China - Guangxi Integrated Forestry Development and Conservation Project

Page 1 PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: AB964 Project Name Guangxi Integrated Forestry Development and Conservation Region EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC Sector Forestry and Natural Resources Management Project ID P088964 Global Supplemental ID P087318 GEF Focal Area B-Biodiversity Borrower(s) GOVERNMENT OF CHINA Implementing Agency Forestry Department of Guangxi Autonomous Region Environment Category [ ] A [X] B [ ] C [ ] FI [ ] TBD (to be determined) Safeguard Classification [ ] S 1 [X] S 2 [ ] S 3 [ ] S F [ ] TBD (to be determined) Date PID Prepared June 30, 2004 Estimated Date of Appraisal Authorization June 30, 2005 Estimated Date of Board Approval December 31, 2005 I. Key development issues and rationale for Bank involvement 1. Guangxi Autonomous Region is located in the poor southwestern part of China. It is one of the key timber production areas of the country. However, it lacks sufficient forest resources to balance supply and demand for wood products within the province, or contribute to meeting national needs. In addition to negative impacts on rural livelihoods that depend on the forests and forest products, the demand for timber is increasing the pressure on Guangxi