Project Identification Form (PIF)
Project Type:
the GEF Trust Fund
Submission Date: January 22, 2008
Re-submission Date: February 19, 2008
Indicative CalendarMilestones / Expected Dates
Work Program (for FSP) / 4/30/2008
CEO Endorsement/Approval / 2/28/2009
GEF Agency Approval / 3/30/2009
Implementation Start / 6/30/2009
Mid-term Review (if planned) / 6/30/2011
Implementation Completion / 12/31/2014
part i: project IDentification
GEFSEC Project ID[1]: 3618
gef agency Project ID: P108879
Country(ies): Malawi, Zambia
Project Title: Sustainable Management of Nyika Transfrontier Conservation Area
GEF Agency(ies):
Other Executing partner(s): DNPW, ZAWA, WCS, PPF
GEF Focal Area (s):
GEF-4 Strategic program(S): SP-3, SP-1
Name of parent program/umbrella project: N/A
A. Project framework
Project Objective: To establish effective transfrontier management of biodiversity and to improve local livelihoods in the Nyika TFCAProject Components
/Indicate whether Investment, TA, or STA**
/ Expected Outcomes /Expected Outputs
/Indicative GEF Financing*
/ Indicative Co-financing* / Total ($)($)
/%
/($)
/%
/1. Institutional Framework and TFCA Planning / TA / Governance functions, planning and management mechanisms of the Nyika TFCA are established and effective. / 1.1. Nyika TFCA designated bi-national institution and mechanisms for cross-border cooperation in law enforcement, research and other conservation management related areas established and operational.
1.2. TFCA detailed planning instruments completed and under implementation.
1.3. Legislative amendment requirements identified and new draft regulations for TFCA management prepared and submitted for approval.
1.4. New protected area created on the Zambia side of the TFCA improves connectivity within the TFCA and to the Luangwa Valley.
1.5. A joint fire management policy for forest protection from wildfires is drafted and endorsed. / 700,000 / 37 / 1,200,000 / 63 / 1,900,000
2. Protected Area Management / Investment and TA / The formal protected areas in the TFCA are managed more efficiently. / 2.1. Law enforcement personnel trained and deployed in areas pertaining to Nyika TFCA.
2.2. Biodiversity surveys carried out in priority habitat and species knowledge gap areas to establish appropriate database, develop animal species management plans and PA specific monitoring and evaluation systems.
2.3. Priority small infrastructure such as fences, trails, roads, bridges, visitor information centers, offices, and laboratories constructed and/or rehabilitated in the Nyika TFCA protected areas.
2.4. For specific protected areas, Public-Private Partnership established and business plans developed, concessions granted, agreements entered into, and projects initiated.
2.5. A joint fire management policy is under implementation in the Nyika TFCA.
2.6. The newly created PA management system is starting to show results. / 1,117,000 / 40 / 1,700,000 / 60 / 2,817,000
3. Community Livelihoods / TA / Livelihoods support mechanism from the TFCA leads to better stewardship of natural resources by local communities. / 3.1. Establish extension of “COMACO” Centers for “conservation farming” to improve land and water use practices and to support commercialization of their “Its Wild” branded agriculture products (rice, peanut butter, honey).
3.2. Households organized into producer groups for land use planning, agricultural marketing and conservation compliance
3.3. Producer group capacity built through on-site training and workshops for commodity-processing, value-added products, marketing and distribution to sustain premium markets that reduce illegal land use pressures on TFCA resources. / 500,000 / 13 / 3,400,000 / 87 / 3,900,000
4. Sustainable Financing / Capital Inv & TA / Revenues and funds support biodiversity conservation and livelihood measures in the TFCA. / 4.1. Commercial revenue schemes established and resulting in modest but sustained flow of funds for PA recurrent expenditures
4.2. Fundraising strategy implemented resulting in modest but sustained flow of funds for the TFCA operations, capital investments and community support after project end.
4.3. Financial mechanisms (e.g. sinking fund, endowment fund, etc.) established to channel funds for the TFCA operations, capital investments and community support after project end.
4.4. Other existing and/or proposed benefit-sharing schemes assessed, supported and formalized. / 2,500,000 / 56 / 2,000,000 / 44 / 4,500,000
Project management / Project management costs are embedded across the above components and are not a separate component per se. / 200,000 / 33 / 400,000 / 67 / 600,000***
Total project costs / 4,817,000 / 37 / 8,300,000 / 63 / 13,117,000
* List the $ by project components. The percentage is the share of GEF and Co-financing respectively to the total amount for the component.
** TA = Technical Assistance; STA = Scientific & technical analysis.
*** The costs estimated above for project management at this stage of PIF are provided here only for information and will be finalized at preparation.
B. Indicative Financing Plan Summary For The Project ($)
GEF / 365,000 / 4,817,000 / 518,000 / 5,700,000
Co-financing** / 1,300,000 / 8,300,000 / 9,600,000
Total / 1,665,000 / 13,117,000 / 518,000 / 15,300,000
* Please include the previously approved PDFs and planned request for new PPG, if any. Indicate the amount already approved as footnote here and if the GEF funding is from GEF-3.
** Project preparation: Norway US$ 500,000; WCS US$ 50,000; PPF US$ 300,000; WWF-Netherlands US$ 250,000; Zambia/Malawi US$ 200,000.
C. Indicative Co-financing for the project (including project preparation amount) by source and
by name (in parenthesis) if available, ($)
Project Government Contribution:
DPNW Malawi
ZAWA Zambia / Staff salaries and annual budgets / 1,400,000 (1,160,000 DNPW; 240,000 ZAWA)
[PPG: 160,000 DNPW; 40,000 ZAWA]
Bilateral Aid Agency(ies):
Norway* / Grant / 4,600,000 [PPG: 500,000]
($2.0m for COMACO, $1.6m* for Luangwa valley initiative, $1m for Research Center Malawi Nyika NP Biodiversity Programme II)
NGO
- PPF*
- WWF NL*
- WCS* / (select)GrantSoft LoanHard LoanGuaranteeIn-kindUnknown at this stages / 1,500,000 [PPG: 300,000]
1,550,000 [PPG: 250,000]
550,000 [PPG: 50,000]
Total co-financing / 9,600,000*
* The amounts provided are a tentative estimate based on initial discussion. WWF-Netherlands has signaled that the nature of its contribution to project implementation and amount can only be confirmed at the time of appraisal.
D. GEF Resources Requested by Focal Area(s), agency (ies) share and country(ies)*
GEF Agency / Focal Area / Country Name/Global / (in $)
Project Preparation / Project / Agency
Fee / Total
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic PollutantsNDI/CSPSGP/CB/LDC-SIDS Support / Malawi / 200,000 / 2,282,000 / 218,000 / 2,700,000
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic PollutantsNDI/CSPSGP/CB/LDC-SIDS Support / Zambia / 165,000 / 2,535,000 / 300,000 / 3,000,000
Total GEF Resources / 365,000 / 4,817,000 / 518,000 / 5,700,000
* No need to provide information for this table if it is a single focal area, single country and single GEF Agency project.
part ii: project JustiFication
A. State the issue, how the project seeks to address it, and the expected global environmental benefits to be delivered
TFCA development: A TFCA is a politically grounded instrument to foster biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvements and cross-border coordination. The development of the Malawi-Zambia TFCA commenced formally in August 2004 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two governments, facilitated by Peace Parks Foundation. This agreement identified more than 28,000 km2 for inclusion under the Nyika TFCA initiative, incorporating Malawi’s Nyika National Park, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, Kasungu National Park and Zambia’s Nyika National Park, Lundazi-, Mitenge- and Mikuti Forest Reserves, and the Musalangu Game Management Area for development as a TFCA (see map in Annex 1 and details on biodiversity value in Annex 2). Because of the extent of the total TFCA project, the Nyika TFCA component of the Malawi-Zambia TFCA has been prioritized as an initial area of focus. The Nyika TFCA, with a total area of 19,2802, consists of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Malawi and Nyika National Park, Lundazi, Mitengi, Mikuti Forest Reserves and Musalangu Game Management Area in Zambia[2]. The five protected areas under consideration, which exclude Musalangu GMA, cover about 5,701 km2. The Nyika TFCA concept is of particular interest to the conservation authorities of the two countries. There are two adjacent national parks on the Nyika Plateau on either side of the international border. Both these protected areas are known by the same name – Nyika National Park. The concept of closer collaboration between the two countries in managing these parks has been under consideration for some time. The Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) between Malawi and Zambia has endorsed the concept. The two management authorities responsible for the parks, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife of Malawi (DNPW) and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) have been duly mandated by the JPCC to develop and manage the Nyika and other cross-border protected areas. Since 2004 a Bilateral Technical Committee (BTC), assisted by a jointly appointed Coordinator, has been working towards setting up the necessary structures to implement the TFCA in phases, with the Nyika TFCA being the first priority. The BTC and its working groups, with the facilitation of the Peace Parks Foundation, have developed a Joint Management Plan and with the facilitation of WWF an Integrated Tourism Development Plan. An International Treaty is planned to be signed in 2008.
Objectives/goals: This project will assist the two governments and their stakeholders in implementing the existing joint management plan that links border protected areas, permanent forest and rural development areas by building the capacity to control resource uses and to monitor trends in biodiversity and ecosystem functions through an effective joint law enforcement system and a public-private partnership for park management as well as an implementation of a cost-effective monitoring system. The project design envisages that sustainable binational management structure (the proposed Nyika Foundation) and financial mechanisms will be in place before and during project implementation phase to sustain project achievements in the long term. The long-term objectives as per the MoU are to (i) foster trans-national collaboration and co-operation between Malawi and Zambia in implementing ecosystem and cultural resource management through the establishment and development of the proposed TFCA; (ii) promote alliances in the management of biological and cultural resources and encourage social, economic and other partnerships among Governments and Stakeholders; (iii) enhance ecosystem integrity and natural ecological processes by harmonizing wildlife management procedures across the international boundary and strive to remove artificial barriers or circumstances that inhibit natural movements of wildlife; (iv) develop frameworks and strategies whereby neighbouring communities can participate in, and tangibly benefit from, the management and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources that occur within the proposed TFCA; and (v) promote cross-border tourism as a means of fostering regional socio-economic development.
Global biodiversity value and threats: Spanning Zambia and Malawi, the Nyika plateau is of high global biodiversity significance (see also Annex 2). The Nyika plateau is classified as one of Africa’s Centers of Plant Diversity (WWF, IUCN 1994), the area is one of the Global 200 WWF priority regions for conservation (Rift Valley Lakes, Zambezi-Miombo) and contains about 3000 plant species, 102 mammals, 462 birds, 47 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 31 fish species and unknown number of invertebrates (287 species of butterflies). Large mammals outside of protected areas in Malawi no longer exist in any significant numbers. An underlying objective of the management of the areas is, therefore, to rebuild wildlife populations to former levels. Even so, the wildlife stocks of the area are still significant by comparison with adjoining areas, which are now extensively settled and developed for agriculture. Nucleus populations of all the large mammals that formerly occurred in the area, with a few exceptions, still exist in the Nyika TFCA which actually currently supports a larger range of species of free-ranging large “game” animals than any other area in Malawi or even perhaps Zambia with 21 species in this category, as compared for example with 15 in Liwonde National Park. Thus, if poaching in the Nyika TFCA can be largely eliminated, the area can become one of the most important areas in Malawi and Zambia for the conservation of large mammals of global biodiversity significance. The TFCA action plan makes provision for the strengthening of some populations like sable that are at a low ebb, and the introduction of species that have been eliminated such as waterbuck, black rhinoceros and possibly even Cookson’s wildebeest as well as the large predators. The Nyika supports what is reputed to be the highest density of leopards in the region. The potential of this area, if protection is assured, to support viable populations of lions and cheetahs, and possibly even African wild dog is of enormous importance to the conservation of these carnivore species in the region as well as to the tourism industry.
TFCA design and project approach: Significantly, the bulk of biodiversity is found on the Malawian side and the project will contribute to conserve such significant biodiversity value by increasing management effectiveness of the Malawian protected areas and by enhancing community participation in their management. On the Zambian side, the project will focus on mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into dominant land uses (agriculture) by working with communities through scaling up the COMACO approach and by establishing a protected area whereby natural habitat areas are legally secured.
TFCA Sustainable Institutional Framework for TFCA Planning and Management: The design phase will be handled by the much experienced Peace Park Foundation in coordination to each country wildlife management institution and key partners (WWF-Netherlands, Norway, WCS and WB). Both countries have agreed that neither of their current park institutions (DNPW Malawi, ZAWA Zambia) were appropriate to efficiently orchestrate transfrontier planning and management of the Nyika TFCA. Both countries have decided that a lean and autonomous institution guided by the operating principles of the private sector was preferable. The Nyika TFCA Foundation (the Nyika Foundation or NF) will be established in the next two years. Its exact status will be defined shortly after a legal review. It is expected that the Foundation’s board of directors would be equally formed of members from Zambia and Malawi with balanced representation from Government, Communities, NGOs and reputable personalities. The detailed staff composition of the Nyika Foundation’s Management Unit will be decided during the preparation phase. The Nyika Foundation will manage and thus be responsible for implementation of the project. The rationale for one transboundary foundation is based on lessons elsewhere (e.g. in Africa the Maloti-Drakensberg, Kalahari and Limpopo TFCAs) and relates to (i) simplicity of management, (ii) capacity to plan and execute holistically including making joint decisions about expenditures, (iii) maintaining accountability for results at ecosystem level, and (iv) maintaining sense of unity within the foundation and independence from potential influence from individual countries. As the principle of a TFCA goes beyond technical management of a network of protected areas, it needs high political visibility such as through signing of an international treaty with a corresponding institutional reality. Nonetheless, on an operational basis, it is possible that a protected area within the Nyika TFCA (e.g. Vwaza Marsh) could be managed by the adequate national institution or team. Conversely, there might be joint (binational) teams to take advantage of each others’ comparative advantage (as it is the case now in the small transfrontier sanctuary in the Nyika TFCA).