Malawi - Environment Support

Report No. PIC835 Project Name Malawi-Environment Support Region Africa Sector Environment Project ID MWPA1664 Implementing Agency Office of the President Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources Ministry of Agriculture Department of Water Resources Date Prepared March 1994 Projected Board Date July 1995 Objectives The main objective of the Environment Support Project (ESP) will be to help the Government implement the priority environmental actions emerging from the NEAP and the Forestry Policy Review (1993). It is also the intent of the ESP to provide a strategic framework for environmental investments involving all relevant sectoral ministries and interested donors. Description The project consists of four components: a) conservation and planning for the Mulanje Mountain area, which is noted for its biodiversity and endemism. This component would address the incentive structure for resource use and forestry activities, among other issues. A trust fund mechanism may be established to generate income for activities which demonstrate the linkage between sustainable economic development and biodiversity conservation; b) management of miombo woodlands in customary and government forest reserves; c) protection of key catchment areas through pilot projects with communities; d) regeneration of the former refugee areas, addressing the problems of deforestation, natural resources degradation and soil erosion at these sites. Implementation The main implementing bodies will be the Office of the President for the rehabilitation of the refugee areas, the Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Water Resources for catchment management, and the Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources for miombo woodland management program, and the Department of Forestry and Mulanje Mountain Trustees for the Mulanje Mountain Conservation component. Financing and Cost The project cost is estimated to be US$ 38 million. IDA contributions will be approximately US$ 20 million. Donors such as ODA, GTZ, USAID, and UNHCR have expressed an interest in collaborating and  co-financing the implementation of the program. Environmental Aspects This project has been classified as a category B project. The overall impact on the environment will be beneficial as each component is designed to mitigate environmental degradation through soil conservation, community environmental awareness and participation in management, seedling care and planting, water pollution and deforestation prevention activities and monitoring. Contact Point: Public Information Center The World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202)458-5454 Fax No.: (202)522-1500 Note: This is information based on an evolving project. Certain components may not necessarily be included in the final project. - 2 -