Process framework to abate adverse livelihoods impacts

The Guangxi Integrated Forestry Development and Conservation Project (GIFDC) will develop, and implement management plans for five nature reserves, and, restrict access to prod re-vegetation cover on 100,000 hectares of degraded hills. It will also develop some 200,000 ha of commercial timber plantations, and, some 18,000 hectares for ecological plantations, including 4000 ha of pilot carbon fund plantations. Given the nature of this project, it has been classified as environmental category B, and this environmental assessment thus identifies potential environmental adversity, and the relevant mitigation measures, in compliance with the country's laws and regulations, the Bank's operational directive on the environment, and with consultations with local communities. Mitigation addresses the following measures: chemicals and pesticides may be used within the framework of a comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM), in compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) system, according with the specifics to each particular pest, and toxicity; workers and forest farmers shall be assisted with training on chemical/pesticide safety management, storage and utilization, to avoid direct impact or pollution on waters, soil, etc.; organic fertilizers, and green manure as well should be encouraged for intercropping with nitrogen-fixation leguminous plants to improve soils, watersheds, and public health; vegetation residues (tree branches, leaves, etc.,) should be used on surface soils following logging operations to reduce soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and to increase soil surface coverage (mulching); harvested areas should be re-planted following logging operations to speed vegetative propagation, and native species are recommended for this process, taking into account a proportionate control of short-rotation plant species; project areas, and construction sites should be regularly sprayed to minimize dust and air pollution, including water contamination, while debris should be transported in covered trucks; traffic regulations shall be in place to ensure safety; biodiversity conservation shall be organically combined with ecological forest management activity. Communities around nature reserves will have priority to be involved with ecological forest management activities. The selection of an ecological and economical dual-function tree - bamboo - would mainly establish mixed forests, not only to maintain water and soil, preserve water, and biodiversity, but to increase farmers' income; biogas tank construction in rural areas should be encouraged, fundamentally, to provide rural energy, thus decrease the energy consumption from forest resources and resulting disturbance to ecological forests.