.

Agency’s Project ID:

GEFSEC Project ID:

Country: Sierra Leone

Country Eligibility: Sierra Leone is eligible for funding under paragraph 9(b) of the instrument, and meets all other eligibility requirements for GEF funding

Project Title:National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management – Sierra Leone

GEF Implementing Agency:United Nations Environment Programme

National Executing Agency: Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment

Duration:12 months

GEF Focal Area:MFA

GEF Operational Program: EA

GEF Strategic Priority: Capacity Building – CB2

Estimated Starting Date:May 2004

IA Fees: US $32,535

Financing Plan (US$)
GEF Project/Component
Project / 191,900
PDF A / 25,000

Sub-Total GEF

/ 216,900

Co-financing

GEF Agency
Gov’t Contribution PDF-A / 7000
Gov’t Contribution Project / 16000
Sub-Total Co-financing: / 23,000
Total Project Financing: / 239,900

Record of endorsement on behalf of the Government (Operational Focal Point):

Stephen S Jusu, Director of Environmental Protection Department, Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment / Date: February 17th 2004

MULTI-FOCAL AREA ENABLING ACTIVITY

Proposal for GEF Funding for

National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA)

Convention Participation

Convention / Date of Ratification/ Accession / National Focal Point
UNCBD / 12/12/1994 / Momodu A. Bah, Environmental Protection Department, Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment
UNFCCC / 22/06/1995 / Denis S. Lansana, Meteorological Department, Ministry of Transport and Communication
UNCCD / 25/09/1997 / Stephen S Jusu, Environmental Protection Department, Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment


This proposal has been prepared in accordance with GEF policies and procedures and meets the standards of the GEF Project Review Criteria for NCSA approval.
IA Co-ordinator
Ahmed Djoghlaf
Division of GEF Co-ordination, UNEP / Project Contact Person
Abdul-Majeid Haddad
NCSA Task Manager, UNEP
Date: 19 March 2004 / Tel. and email: +254 20 624088

List of Acronyms

BASED-SLBolstering Agricultural Sector Development in Sierra Leone

CBANCommunity Biodiversity Action Network

BSAPBiodiversity Strategy Action Plan

CBDConvention on Biological Diversity

CBOCommunity Based Organisations

CBRCentre for Biodiversity Research

CHEC-SILCommonwealth Human Ecology Council of Sierra Leone

COPConference of Parties of CBD

CSSLConservation Society of Sierra Leone

EFAEnvironmental Foundation for Africa

EIAEnvironmental Impact Assessment

EPDEnvironment Protection Department

FBCFourah Bay College

FDForestry Division

GEFGlobal Environment Facility

GOSLGovernment of Sierra Leone

IBAImportant Bird Areas

IPRSPInterim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

NEAPNational Environmental Action Plan

NCSANational Capacity needs Self-Assessment

NGONon-Governmental Organisations

NUCNjala University College

PMTProject Management Team

UNCBDUnited Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

UNCCDUnited Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

UNFCCCUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNEPUnited Nations Environment Program

OREINTOrganisation for Research and Extension of Intermediate Technology

SAPASocial Action for Poverty Alleviation

SCSteering Committee

SWOT/LStrengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats/Limitations

WCBWildlife Conservation Branch

WGWorking Groups

1

Section I.Background, Context and Related Work

Physical and Socio-economic Background

  1. Sierra Leone, with a land area of approximately 72,000 km2, is located within the Upper Guinean Rainforest Ecoregion, a region recognised as one of the hotspots for biodiversity conservation. While several neighbouring countries retain a sizeable portion of their forests, Sierra Leone has lost nearly 70% of its forest cover, with less than 5% of the original forest remaining in isolated forest reserves. Much of the forest was lost through logging and timber supply to Britain during the colonial era. Ever since, timber extraction continues in the country without an adequate Forest Management Act. In addition, current deforestation is escalated as a product of the rapidly expanding human population requiring more agricultural land and firewood, with past legislation favouring such anthropogenic activities at the expense of forest conservation.
  1. Broadly, there are 7 classifications of vegetation types, and these include moist rainforest, semi-deciduous, montane, mangrove, savannah, farmbush and swamp forests. Farmbush arises from slash-and-burn agriculture and is becoming the dominant vegetation type in Sierra Leone. The savanna is restricted to the northern parts of the country and is increasingly being subjected to frequent fires. Most of the moist and semi-deciduous forests are located within protected areas, often on tops of mountain and slopes.
  1. The country is divided into four main relief regions; coastline, interior lowland plains, interior plateau and mountains. The coastline or coastal plains is relatively gentle and comprised of estuarine swamps, terraces, alluvial plains and beach ridges. The interior lowland plains extend from the coastal terraces in the west to the east of Sierra Leone, occupying approximately 43% of the land area. At the edge of the lowland plains are the interior plateaux, made up of granite that runs from the northeast of the country to the southeast. In the north and east of the country are found two of the highest mountains, with the Loma Mountains being the highest in West Africa, west of Mount Cameroon. The highest peak on the Loma Mountains is Bintumani, which rises to 1945 m, while Sankan Biriwa on the Tingi Hills, rises to 1805m. West of these two mountains, is the Freetown Peninsula, which is also made up of dissected peaks, with the two highest peaks being Sugar Loaf and Picket Hill. The hills on the Freetown peninsula are unique to this region, and found nowhere else in the sub-region.
  1. The natural landscape of Sierra Leone is comprised of diverse ecosystems including lowland rainforest, montane forest, freshwater swamps, mangrove/coastal and marine ecosystems. The level of species richness and endemism is incomplete for all ecosystem types in the country, but available data points to the lowland rainforest ecosystem as being biologically diverse in terms of species richness and endemism than all other ecosystems. Typical endemic mammal species in the lowland rainforestecosystem include Cephalophus zebra, Cephalophus jentinki, Hyperolius picturatus, Agelastes meleagrides and Cercopithecus diana diana. Endangered animal species include Pan troglodytes verus, Loxodonta africana cyclotis, Piliocolobus badius badius, Procolobus verus, Cercopithecus diana diana, Atherurus africanus, Panthera pardus, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni ivoriensis, Scotopelia ussheri and Malimbus ballmanni. Threatened and endangered tree species of the lowland rainforest ecosystem include Didelotia idae, Copaifera salinkounda, Mansonia altissima, Antrocaryon micraster, Pterygota macrocarpa, Afzelia africana and Tieghemella heckelii.
  1. Several categories of protected areas exist in Sierra Leone, with only one national park. The current area coverage of protected areas is still less than 5%, with some of the major ones including Gola forests, Western Area Forest Reserve, Outamba-Kilimi National Park, Loma Mountains, Tingi Hills, Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary and Kangari Hills.
  1. Human impact on the natural ecosystem and its resources has been severe. Once dominated by forests, the country now has less than 5% of mature forest remaining. Logging, mineral exploitation and slash-and-burn agriculture have all taken a toll on the country’s rich biodiversity. The energy sector is dominated by biomass energy, accounting for over 75% of total energy consumption. Current practices of the production, transformation, and end use of biomass are inefficient and unsustainable.
  1. Sierra Leone is vulnerable to the impacts of potential changes in future climate. Future global climate changes will disrupt the agricultural system with current food production rate not keeping with population growth, flooding of coastal areas with obvious signs of sea erosion in several areas and drowning of low-lying areas. Hence, there is need for Sierra Leone to develop new and/or adapt existing policies and programs of social and economic development that can take into account the potential impacts of climate change.
  1. Sierra Leone has an estimated population of over 5 million people with an estimate of 60% living below the poverty line, and with a very high density compared to any other country in West Africa. Certain regions in the country carry the bulk of the population, including the Freetown peninsula, the Kono, Kenema and Bo districts. The northern part of the country is sparsely populated. Sierra Leone’s economy suffered a major stagnation in the decade leading to the civil war and thereafter. A large number of people live below the poverty line. The economy is largely dependent on the extraction of minerals (such as diamonds, rutile, bauxite and gold) and subsistence agricultural practices. Nearly 80% of the labour force is engaged in agriculture, largely slash-and-burn, with rice cultivation making up the bulk of the subsistence activity. Industrial development is still in the formative period, with import substitution comprising the major industrial activity. Development in the country has stagnated for too long, with Sierra Leone being frequently ranked as the least under-developed country. Illiteracy is very high, life expectancy low and large sections of the population remain unemployed (especially among the youths).
  1. Between 1991-99 efforts to stabilise the economy were interrupted by recurrent outbreaks of violence and political instability. Economic activity began to recover in 2000 mainly thanks to the expansion of external assistance following the peace process. In 2001 GDP rose 5.4%, increasing investor confidence, promoting greater movement of people, as well as a 74% increase in power supply and greater agricultural output. The Government has strengthened its co-ordination mechanisms including, in July 2001, establishing the National Recovery Committee (NRC) to support the re-establishment of state authority nationwide. Strategy, policy and co-ordination mechanisms are being set up in each sector. Following a successful democratic election in 2002, donor confidence and investment by the private sectors have increased considerably. National security has also increased with a newly trained and well-equipped military and police force.

  1. A rising human population largely dependent on the use of its natural resources cannot afford to ignore environmental concerns related to biodiversity, desertification and climate change. Article 7(b) of chapter 11 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone underscores the importance of environmental stewardship, by giving support and confidence to the Government to harness the natural resources of the country in a sustainable manner, in order to promote national prosperity and an efficient, dynamic and self-reliant economy.
  1. The importance of environmental stewardship is being echoed through all sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture and the mining sectors. In a recent move to ensure food security in the country, the agriculture ministry has developed a framework called Bolstering Agricultural Sector Development in Sierra Leone (BASED-SL), and one of six key components is intended to “enhance sustainable utilization, conservation and productivity of forest resources”. Recently, the Environment Protection Department has mandated the use of EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for all major development projects to ensure that economic development does not continue at the current rate and at the expense of environmental sustainability.
  1. With Sierra Leone currently experiencing political stability, and peace now firmly established in the country after 10 years of civil conflict, enormous challenges lie ahead, in particular: rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of a vibrant economy based on the exploitation of available natural resources. Natural resources that provide Sierra Leoneans with livelihood and economic prosperity require a healthy environment. Natural resources in Sierra Leone are necessary to promote sustainable economic development but require adequate investment in the development of capacity including investment in human capital that will ensure the proper utilization and management of natural resources.

Environmental Institutions

Government Ministries and Institutions
  1. Several institutions play important roles in ensuring a sound environment for all Sierra Leoneans, including government institutions (e.g. Forestry Division, Environmental Protection Division, Wildlife Conservation Branch, etc), academia (e.g. Centre for Biodiversity Research, Njala University College and Fourah Bay College) and non-governmental organisations (Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, Environmental Foundation for Africa, Green Scenery, Friends of the Earth, CHEC-SIL, CBAN, OREINT) and local communities and their associated organisations throughout the country.
  1. The Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment is the lead agency for the UNCCD, UNCBD and UNFCCC. Its Environmental Protection Unit was originally established in 1995 to coordinate and monitor all environmental policies, programmes, projects and activities in the country. This was formalised under the Environmental Protection Act of 2000. The EPD is empowered under this act to put in place all necessary mechanisms to protect the environment. It acts as the focal point for all national and international environmental issues relating to Sierra Leone, and has representation on the boards and committees of government line ministries and related institutions in a bid to promote effective collaboration for sound environmental management. The EPD headed by a Director, is supported by 3 Senior Environmental Officers and 4 Regional Environmental Officers.
  1. The Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security is responsible for executing provisions of the Forest Law and management of all state and some chiefdom forests. The FD is also mandated to encourage management planning on all forests, emphasising agro-forestry, fuel-wood management and fire control. Specific goals of the FD include forest protection to reduce deforestation to half its current rate, particularly in areas at risk to conservation of soil and water; to increase the protected area network by 13% at the turn of the century, including buffer zone establishment with community participation around reserves; integrated management of mangroves; collaboration with the Agriculture Division to promote agro-forestry techniques to farmers; increase fuel-wood supply to exceed current demand, through plantations and better management of existing fuel-wood resources.
  1. The Wildlife Conservation Branch is under the Forestry Division and is responsible for implementing provisions of the Wildlife Conservation Act and enforcement of laws contained therein. It is headed by a Game Superintendent and supervised by the Director of Forests. The branch has the mandate to manage all of the nation’s protected areas.
  1. The Ministry of Mineral Resources recognizes the negative impact of mining on the environment, and concerns expressed by the public have resulted in the passing of a new mining policy and legislation, which make provision for the rehabilitation of mined out areas. The government is keen on ensuring “that prospecting, exploration, mining and processing of mineral resources proceed in an environmentally sound manner”. The mining code requires that large and medium scale mines submit an EIA prior to the application for a mining license, and that appropriate steps be taken to mitigate damage caused by mining activities. Such mitigating actions can include reclamation and regeneration.
  1. The Agriculture Division through its BASED-SL initiatives has developed a new programme framework to enhance food security in the country. One of its key components is to enhance sustainable utilization, conservation and productivity of forest resources to arrest deforestation and supply the needs of people living in urban centres. Several activities are planned under this component and include the collection of baseline data on forest reserves and forest biodiversity; monitoring and protection of forest reserves and protected forests; promotion and development and adaptation of improved forest trees; establishment of a mechanism for harvesting and replenishing of forest resources on a sustainable yield basis; protection of watersheds and development of wildlife sanctuaries; promotion of agro-forestry and community woodlots; erosion and bush fire control and promotion of forestation/reforestation.
  1. Several Government ministries are concerned with desertification and climate change issues. The Department of Meteorology in the Ministry of Transport and Communication is the implementing agency for climate change issues, while the Environmental Protection Department is the coordinating agency. Several core institutions are also involved in climate change issues and include Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Food Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy and Power, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Marine Resources and Ministry of Development and Economic Planning.
  1. Sierra Leone has a National Environment Board (NEB) with diverse membership that is very influential in policy matters and in the implementation of the environmental legislations. A National Environmental Committee (NEC) has also been set up, along with a Technical Environment Committee with a mandate to assess specific environmental issues. The National Environmental Committee was established to ensure coordination among sectoral agencies, and comprises representatives from almost all sectoral ministries including agriculture, energy and power, mines, tourism, health, social services, foreign affairs as well as housing and environment. The Technical Environmental Committee assesses specific environmental issues such as the occurrence of toxic materials on land or in marine locations and the NCSA will benefit from these experiences.
  1. The National Environment Board has the following responsibilities:

(a) facilitates coordination, cooperation and collaboration among government ministries, local authorities and other governmental agencies in all areas relating to environmental protection;

(b) reviews national and sectoral environmental policies and make such recommendations or proposal it may think necessary to the Environment minister;

(c) reviews Environmental Impact Assessment prepared pursuant to Environmental Protection Act and make appropriate recommendations to the Director of Environment;

(d) investigates any activity, occurrence or transaction which it considers likely to have or result harmful consequences to the environment;