India - Kerala Forestry Project

Report No. PID6724 Project Name India-Kerala Forestry Project(+) Region South Asia Sector Rural Development Project ID INPE49477 Borrower Government of India Implementation Agency Government of Kerala Kerala Forest Department Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Contact: Mr. K. Balachandran Thampi Chief Conservator of Forests, Project Cell Fax: (91-471) 360452 Appraisal Date September/October 1997 Date PID Prepared August 10, 1998 Project Board Date March 24, 1998 Project Objectives. The main objective of the project lies in assisting the Government of Kerala (GOK) in arresting the retrograde trend in forest cover development and improving forest productivity in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner and, in alleviating the living standards of rural poor residing in forest infringements. The project objectives would be achieved through: (a) improving the forest policy framework and strengthening institutions; (b) increasing the stocking and productivity of natural and plantation forest on forest and non-forest land; and (c) conserving biodiversity. The key indicators of project performance and achievement by the end of the project would be (a) the growth of healthy and sustainably managed forests; (b) increase in forest cover stabilization in intervention areas; (c) strengthening of forest management; (d) improved planning, monitoring & evaluation to enable better client focus and community participation; and (e) reformed approach to human resource development. Project Description. The project has three components (i) Strengthening of Sector Management through strengthening of policy reform, institutional and human resource development, introducing Forest Management Information System; and supporting Project Management, (ii) Strengthening of Forest Management through improving management of natural forests, introducing participatory forest management of degraded natural forests, improving management of industrial plantations, introducing improved quality of planting stock and adapted research, support for homestead forestry and associated activities and introducing an improved fire management system, and (iii) Strengthening of Biodiversity Conservation through establishing state-wide strategic approach to conservation, strengthening sustainability of Protected Area (PA) system, improving scientific knowledge and public support and expanding Village Ecodevelopment. Project Implementation. Kerala Forest Department (KFD) would be the main  implementing agency for the project under the overall leadership of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. A Project Steering and Finance Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary has been established for overall policy guidance to project management during implementation and for safeguarding availability and flow of funds to the project. The Project Cell (PC) headed by a Chief Conservator of Forests would be responsible for coordination of all project funded activities in accordance with the time- bound action plan. Project Cost and Financing. The estimated total project cost of US$ 47.0 million equivalent would be financed by an IDA credit of US$ 39.0 million equivalent, Government of Kerala contribution of US$ 7.5 million equivalent and Beneficiary contribution of US$ 0.5 million equivalent. Environmental and Social Aspects. The project has been rated under environment assessment category "B" having an overall positive environmental impact. This will be achieved by mitigating the pressure on natural forest areas, control of fires, improving and assisting natural re-generation, supporting biodiversity conservation and initiating PFM and increasing forest produce. Under the project, activities will be carefully targeted to address poverty and create assets and income for the poor. In order to sustain PFM and Eco-development programs, KFD has adopted a clear approach towards development and introduction of participatory forestry in the state. To remove any form of gender bias, the project hopes to institutionalize women's participation through their representation as stakeholder group in the VSS and their involvement in micro-planning of activities beneficial to women. Contact Point: The InfoShop The World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone No. (202)458 5454 Fax No. (202) 522 1500 Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain activities and/or components may not be included in the final project. Processed by the InfoShop week ending August 14, 1998. - 2 -  Annex Because this is a Category B project, it may be required that the borrower prepare a separate EA report. If a separate EA report is required, once it is prepared and submitted to the Bank, in accordance with OP 4.01, Environmental Assessment, it will be filed as an annex to the Public Information Document (PID) . If no separate EA report is required, the PID will not contain an EA annex; the findings and recommendations of the EA will be reflected in the body of the PID. -3-