Outline of the Project

Project Name

Project for Sustainable Natural Resource Management (SNRM)

Country

Viet Nam

Date of R/D Signed

9 July 2015

Project site

Hanoi City, Dien Bien Province, Lai Chau Province, Son La Province, Hoa Binh Province, Lam Dong Province (Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park) and other related areas

Term of Cooperation

August 17, 2015 to January 31, 2021

Implementing Organization

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), 05 Provincial People's Committees, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of 04 North West Provinces, Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, etc.

Project Background

The complex topography and climate of Vietnam has created the diversity of its forest ecosystems, which includes evergreen broad-leaved forests, semi-deciduous forests on high and low mountains, mixed evergreen coniferous forest, mangroves, bamboos, and so on. The history of over-exploitation and unsustainable management of forests resulted in the decline of forest area from 43% in 1943 to 28% in 1995. However, due to national efforts towards afforestation and restoration of forests, the forest area recovered to nearly 40%. Although the forest area is on the increase, it is necessary to improve quality of the forest and to realize sustainable forest management and importance of biodiversity conservation. Nearly 25 million people are living in the forest areas and depending partly or largely on the forest resources for their livelihood. Sustainable natural resource management is important not only to environmental aspect such as biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, disaster prevention and climate change mitigation and adaptation, but also to green growth, development of rural area and poverty alleviation.

In order to address these issues, several initiatives have been taken by GOV such as revision of "the Forest Protection and Development Plan (2011-2020)(FPDP)" in 2012 and developing "the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2012 -2020 with Vision to 2030". These initiatives provides clear targets for the country, for example, 45% forest area in 2020, improvement of productivity and quality of forest, contribution to poverty alleviation of people living in rural area and reform of national forestry company.

In addition, GOV also needs to address some emerging issues, such as the growing market economy and international economic integration, international initiatives (e.g. REDD+) and domestic policies (e.g. PFES).

Under the circumstances, GOV requested GOJ for a technical cooperation to promote sustainable natural resource management by integrating JICA's past and on-going cooperation in this sector, and GOJ approved the request.

Overall Goal

Sustainable natural resource management providing multiple benefits to the people is promoted.

Project Purpose

National capacity for sustainable natural resource management is enhanced.

Outputs

Component 1 (Policy Support Component)

Component objective

Development and implementation of key policies on natural resource management is promoted.

Output 1-1

Policies contributing to sustainable forest management such as the forestry sector reform and the National REDD+ Action Program (NRAP) are promoted.

Output 1-2

The utilization of the National Biodiversity Database System (NBDS) is facilitated among the relevant stakeholders.

Output 1-3

Outputs of Components 2 and 3 are integrated into policy formulation and actions.

Component 2 (Sustainable Forest Management and REDD+ Component)

Component objective

Sustainable forest management is promoted through the development and implementation of the Provincial REDD+ Action Plans (PRAPs) in four provinces in the Northwest (Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La and Hoa Binh)

Output 2-1

PRAP implementing capacities in Dien Bien Province are enhanced.

Output 2-2

PRAPs for Lai Chau, Son La and Hoa Binh Provinces are developed with the knowledge transfer from Dien Bien Province.

Component 3 (Biodiversity Component)

Component objective

An integrated and collaborative ecosystem management system is established for sustainable conservation and management of the Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve (LB-BR).

Output 3-1

An institutional framework necessary for management and operations (integrated and collaborative ecosystem management framework) of the LB-BR is established.

Output 3-2

The collaborative management agreement (CMA) with the benefit sharing mechanisms (BSMs) is upgraded as a tool for conservation of forest ecosystems in the core and buffer zones of LB-BR.

Output 3-3

The results of forest and biodiversity monitoring are used for the management of the core and buffer zones of LB-BR.

Component 4 (Knowledge Sharing Component)

Component objective

The knowledge and lessons learned from Outputs 1 - 3 are synthesised and shared with related government agencies and other key stakeholders at national and international level.

Output 4-1

The forest resource data and information generated from the project are integrated into FORMIS.

Output 4-2

The achievements and lessons learned from the project are shared with relevant stakeholders at national and international level.

Output 4-3

The results of the project are widely publicized.

Activities

Component 1 (Policy Support Component)

1-1-1.	Assist in reviewing and drafting the Law on Forest Protection and Development.
1-1-2.	Assist in implementing the action plans to promote the Decision on Forestry Sector Reform Proposal (No.1565/QĐ-BNN-TCLN, 08/07/2013).
1-1-2-1.	Improve quality seed/seedling production and supply system.
1-1-2-2.	Improve high-quality timber (including large-diameter timber) production system.
1-1-2-3.	Assist in attracting and promoting private investments into forestry sector.
1-1-3.	Assist in compiling the outcomes of the Forest Sector Support Partnership (FSSP).
1-1-4.	Assist in promoting the National REDD+ Action Program (NRAP).
1-1-5.	Provide technical support related to formulation and implementation of Provincial REDD+ Action Plan (PRAP) in the pilot provinces under FCPF Carbon Fund and other donors.
1-1-6.	Provide support for the formulation and implementation of other emerging forest policies as needed.
1-2.	Assist in operating the National Biodiversity Database System.
1-2-1.	Assist MONRE in operating NBDS.
1-2-2.	Assist relevant provinces and organizations in accumulating data on biodiversity.
1-3.	Assist in integrating outputs from Components 2 and 3 into policy formulation and actions.

Component 2 (Sustainable Forest Management and REDD+ Component)

[in Dien Bien Province]

2-1-1.	Establish a Provincial Project Management Unit.
2-1-2.	Revise the Provincial REDD+ Action Plan (PRAP).
2-1-3.	Plan and implement REDD+ activities in a selected pilot commune.
2-1-4.	Enhance the capacity for operating the Provincial Forest Monitoring System (PFMS).
2-1-5.	Promote knowledge transfer and experience sharing with the other three provinces in the Northwest (Lai Chau, Son La and Hoa Binh).
2-1-6.	Monitor the forest management and livelihoods development activity progress and results in the pilot communes of SUSFORM-NOW[1] (Muong Phang and Muong Muon) and provide technical support as necessary.
2-1-7.	Compile achievements and lesson learned in REDD+ planning and implementation for further replication to other priority areas under the PRAP.

[in Lai Chau, Son La and Hoa Binh Provinces]

2-2-1.	Establish a Provincial Project Management Unit in each province.
2-2-2.	Conduct natural-environmental/ socioeconomic survey.
2-2-3.	Develop a PRAP in each province.
2-2-4.	Plan and implement REDD+ activities in a selected pilot commune in each province.
2-2-5.	Enhance the capacity for operating the Provincial Forest Monitoring System (PFMS) in each province.
2-2-6.	Compile achievements and lesson learned in REDD+ planning and implementation for further replication to other priority areas under the PRAP in each province.

Component 3 (Biodiversity Component)

[in Lam Dong Province]

3-1.	Establish an institutional framework necessary for management and operations (integrated and collaborative ecosystem management framework) of LB-BR.
3-1-1.	Form a Biosphere Reserve (BR) management structure or Collaborative Management (CM) platform for LB-BR with a legal document in consultation with the relevant members of the structure/platform.
3-1-2.	Assist the BR management structure or CM platform in the formulation of a five (5) years management plan for LB-BR and monitor the implementation of the management plan periodically.
3-1-3.	Organize information sharing workshops and training courses with the forest owners and DARDs in the neighboring provinces.
3-1-4.	Develop a road map (including a proposed five years management plan) to enlarge LB-BR.
3-2.	Upgrade the Collaborative Management Agreement (CMA) with the Benefit Sharing Mechanisms (BSMs) as a tool for conservation of forest ecosystems in the core and buffer zones of LB-BR.
3-2-1.	Develop plans/strategies for environmentally friendly livelihood options (EFLO), community-based eco-tourism (CBET), and marketing of local products for improvement of local livelihoods.
3-2-2.	Review and improve/upgrade the CMAs with the BSMs and put them to trial in the target/pilot villages, including monitoring and evaluation of its results.
3-2-3.	Conduct training courses on CMA for staff members of relevant organizations and revise the existing guidelines/manuals.
3-2-4.	Draft a legal document to introduce the CMA with the BSMs in the core and buffer zones.
3-3.	Promote utilization of the results of forest and biodiversity monitoring for the management of the core and buffer zones of LB-BR.
3-3-1.	Collect and set the baseline data on forests in the core and buffer zones and the same on biodiversity in the core and buffer zone.
3-3-2.	Periodically monitor forest and biodiversity conditions in the core and buffer zones.
3-3-3.	Use the forest and biodiversity monitoring data for management of LB-BR and for development of the database systems.
3-3-4.	Hold trainings for staff members of relevant organizations and revise the existing guidelines/manuals.

Component 4 (Knowledge Sharing Component)

4-1.	Assist in linking and/or integrating data and information on forest resources generated from the project into FORMIS.
4-2.	Share the achievements and lessons learned from the project with relevant stakeholders.
4-3.	Publicize the project results.

Inputs

Japanese side

1) Japanese Experts (long-term)
Chief Advisor, REDD+, Administrative Coordinator/Forest Policy

2) Japanese Experts (short-term)
Sustainable Forest Management, Livelihood Development, Biodiversity, Forest Inventory, and others

3) Machinery and equipment
As necessary

4) Training
Training in Japan or third country

5) Project budget

Vietnamese side

1) Counterpart staff
Project Director, Vice Project Director, and other technical and administrative personnel

2) Facility, machinery, and equipment
Project office, meeting room, necessary machinery and equipment

3) Project counterpart budget