GOVERNMENT-DONOR COORDINATION COMMITTEE (GDCC)

TWG: Forestry and Environment

TWG Action Plan

51. As reported by the TWG, 18 activities were scheduled to be implemented in the Action Plan. Progress has been reported on 14 activities; the other six were behind schedule.

Develop and implement National Forest Programme. The programme will start to be developed in early 2007. Agreement with FLD is to be included in Annual Work Plan for 2007. Proposed TOR for FA/FLD activities NFP in Cambodia. Update on Status of NFP is prepared and request for a partnership agreement through the FAO NFP facility is submitted. Danida agreed to ‘frontload’ NFP budget during 2007-2008, which is subject to additional funding commitments from the World Bank, JICA and FAO. NFP Task Force is to be established and will report to Chairman of TWG-F&E.
Practical implementation of forest demarcation and demarcation of protected areas (behind the schedule). MEF has allocated budget for this activity. 15 FA Cantonments have started the work. Some protected areas have been done and some areas are not yet demarcated. The TWG reported that there is need for more funding to support activity and cooperation and coordination with Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.
Formulate National Forest Management Plans and manage the forest based on the plan. This activity is in the reviewing process of FA division’s forest management plans and preparation NFP.
Develop Management Plans for protected areas. Some protected areas have no fund to develop the plan. The TWG pointed out there is need for more funds for the remaining areas.
Forest covers assessment for 2005/06. Interpretation and classification of forest types has been completed. Independent data verification by GRAS A/S was initiated December 2006. FCA-2006 will be completed by March 2007.
Define management options for sustainable forest management in Cambodia (behind the schedule). Proposal has been made and this activity will start in 2007. FA will develop service delivery packages with the support of Danida.
Studies on domestic demand for forest products and potential export markets (behind the schedule).
Continue Forest and Land Crime Monitoring and Reporting. The TWG reported that there is no fund for Independent Monitor (SGS) and the budget is therefore needed.
Secure support and funding and implement the National Forest Gene Conservation Programs Action Plan 2006-10. Danida funding has been secured for a 2 year (Nov 2006-Oct 2008) for the Community Based Forest Gene Conservation project.
Implement National Community Forestry Program and develop community forestry. A National workshop was held on 04 December 2006) to present findings of ADB-supported research on community forestry. Information about the workshop was also released in the Media, including the Cambodia Daily, on 07 December 2006.
Assess and test out “Forest Partnership” in pilot communes as an alternative form of forest management and a mechanism for forest revenue to contribute to local development (behind the schedule). Proposal on field testing of Forest Partnership was submitted to SEILA and pending review/approval. Additional proposals are under preparation.
Small scale family business based on forest products promoted (behind the schedule). The TWG pointed out that there is no fund for implementation of extension services, and this activity requires fund.
Implement Overall Capacity Building Program. The TWG reported that there is need for fund to implement capacity building for Sustainable Forestry and Land Management in 5 rural provinces (World Bank/JSDF/ RECOFTC) and Capacity development of FA’s GIS/Remote Sensing Unit (Danida).
Install Website for TWGFE. Website of the TWG is always Functional and updated.
Tree planting for socio-economic purposes and environmental services by multiple stakeholders. Only 2,983 ha have been planted some small project proposals developed e.g. livelihood improvement in Kbal Chhay watershed (FLD). The TWG recommended that there should be encouragement to invest in tree plantings from private and government sectors.
Processing techniques for value added products and innovative products promoted (behind the schedule). The TWG reported that there is no budget to implement this activity.
Capacity building project for forestry sector phase II. Funding from JICA has been secured.
Capacity building tree seed sector and apply for funding and continuation. The TWG disclosed that Danida funding secured 2007-2008 for Community Based Forest Gene Conservation.

52. The following issues were reported by the TWG as affecting the implementation of TWG Action Plan:

Insufficient fund to cover the TWG work plan.
Information sharing from all stakeholders to TWG secretariat needs attention and improvement.
More donor back-up and financial attention for TWG meeting is required.

Joint Monitoring Indicators

53. Strengthening the enforcement of the Forestry Law, especially combating forest land clearing and encroachment (Quarterly report). 207,960 ha of forest land are being taken back from offenders, which include 9,324 ha is flood forest. Lack of means and financial support has been identified by the TWG as constraints on the activity. And there is need therefore for budget to support the activity.

54. Rationalizing and reclassify national forest lands to ensure sustainable use of these resources by further forest demarcation/demarcation of protected areas (4th Quarter 2006). Forest demarcation is ongoing in 15 Forestry Administration cantonments. 16 Protected Areas (National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary) are being produced map and on ground boundary demarcation by putting landmark. The TWG reported also that budget for this activity is insufficient and there is need for more budgets.

55. Completing forest cover assessment 2005/06 (end 2006). Interpretation and classification of forest types was completed. GRAS A/S Company is verifying the above data assessment, and will accomplish in March 2007.

56. Implementing Community Forestry Program and develop community forestry (Quarterly). The program was approved and action was taken in some areas. There are some small project proposals, which have been developed and await funding. Therefore, more budgets are need for this activity, according to the TWG.

57. Implementing capacity building for forestry sector program/ tree planting for socio-economic purposes (Quarterly). Capacity building has been on schedule. Trees have been planted on 3,500 ha. There is need for more investment in tree planting.

58. Independent monitoring in the forestry sector (subject to donor grant funding). This activity is still pending for fund support.

59. Strengthen transparency by disseminating all relevant sector information on the activities of government agencies, including information on mining concession and military development zones, as well as donors and NGOs by periodically posting on TWGFE website (4th Quarter 2006). (i) MIME disclosed information of mining areas; (ii) MoD sent a representative to a member of TWG and will disclose the military development zones in the TWG meeting; (iii) MoE will be requested to share GIS data with stakeholders; (iv) MAFF disclosed some information on economic land concessions (08 December 2006). As constraints, the TWG reported that some development partners and NGOs do not still provide full information to TWG-F&E. TWG F & E therefore requires additional clarifications Economic Land Concessions (December 2006), which is still pending, and particularly information sharing.

Implementation status of the H-A-R Action Plan

60. Development partners review their country assistance strategies and policies to align their assistance with NSDP priorities and sector development plans. Natural Resource Management and Livelihoods Programme (NRMLP) 2006-2010 that was supported by Danida/DfiD Multi-DonorLivelihoods Facility is aligned to NSDP. Draft ‘Strategic Partnership Framework for Natural Resource Management’ (World Bank) was circulated for comments. NRMLP was launched by MEF/CDC on 12 September 2006. MOU on support to Forest and Environment Sector was signed with MAFF on 26 Oct 2006.

61. Implement the agreed strategy (B.2.d.2.). Any strategy has been developed based upon identification of parallel PIU/PMU in forestry sector. The TWG modality is expected to be the entry point for forest development and donor assistance in TA support.

62. All sector plans and development programs/projects includes an assessment of the existing capacity gaps and a capacity development plan to fill gaps to achieve targeted development results (B.3.a.1). Overall capacity building program of the forestry sector was formulated with participation of many stakeholders and evaluation of all relevant programs/projects. The formulation of a National Forest Programme will address capacity development issue. A four-year (2007-2010) and a one-year (2007) Work Plan for the TWG-F&E was developed. Also, capacity assessment of the TWG-F&E Secretariat was completed.

63. Each sector TWG prepares and implements a capacity development program for their sector ministry/agency to fill identified capacity gaps (B.3.a.2.). Overall capacity building program of the forestry sector has been implemented with participation of most of stakeholders. Additional capacity development support was also agreed upon for the GIS/remote Sensing Laboratory within FA and for community based Forest Gene Conservation.

64. Each TWG prepares a plan to increase delegated cooperation within their sector/thematic area (C.1.a.2). TWG-F&E Website provides opportunities to exchange information of donor’s delegation/mission. The 11th TWG F & E reached agreement on the establishment of Task Forces on specific themes or priority actions, e.g. NFP. DFID has delegated its NRML support to the forestry sector to Danida. It is expected that joint missions will be promoted and analytical work will be jointly formulated.

65. Each TWG prepares a calendar of field missions diagnostic review and duties planned by donors participating in the sector/thematic area of the TWG (C.1.b.1.). TWG-F&E Website provides opportunities to exchange information of donor’s delegation/mission, and it is alternate schedule sheet of missions. TWG will prepare calendar and activities to share.

Resource mobilization

66. The TWG reported that is has not been able to mobilize resources to implement its Action Plan 2006. The total amount of resources the TWG had estimated to for implementation of the Action Plan is USD 18.49 million. While there are actual commitments and sources of funds from different development partners -- DANIDA, JICA, World Bank, FAO, AFD/Conservation International, ITTO (Improvement of the Sustainable Management and Utilization of non-timber forest products in Cambodia 2006-09) and the RGC, the total mobilised funds reached only USD 11.961 million. So, there is remaining gaps of USD 6.529 million.

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