India - Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project

Report No. PIC4707 Project Name India-Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project Region South Asia Sector Agriculture, Forestry Project ID INPA35169 Borrower Government of India Date this PID Prepared January, 1997 Implementing Agency Uttar Pradesh Forest Department Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Telephone: 91 522 283871 (Project Office) Facsimile: 91 522 283322 (Project Office) Appraisal Date February, 1997 Projected Board Date September, 1997 Objectives: 1. The main objective of the project would be to assist with the implementation of the government strategy for development of the forestry sector in the state. More specifically the objectives are: to introduce the necessary changes in process and to develop human resources for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the strategy; to ensure that management processes and the structure and resources of both forest departments are appropriate to their role as nodal public sector agencies in the forestry sector; to assist with the prioritization of various types of land through improved planning at a macro-scale; to increase both forest cover and productivity through development of participatory processes for management and use of forest resources, taking special account of the interests of disadvantaged groups; to adapt and improve existing technologies and to provide technical and management advice; to assist with the privatization of the production of forest products through improving incentives for forest management and the cultivation of trees; and to promote the conservation of biodiversity. Description: 2. The project would cover the entire area of the state. The project is designed to be of four years duration, forming the first phase of planned long-term support to the sector. The project components would be as follows: (i) Institutional Development. Development of the management of the sector through: changing the approach of UPFD, improving the management process, and developing human resources through improved manpower planning, and process and skill-gap analysis, combined with competency-based training. Improved planning, monitoring and evaluation procedures would be introduced, together with the necessary management information systems; (ii) Forest Development. The project would finance a variety of interventions in the development of forest resources in Uttar Pradesh, including management of both undegraded and degraded natural forests, and farm and community forestry. Priority  would be given to community participation in natural forest management, that is Joint Forest Management, though certain less degraded areas would continue to be managed by UPFD. Farm forestry would be a purely private sector matter, mainly individual farmers. The project would also support programs of silvipasture development and urban forestry; (iii) Research and Technology. Continuation of selected long-term trials and observation plots, and provision of necessary equipment and training to develop linkages with research databases. A planting material improvement program to ensure better quality seeds and seedlings are utilized in the sector. Establishment of a Pasture Development Unit and demonstration and fodder seed production plots, and the development of a fire protection strategy for the state; (iv) Biodiversity Conservation. Long-term strategic planning for biodiversity conservation in the state, both within and outside Protected Areas (PAs). Improved management of 15 priority PAs linked to ecodevelopment programs to provide alternative incomes or resources for communities in areas peripheral to the PAs, and associated research and public awareness programs. Implementation: 3. The implementation of the project would be fully integrated with the coordination and management of the regular program of UPFD, which would be the main implementing agency. Cost and Financing: 4. Total project costs are tentatively estimated at US$50.86 million, of which IDA would finance about 859. Environmental Aspects: 5. Project activities would have very low environmental impact potentials and that the project would have beneficial effects on the environment. The project addresses many of the priorities in the India Environmental Action Programme, 1993. Specifically: conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity in selected ecosystems, including conservation of endangered plant and animal species and critical habitats; afforestation, based on community participation in forest protection and management in watershed and other areas; wasteland development involving private and community tree planting; and soil and water conservation. Other environmental benefits may include C02 absorption, river flow regulation, and meso-climatic and other effects. Contact Point: Ian Hill, Task Manager SA2AW The World Bank 1818 H Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20433 Telephone No.: (202)458-0295 Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain components may not necessarily be included in the final project. Processed by the Public Information Center week ending February 14, 1997. -2 -