Provincial and district government leaders have gathered in Xonnabouly district for the final SAFE Ecosystems Project Annual Review Meeting to review 2021 results and the Terminal Evaluation report. The project, which is coming to an end of its six-year project life in May 2022, has been supported by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by the Department of Forestry.
Over the past six years, the SAFE Ecosystems Project has sought to address two general categories of threats to Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the Savannakhet Province.
Firstly, conversion and degradation of natural habitat and ecosystems; and second, overharvesting of biological resources, bringing about the long-term solution via the facilitation of a transformative shift from unsustainable to integrated sustainable land and forest management in the Dry Dipterocarp Forest landscape of five districts in Savannakhet.
The project has been instrumental in bringing about several global environmental benefits, including creating a new National Protected Area (the National Eld’s Deer Sanctuary) covering an area of 130,745 ha.
The project also initiated the reforestation process in 3,788 ha of forest land through the re-planting of 768 ha and setting aside 3,020 ha for natural regeneration. More than 9,100 direct beneficiaries have been involved in the project, the largest proportion of which has been from the village communities in the project areas.
Forty-three communities have been involved in not only village forest management planning, but also protected area ranger work and the undertaken reforestation efforts. Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in the Lao PDR Catherine Phuong emphasized the importance of the SAFE Ecosystems Project in supporting the Provincial Government’s efforts to manage its natural resources. She highlighted that “over the past six years, the SAFE Ecosystems Project has been supporting the Government of the Lao PDR with managing protected areas within the Dry Dipterocarp Forest landscape through developing clear policies, regulations, and coordination mechanisms.” She added that “the preliminary result of the Terminal Evaluation indicate that forest and land resources within Xonnabouly, Palanxay, Phone, Songkhone and Thapangthong districts are under improved management now as a result of the SAFE Ecosystems Project.”
The Terminal Evaluation was an evidence-based assessment, which relied on feedback from individuals who have been involved in the design, implementation and supervision of the SAFE Ecosystems Project. The overall approach and methodology for the review followed guidelines as outlined in the UNDP and GEF guidance of conducting Project Reviews.
Preliminary results show that SAFE Ecosystems Project has received a “Satisfactory” rating for overall effectiveness based on the assessment of 21 indicators providing valuable insights, lessons learned and recommendations for the implementation of future GEF projects in the Lao PDR.
Acting Director General of the Department of Forestry Bounphone Sangthong stated, “We are very proud of what the SAFE Ecosystems Project has accomplished. International best practice activities in this project, such as Community Conservation Agreements, have never been done before in Savannakhet. Everyone involved, especially at the District and Community level have learned so much and are able to better protect the forest.”He added, “We hope to continue the momentum that has been created by the SAFE Ecosystems Project, but this requires financial resources. The Protected Areas Decree, which is currently being revised, contains Articles for the exploration of innovative financial mechanisms to enable the funding of Laos’ Protected Areas. Options such as Debt-Swap-for Nature are currently being examined by the Government of the Lao PDR with support from UNDP to achieve this.”
Over the next few months, the SAFE Ecosystems Project will complete final activities with the Government of the Lao PDR and rural communities within the five target districts of Savannakhet Province. It is expected to close all operation on schedule by May 2022.
Source: Lao News Agency