Investing in forests and protected areas for climate smart development WB

Key achievements of the phase 1 of Sweden's funding are as shown below in accordance with project components: Component 1 Enhanced Monitoring of protected areas This component aims at ensuring protection of forests and wildlife resources through monitoring and control of illegal activities and reduction in impacts to communities arising out of protected areas. Targets achieved under this component include: 1.1 Procurement of field equipments and logistics to support monitoring in 3 protected areas (PAs) and 13 Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) -3 motorcycles were procured to aid transportation and monitoring under NFA -Procurement of protective wear and equipment to facilitate patrols in project sites such as camping tents, rain coats, warm suits, gum boots, camping gear and food rations and vehicle fuels and maintenance to aid both UWA and NFA to carryout monitoring and patrols in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls National Parks and Toro-Semliki wildlife reserve and in 13 Central Forest Reserves. - Installation of 2 guard towers fitted with 2 telescopes in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 2 drones and 2 computer IPADs for surveillance and monitoring. The above actions have reduced the level of illegal activities in the target protected areas. For example, under NFA, 84 suspects have been apprehended and 6 have been convicted of forest related crimes while 50 hectares initially encroached in Bugoma were recovered and restored. 1.2 Prevention of people-wildlife conflicts -In order to reduce impacts of protected areas on surrounding communities, 21.2km of trenches have been excavated (QENP-10km, MFNP-11.2km) and these have been instrumental in reducing crop raiding by elephants, a situation much appreciated by the community. In addition, 500 bee hives have been provided (QENP 200, MFNP 200 and TSWR 100) as further deterrent to crop raiding by elephants. This has been enhanced further by the construction of a 5km out of targeted 21Km of electric fencing in QENP funded by the World Bank. -Support has been provided to at least two problem hot spots in 6 sub-counties around each of the 3 protected areas to develop and implement land use plans, and 6 sub-counties have been covered. The Plans developed have identified deterrent crops like onions, red pepper, tea and coffee that could be grown around the protected areas. -The project established and trained 283 community members as part wildlife scout groups to deal with problem animals outside the national park. They were provided with equipments for chasing away wild animals like vuvuzelas and are a primary contact with UWA when animals stray out of the protected areas. 1.3 Fire prevention and fire management in cooperation with communities in protected areas -60km of fire breaks were established and maintained for fire prevention in QENP, MFNP and TSWR. In addition, sensitisation meeting with communities were carried out on why fire should be prevented. The project further supported acquisition of fire equipment to control fires. -Fire management plans for QENP, MFNP, TSWR were reviewed and updated and assorted fire equipment has been procured, community sensitisation meetings held. 1.4 Restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting -Restoration planting of 1,136.5 hectares of natural forest was completed in Kasyoha-Kitomi and Bugoma Central Forest Reserves beyond the planned target of 400 hectares. The areas were re-stocked with indigenous trees to enhance fast recovery, increased stocking and enhancing biodiversity. In addition, 307,200 seedlings have been raised for restoration planting in Kitechura (200ha) Ibambaro (200Ha) Kibego (100ha) and Rwensambya (100Ha) CFRs and planting is planned in the April-May 2024 rains. The total area restored is expected to reach 2,136 hectares by June 2024. -Prepared new fire management plans for and established 60Km of firelines in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls National Parks and Toro-Semliki Wildlife reserve to reduce incidences and negative impacts of fire on wildlife protected areas. -NFA as under the project carried out conservation management zoning in Kalinzu and Budongo into Strict nature reserves, buffer and production zones which expected to enhance biodiversity conservation and management. 1.5 Support livelihoods of communities living around protected areas -10 Collaborative Forest Management groups (CFM) groups have been supported to review and sign new agreements with NFA allowing them to co.manage specified areas of the forest with NFA -18 CFM groups have been supported to establish nurseries to raise 1,040,000 seedlings annually as a way raising income and to supply seedlings to plant on their farmlands. -The Project Established a network of informers around target forest reserve to support monitoring illegal activities in CFRs -13 CFM groups have been supported to develop bee value chain through training, establishment of apiaries, provision of apiary equipment like KTB hives, honey harvesting tools and packaging materials. -Six problem animal hot spots were identified in 6 sub-counties around each of the three PAs to and hot spots and land use plans for these areas have been developed. The plans have identified growing of problem animal deterrent crops like Onions, tea, coffee and red pepper. - Community Resource Management groups were supported with alternative wood and nutritional requirements (Mixed tree and fruit and rabbit farming) - Promote value addition on products associated with conservation (income generating practical skills like liquid soap, briquettes, paper bags, Honey processing and candle making) - Compiled a publication for each PA on community resource access monetary value equivalents for QUENP, MFNP and TSWR - Established and supported community wildlife scout groups to deal with problem animals outside PAS - Supported 6 existing community eco-tourism groups around MFNP, QENP, TSWR, and along major tourism roads in the region - Provide incentives for three community groups/individuals/Clans in Bunyoro & Toro regions who conserve habitats for Chimpanzees & other endangered wildlife (Youth & Women Skilling). -Supported existing private conservation-livelihood model initiatives along the Murchison-Queen tourism road-including Marketing materials for Katoosi Uganda Myths shrine. - Supported 80youths around MFNP, QENP, TSWR and wildlife hot spot region of Kagadi in job skilling activities to reduce redundant labour that would engage in poaching. Skills training included tailoring, phone repairing, motor-cycle repair, Brick laying and concrete practice. 1.5 Civil works of priority infrastructure supported in forests and protected areas The project supported design of key infrastructure to be established to be established in protected areas including staff houses, visitor centres, park entry gates and bird hikes. Designs have been completed and await approval by UWA board and will be constructed with World Bank Funding under IFPA-CD. In addition, under NFA the project has supported the acquisition of boundary survey equipment to aid resurvey of forest boundaries and ArcGIS Advanced Concurrent perpetual license to enable monitoring and mapping.

The project is implemented in two phases with the same objective and is co-financed by Sweden, the World Bank., Governments of Ireland and Germany through KfW. Phase 1 aims at securing Uganda's forestry and tourism resources in the Albertine region of Uganda from the prevalent threats of illegal logging, mining, encroachment, poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking that have spiked due to the global Corona 19 outbreak. The project further support s timely community livelihood programs in the face of loss of shared revenue from tourism and forestry generated revenues with UWA and NFA, employment in tourism facilities, sale of handcrafts and produce to hotels and restaurants due to effect of the global Covid 19 outbreak. The project further supported preparatory actions for the envisioned Sida-World Bank funded Phase 2 by supporting a number of analytical studies and designs for tourism and forestry infrastructure. The World Bank Board approved a 148.2 million USD project in April 2020 developed with the Ministries of Water and Environment, Wildlife, Tourism and Antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) with consultation with Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic development (MFPED). In the face of of 2021 general elections and the covid19 situation, approval of the project by government was delayed. Sida' s first phase was fundamental to securing the resource from current pressures and securing community livelihoods as a basis for planned investments in the second phase after the main World Bank Project was approved. It was imperative to support UWA and NFA in implementation of their core resource protection activities to ensure the protected areas are shielded from encroachment, illegal exploitation, settlement  and poaching. Equally it is important to promptly address human wildlife conflicts to minimize damage, attacks and maintain good relationships with communities neighboring such resources. The protection of forests and wildlife was to ensure that post Covid 19, forestry and wildlife resources are still available for tourists, ensure satisfaction and generate the much needed tourism revenue and provision of other forest goods and services. The Project Investing in Forests and Protected areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) aims at improved management of forests and wildlife protected areas to increase benefits to communities in target landscapes within the Albertine Region of Uganda. Sweden's support to the project is managed through Window 5 (Promoting Green Growth) of the World Bank's Multi-donor Trust Fund for Implementation of Uganda's National Development Plan and is managed through two overlapping phases: Phase 1 approved in 2020 and equivalent to 30Million SEK (3.5 million USD) aimed at Securing the Natural Resource Base in Protected Areas (2020-2024) in response to impacts of Covid 19 pandemic and Phase 2 approved in 2022 and equivalent to 100million SEK (USD 9million) as additional financing to the World Bank's Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD), a USD 178.2 million World Bank-funded project. Sweden's phase 2 contribution aims at expanding the scope of planned activities and bridging gaps in the aforementioned WB project. Phase 2 builds on the preparatory activities developed during phase 1 particularly analytical studies and infrastructure designs. Sweden's second funding is fully integrated as part of the IFPA-CD. Sweden's support as indicated above contributes to components 1 and 2 of IFPA-CD which are (i) Improved management of protected areas and (ii) increased revenues and jobs from forests and wildlife protected areas while phase 2 contributes to all re Key achievements of the phase 1 of Sweden's funding are as shown below in accordance with project components: Component 1 Enhanced Monitoring of protected areas This component aims at ensuring protection of forests and wildlife resources through monitoring and control of illegal activities and reduction in impacts to communities arising out of protected areas. Targets achieved under this component include: 1.1 Procurement of field equipment and logistics to support monitoring in 3 protected areas (PAs) and 13 Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) -3 motorcycles were procured to aid transportation and monitoring under NFA -Procurement of protective wear and equipment to facilitate patrols in project sites such as camping tents, rain coats, warm suits, gum boots, camping gear and food rations and vehicle fuels and maintenance to aid both UWA and NFA to carryout monitoring and patrols in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls National Parks and Toro-Semliki wildlife reserve and in 13 Central Forest Reserves. - Installation of 2 guard towers fitted with 2 telescopes in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 2 drones and 2 computer IPADs for surveillance and monitoring. The above actions have reduced the level of illegal activities in the target protected areas. For example, under NFA, 84 suspects have been apprehended and 6 have been convicted of forest related crimes while 50 hectares initially encroached in Bugoma were recovered and restored. 1.2 Prevention of people-wildlife conflicts -In order to reduce impacts of protected areas on surrounding communities, 21.2km of trenches have been excavated (QENP-10km, MFNP-11.2km) and these have been instrumental in reducing crop raiding by elephants, a situation much appreciated by the community. In addition, 500 bee hives have been provided (QENP 200, MFNP 200 and TSWR 100) as further deterrent to crop raiding by elephants. This has been enhanced further by the construction of a 5km out of targeted 21Km of electric fencing in QENP funded by the World Bank. -Support has been provided to at least two problem hot spots in 6 sub-counties around each of the 3 protected areas to develop and implement land use plans, and 6 sub-counties have been covered. The Plans developed have identified deterrent crops like onions, red pepper, tea and coffee that could be grown around the protected areas. -The project established and trained 283 community members as part wildlife scout groups to deal with problem animals outside the national park. They were provided with equipment for chasing away wild animals like vuvuzelas and are a primary contact with UWA when animals stray out of the protected areas. 1.3 Fire prevention and fire management in cooperation with communities in protected areas -60km of fire breaks were established and maintained for fire prevention in QENP, MFNP and TSWR. In addition, sensitization meeting with communities were carried out on why fire should be prevented. The project further supported acquisition of fire equipment to control fires. -Fire management plans for QENP, MFNP, TSWR were reviewed and updated and assorted fire equipment has been procured, community sensitization meetings held. 1.4 Restoration of forest cover through enrichment planting -Restoration planting of 1,136.5 hectares of natural forest was completed in Kasyoha-Kitomi and Bugoma Central Forest Reserves beyond the planned target of 400 hectares. The areas were re-stocked with indigenous trees to enhance fast recovery, increased stocking and enhancing biodiversity. In addition, 307,200 seedlings have been raised for restoration planting in Kitechura (200ha) Ibambaro (200Ha) Kibego (100ha) and Rwensambya (100Ha) CFRs and planting is planned in the April-May 2024 rains. The total area restored is expected to reach 2,136 hectares by June 2024. -Prepared new fire management plans for and established 60Km of firelines in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls National Parks and Toro-Semliki Wildlife reserve to reduce incidences and negative impacts of fire on wildlife protected areas. -NFA as under the project carried out conservation management zoning in Kalinzu and Budongo into Strict nature reserves, buffer and production zones which expected to enhance biodiversity conservation and management. 1.5 Support livelihoods of communities living around protected areas -10 Collaborative Forest Management groups (CFM) groups have been supported to review and sign new agreements with NFA allowing them to co-manage specified areas of the forest with NFA -18 CFM groups have been supported to establish nurseries to raise 1,040,000 seedlings annually as a way raising income and to supply seedlings to plant on their farmlands. -The Project Established a network of informers around target forest reserve to support monitoring illegal activities in CFRs -13 CFM groups have been supported to develop bee value chain through training, establishment of apiaries, provision of apiary equipment like KTB hives, honey harvesting tools and packaging materials. -Six problem animal hot spots were identified in 6 sub-counties around each of the three PAs to and hot spots and land use plans for these areas have been developed. The plans have identified growing of problem animal deterrent crops like Onions, tea, coffee and red pepper. - Community Resource Management groups were supported with alternative wood and nutritional requirements (Mixed tree and fruit and rabbit farming) - Promote value addition on products associated with conservation (income generating practical skills like liquid soap, briquettes, paper bags, Honey processing and candle making) - Compiled a publication for each PA on community resource access monetary value equivalents for QUENP, MFNP and TSWR - Established and supported community wildlife scout groups to deal with problem animals outside PAS - Supported 6 existing community eco-tourism groups around MFNP, QENP, TSWR, and along major tourism roads in the region - Provide incentives for three community groups/individuals/Clans in Bunyoro & Toro regions who conserve habitats for Chimpanzees & other endangered wildlife (Youth & Women Skilling). -Supported existing private conservation-livelihood model initiatives along the Murchison-Queen tourism road-including Marketing materials for Katoosi Uganda Myths shrine. - Supported 80youths around MFNP, QENP, TSWR and wildlife hot spot region of Kagadi in job skilling activities to reduce redundant labour that would engage in poaching. Skills training included tailoring, phone repairing, motor-cycle repair, Brick laying and concrete practice. 1.5 Civil works of priority infrastructure supported in forests and protected areas The project supported design of key infrastructure to be established to be established in protected areas including staff houses, visitor centres, park entry gates and bird hikes. Designs have been completed and await approval by UWA board and will be constructed with World Bank Funding under IFPA-CD. In addition, under NFA the project has supported the acquisition of boundary survey equipment to aid resurvey of forest boundaries and ArcGIS Advanced Concurrent perpetual license to enable monitoring and mapping.