin assessment for Lenya Proposed National Park, initially intended to help challenge the creeping expansion of oil palm plantations on its western border, but now also a key resource for management planning Ø Plantation level, in one plantation in Bokepyin Township (South Dagon Oil Palm Company) that was considering pursuing RSPO certification Ø Village tract level, a non-standard approach that the Project piloted on Thayawthadangyi island with seven villages and will be used as the basis for resource use planning on the island and further consultations for a MPA · Village-level spatial planning during preparation of nine LMMA and CF management plans, with classroom and on-the-job training for participating government officers · Training in MPA planning for 20 participants (DoF, FD, Tourism, Navy, Myanmar Fisheries Federation, Myeik University) in Myeik in February 2017, in preparation for MPA consultations and planning

Reasons for modification The Project logframe identified “local government support” as an assumption, but we underestimated the challenge presented by a change in government about half- way through project implementation. Thus as the project progressed, we came to understand that “capacity” for spatial planning would come from a mixture of skills, motivation and opportunity, and not only training alone. So we sought to apply HCV to emerging opportunities for spatial planning to meet identified needs, such as for the Tanintharyi sustainable tourism development strategy, or for the establishment of MPAs, working with a range of stakeholders in addition to the local government.

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Table 9. Activities conducted for mainstreaming of HCV into regional spatial planning

Date(s) Activity Participants Results May-Jun 2014 Desktop assessment of land Conducted by Forest Inform, with Initial assessment indicated very suitability for oil palm and initial support from FFI GIS Section limited land suitability for oil palm HCV assessment for Tanintharyi cultivation (Working Paper 01)

17-20 Jan 2015 HCV training in South Dagon Oil 18 (NGO, plantation, govt) Initial HCV conducted in South Palm Plantation (by Daemeter Dagon Oil Palm Plantation; Consulting) Myanmar HCV Network formed (TCP Report 14a)

Jul-Aug 2015 Facilitation of district forest Led by Forest Inform and FFI, with District forest management plans management planning in Myeik and participation from Myeik and used transparent selection criteria, Kawthaung districts Kawthaung FDs; 15 civil society and were consulted outside FD representatives joined the final (see TCP Report 14a) consultation

2016 Translation of the HCV Resource Translation done by external Word Versions were used in Network12 Common Guidance consultant who had previously trainings; draft layout for formal documents (‘Assessment’ and facilitated our RSPO field work; publication under the HCVRN ‘Monitoring’ checked by FFI staff

June 2015 Lenya Proposed National Park 27 people; DRA (3), BANCA (3), Provided recommended revised HCV assessment (by Daemeter Smithsonian (3), LNGOs (5) park boundaries, taking into Consulting) Arcona (1) and FFI (9); led by account biological and social Daemeter Consulting (3) considerations (TCP Report 23a)

21-25 Mar 2016 Thayawthadangyi Island scoping Led by independent consultant Scoping assessment report trip for community HCV (Guy Williams), with 7 Project staff identified approach and workplan assessment and partners; met with about 50 for full community HCV representatives of 4 LMMA villages

1-2 Dec 2016 HCV training in Myeik and TTY 10 Project stakeholders, including Initial workplan and data sheets for DRA, FD and GN the full assessment, compilation of background data for target villages

3-14 Dec 2016 Thayawthadangyi Island 28 men and 7 women from 6 Draft report indicates need for community HCV assessment villages, plus 5 local government improved management of land use representatives; facilitated by 5 in watershed areas; management Project staff ready for consultation as part of the MPA establishment consultations

Activity 2.2: Undertake remote sensing baseline assessment of current land use/ forest cover, identify landscape level HCVF areas, assess degraded lands suitable for plantation development and monitor forest cover change in subsequent years

When the Project began there was almost no GIS data available for Tanintharyi Region, and this Activity was intended to address this pressing need in support of the other Project components.

Topics/activities covered The Project GIS team addressed the data deficiency through data compilation (e.g., of MIMU datasets), data acquisition (e.g., downloading the LANDSAT archive for Tanintharyi), data creation (e.g., hand-digitisation, or purchase of digitisation services) and data procurement (e.g., high-resolution remote sensing data for specific areas). These various datasets proved most useful for the various HCV assessment (see above), and for monitoring forest cover change. They also provide a basis for identifying areas of high forest loss to be addressed through specific Project interventions.

Results of this Activity This Activity generated a large number of spatial datasets and products, many of which were shared with partners or put into the public domain for wider use: · A landscape HCV assessment was prepared in 2014 using our spatial database, which was its first real application towards Project objectives (Working Paper 01). The analysis examined

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land suitable based on forest degradation and other factors, and was subsequently included in our oil palm sustainability review (TCP Report 28a and 28b) · A Tanintharyi Atlas was prepared (TCP Report 28c; see Figure 3) as an initial knowledge product and published in early 2016; this met a clear need for accurate, hard-copy topographic and political maps. Both the pdf version and datasets were made available through MIMU and MyLAFF · Thematic maps were prepared for marine spatial planning, including mines and dredging licenses, fisheries management zones and pearl farms, hard corals and seagrass distribution, oil and gas concessions, and tourism Figure 3. Cover of the Tanintharyi Atlas CD · Landcover change maps were prepared for all 50+ oil palm concessions to indicate where we believed clearance had taken place illegally (eg, outside of the concession, or without subsequent planting). This data was transferred to One Map Myanmar13 in 2016 to facilitate the review of the plantation sector we had called for in May 2016 · Extensive spatial database prepared for Tanintharyi, including forest cover, roads, rivers and social infrastructure, has been shared directly and made publicly available via appropriate local data sharing portals14 · FFI is also updating the landcover change analysis regularly using free Landsat data, to provide an early warning system for partners and in support of follow-on projects

Reasons for modification No significant modifications were made under this Activity. No assumptions were identified in the Project logframe.

Activity 2.3: Public consultation workshops for an environmentally friendly Tanintharyi spatial plan

There is still no legal process of spatial planning in Myanmar, highlighted by the lack of any land use law, although the need for spatial planning is widely recognised and indeed is a core objective of the National Land Use Policy (2015).

Topics/activities covered The Project had to be implemented within a quickly evolving legislative setting, while building on what limited scope there already was for spatial planning. So we focussed on introducing practical concepts within the limited existing development planning processes.

Results of this Activity The main achievements of this Activity were in forest management planning and the introduction of marine spatial planning (see Table 10). These two results both applied field data to spatial planning needs in Tanintharyi.

Reasons for modification We did not make any significant modifications. The introduction of landscape level spatial planning for tourism and other development in the Myeik Archipelago has opened space to also apply HCV for inland areas, and we and our partners will continue to promote that approach. We will also promote the use of spatial data for development control, eg, through the EIA law. The only assumption in the Project logframe was “local government support”, which became more valid in the second half of the Project with the new, elected government coming into office.

13 OMM is an inter-ministerial programme financed by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented with technical support from the University of Berne and Myanmar Land Core Group (LCG). 14 Including through the Myanmar Information Management Unit (http://geonode.themimu.info/ and www.mimu.org), and MyLAFF, “a google group and a document repository, focussed on sharing information about land, agribusiness and forestry issues in Myanmar” (http://mylaff.org/).

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Table 10. Activities conducted for consultations on an environmentally friendly Tanintharyi spatial plan

October 2014 Workshop on MPA management in Gov’t Depts (30), Business (10), Agreement to use the LMMA model Myanmar. Results of first year Civil Societies, Local NGOs and for conservation and sustainable biodiversity surveys presented to International NGOs (16), Host fisheries management. Process for stakeholders organization (FFI), (IUCN) & the creation of an MPA network for presenters (15), Media (2) the archipelago to proceed (TCP Report 07)

Jul-Aug 2015 Facilitation of district forest Led by Forest Inform and FFI, with District forest management plans management planning in Myeik participation from Myeik and used transparent selection criteria, and Kawthaung districts, and Kawthaung FDs; 15 civil society and were consulted outside FD support for stakeholder representatives joined the final (see TCP Report 14a) consultations consultation 25-26 Aug National workshop on MPA C.100 from national and regional The workshop, including important establishment (held in Dawei) government, line departments, preparatory work, laid out a fisheries and tourism sectors, blueprint for an MPA network in the NGOs and CSOs Archipelago (TCP Report 39)

Dec 2016-Jan Update of the KBA network for Compiled from all biodiversity The KBA network can be used as 2017 southern Tanintharyi (marine and surveys undertaken during the one input into a landscape HCV terrestrial) Project, representing the work of at assessment, which we hope to least 50 staff, scientific undertake later in 2017 collaborators and local stakeholders

Nov 2016 to Mar Consultations for development of Reginal Chief Minister, Serge Pun A spatial plan for the archipelago 2017 (ongoing) Tanintharyi tourism development (chair of Tanintharyi Tourism was drafted by FFI and is being plan (ongoing) Development Committee), MCRB openly discussed as the basis for and at least 50 local stakeholder the tourism development strategy; representatives consultations workshops are being planned for May 2017

Activity 2.4 Introduction of the principles of sustainable palm oil production (RSPO principles) to stakeholders in the plantation sector Activity 2.5: Review of the current oil palm sector in Tanintharyi Region15

Economic sanctions on the country in the 1990s made the cost of importing food oils a particular concern of the then military government. Thus in 1999 the government launched a programme of oil palm expansion through a number of preferred Myanmar companies – many with close connections to the regime – as part of a national drive for “self-sufficiency in edible oils”. Tanintharyi is the only area of Myanmar where the climate is even slightly suitable for cultivation of oil palm, the highest- yielding of all oil crops. Over the following 15 years, approximately 1m acres of mostly forest land was allocated to 44 companies for the crop, and by 2011 government figures show Tanintharyi had experienced a 900% increase in palm oil production. Poor infrastructure, the lure of timber from new clearances and very basic understanding of plantation practices meant that the companies mostly targeted lowland forest along the Myeik-Kawthaung road. Thus when the Project was under design, this land use represented the single biggest threat to the largest remaining area of globally irreplaceable lowland Sundaic forest in the world. It had also led to considerable social conflicts, including displacement of villages and poor or even illegal working conditions for (mostly immigrant) plantation workers.

15 These Activities are combined here due to the significant overlap between them.

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Topics/activities covered FFI is a member of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and our approach was to introduce these global, industry standards to Myanmar through a number of measures including workshops, trainings, study tours and attendance for industry leaders and regulators at the annual RSPO meeting, where they could hear first-hand why sustainability standards have been embraced by the industry.

Results of this Activity We invested heavily in promoting best practice in the oil palm sector (see Table 11), reflecting the severity of the threat it posed to global biodiversity conservation goals. The results of this activity were mixed, in that we did not ultimately identify a “national champion” of sustainability. However we did build good working relations with several companies that wanted to improve their social and environmental performance, and our detailed assessment of the environmental and social sustainability of the sector helped spur the Regional government to undertake a full review of the sector, as we called in May 2016. Lastly, we were able to hand all our spatial data to the One Map Myanmar (OMM) initiative, which was requested by the Regional Chief Minister to provide technical support to the review. We however remain engaged in addressing the palm oil challenge and working with the Regional Government, OMM and other stakeholders to ensure more HCV forest is not lost needlessly to the crop. Upcoming activities include a legal review in support of OMMs efforts with the Regional Government, undertaken with the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB), which will highlight the need for tighter regulatory controls such as guidelines for EIAs and Environmental Management Plans, both required under the 2015 EIA Law.

Reasons for modification There were no significant modifications to this activity. Assumptions about support from the RSPO Secretariat and “at least some oil palm companies” proved correct.

Activity 2.6: Monitoring of forest crime and illegal fishing practices Activity 2.7: Regular field monitoring/ investigation

There was very little previous information on illegal fishing, or hunting and logging (collectively known as “forest crime”) prior to the project. We therefore sought to engage with numerous partners to address this lack of information and also to start monitoring several key indicators of forest quality and management effectiveness.

Topics/activities covered We undertook several monitoring activities with project partners and collaborators (Table 12), targeting key threats that had emerged during the Project inception phase and early research and planning activities.

Results of this Activity The primary outcomes are listed in Table 12. The main result was a broad baseline of data for a number of threats to global conservation values.

Reasons for modification No assumptions were identified in the logframe. The main obstacle we experienced during implementation was the lack of capacity for regular data collection and presentation, which could have been addressed through earlier introduction of digital data collection tools. By the end of the Project we were experimenting with a wildlife trade monitoring mobile phone app to empower citizens to document forest crimes, and if successful we will roll that out within Tanintharyi Region later in 2017.

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Table 11. Main palm oil sector activities and results

Date(s) Activity Participants Results 28 June 2014 Initial RSPO introduction workshop, 39: Govt (5), PO Sector (8), Establishment of Palm Oil Learning Yangon NGOs/CSOs (9), FFI & Presenters Group and six month workplan (11), Media (6) (TCP Report 02)

18-24 Sept 2014 Field assessment of 11 plantations 10 plantations and 3 government Initial results on plantation quality and local government bodies in offices for presentation at workshop Tanintharyi by Project advisor, (Working Paper 04) Patrick Baskett

25 Sep 2014 Sustainable plantations workshop, 110: Govt (58), OP (22), NGO (28), Confirmation of Oil Palm Learning Myeik Media (2) group and definition of a constitution; revised workplan for next 6 months (TCP Report 06)

17-20 Nov 2014 Study Tour to RSPO Annual Govt (3), OP sector (3), FFI (3) Side meetings with service Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia providers including Daemeter Consulting and CIRAD (TCP Report 08) 18-20 Jan 2015 RSPO Gap Assessment for South 3 senior plantation management “Mock Audit” provided guidance to Dagon Oil Palm Plantation (Boke staff, 2 smallholder producers and SDOP on where measures were Pyin Township, Kawthaung District) the Chair of Myanmar Palm Oil needed for RSPO compliance, Producers Association primarily on environmental aspects (TCP Report 14b16)

11-14 Feb 2015 Palm Oil Thailand Study Tour to 8 oil palm plantation, 2 govt., 2 FFI Increased awareness on Thailand and the Project independent professional plantation plantations advisor management and methods for increasing yield; additional activities incorporated into workplan (TCP Report 15)

25 Mar to 7 Apr Field Trip for promoting sustainable Senior management of four Follow-up from Thailand trip to look 2015 OP production plantations; led by Patrick Baskett at increasing yield in selected and CIRDA plantations (TCP Report 14c)

16-19 Nov 2015 RSPO (RT13 in Kuala Lumpur) 2 FFI senior staff Continued engagement with sector service providers and potential investors in Myanmar

27 Aug 2015 2nd Sustainable Palm Oil Seminar, 16 oil OP managers, 27 Tanintharyi Dissemination of findings so far, Myeik town govt, 11 NGO (inc. FFI) and 2 and increasing the focus on media mitigating and avoiding social impacts

May 2016 Publication of the Myanmar Palm The draft was passed in advance to The report was accompanied by a Oil productivity and Sustainability national government (forestry and press release calling for a Assessment Report (Baskett 2016) agriculture), and newly installed moratorium on further expansion Regional Government pending a full review of the OP plantation sector

25-26 Aug 2016 Regional workshop on addressing Attended by over 100 government A direct consequence of the weaknesses in the OP sector and plantation Baskett report (Organised by MoALI)

Jan 2017 Legal review of the OP sector (in Incorporating consultations with Report currently being reviewed; onwards partnership with MCRB) various experts and stakeholders MCRB will incorporate it into a larger Sector-wide Impact Assessment to improve governance in the OP sector

16 This report is considered confidential as commercially sensitive information was made available to Daemeter Consulting by the South Dagon Oil Palm Plantation.

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Table 12. Main interventions in support of monitoring forest crime and illegal fisheries practices

Date Activity Participants Results Feb 2014 on Ad hoc documentation and FFI staff and Project partners Numerous events reported to local reporting of wildlife and forest crime FD; further logging proposed in Tagyet RF cancelled

Mar 2014 on Camera trapping records of hunters Project biodiversity team and Baseline of hunter distribution and Partners, including 4 FD staff prevalence (currently hunters have been recorded in about 238 camera trap locations, or about 1/3 of all locations)

Nov 2014 to Mar Assessment of shark and ray Led by Ahmed Ali from SEAFDEC Used to develop guidelines for the 2015 fisheries in Myanmar (co-funded) Malaysia national plan of action for sharks and critique of the Tanintharyi shark reserves; indicated the huge scale of illegal shard catching and trade in Myanmar (TCP Report 12)

Aug 2015 Fish catch landing recording and One buying station in Dawei, 6 in Longitudinal dataset of species and onwards documentation17 Myeik (1 data collector in each) weights, sizes and numbers at each landing station

26 Aug 2015, Wildlife consumption and trade in Approx. 40 students and (about 5 Baseline of outlets (shops, tea then 8/9 Oct 2016 Myeik Town (introductory meeting faculty) from Myeik University, plus shops, restaurants etc) offering and presentations, followed by Project staff wildlife products, prices, species initial market survey in Myeik etc; results communicated by Town) Myeik University to FD and Police

Jan-Mar 2016 Wildlife consumption and trade on Approx. 30 students and (about 4 Documentation of wildlife outlets main roads in Myeik and faculty) from Myeik University and species in trade across most of Kawthaung Districts departments of botany and zoology southern Tanintharyi

Apr 2016 Monitoring of forest crimes using By the end of the Project we had Over 200 snares removed, multiple onwards SMART (logging, snares etc) established three Village hunters and hunting events Conservation Groups (VCGs) recorded and passed to local FD; SMART database established

May 2016 Conduct of new tracker tool for the Conducted with community Baselines for attitudes towards onwards prevalence of and attitudes towards members and Project staff in eight wildlife, wildlife conflict, hunting and hunting in target communities focal villages (2016=6, 2017=2) impact of livelihood interventions Jun and Nov Conduct of the PA Management Project staff and local partners Baselines of threats and 2016 Effectiveness Tracker Tool management status/challenges (METT18) established for 2 terrestrial proposed NPs and 3 LMMAs (TCP Reports 33, 34, 40, 41, 42)

Oct 2016 Conservation Assured Tiger Conducted by project staff Baseline for monitoring tiger Standards (CATS) assessment19 protection and threats status against global standard

Nov 2016 to Mar LMMA committees began Three LMMA committees and DoF LMMA area demarcated with signs 2017 protection and monitoring staff from Myeik and buoys; patrol boats and patrol training provided

May 2017 on Formation and training for Village Three VCGs formed by Dec 2016 Two trainings provided; patrol Conservation Groups with about 30 members areas and protocols established; patrols launched

Dec 2016 Wildlife Crime Prevention Led by Crispian Barlow (WWF), Provided baselines for law Framework for Myeik and Lenya including FFI staff, Mawtaung enforcement; Myeik scored 48 RF Customs, KFD (Lenya), (33%) and Lenya 42 (27%) Yatanaporn Chairman, border police, WWF

17 The data is recorded by the trader through a tablet, and thence uploaded to a central web-based database. This sub- project was a cooperation between FFI and Smithsonian, and co-funded by both from the same donor. 18 The METT is an international standard monitoring tool developed by WWF and the World Bank. It consists of a list of 25 questions that protected area managers (or informed third parties) answer and score on a scale of 0 to 3, and allows for monitoring of changes in threats and management responses over time. 19 CATs is a tool the sets “minimum standards for effective management of target species” and encourages assessment of these standards in relevant conservation / protected areas and is endorsed by the Global Tiger Forum.

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Specific Objective 3: Facilitate the development of national policies and legal frameworks for innovative conservation approaches and sustainable financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation

Much of the work under the following Activities is already described in preceding sections and tables. Here we summarise the actions and results under each Activity.

Activity 3.1: Support the development of national policies, legal frameworks and/or guidelines

The Project document originally envisaged the development of policies for collaborative protected area management. While the Forest Department became increasingly interested in such models, the scope for revising the legal framework for PAs remained limited.

Topics/activities covered The Project focused on engaging stakeholders in a number of supporting legal and regulatory improvements to address specific conservation concerns in the Project area, including oil palm, illegal fishing, formation of LMMAs, and strengthening of Community Forestry policy and practice, as well as Protected Area designation and management.

Results of this Activity · National legal framework for LMMAs (community fisheries) defined · Recommendations for policy/legal improvements for Oil Palm cultivation (TCP Report 28) · HCV Common Guidance documents20 translated and disseminated · Guidelines for the national action plan for sharks submitted to government (TCP Report 12) · Draft MPA framework for the Myeik archipelago submitted (ongoing) (TCP Report 39) · Tourism spatial plan for Myeik Archipelago drafted (consultations ongoing) · Contributions to the revision of the Community Forestry Instruction (completed in 2015)21 · Contributions to the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee on sustainability standards22 for community forestry timber (it was agreed to develop a separate standard for CF)

Reasons for modification The main assumption under this Activity was national government support for improvement in the national legal and regulatory framework for PA management. While the National Forest Department maintained its commitment to developing co-management models, there was little scope within the existing legal framework. Thus we were constrained to work on improving ‘pieces of the jigsaw’, rather than establishing a mandate for policy development from the outset. This approach had the advantage of a step-wise, action-learning approach that could take advantage of specific opportunities (eg, the review of the CF Instruction) as they came along. Fortunately FFI and partners have used this Project to leverage further support (see below), and are committed to providing ongoing support to the necessary reforms.

Activity 3.2: Facilitate the establishment of a national sustainable palm oil working group and adoption of RSPO guidelines or if needed the development of national interpretation guidelines

There were no sustainability standards for palm oil production in Myanmar prior to the Project, nor indeed for any other agro-industrial product of which we are aware. We therefore sought to introduce those agreed by the multi-sector Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to Myanmar, through a working group established early on during Project implementation.

20 The HCV Resource Network is an independent body of HCV practitioners that provides guidelines for HCV assessments, including for “Identification” and “Management and Monitoring” 21 Technically the new CF Instruction will only come into legal force once the new Forest Law is approved by national parliament, the likely date for which is unknown, though it is nonetheless being followed. 22 Criteria and Indicators (C&I) for Sustainable Forest Management, which had already been produced for both plantation and natural forest under productive management regimes.

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Topics/activities covered We made initial contact with the Oil Palm sector through their trade body, the Myanmar Oil Palm Growers23 Association, and formed an informal “Learning Group” that undertook a number of meetings, workshops, study tours, and field assessments to sensitise both the producers and the regulators as planned.

Results of this Activity The activities and results undertaken are listed in Table 11. The main output was our critique of the oil palm sector (TCP Report 28a and 28b), which we launched along with a call for a moratorium on further expansion until the widespread mismanagement of the sector identified by ourselves and others was better understood. This seems to have been a leading factor in the government’s decision to launch a full-scale review of the legality of oil palm concessions in Tanintharyi, and we therefore consider this be a significant project result. By the time of the Project close the review had already led to the revocation of several licenses and forest land being taken back into State hands, and we are continuing to support the Myanmar government, One Map Myanmar and MCRB with a legal review of the sector that should garner additional support for improved environmental and social standards and safeguards.

Reasons for modification The Project proposal notes one assumption under this Activity was support from national government. In fact, government support was not as important as interest from the oil palm sector, which we were initially able to muster quite easily, which led to a good level of engagement with the producers and their representatives during the first 1.5 years of the Project. The main weakness in our approach was an ultimate lack of buyer pressure – one of the principle reasons that the RSPO was formed – since nearly all of Myanmar’s palm oil production is for local consumption. Combined with the generally very low standards prevalent in the sector, the costs of meeting even the most basic RSPO criteria far outweigh any benefit they might bring the producers. The engagement did however indicate which of the Myanmar companies had the best standards, and might therefore be willing to make further improvements, if not aim for ultimate RSPO certification.

Activity 3.3: Share lessons learned from the two Biosphere Reserves/ PAs through national, regional and international workshops (CBD)

This Activity was aimed at supporting the Myanmar Government’s development of nominations for the Myeik Archipelago and Tanintharyi Mountain Range as MABs, based on their short-listing in a workshop convened by FFI in Naypyitaw in March 2013.

Topics/activities covered This Activity was therefore intended to help the progress of the two new MABs by engaging stakeholders in discussions about the benefits of MAB designation in multiple-use landscapes

Results of this Activity · Senior national and regional government stakeholders were exposed to MABs and Ramsar sites in Germany during three visits, co-funded by this and other Projects: Ø 2014: Visit to Wadden See World Heritage Site/ Biosphere Reserve, Berchtesgarden National Park/ Biosphere Reserve, Spreewald Biosphere Reserve. The emphasis was to introduce Myanmar government representatives to collaborative protected area management and the concept of UNESCO biosphere reserves. As a result of this visit the Myanmar Forest developed a tentative national list of Biosphere Reserves: Inle Lake, Indawgyi Lake, Tanintharyi Forest Range, Myeik Archipelago. Ø 2015: The second visit was to two Biosphere Reserves in Brandenburg State, Spreewald/Lower Elbe Valley with an emphasis to expose Myanmar government delegates to the multi-stakeholder institutional framework for Biosphere Reserve Management.

23 Later renamed the Myanmar Oil Palm Producers Association.

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Ø 2016: The third visit was to three Biosphere Reserves in Brandenburg State (Spreewald, Schorfheide-Chorin, Lower Elbe Valley) to expose Myanmar government delegates to sustainable development interventions in biosphere reserves in particular environmental education, organic farming, and responsible tourism. · A Sustainable Mangrove Management workshop in Myeik (16-17 March 2017) highlighted the strengths of the MAB/co-management approach to resource and biodiversity management (TCP Report 49) · Both MPA workshops (TCP Report 37 and 49) examined MABs and other international best practice, as potential solutions to the difficulties in establishing effective co-management mechanisms.

Reasons for modification At the start of the Project there were no MABs designated in Myanmar, and the country’s first – Inle Lake – only achieved that status in June 2015 after years of preparatory work. The local Project stakeholders (and indeed the country) were thus entirely unfamiliar with MABs at the start of the Project and we generated few experiences to share with others in the 39 months of the Project. We thus focused more on exposing the stakeholders to MAB concepts. No assumptions were identified in the logframe, but there was perhaps an expectation that there was government/stakeholder interest and scope to take the MAB concept further than was possible in reality.

Activity 3.4: Share lessons learned on sustainable palm oil production in Myanmar with EU working groups on the development of policies for sustainable biofuels

This Activity was based on the fact that the EU was at the time proposing a cap of first generation biofuels, and considering requiring reporting of estimated carbon emissions from indirect land use change resulting from biofuel production. RSPO certification was is one approach to reduce emissions linked to land use change and could thus contribute to EU for sustainable biofuel.

Topics/activities covered We shared the relevant reports from our oil palm engagement with the EU delegation in Yangon, but never developed the envisaged relationship with any EU biofuels working groups.

Results of this Activity There were no specific results linked to this Activity.

Reasons for modification No assumptions were identified in the logical framework, and no modifications were made to this activity.

Activity 3.5: Share lessons learned with the FFI EU-funded PES project in Cambodia and PES projects in Vietnam, collaborative management protected area management projects in Vietnam and Cambodia (both EU non-state actor grants) and with FFI’s LMMA programme in Indonesia

Both collaborative protected area management and PES mechanisms were highly novel in Myanmar at the start of the Project. This Activity aimed to raise interest in both through exposure tours to learn about regional models, namely LMMAs in Aceh (Indonesia) and PES models in Vietnam.

Topics/activities covered The study tour locations named in the original proposal were changed to better suit the emerging needs of the Project as it progressed (see below), and focused on both LMMAs and co-management of productive mangrove protected areas.

Results of this Activity The main results were increased understanding and support for the co- management models being promoted in the mangrove and marine habitat components of the project: · A study tour to FFI Philippines in October 2015 allowed Project stakeholders to view first hand community based fisheries management including the legal enabling environment to support

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such models, and resulted in DoF, community and Navy support for the development of the country’s first LMMA sites · The Philippines visit also led to FFI and participating communities linking with the regional LMMA network, which is a voluntary, peer-to-peer support group that advocates for the collective rights of LMMA communities and promotes this model of bottom-up fisheries management · A delegation of 24 representatives from 8 mangrove CF user groups, local CSOs and forestry and fisheries visited the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in Malaysia, in January 2017. The group examined the management of productive mangrove and maintenance of ecosystems services (TCP Report 48), and presented their findings the regional workshop on sustainable mangrove management in Myeik in March 2017 that led to the formation of the Tanintharyi Mangrove Conservation Working Group24

Reasons for modification No assumptions were identified in the log frame. However, as the Project progressed we became aware that with its weak legal framework and contested resource rights, Myanmar was not ready to start thinking about PES mechanisms in Tanintharyi. The budget allocated to this Activity was then directed to better support the achievement of meaningful outcomes within the available timeframe. The Philippines was selected over Aceh due to a lack of suitable time in the Aceh programme workplan, and the Matang Mangrove Reserved Forest was selected as a more suitable exposure trip for sustainable mangrove management25.

2 . 3 Activities that have not taken place

Activities that were undertaken or only partially undertaken are listed in Table 13, with the reasons.

Table 13. Activities that did not take place, and reason

# Activity title Status Reasons 1.2 Facilitate Incomplete for Following over 60 years of civil conflict, the Government of the Union of Myanmar participatory the three recently began negotiating a peace settlement with various ethnic groups. The three protected area proposed proposed terrestrial Protected Areas in the Project site overlapped to varying degrees gazettement, terrestrial parks with areas controlled or claimed by the Karen National Union. From 2014, the KNU zonation, co- (Lenya, Lenya made clear it did not want to proceed with establishment of any PAs until the settlement management Extension and was finalised (and land sovereignty clarified). The Union government continued to make Tanintharyi) preparations until about mid-2015, when it acquiesced to the KNU position. At that stage the Project moved entirely into improving conservation management on the ground and developing community-based approaches. 1.4 Long-term The planned In the first year of the project it became known that the Wildlife conservation Society was financing review/study conducting a national review of PA financing options with the Forest department. The planning for was not report was published shortly after (Emerton et al. 2015). For this reason we dropped the new PAs undertaken planned study and focused on developing practical alternative financing models.

2.6 Training for Establishment of The original plan to train and equip Dawei Research Association to undertake some forest crime forest crime monitoring were curtailed by the launch of the civil society Tanintharyi Natural Resource control/ monitoring Watch26, of which DRA is a founding member. They thus preferred to pursue forest monitoring groups delayed crime monitoring through that platform. LMMA communities and forest-based until 2016 Community Conservation Groups were not established until the final year of the Project, as it took longer than expected to build the necessary trust and relationships, and to clarify the legal mandate for such actions.

3.3 Share lessons Partially The intention of this activity was to share lessons from the Project’s efforts at the learned from complete participatory establishment of protected areas and/or MABs. In fact due to the slow Biosphere progress on PA establishment we instead conducted a number of workshops in support Reserve/ PA of those processes, including on LMMA management and legislation, and MPA creation and definition and management. planning

24 This group has no formal status but comprises the head of the national FD Mangrove Division, local FD and Fisheries staff, local CSOs, CFUG representatives and FFI. FFI is committed to providing ongoing support beyond the Project. 25 Explicit, written approval was granted by the EU Delegation in Yangon for this change. 26 www.tnrwatch.org

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2 . 4 Assessment of results

Despite multiple challenges, the Project achieved some significant results in terms of direct conservation impacts, capacity building, and laying foundations for the longer-term. a) Outcomes against Overall objectives

The Project Overall Objective was to “Establish a framework for long-term protection of Key Biodiversity Areas in Tanintharyi Region”. This was intended to be achieved through the expansion of the Protected Area system and definition of “innovative protected area management and finance mechanisms”.

Despite significant efforts, the Project did not directly result in the designation of any new protected areas. However, we did contribute to establishment of a framework for long-term protection of Key Biodiversity Areas in Tanintharyi in several important ways:

First, the project helped address the dearth of information on the diversity, distribution and quality of biological values in the project landscape, which covered approximately 1.5m ha of landscape and seascape. The resulting comprehensive status assessments for biodiversity in Tanintharyi led to the definition of an updated list of key biodiversity areas which can be used in spatial planning, development control and monitoring.

Second, we improved the level of community engagement in sustainable resource use and management from a very low base. By the end of the Project, 42 village groups had benefited from technical and financial support towards management of HCV areas. Four civil society groups had also received grants for applied research and training.

Third, we introduced a new global standard for marine habitat and species management, the Locally Managed Marine Area. This model was sensitised to multiple stakeholders including the Department of Fisheries and Navy, and a legal basis identified. By the end of the Project, Myanmar’s first three LMMAs had been legally designated, trained and equipped with boats for patrolling. Communities are already reporting improvements in fish catches, and at least five more communities have approached the Fisheries Department to establish their own LMMAs.

Fourth, the project introduced and applied the High Conservation Value approach to identifying biodiversity, ecological, landscape, livelihood and social values. The HCV approach and assessments themselves are already guiding land use planning in the form of discussion on the MPA network for the Archipelago and provide a foundation for conservation management in the Lenya Proposed NP.

Fifth, while our work on the oil palm sector ultimately failed to encourage the adoption of global sustainability standards, it nonetheless greatly increased transparency in the sector, and was likely a major cause of the sector review that was launched by the incoming government of democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in mid-2016. Our efforts to improve this sector – and any other that might take its place, as licenses are revoked – continue.

Sixth, our work on recording and mapping biodiversity in the Archipelago, and on promotion of appropriate protection regimes, led to a draft Marine Protected Area network and the launch of a regional committee to take it forward. It also combined with our work on sustainable tourism – a promising source of conservation financing – with the Tanintharyi Tourism Development Committee, to become a de facto spatial plan for the sustainable development of the sector. b) Outputs and outcomes against Specific Objectives

These are listed in Table 14.

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Table 14. Outputs, outcomes and results against Objectives

Objectively verifiable indicators Outputs Outcomes Specific Objective 1. Pilot innovative finance mechanisms for the long-term protection of three KBAs in Tanintharyi Region (Lenya/ Ngawun & Tanintharyi Reserved Forests, Myeik Archipelago)

1.1) Private sector/ foundation funding Over 5m USD further funding secured The additional attention on the biodiversity leveraged to secure long-term financing (USFW, IUCN, HCT, GEF) values of Tanintharyi led to a regional for conservation of KBAs environment committee, regional OMM Support from additional partners also steering committee and UNDP-led project leveraged (Smithsonian, UNDP, Oxford to integrate land use planning for Brookes University, OMM, James Cook protection of the Project landscape27. University, Green Network, Whaplaw and others…)

1.2) Financing plans for two new protected Options for financing from tourism and As the proposed parks were not realised areas developed based on both ecosystems services (eg, carbon during the Project, we framed the government budget allocation and private- financing) have been identified submitted financing options in terms of sustainable public partnerships to government for consideration forest and marine resource management

1.3) Six LMMA and 14 forest user groups Three LMMAs and were established, and By the end of the project several of the have improved capacity to diversify and 35 FUGs, all of which benefited from FUGs were in the process of registering enhance natural resource based technical support and small grants as Associations; Green Network livelihoods through small grants, technical registered as a CSO and had applied for assistance and increased participation in FUGs were also involved in in planning additional grant funding; networking resource governance and various government consultations, eg, between FUGs had started on mangrove management

Specific Objective 2. Build capacity of local stakeholders in environmental spatial planning and management of ‘Reef to Ridge’ finance mechanisms for the long-term protection of KBAs in Tanintharyi Region based on sound science and public consultation.

2.1) High conservation value forest Four HCV assessments were conducted; Myeik and Kawthaung District Forest identified and recommended to desktop ‘landscape’ assessment for Management Plans took account of our government to be zoned as permanent Tanintharyi, sub-basin assessment for results and proposed a fully-protected forest estate Lenya Proposed National Park, plantation corridor along the Thailand border assessment for South Dagon Oil Palm Plantation, and a village-tract level Our spatial data for the Myeik archipelago community based assessment for was adopted into a draft spatial plan by Tayawathataungyi island the regional government for establishment of MPAs and other controlled areas

2.2) Protected Area Gazettement Maps indicating HCV forest, current land Due to the government’s contested documents prepared and submitted to use and existing land claims were jurisdiction over the proposed parks, and government to secure most important submitted to township FDs for all three the complications of the ongoing peace areas of high conservation value forest proposed terrestrial national parks process, none of the PAs was able to move to full stakeholder consultation and gazettement documents were formally submitted to the Regional government28

2.3) RSPO principles of sustainable palm Several workshops, training, field trips, The Project proved there is little interest in oil management introduced to key participatory assessments and study tours meeting international standards at this stakeholders in Tanintharyi Region were conducted for local and national time, and that past practices (particularly stakeholders (see above) clearance of HCV forest) would disbar most oil palm companies from certification unless they invested significantly in offsets

Specific Objective 3. Facilitate the development of national polices and legal frameworks for innovative conservation approaches and sustainable financing mechanism for biodiversity conservation

3.1) Recommendations for policies, Various outputs provided guidance on A legal framework and draft guidelines for regulations or guidelines for protected collaborative management of HCV areas LMMA formation supports three new area financing and collaborative in Tanintharyi, including under LMMAs, LMMAs and expansion of the model management submitted to government CF, ecotourism, MPA establishment, spatial planning, Lenya threats A process for MPA establishment and assessment, and the Myeik mangrove management in the archipelago was working group29 prepared, and a Regional committee set up by FD to implement it

27 These are institution and financial outcomes, but given the low base for the Region they are nonetheless significant. The upcoming GEF Project, on which FFI is a key implementing partner, will be steered by a national-level committee and seek to enact landscape-level spatial planning with the various stakeholders already engaged under this Project. 28 These issues are discussed in more detail in Section 1.9, Lessons learned. 29 We elected not to undertake a study of protected area financing options as this had already been undertaken by WCS early on in the Project (Emerton et al 2015).

Page 36 of 59 FFI Myanmar, Tanintharyi Conservation Programme c) Unforeseen positive results

Several results were unforeseen: · The adoption of the draft KBA network for the Myeik Archipelago as the basis for tourism development planning · The publication of the oil palm “sustainability assessment” leading to the new Regional government launching a thorough review of all plantations · The level of enthusiasm and buy-in for the LMMA model, with the Navy and Fisheries Department as well as several additional communities actively seeking to expand the model · The enthusiasm of Myeik University students and faculty for undertaking applied, quantitative research into socio-economic monitoring and the local markets for forest products · The biodiversity research confirmed the suspected but unproven global importance of the region for biodiversity · The survey work resulted in the development of a number of species programmes, including for Gurney’s Pitta, Helmeted Hornbill, Asian Elephant, Tigers, sharks and marine turtles · The initial engagements with local stakeholders led to the development of an outreach and education programme, which focused on schools and LMMA communities · The initial results allowed us to leverage over 10m USD in additional funding, including for protection of the reefs to ridge corridor from the Thailand border to the outer island chain d) Unforeseen negative results

The only real negative result was in terms of FFI’s and thus the Project’s relationship with some local Karen communities, some Karen civil society organisations and the Karen National Union. The Project originally sought and gained the approval of the KNU to undertake initial surveys and community consultations on the Tanintharyi River (in Tanintharyi Township), we joined – and in deed part funded one of – the six-monthly coordination meetings in Dawei that the KNU set up for the various NGOs operating environmental projects in Karen areas to coordinate their work. However, due to some poor communications from the Project during a number of village consultations, and the perceived threat to Karen autonomy from the proposed Tanintharyi and Lenya National Parks, relationships between the Project and the Karen began to decline in early 201530. From that point the senior Project managers then invested considerable effort to understand the Karen position, address concerns31 and rebuild relationships. While this remains an ongoing process, by the end of the Project we were able to work in Karen areas again, were collaborating with a new Karen NGO partner, had re- established dialogue on conservation management with the KNU, and were funding a part-time liaison officer from the Karen Forest Department. Relationships had repaired to the degree that we were again negotiating an MoU to ensure that further misunderstandings and mistakes did not occur.

2 . 5 Outcome on the final beneficiaries/target groups

Four key target groups were identified in the Project proposal; partner organisations (BANCA and DRA), participating local communities, government departments at Region, District and Township levels, and private sector companies.

Both BANCA and DRA benefitted from trainings on marine and terrestrial survey techniques, RSPO HCV and GIS, and were introduced to and participated in actions on sustainable palm oil and

30 There were also some other isolated incidents, but these factors were probable the most significant. 31 These efforts included pulling back from providing further material support to FD for protected area establishment, communicating Karen concerns over the parks to central FD, employing more Karen staff, establishing and disseminating a grievance mechanism, and making staff aware of the mechanism and why it is important. By the end of the Project we were also planning to undertake a conflict sensitivity analysis.

Page 37 of 59 FFI Myanmar, Tanintharyi Conservation Programme ecotourism. DRA staff were core Project team members for the duration of the Project and DRA led a number of awareness events and workshops, made representations on Project activities to local government, and produced a number of Project outputs. BANCA was less directly involved, but led on the Gurney’s Pitta field research and were central to the oil palm and HCV work in particular. Both organisation continue to follow-up on Project activities in Tanintharyi.

Participating community groups number over 40, with well over 2,000 households directly benefitting from improved resource management through community forestry, agroforestry, tourism and other livelihood activities, and LMMA and fisheries management. They also received training in resource management, such as is required for the application for CF certificates. Although none were awarded during the Project, at least six are expected very shortly, with the remaining 13 hopefully not far behind. We also provided grants and training to a local CSO (Green Network), who were registered with the government in August 2017, and three university student groups, who will continue to monitoring wildlife consumption in Tanintharyi after the Project. The benefits to government are less easy to quantify due to the constant reassignment of staff, and the centralised nature of their management, which means there is limited autonomy at the local level to innovate or use trainings. However, during the Project implementation we saw a definite change in the accessibility of government officers, and an increasing willingness to engage with community, CSO and private sector stakeholders. This has improved relations between those parties, and we can also no identify an increasing confidence of local community representatives to fight for their constituents on issues of resource rights and sustainable management.

Lastly, while the oil palm sector remains a major challenge to forest conservation in Tanintharyi, we have been able to identify some of the more progressive owners and continue to work to improve their environmental and social performance. Three specialist ecotourism operators are also now more engaged with local community groups to bring benefits to host communities and provide some limited employment options for community members. Crab buyers are also now forming their own business relations with the LMMA crab bank operators, thus supporting that model further.

2 . 6 Materials produced

The project produced over 60 technical reports (Annex 2) in the Tanintharyi Conservation Programme (TCP) report series, all of them either fully or partially supported by the Action. Hard copies have been distributed to appropriate stakeholders, and the files made available via digital media32. The files have been provided to the EU Delegation in Yangon in soft copy.

A number of additional materials were formally published: 1. Oil palm sustainability report, English (Baskett 2016; TCP Report 28a) 2. Oil palm sustainability report, Burmese (Baskett 2016; TCP Report 28b) 3. Tanintharyi Atlas of Spatial Data for Forest Management (Forest Inform 2016; TCP report 28c) 4. 2017 Calendar of the Tanintharyi Conservation Programme (December 2016) 5. Biodiversity of the Myeik Archipelago; compilation of survey results (in prep.) 6. Biodiversity of the Myeik coastal and inland forests; compilation of survey results (in prep.)

2 . 7 Contracts above EUR 10,000

Several contracts exceeded the 10,000 EUR limit and are listed in Table 15.

32 Several reports were however designated Confidential due to sensitive content and were not widely shared.

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Table 15. List of contracts above EUR 10,000 awarded under the Action

Grantee Title/description Date(s) Value (EUR) Award procedure A-One-Ranong Live aboard marine survey charter 1-11 March 2016 25,092.31 3 Quotations Diving Centre Ltd fee

KS Eco Tours Study tour to the Matang Mangrove 16-20 January 13,686.72 Two quotations, plus Forest Reserve, Malaysia 2017 additional efforts to seek a provider

Mar 2015, Mar 12,500.00, 7,750.00 Original selection was in Expenditure verification (annual and Moore Stephens 2016, Aug 2017 and 9,137.00 2013 with three final) quotations

PT Daemeter Lenya National Park High 01 May 2015-14 33,258.72 Sole-source justification Consulting Conservation Value Assessment August 2015

Jul-Sep 2016, 13,549.84 Sole-source justification Philip Dearden MPA planning and training inputs Feb-Mar 2017 (in two contracts)

Rapid Assessment of ecosystems 01 Dec 2016- 28 10,500.00 Sole-source justification goods and services in the Feb 2017 Lars Schmidt mangroves of AUKLAND BAY, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar

Dr Christoph Bird and mangrove quality surveys 3 surveys between 14,848.42 Sole-source justification Zockler in central, south-ceontral and Mar 2016 and Mar southern Myeik coast and inshore 2017 (in two contracts) islands

2 . 8 Continuation of the Action

Through the Action, a large number of stakeholders became engaged in improved biodiversity and natural resource management and other activities. With the support that was generated, we were able to leverage quite significant additional technical and financial resources to turn the Action from a 39- month intervention into a longer-term ‘programme’33. The informal ‘Tanintharyi Conservation Programme’ now comprises at least 15 partner organisations, receiving funds from at least six additional donors34 (see Table 16). Ongoing activities include: 1. Establishment of the marine protected areas identified under the Project 2. Strengthening the LMMA model and extending it to new communities 3. Mangrove conservation through the Myeik Mangrove Working Group 4. Expansion and strengthening of community forestry and forest management models 5. Implementation of HCV for land use planning on the Mawtaung and Yatanaporn roads 6. Legal review of the oil palm sector and strengthening of regulatory framework 7. Implementation of tourism zoning and management planning for the Archipelago 8. Development and implementation of Regional or national species conservation plans35 9. Community wildlife monitoring and patrolling (through VCGs), supported with livelihood grants 10. Launch of landscape planning under the upcoming UNDP-GEF Project

33 This is the reason we commonly refer to the action as part of a wider “Tanintharyi Conservation Programme”. The TCP is currently an informal alliance of collaborators with multiple relationships, but we may seek to formalise it in future. 34 Many of the logos are listed in Figure 2, which names the active contributors to the result of this Action. 35 Currently developed of under development for tiger, elephant, Gurney’s Pitta, marine turtles and sharks.

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Table 16. List of informal partners and donors engaged in the continuation of some Activities

CSO Other organisations Donor Green Network (Myeik) Mangroves for the Future Segre Conservation Foundation

Wahplaw Wildlife Watch Society IUCN Thailand Helmsley Charitable Trust Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Myeik University US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) Association (BANCA)

WWF Myanmar, Thailand Smithsonian Institution Arcadia Fund EERI Arcona Consulting Global Environment Facility (pending)

35 FUGs, 3 LMMA committees, 6 Village Myanmar Centre for Responsible Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund Conservation Groups (VCGs) Business (CEPF)36

Freeland Foundation (Thailand) UNDP

2 . 9 Mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues

We consider mainstreaming to mean the practice of promoting otherwise marginalised groups or issues into regular actions, whether they be the attitudes or behaviours or individuals, groups or individuals. As such, we have helped mainstream a number of issues that cut across the environmental sector: · Involvement of the marginalised Moken in LMMA formation and MPA consultations · Development of a Project gender strategy in 2016 in response to female under-representation in a number of Activities · Particular effort made to recruit local and female staff, with a roughly 50:50 ratio of mid-level staff achieved in mid-2016 · Particular effort made from 2015 on to ensure the Project had at least one Karen-speaking staff member to support village work at any time · Explicit effort to bring multiple stakeholders to every appropriate forum

2 . 1 0 Monitoring and evaluation a) Methods Monitoring and evaluation undertaken by the project was an ongoing process across multiple activities, geographical and thematic areas, and timeframes that considered: · Operational performance, ie, project implementation: This was assessed routinely against workplans and budgets, including through our standard financial management procedures (including authorisation and clearance of funds by managers), and via full review and planning meetings held every year to prepare annual workplans, and subsequent quarterly reviews. · Outcomes, measured against the aims of individual activities: This was undertaken by project staff at Team Leader level, who are required to assess the impact and effectiveness of each activity either through written reports (eg, participant feedback after workshops), or verbally during project review meetings; in the case of small grants, participatory assessments were undertaken annually with grantees. · Effectiveness, measured against the project document and logical framework: This was undertaken by both by senior managers (primarily during annual reviews, with the results being reported in annual progress reports), an internal mid-term evaluation (conducted by the Asia-Pacific Director of Operations), and through two EU delegation field monitoring trips (one in early 2015 and one in early 2016)37.

36 One grant to Green Network and one to Wahplaw Wildlife Watch Society were pending as of Sept 2017. 37 The mid-term evaluation report was shared with the Delegation. Written responses were provided to all three ‘external’ assessments stating the Project implementing team’s proposed actions to address criticisms and recommendations.

Page 40 of 59 FFI Myanmar, Tanintharyi Conservation Programme b) Results of monitoring/feedback Regular implementation monitoring produced the following results38: · As of December 2014, 16 of the 22 planned Activities by number (or 72%) were either underway or had been completed as originally planned, while only two had been significantly delayed. No Activities had been cancelled. · As of December in 2015, 16 of the 22 total activities were either underway or had been completed as originally planned, while only four had been slightly delayed but were nonetheless underway. Two activities were yet to be started. · As of March 2017, 12 of 22 activities had been completed largely or entirely on schedule, while the remaining ten had been somewhat delayed or partially completed. No activities had been cancelled or missed.

The results of monitoring and feedback from partners and beneficiaries are summarised in Table 17.

Table 17. Project feedback from partners and beneficiaries

Source/partners Results / Feedback Evidence

Village small grants The small grants for community activities such as agroforestry and Primarily anecdotal evidence; for beneficiaries community forestry are very popular; several communities requested example, several groups have more grants, and most grants were implemented well indicated they would like to register as Associations and thus have the right According to 2016 internal monitoring, 25 FUGs are good in financial to open bank accounts to better management and are successful in project implementation. Based manage their finances on the participatory final assessments, almost none of the groups were considered to have significant organisational problems

Donor (field trip of Overall the feedback was positive; “project implementation was EC Grant Project Internal Monitoring 13-15 Oct 2015) found broadly on track”, “the Delegation is satisfied with the quality of Report from Delphine Brissonneau the technical and financial reporting provided by the project” and and Isabel Faria de Almeida “despite the challenging project landscape, no major problem or delays were observed/noted”. Recommendations included better female participation and improved visibility

Current and The LMMAs proved particularly popular among all stakeholders, with LMMAs began patrolling their prospective LMMA the communities themselves reporting they are pleased with the boundaries on their own initiative communities support FFI and Department of Fisheries have provided; the navy is also very supportive of LMMAs At least three new villages requested to establish LMMAs Communities report conflict with DoF has diminished

Government Most of the departments which have been engaged have actively Good participation in Project Activities supported Project activities, including Forest Department, and events; requests to further, good Department of Fisheries, Department of Agriculture, General uptake of some activities, informal Administration Department, Navy. In some cases the Project feedback outcomes have been incorporated into local or national operations and policy

Private sector Relations with private tourism sector is very good and we are The regional tourism committee, developing new products with several operators chaired by Serge Pun, requested the Project provide a zoning map to be The oil palm sector has only just begun to reform but some used for development planning; an stakeholders are showing increasing willingness to reform; the informal tourism alliance is supporting former director of Industrial Crops is now advising on the legal implementation of the Gurney’s Pitta review FFI is undertaking with MCRB, and has included sustainable conservation action plan; 3 OP production in the new Agricultural Policy plantations have volunteered to be reviewed by OMM

38 Two interim annual narrative reports, submitted to and accepted by EU, and this report.

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2 . 1 1 Lessons learned

The Project partners learned many lessons over the course of the 39 months of implementation in this huge and complex social, political and ecological landscape.

In terms of project activities, the key lessons have been as follows: · The recent political changes in Myanmar have shown a willingness to engage on addressing multiple challenges to sustainable development, but have also highlighted the legacy of years of under-investment and poor governance. Many government departments are understaffed and under-resourced, and it has thus been challenging to implement such an ambitious programme of activities with sufficient participation from government. Customary management practices – including centralisation and the rotation of key staff – have exacerbated this. · Similarly, the government has proven itself increasingly open to suggestions and new ideas, but this has its drawbacks as their ability to engage in multiple and widespread policy reform is limited and many great new ideas have withered on the vine due to the highly competitive environment and the lack of overall direction. · As a result of these first two points, we found it more effective to focus on ideas with a good chance of success (eg, because they are politically or technically simple, or meet an obvious priority need), and to start with pilots that can show how ideas work and build support through an ‘action learning’ approach rather than trying to plan everything in great detail with all stakeholders at the start. · An allied finding is that, particularly with a new, democratic government in power, approaches that are popular with voters have also been particularly popular with politicians and government. That has meant community approaches, livelihood improvement and empowerment, particularly where they meet urgent needs or address past mistakes. Good examples include LMMAs, CF and the Project’s proposed moratorium on further oil palm expansion. Small grants are a particularly effective and popular way to empower beneficiaries. · Since 2011 the government has been engaged in some degree or devolution, but this picked up after the incoming NLD government assumed office in 2016. This added a new layer of government to the Project, but importantly one that had a political and not a purely administrative/executive function, and one that is much more accessible than key ministry officers in the capital. Since 2016 the Project has increasingly sought to work with and through the regional ministers, and we would recommend this approach to other projects, with the caveat that they, like the national government, are very busy.

In terms of programme management and implementation, the key lessons have been as follows: · Given the history of the project area – and the consequent divisiveness of the proposed national parks in particular – the Project would have benefitted from a more cautious approach early on. We have since adopted a more conflict sensitive approach, and some early mistakes now seem to have been addressed. · With a broad-ranging Project such as this, it is impossible for one organisation to have all the necessary technical skills. We have been able to address this by firstly encouraging the participation of new partners, and secondly by employing trusted consultants on a long-term basis. · Ninety percent of the achievements of projects like this are down to the people that work on them. In general, it is more important to have well-motivated than highly skilled staff, all else being equal. This also applies to recruitment of dedicated locals over experienced ‘outsiders’. · Lastly, regular communications with the local EU Delegation – particularly the designated manager for the Action – can go a long way to ensure smooth implementation, leverage the support of the Delegation, and ensure any EU concerns can be addressed in a timely manner.

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3 . PARTNERS AND COOPERATION

3 . 1 Relationship between the partners

The relationship between FFI and BANCA remained strong during project implementation, and their senior and technical staff were involved in the implementation of relevant Project activities through to the end of the Project. The same is true of Dawei Research Association, who assigned up to four staff to the Project at any time, through to March 2017.

3 . 2 Continuation of the partnership

We will continue to work with BANCA in the future, and have prepared join workplans to that effect. Due primarily to funding constraints, DRA is likely to focus more on Dawei District – it’s primary area of operation – after the Project, although staff with specific expertise (eg, on mangroves) are likely to continue to be involved with activities as part of the continuation of the Action (see above).

Our engagement with the tourism and oil palm sectors remain active; we are still developing marine and terrestrial eco-tourism models with local companies and will support the finalisation and implementation of the Myeik Archipelago sustainable tourism development strategy. We are also furthering improved regulation of the oil palm sector through a legal review and technical guidance for EIAs in collaboration with the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business.

3 . 3 Relationship with the State

Relationships with government line agencies are complex; at the national level we have probably strengthened our mutual understanding with the Forest and Fisheries Departments and their ministries. At the Regional, District and Township levels relations are much improved but continually hampered by the government’s chronic under-capacity and standard practice of frequently rotating staff, often to different parts of the country. For both reasons it is a real challenge to build strong local relations due to staff turnaround and frequent re-deployment to cover staffing shortages elsewhere. For example, there were three regional directors of Forestry during Project implementation. However, due to our good national relations with both Departments we nonetheless find it relatively easy to forge new working relations with incoming government staff.

Relationships with the Regional government – ie, the Chief Minister and her cabinet – are strong, and indeed have been critical in moving ahead with several Project objectives, including spatial planning and reform of the oil palm sector. These relationships in fact are largely unforeseen in the Project document as prior to the NLD electoral victory in October 2015, regional government was largely powerless to influence or implement national policies. Moving forward, we see ourselves working increasingly with the elected local officials.

Moving forward, we will continue to work with Tanintharyi and national FD, and regional Department of Fisheries, as our MoUs with both of those partners remain active into the future. There is also ongoing funding to move forward with a number of activities, particularly the establishment of an MPA network, mangrove conservation and community-based tiger and habitat conservation.

3 . 4 Other organisations involved in the Action

During the action, FFI developed relationships with a wide range of other organisations beyond the formal Partners; see Table 18 and Figure 2.

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Table 18. List of other organisations involved in the Action

Organisation / institution Notes / Description of relationship Arcadia Fund Private charitable foundation that funds FFI’s Halcyon Marine Programme, a competitive grant which co-funded some of the marine surveys under the Project ArcCona Consulting German not-for-profit that undertakes bird surveys and ecological monitoring; collaborated with the Project for bird surveys in Lenya, and coastal mangrove surveys Bay of Bengal Large Marine BOBLME is a regional FAO project that provides small grants for marine research in the Ecosystem Bay of Bengal, for seagrass, sharks and Soc-mon Chances for Nature Small German NGO that implements community based tourism in Myanmar, Peru and Madagascar. Hired to do a feasibility scoping for Lenya Proposed National Park Daemeter Consulting Certified HCV and RSPO assessor, contracted to provide training and other technical inputs on both of those subjects. Based in Kuala Lumpur Environmental & Economic Myanmar organisation comprising national scientists and primarily engaged in private Research Institute (EERI) EIA contracting; conducted botanical surveys for the Project and joined HCV trainings Forest Inform Australian-registered spatial mapping experts sub-contracted to assist with District Forest Management Planning, and preparation of the Tanintharyi Atlas Green Network (Myeik) Local CSO engaged on support for sustainable development with local community groups; supported seven mangrove CF applications with two Project small grants Helmsley Charitable Trust Private US foundation that has funded biodiversity and other projects in Myanmar since 2014; the Trust provided co-financing to the Project Integrated Tiger Habitat Project of the German development bank KfD, implemented by IUCN, which provided Conservation Progam funding to tiger-specific actions and co-funded some limited activities with the Project Karen Forest Department Semi-voluntary body within the Karen National Union that mirrors the Myanmar Forest Department in structure and some functions. We have liaised regularly with KFD since 2014 and an MoU is now being negotiated Lighthouse Foundation Donor that provided funding for one of the Liveaboard trips that contributed data to the Myeik archipelago marine spatial plan and MPA network plan Mangroves for the Future A project of FAO aimed at mangrove conservation in Southeast Asia. MFF provides some grant funding for local groups in Tanintharyi and was a Project collaborator National University of Long-term collaborator of FFI Asia-Pacific; placed one doctoral research student with Singapore the Project to undertake remote sensing of mangrove extent and status One Map Myanmar National mapping project, chaired by MoNREC. Due to the Project, OMM adopted Tanintharyi as one of three pilot States/Regions nationally. Cooperation is ongoing Segre Conservation French private foundation that supports conservation of threatened species and their Foundation habitats; the Foundation provided co-financing to the Project Smithsonian Institution (SI) US semi-government group of museums and research centres with whom FFI has an MoU for conservation science in Myanmar; conducted herpetological surveys, fish catch monitoring and fishing vessel monitoring in collaboration with the Project Tourism Transparency A small sustainable tourism NGO focused on Myanmar, with whom FFI has worked on a number of activities. Led the preparation of the draft tourism plan for Tanintharyi US Fish and Wildlife US State Department organisation with a domestic mandate for Federal-lelve conservation management, and which also operates a number of global species funds Wahplaw Wildlife Watch Young Karen civil society organisation focused on community-based biodiversity Society conservation. WWWS is registered with the government as works with FFI under a sub- grant from our IUCN tiger project WWF, Thailand, Myanmar International conservation NGO. During the Project we collaborated on elephant and tiger conservation in Tanintharyi, and wildlife trade nationally

Note: Donors are highlighted in Red. Sub-contracts or grant recipients are highlighted in Green.

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3 . 5 Links and synergies with other Actions

We cooperated with two other Actions during Project implementation: 1. The local NGO ECODEV, which was implementing a FLEGT-support project that included landcover mapping with technical support from the Smithsonian Institution; we assisted with ground truthing of forest cover in Tanintharyi 2. The FAO-EU Regional FLEGT Support Facility provided a grant to FFI to look at the legality of community forestry timber, and which included field work in Tanintharyi and with several Project participants. That project wrapped up in 201539

3 . 6 Relationship to previous EU grants

This was the second EU grant to FFI in Myanmar. The first40 was entitled “Building capacity for local civil society to deliver services for sustainable natural resource management in Kachin state and Magwe division”, and was implemented from 01 January 2011 to 31 December 2013. Although implemented in an entirely new geography, the current Project benefitted from some of the lessons of that project, including in our approach to CF and the management of the small grants programme.

3 . 7 Cooperation with the Contracting Authority

Regular communication with the Contracting Authority was held throughout implementation of the Action on emerging issues, and three progress updates were provided outside of the contractual requirements. Issues over financial reporting requirements were dealt with cordially and promptly, and generally we found the delegation supportive and responsive. A budget amendment was agreed in 2016 to facilitate the smooth completion of the Project, and annual financial reports were accepted with minimal clarifications required. The EU project management team delegation undertook two monitoring site visits during the Action, one to Myeik and inland project sites, and one to the mangroves and Archipelago. EU representatives also attended some national workshops, and we liaised on two press releases. In all cases communication was timely and cordial, and we look forward to maintaining our strong working relationship with the EU for any future grants.

39 EU-FAO also awarded a second grant to FFI in 2017 for a second project Phase, though the contract had not been finalised at the time of writing (Aug 2017). 40 EuropeAid/129-761/L/ACT/MM, NSA (Lot 3, App #24).

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4 . VISIBILITY A large number of Project activities had a visibility component and we satisfactorily met the expectations we set ourselves in the Project Communications and Visibility Plan Annex (see Annex 3. VISIBILITY OUTCOMES, p.56).

Additional communications-related activities and materials that carried visibility messaging included: 1. Production of 200 project polo shirts, used by staff and participants to identify them as non- government, non-corporate 2. Mugs and t-shirts carrying conservation messages and identifying the EU prominently, used to incentivise participants in various events and activities such as schools activities 3. Calendar for 2017 that highlighted the many values and threats to biodiversity in southern Tanintharyi, and the Project’s many activities and partnerships to address these 4. Signage on LMMAs and for no-hunting areas in Lenya proposed NP 5. Three awareness films made by FFI or partners

Table 19. List of other visibility materials produced by the Project

Report / publication / video How did it support the Project

Publication: Kids marine comic book Used for schools outreach to engage students in biodiversity- [MM] themed classes; primarily aimed to LMMA/coastal communities Publication: Kids exercise books (coral Used for schools outreach to engage students in biodiversity- and mangrove) [MM] themed classes; primarily aimed to LMMA/coastal communities Film: Deutsche Welle (2016) Global Short film by the German TV channel to promote marine research Ideas 3000: Sea gypsies and scientists in the Archipelago; used for Project outreach activities saving a disappearing world [EN] Film: Hedges, L. (2016) The Southern Short film commissioned as a primer for a workshop on sustainable Tanintharyi Mangroves [MM with EN mangrove management; intended to provoke discussion on values subtitles] and threats, and give a voice to mangrove communities Film: Stokes, D (2017) LMMAs in Myeik Short film commissioned to raise awareness of and incentivize the Archipelago – Local fishers taking an LMMA approach; used for Project outreach activities active role in fisheries management

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Fauna & Flora International has no objection to the results of this Action being publicised, or to this report being published on the EuropeAid website. We do however kindly request that FFI be notified of any feedback, and that our contacts be made prominent on any publicity.

S i g n a t u r e

Name of the contact person for the Action: Mr Frank Momberg

Signature: Location:

Date report due: 30 June 2014 Date report sent:

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5 . REFERENCES

Other publications under the Project

Ahmad, A., Lim, A.P.K and Saw Han Shein (2015). Field Guide to Sharks of Myanmar. BOBLME/ FFI/ SEAFDEC. Andriamalala, G. (2015a).Progress Report: Implementation Of Locally-Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) In The Myeik Archipelago (Progress Report). Fauna & Flora International. Andriamalala, G. (2015b). Education and outreach strategic plan for marine conservation and LMMA implementation in the Myeik Archipelago. Fauna & Flora International. DoF/BOBLME/FFI (2015a). Guide to the Development of Myanmar’s National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks. Department of Fisheries Myanmar, Fauna & Flora International, Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem project. DoF/FFI/BOBLME (2015b). Assessment of the efficacy of Myanmar’s Shark Reserves. Department of Fisheries (DoF) Myanmar, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem project (BOBLME). Lamb, J.B., Wenger, A. S. and Karr, K. 2016. Preliminary Report Examining coral reef and fisheries health in Myanmar, March Cruise 2016. Cornell University, James Cook University, Environmental Defense Fund and Fauna & Flora International. McKeon et al (2014). Reef Invertebrates of Myanmar, Smithsonian Marine Station at Ft. Pierce, Ft. Pierce, FL. Mya Than Tun (2014) Preliminary Report on Coral Survey Liveaboard Training in Myeik Archipelago. Fauna & Flora International and Myanmar Forestry Department Pido, M. (2014). Training on Socioeconomic Monitoring (SocMon) in Myanmar. Department of Fisheries Myanmar, Fauna & Flora International, Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem project. Stephani, Anna. (2016). Impact of remote sensing characteristics for biodiversity monitoring - A case study of Southern Myanmar mangroves. Fauna & Flora International and University of Bayreuth.

Other references cited in the text

Donald, Paul, Htin Hla, Lay Win, Thiri Dawei Aung, Saw Moses, Sao Myo Zaw, Tin Tun Aung, Kyaw Naing Oo and Eames, J. (2014), The distribution and conservation of Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi in Myanmar. Bird Conservation International, Cambridge University Press http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0959270913000518 Hansen, M. C., P. V. Potapov, R. Moore, M. Hancher, S. A. Turubanova, A. Tyukavina, D. Thau, S. V. Stehman, S. J. Goetz, T. R. Loveland, A. Kommareddy, A. Egorov, L. Chini, C. O. Justice, and J. R. G. Townshend. 2013. “High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change.” Science 342 (15 November): 850–53. Data available on-line from: http://earthenginepartners.appspot.com/science-2013-global-forest. Valentin, Andrea (2017) Baseline Assessment and Responsible Tourism Strategy for Tanintharyi: Balancing the Future of Tanintharyi’s Tourism Development. Independent consultant report to FFI, FFI: Yangon

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ANNEX 1. GIS DATA PRODUCED

Topic Title Source / Credits Keywords Purpose/Summary Categories Product

Boundaries Tanintharyi and Source FFI/DRA sketch maps, village Those village boundary maps were Lenya Proposed NP borders, community created to facilitate the revision of Village Sketch Maps mapping, land claims, the boundary for the Proposed 50k 2014 (FFI) national park Tanintharyi and Lenya National Park. The boundaries have been created by a rapid methodology where the Survey and Mapping team (FFI/DRA) tfacilitated that the villagers created their village boudaries on sketch maps as well as on topomaps.

Farming Tanintharyi Oil Palm Source FFI/FI oil palm, land This dataset was created by Forest Suitability 500k 2014 suitability, Inform 2014 on behalf of Fauna & (FFI/Forest Inform) conservation, Flora International to analyse the agriculture, plantation suitability of Oil Palm cultivaton in southern Myanmar. It combines the proxys Elevation, Precipitation over Evapotranspiration and Precipitation.

Farming Tanintharyi Region Source FFI oil palm, plantation, Dataset of Oil Palm Plantations in Oil Palm Plantaion concession Thanintharyi Region (Company digitized from name,total arce, ownership status, Scanned Map planted area, Description) digitized (obtained from by MMA FFI based on scanned map printshop dawei obtained from a print shop in dawei 2014) may 2014. It shows the location of Oil Palm plantations (rather small scale). It is a draft not exact area. How many arce of oil plam planted in this area.

Farming Tanintharyi Region Source FFI rubber, plantation, Dataset of Rubber Plantations in Rubber Plantaion concession Thanintharyi Region (Company digitized from Scann name, planted area, Township, Map (obtained from code, Description) digitized by MMA printshop dawei FFI based on scanned map 2014) obtained from a print shop in dawei may 2014. It shows the location of rubber plantations (rather small scale). It is a draft not exact area. How many arce rubber planted in this area. society Tanintharyi Region Source FFI society, village, Point Location Marker and basic location markers settlement information of villages in Myeik and basic data of Archipelago. The data was compiled villages, 10k Fauna during surveys conducted by FFI to & Flora International support the marine conservation program. This dataset will will be edited as more village locations become available/surveyed. The dataset has the VilPCdMIMU attribute which allows the Linkage of this dataset to other PCode referenced data. Villages that have not yet a PCode assigned by MIMU have a 0 as VilPCdMIMU. The VilPCd_FFI is the same as the MIMU PCode. In case MIMU has not yet assigned a PCode an unique Code is used (to be able to link FFI referenced data to the village location).

planningCatas Tanintharyi Palm Oil Source FFI / SLRD? concession, Oil Palm, Oil Palm Concession boudaries in tre Concessions 2013 plantation Tanintharyi 2013, showing the (FFI) based on names , the total area and planted area as attributes. The dataset was

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Wallmap (maybe digitized based on photos of a SLRD) wallmap taken in maybe 2013? In maybe SLRD Office Taninthari. Digitizing was done by? planningCatas Tanintharyi Region Source FFI oil palm, plantation, Dataset of Oil Palm Plantations in tre Oil Palm Plantation concession Thanintharyi Region (Company digitized by FFI from name,total arce, ownership status, Oil Palm Township planted area, Description) digitized Reporting to SLRD by MMA FFI based on Oil Palm 2014 Township Report by SLRD drawn on topogrpaphic maps obtained from SLRD in dawei 2014. It shows the location of Oil Palm plantations. It is a draft not exact area. How many arce of oil plam planted in this area. Attributes: Code: 1=permitted, 2=planted, 3=not planted, 4=proposed; permit_a,planted_ac,propos_ac=are a stated in map in acre, myanmar and name = Plantation owner as stated in original map

Environment Tanintharyi Product Hansen/UMD/ environment, forest Results (Treecover, Forest Loss, Treecover 2000 - Google/USGS/ cover, deforestation, Forest Gain, ...) from time-series (Global) Forest NASA. landcover, treecover analysis of 654,178 Landsat 7 Change 2000–2012 ETM+ images in characterizing 30meter University global forest extent and change of Maryland/Hansen from 2000 through 2012. For additional information about these results, please see the associated journal article (Hansen et al., Science 2013).

Environment Tanintharyi Product Hansen/UMD/ environment, forest Results (Treecover, Forest Loss, Tanintharyi Google/USGS/ cover, deforestation, Forest Gain, ...) from time-series Datamask - Global NASA. landcover, treecover analysis of 654,178 Landsat 7 Forest Change ETM+ images in characterizing 2000–2012 30meter global forest extent and change University of from 2000 through 2012. For Maryland/Hansen - additional information about these (Global) Forest results, please see the associated Change 2000–2012 journal article (Hansen et al., 30meter University Science 2013). of Maryland/Hansen

Environment Tanintharyi Landsat Product Hansen/UMD/ environment, forest Results (Treecover, Forest Loss, 7 Mosaic 2010 - Google/USGS/ cover, deforestation, Forest Gain, ...) from time-series Global Forest NASA. landcover, treecover analysis of 654,178 Landsat 7 Change 2000–2012 ETM+ images in characterizing 30meter University global forest extent and change of Maryland/Hansen from 2000 through 2012. For Maryland/Hansen additional information about these results, please see the associated journal article (Hansen et al., Science 2013). Environment Tanintharyi Landsat Product Hansen/UMD/ environment, forest Results (Treecover, Forest Loss, 7 Mosaic 2012 - Google/USGS/ cover, deforestation, Forest Gain, ...) from time-series Global Forest NASA. landcover, treecover analysis of 654,178 Landsat 7 Change 2000–2012 ETM+ images in characterizing 30meter University global forest extent and change of Maryland/Hansen from 2000 through 2012. For additional information about these results, please see the associated journal article (Hansen et al., Science 2013).

Environment Tanintharyi Forest Product Hansen/UMD/ environment, forest Results (Treecover, Forest Loss, Loss 2000-2012 - Google/USGS/ cover, deforestation, Forest Gain, ...) from time-series Global Forest NASA. landcover, treecover analysis of 654,178 Landsat 7 Change 2000–2012 ETM+ images in characterizing 30meter University global forest extent and change of Maryland/Hansen from 2000 through 2012. For additional information about these results, please see the associated

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journal article (Hansen et al., Science 2013).

Environment Tanintharyi Forest Product Hansen/UMD/ environment, forest Results (Treecover, Forest Loss, Gain 2000-2012 - Google/USGS/ cover, deforestation, Forest Gain, ...) from time-series Global Forest NASA. landcover, treecover analysis of 654,178 Landsat 7 Change 2000–2012 ETM+ images in characterizing 30meter University global forest extent and change of Maryland/Hansen from 2000 through 2012. For additional information about these results, please see the associated journal article (Hansen et al., Science 2013).

Environment Tanintharyi Forest Product Hansen/UMD/ environment, forest Results (Treecover, Forest Loss, Year of Loss 2000- Google/USGS/ cover, deforestation, Forest Gain, ...) from time-series 2012 - Global Forest NASA. landcover, treecover analysis of 654,178 Landsat 7 Change 2000–2012 ETM+ images in characterizing 30meter University global forest extent and change of Maryland/Hansen from 2000 through 2012. For additional information about these results, please see the associated journal article (Hansen et al., Science 2013).

Geoscientific Tanintharyi Global Product Food and soils, agriculture The objective of the HWSD-Viewer Information Harmonized World Agriculture is to provide a simple tool to consult Soil Database Organization the data contained in the (HWSD) Version of the United Harmonized World Soil database. 1.21 30arc/1km Nations (FAO) The HWSD consists of a 30 arc- 2012 (FAO) second (or ~1 km) raster image and Chinese an attribute database in Microsoft Academy of Access 2003 format. The raster Sciences image file is stored in binary format (CAS) (ESRI Band Interleaved by Line - International BIL). Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC) Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC)

Planning & Tanintharyi Karen Source KU (maybe protected area, KNU, Karen protected areas (as Cadastre protected areas WCS) Karen National Union designated by the Karen National 250k 2014 (KNU) Union (KNU)) in Tanintaryi.

Basemap Tanintharyi Source Kinter roads, villages, Kinter Digital Mapping Service Vectordata of Topo reserved forest, (Myeik) digitized part of the 50k 2005 digitized boundaries, water Topographic Maps 50k 2005 (MoAI) by Kinter (MoAI) body, islands, land and added some roads and villages area and other features (esp. in Myeik District) based on local knowledge to have good quality vector data of Roads, villages, water bodies, forest reserve boundaries, coastline. The data nevertheless is shifted due to a misalignment of the scanned topomaps.

Planning & Tanintharyi Reserve Source Forest Inform reserve forest, forest, Reserved Forest Boundaries of Cadastre Forest 250k 2014 planning, logging, Tanintharyi digitized 2014 by Forest Forest Inform forest management Inform from Topo 250k and partially digitized mostly 50k Topo Map sheets of Survey based on Topo250k Department. Contains no names of

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by Survey Reserved Forests. Department This is an improved version of the Myanmar Reserved Forest dataset from FI.

Location Tanintharyi Ground Source Leon Gaw Yan GCP, landcover, The aprox. 500 ground control Control Points for Feng, National mangrove, landuse points were taken to support a Landcover in University of landsat8 based land cover Mangrove areas and Singapore classification for Mangrove areas in beyond around (NUS) Tanintharyi Region by Geography Dawei and Myeik, Master Student Leon Gaw Yan May 2014, Leon Feng from NUS . They focus on Gaw Feng National Mangrove areas but also include University of some non-mangrove GCP in Singapore adjacent areas. The GCP are a result of a quick survey recording only land cover. Some points were recorded directly at the location, others were recorded taking photographs from a boat and moving the points later using Google Earth Imagery as a cross reference.

Planning & Tanintharyi Region Source FD, Survey forest reserve, Forest Reserve boundaries in Cadastre Reserve Forest 50k Department logging, forest Tanintharyi created by Forest 2000 digitized Department in 2000 mostly based mostly based on on Topo50k maps. Contains names LCC Topo 50k by of Reserved Forests. Survey Department

Planning & Tanintharyi Forest Source FD, Survey forest reserve, Forest Compartment boundaries in Cadastre Compartment 50k Department logging, forest, Taninthatyi created by Forest 2000 Forest compartment Department in 2000 mostly based Department on hand drawn FC boundaries on Topo 50k by Survey Department. Contains compartment number. biota Tanintharyi Gurney's Source Donald et al Sundaic forest, Point dataset of Gurney's Pitta Pitta potential deforestation, Hearings during the 2013 survey in Habitat- Bird threatened species, Tanintharyi Region as well as Conservation gurney's pitta, birds, Raster Dataset of modeled International (2014) habitat, forest type Gurney's Pitta potential habitat based on that data. imagery Landsat Mosaic of Product Leon Gaw Yan landsat, mosaic The Landsat scenes were mosaiced Tanintharyi Region Feng, National to create a landcover image for 1989, 2000 and University of 1989, 2000 and 2005, 2009 and 2005, 30m by Leon Singapore 2014 to be used for Land Cover (NUS) (NUS) Classification and Change Detection. The Bands included in that mosaic are LS 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.

Planning & Official Tanintharyi Source MOECAF reserve forest, forest, Official data of Tanintharyi Region Cadastre Reserve Forest and planning, logging, Reserved Forest and PPF PPF (proposed forest management Boundaries from MOECAF. Copied protected forests) 2014-11-11 from MOECAF. 2014 MOECAF Contains names of Reserved Forests and PPF.

Boundaries Tanintharyi.Tavoy Source KNU (Karen boundaries, society, Karen Administrative Boundaries of Karen Administrative National karen, administrative Tanintharyi 2014. Shows the Areas 2014 KNU Union) borders polygons of Karen administrative boundaries (Townships). From Offical Karen source.

Imagery Tanintharyi Source GeoEye Inc. Orbview 3, imagery Orbview 3 Panchromatic Imagery Maumagang 2014-12-30 for Maungmagang area. Orbview3 PAN 1m BASIC ENHANCED Processing 2004-12-30 Level, https://lta.cr.usgs.gov/satellite_orbvi ew3 for detailed description Imagery Lenya and Source Blackbridge imagery, rapid eye, Rapid Eye Level 1B Imagery from Tanintharyi NP Leyna NP, Tanintharyi the 2013/2014 dry season. 5m Rapid Eye Imagery NP, satellite resolution, 5 bands, for the area of Level 1B, 2013/2014 Tanintharyi and Lenya Proposed NP 5m Blackbridge as well as the connecting RF

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inbetween. Purchased to create land cover data for the area and to identify hotspots of deforestation and land cover change. MOst of the area is covered by more than one tile, to allow for coloudpatching as well as to see that area on 2 timesteps

Landcover Tanintharyi Source Ecodev forest cover, Land Cover/Forest Change Dataset Landcover and FLEGT 2014 deforestation, land based on Landsat data. Forest Cover cover, land use Ecodev/Smithonians 2014 produced Change 2003/2014 witin the FLEGT programme. 30m Ecodev FLEGT The Landcover is based on Landsat 2014 8 OLI December 2013 data, the forest change is the result of the analysis of Landsat from 2001/2002/2003 and 2013 (10 year period). Random Forest was used for the classification and analysis.

Legend: 1: intact forest (forest areas with more than 80% canopy cover) 2: changed forest (any kind of deforestation and transformation from forest to any other type of land use) 3: water (water) 4: other (basically any kind of pre- existing non-forest areas, including agriculture, settlements etc.) 5: degraded areas (this is still a very broad class, which includes degraded forest areas (10-80% canopy cover) and plantations)

Basemaps One Inch Source basemap, topomap, One Inch British topographic maps Topographic Maps oneinch for the are of Tanintharyi. Used for Tanintharyi, often by government departments of 1922, British Survey Myanmar.

Basemaps Quarter Inch Source basemap, topomap, One Inch British topographic maps Topographic Maps oneinch for the are of Tanintharyi. Used for Tanintharyi,253k, often by government departments of 1918-1922, British Myanmar. Survey

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ANNEX 2. TECHNICAL REPORTS PRODUCED

The following technical reports where produced during, and funded or part-funded by, the Action.

Report No. Date Full title Author

Baseline Socio-Economic Survey For Tanintharyi Proposed Report 1 May-14 Villemain & Grindley National Park, Tanintharyi Township, Tanintharyi Region

Report 2 May-14 RSPO National Workshop Proceedings Zau Lunn et al

Report 3 Oct-12 Coral Diversity & Reef Resilience in the Myeik Archipelago B Obura, Zau Lunn and S Benbow San Tha Tun, Win Hteik and Kyaw Report 4 Oct-14 Survey of Mangroves in Auckland Bay and Adjacent Areas Thuya Report 5 Oct-14 Assessment of the Myeik Archipelago Reef Ecosystem R Howard et al

Report 6 Nov-14 RSPO Regional Workshop Proceedings, Tanintharyi Zau Lunn

Report 7 Nov-14 Myeik MPA workshop TCP

Report 8 Dec-14 RSPO RT12 Study Tour A Lyons

Implementation of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in the Report 9 Jan-15 G Andriamalala Myeik Archipelago; Scoping Report

Report 10 Jan-15 Myeik Soc-mon write shop report M Pontillas & EM Ponce de Leon Preliminary Expedition Report: FFI Liveaboard Dive Surveys, 10- Report 11 Feb-15 R Howard (Ed) 19th December 2014 Shark and Ray Fisheries Myanmar-Status and Socio-economic R Howard, A Ali & U Saw Han Report 12 May-15 Importance Shein Report 13 Jun-15 Coral Reef Fish Taxonomic Report from Myeik Archipelago B Russell

Report 14a Feb-15 RSPO Benchmarking Self-Assessment Training Report (Feb 2015) Daemeter Consulting

Report 14b Aug-15 South Dagon Sustainable OP Gap Assessment CONFIDENTIAL Daemeter Consulting

Report 14c Apr-15 Tanintharyi Sustainable Plantation Management Visit March 2015 A Lyons

Report 15 Jun-15 Palm Oil Thailand Study Tour to Thailand A Lyons

Report 16 Mar-15 HCV Training Report, South Dagon Daemeter Consulting

Report 17 Jul-15 Socio-Economic Assessment Lenya Reserved Forest Daemeter Consulting

Report 18 Aug-15 Bird Fauna of Northern Myeik Archipelago Saw Moses & C Zockler

Report 19 Aug-15 Botanical Surveys of Lenya Proposed NP Win Myint et al

Report 20 Sep-15 SDOM HCV Assessment (Daemeter Consulting) CONFIDENTIAL Daemeter Consulting

Report 21 Aug-15 Bird Fauna of the Lenya Forests Saw Moses, Lay Win & C Zockler

Report 22a Jul-15 Assessment of the Crab Fishery in Tayawathataungyi Island D J Macintosh

Report 22b Sep-15 Education and outreach strategy plan for LMMAs Gildas Andriamalala

Report 23a Sep-15 Lenya Proposed National Park HCV Assessment Daemeter Consulting

Report 23b Sep-15 Lenya Proposed National Park Threats Assessment Daemeter Consulting

Report 24 Aug-15 Sustainable Palm Oil Seminar Proceedings, Myeik A Lyons

Report 25 Jul-15 Seagrass Cons & Monitoring in Myanmar U Soe Htun et al

Report 26 Aug-15 Fish Species Observed in Tanintharyi Drainage M Kottelat

Report 27 Oct-15 Operational Manual for TCP Small Grants Scheme (2016-2017) Zaw Win

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Report No. Date Full title Author Myanmar Oil Palm Plantations: Productivity and Sustainability Report 28a Jan-16 P Baskett Review (EN) Myanmar Oil Palm Plantations: Productivity and Sustainability Report 28b Jan-16 P Baskett Review (MM) Report 28c Jan-16 Atlas of Spatial Data for Forest Planning in Tanintharyi, Myanmar Saxon and Sheppard Fish Species Observed in Lenya River Drainage Basin, Tanintharyi Report 29 Aug-15 M Kottelat Region, November 2014 Biodiversity Survey Results from Southern Tanintharyi, 2014-2015 Report 30 Sep-15 Saw Soe Aung et al CONFIDENTIAL Tanintharyi Tiger Landscape Conservation Project, Inception Report 31 Jun-16 Grindley & Shwe Workshop Proceedings Report 32 Jul-16 Bird Fauna of the Southern Myeik Coast C Zockler

Report 33 Jul-16 METT For Lenya Proposed National Park M Grindley

Report 34 Jul-16 METT For Lenya Extension Proposed National Park M Grindley First Interim Report for USFW Elephant Conservation Project (No. Report 35 Sep-16 M Grindley F15AP00351) Proceedings of the First Myanmar Gurney's Pitta Conservation Report 36 Oct-16 Shwe & Grindley Workshop, Myeik Report 37 Oct-16 Botanical Surveys of Lenya Proposed NP #2 Win Myint et al

Report 38 Oct-16 Survey of coral reef fishes of the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar B Russell Blueprint for a Marine Protected Area Network in Myeik Report 39 Oct-16 Phil Dearden Archipelago Report 40 Nov-16 METT for Don Pale Locally Manage Marine Area R Howard

Report 41 Nov-16 METT for Lin Long/Parawa Locally Manage Marine Area R Howard

Report 42 Nov-16 METT for Langann Locally Manage Marine Area R Howard

Report 43 Dec-16 LMMA Management Planning Report Gildas Andriamalala Bird, mammal and mangrove survey of far southern Tanintharyi Report 44 Dec-16 C Zockler coast Report 45 Dec-16 Tanintharyi Conservation Programme Calendar, 2017 FFI-TCP

Report 46 Dec-16 Tanintharyi CF Assessment Bjoern Wode Summary Report of Marine Protected Area Training (Myeik, 13-17 Report 47 Mar-17 Phil Dearden Feb 2017) Mangrove Study Tour to Matang Protected Forest, Malaysia; Trip Report 48 Feb-17 U Myint Soe Oo & Robert Howard Report Proceedings of the Mangrove conservation planning workshop, Report 49 Mar-17 R Howard Myeik Lars Schmidt and Aye Myat Report 50 Mar-17 Tanintharyi PES assessment report Thandar Proceedings of the Bangkok Tiger Landscape Coordination Report 51 Mar-17 M Grindley Meeting (6-7 Feb 2017) Report 52 Sep-17 Operational Manual for TCP Small Grants Scheme (2017-2018) FFI Tanintharyi Wildlife Trade Assessment on Southern Thailand-Tanintharyi Report 53 Sep-17 Freeland Foundation Border CONFIDENTIAL Report 54 Sep-17 Mangrove threats assessment findings Aye Myat Thandar

Report 55 Sep-17 EU Project Final Narrative Report FFI Tanintharyi

Report 56 Oct-17 Developing a Draft Marine Protected Area Policy for Myanmar Phil Dearden

Report 57 Oct-17 Tayawathataungyi Island Community HCV Assessment P Osborne, C Reeder et al

Page 55 of 59 FFI Myanmar, Tanintharyi Conservation Programme ANNEX 3. VISIBILITY OUTCOMES

Activity / communication tool Target audience Planned Outcome(s) Communications Activities and Outcome Expected Result 1: Two new Protected Areas/ Biosphere Reserves supported with gazettement, co-management and sustainable financing 1.1 Technical and lessons learned Local communities, CF groups, Improved understanding of and · Good EU visibility on all Project-related materials (eg, workshops at national, regional LMMA groups, local CSOs, support for forest/marine protection PowerPoint Presentations, banners, maps) and district levels district/regional and national government, non-state groups, · All consultations with community groups and government national and international NGOs explained the Project objectives and sought to increase support for them · Widespread understanding of Project goals 1.2 Village awareness meetings Community members, particularly Awareness of principles and · Village awareness undertaken in all 21 beneficiary political and religious leaders criteria for Key Biodiversity Areas, villages, aimed to raise awareness of the Project PES and other tools for integrating objectives and interest in participating biodiversity into local and regional planning · Village awareness conducted in at least 15 more villages that did not participate because of conflict between KNU and Union Government 1.3 One national lessons learned Forest/fisheries users, particularly Agreement on at least two · National MPA workshop and subsequent training and workshop on protection of Key the landless and/or forest protected areas, and co- planning activities achieved agreement on two MPAs Biodiversity Areas in the dependent households, and management Tanintharyi landscape women 1.4 Community Forestry Training National stakeholders, national Increased support for improved · Manual published for use by forest user groups and Manuals published media, international media forest/fisheries management and township forest department, indicating EU support better understanding within the project of the needs of the most · The manual was subsequently distributed nationally by dependent households the FD and is the standard text for CF management 1.5 Biodiversity reports for FFI website International/ national visibility · Due to the on-going nature of the surveys, the Tanintharyi and/or Lenya proposed increased consolidated survey reports could not be completed within national parks published the Project timeframe · Drafts are being prepared and the marine report should be published in late 2017, government approval pending, with the terrestrial report due early in 2018 · Interim results have been well publicised through a number of meetings and consultations, and have already been used to define future species and ecosystems conservation priorities

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Activity / communication tool Target audience Planned Outcome(s) Communications Activities and Outcome 1.6 Sign boards erected in small National stakeholders, national Greater support for the wider · Sign boards erected in 21 beneficiary villages, naming the grants beneficiary villages media landscape conservation plan project and recognising EU support · Signs and boundary markers erected to notify the location of the LMMAs · No hunting signs erected as key locations in and around Lenya/Ngawun Forest with approval of FD and KFD Expected Result 2: Increased knowledge and capacity of key stakeholders for environmental spatial and land use planning 2.1 Spatial data and planning Regional government, ministry line One spatial planning problem · Several relevant trainings were provided (see above) seminars and workshops at the departments with interest in spatial worked through with participants; regional level data/planning agreement for follow-up actions · MPA planning in particular took the form of a ‘worked including training, data example’ of spatial analysis to identify with various improvement, data sharing stakeholders the most important marine sites for protection · Several workshops were used to define, disseminate or discuss the results of activities on reviewing the oil palm sector, introducing HCV and community forestry 2.2 On-going GIS trainings, both Local CSOs and government Network of government, NGO and · An extensive geo-spatial database was prepared and formal and in-service officers private sector GIS users compiled with support from numerous stakeholders established · It included layers that were crowd-sourced through the Open Street Map interface, which includes user-defined layers such as roads and public infrastructure · The network of users is now being supervised and further supported by One May Myanmar 2.3 Maps produced showing Community forest stakeholders, Clear articulation to stakeholders · Multiple maps were produced in a range of sizes and village locations, zonation areas, local government and line ministry of how forest will be zoned and formats CF/LMMA areas, restoration areas staff managed at village, and village etc. cluster level · Maps and data were disseminated through MyLAFF and OMM · Vinyl maps used in workshops were handed to local stakeholders and many are still in use in their offices · Due to the popularity of the maps we produced a Tanintharyi Atlas for use in forest management 2.4 Visibility of EU as project donor Local stakeholders Good knowledge that relevant · Good EU visibility on all Project-related materials (eg, activities were funded by EU (and PowerPoint Presentations, banners, maps) co-funding donors) · Good EU visibility in all public forums funded by the Action · Widespread understanding of Project goals

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Activity / communication tool Target audience Planned Outcome(s) Communications Activities and Outcome Expected Result 3: Draft policies, regulations and/or guidelines for innovative conservation approaches and sustainable financing 3.1 Participation and contribution Regional Civil Society Networks meeting regularly, with · FFI facilitated three delegations from Myanmar to RSPO to environmental network/RSPO Organisations ongoing support from FFI meetings and also set up side meetings meeting · Initial sectoral engagement was through the Oil Palm Producers Working Group, and we successfully raised their awareness of the RSPO global standards · Civil society was also engaged in the oil palm work (eg, BANCA, DRA, Southern Youth) · Ultimately the network was not sustainable due to lack of interest (see above), though our initial aims were met 3.2 Regular participation in the Line ministries represented on the Increased profile of the project and · During the Project the government formed several Tanintharyi Inter-departmental committee, including agriculture, project outputs; regular relevant bodies, including a Tanintharyi environment Conservation Committee forestry, mines, irrigation, energy engagement on regional group, the Tanintharyi OMM Working group, and a etc sustainable development policy National Committee on Coastal Management discussions · KNU also held several meetings to coordinate conservation NGOs, and FFI co-chaired one of them · The Project interacted with all these groups to some degree, negating the need for a new committee 3.3 “Open days” held in district General public, government Wider understanding of the Action · These were not ultimately undertaken as we chose to capitals on spatial planning, and officials and its place within EU portfolio of invest in the practical implementation of spatial planning land and forest management support to Myanmar examples that were a higher priority (eg, district forest management planning, improved forest/mangrove management through CF, identification of an MPA network, the oil palm sectoral review)

Page 58 of 59 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL, MYANMAR PROGRAMME Office: Room 706, Myay Nu Condo, No. 99b Myay Nu Street, Sanchaung Township, Yangon. Tel: +95 (0)973 194 749 www.fauna-flora.org