Project Information Document (Concept Stage) - DZ-Improved Desert Ecosystems and Climate Resilient Oases - P128082

 PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) CONCEPT STAGE Public Disclosure Copy Report No.: PIDC579 Project Name DZ-Improved Desert Ecosystems and Climate Resilient Oases (P128082) Region MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Country Algeria Sector(s) Irrigation and drainage (70%), General water, sanitation and flood protection sector (30%) Theme(s) Land administration and management (60%), Environmental policies and institutions (20%), Water resource management (20%) Lending Instrument Specific Investment Loan Project ID P128082 GEF Focal Area Land degradation Borrower(s) Ministère de l'Aménagement du Territoire et de l'Environnement (MATE) Implementing Agency Ministere de l’Agriculture et du Developpement Rural (MADR) Environmental B-Partial Assessment Category Date PID Prepared/ 12-Oct-2012 Updated Date PID Approved/ 21-Aug-2013 Disclosed Public Disclosure Copy Estimated Date of Appraisal Completion Estimated Date of 20-May-2014 Board Approval Concept Review Track II - The review did authorize the preparation to continue Decision I. Introduction and Context Country Context 1. Algeria is the largest country in Africa in terms of land mass. The Sahara Desert covers 87% of that land mass, but is home to just 9% of the national population. While the majority of the population, who are Arab or mixed Arab and Berber, identify with the common Algerian culture, the Berber tribes, particularly in the more isolated southern mountainous and desert regions of the Sahara, retain more of the traditional Berber culture. The mountainous desert areas of the Sahara– known collectively as “the South