Completion 20 August - The International Tropical Timber ... · 3.5 The Study Tour on Community Participation in Rehabilitation and Management of Mangrove in Bali, Indonesia 14 4.

REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND

FORESTRY FOREST DEPA RTMENT

Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected by Cyclone Nargis to Facilitate the Development of an Integrated Mangrove Ecosystem Management in 

Ayeyawady Delta Myanmar PPD 143/09(F)  

COMPLETION REPORT

JULY 2010 – JULY 2011

TITLE : Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected by Cyclone

Nargis to Facilitate the Development of an

Integrated Mangrove Ecosystem Management in

Ayeyawady Delta Myanmar

SERIAL NUMBER : PPD 143/09 (F)

EXECUTING AGENCY : Forest Research Institute (FRI), Forest Department

Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry

Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

PO Box: 05282

Tel: 095 67 416524, Fax: 095 416523

Email: [email protected]

HOST GOVERNMENT : Republic of the Union of Myanmar

STARTING DATE : 15 July 2010

ACTUAL DURATION : 12 months

ACTUAL PROJECT COST : Myanmar Government Contribution

Kyats 6,212,000 (in kind)

ITTO Contribution (US$) 61,938

PROJECT SITE : Ayeyawady Delta, Ayeyawady Region

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE : To enhance rehabilitation process of mangrove

forest and integrated management practices of

mangrove ecosystem in Nargis Cyclone affected

area, Ayeyawady delta

PROJECT STAFF : U Ohn Lwin, National Project Manager, FRI

Dr. Thaung Naing Oo, Deputy Project manager, FRI

U Win Myint, Assistant Director, FRI

U Billy Newin, Assistant Researcher, FRI

Daw Phyu Phyu Lwin, Range Officer, FRI

Table of Contents

Page

Acknowledgements i

Executive Summary ii

1. Project Identification 1

1.1 Context 1

1.2 Origin and Problem 2

2. Project Objectives and Implementation strategy 3

3. Project Performance (Project elements planned and implemented) 4

3.1 Inception Workshop on Assessment of Mangrove Forest

Affected by Cyclone Nargis

4

3.2 Assessment of Rehabilitation of Mangrove Forests Affected

by Cyclone Nargis in Delta

7

3.3 Second Workshop on Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected

by Cyclone Nargis

9

3.4 National Workshop on Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected

by Cyclone Nargis

12

3.5 The Study Tour on Community Participation in Rehabilitation and

Management of Mangrove in Bali, Indonesia

14

4. Project outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement 14

5. Assessment and analysis 16

6. Lessons learned 17

7. Conclusions and Recommendations 20

Full Project Proposal

Annex 1. Financial statement

20

Annex 2. Cash flow statement

i 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to both the Ministry of Environmental

Conservation and Forestry of Myanmar and ITTO for supporting this project and making its

implementation possible. My special thanks are due to U Sann Lwin, Director-General and U

Tin Tun, Deputy Director-General of the Planning and Statistics for their excellent support

and consistent guidance for effective implementation of the project. My heartfelt thanks go

to U Aye Myint Maung, Director-General and Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw, Deputy Director-General of

the Forest Department whose extensive guidance and continuous support played a crucial

role in every aspect of the project implementation.

I would like to record appreciation to Dr. Hwan Ok Ma, Manager of ITTO Projects, for

his support, guidance and encouragement throughout the entire project period.

The implementation of the project would have been very difficult without the kind

help and active cooperation of the Director of the Ayeyawady Region and his staff. The staff

members of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) were dutiful and helpful particularly during

the workshops organized by the project. Hence my sincere thanks are extended to them.

It is acknowledged that Prof. Kyaw Htun, National Consultant and retired Deputy

Director-General, made a substantial contribution to the success of the project.

Last but not least, thanks are due to all staff members of the project team closely

supervised by Dr. Thaung Naing Oo who worked very hard and their contributions are

gratefully acknowledged.

ii 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Human pressure on mangrove ecosystems and thus competition for land for

aquaculture, agriculture, and infrastructure is intense and is among the major causes of

decrease in forest areas over time in Myanmar. More specifically, the relatively large losses

of mangrove areas in the delta were caused by conversion of forested lands for aquaculture,

i.e. shrimp and fish ponds, and agriculture for increased rice production. Encroachment on

reserved forests for expansion of paddy fields is the serious issue to be urgently addressed

as a land use conflict.

To make matters worse, the tropical cyclone Nargis severely struck the lower parts of

Myanmar in May 2008, claiming many lives and a great amount of properties. Nargis

seriously affected the forestry sector, causing direct impact on mangrove forests and indirect

impact on the mangrove ecosystem, thereby resulting in loss of habitats of aquatic species

and decrease in fishery and agricultural products.

There are two key problems as far as mangrove forests in the delta are concerned.

The first key problem is the degradation and loss of mangrove forests. The associated cause

with the first key problem is the lack of an integrated management plan of mangrove forests

in the delta. Another associated cause is the lack of a monitoring system of mangrove

ecosystem management. The second key problem is impoverishment of the people

especially living inside reserved forests. One associated cause with the second key problem

is the limited livelihood options and knowledge about mangroves, and an additional

associated cause is the lack of institutional arrangements for livelihood improvement for the

people residing in the reserved forests in particular and in the delta region in general.

The present situation urgently calls for sustainable management of mangrove forests

of the delta through establishing a MRV system and promoting livelihoods improvement with

the following expectations:

to establish a MRV system of mangrove forests in the Ministry of Environmental

Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF);

to train sufficient professionals and develop technical infrastructure within the

MOECAF;

to enhance livelihood improvement for local communities;

to develop the capacity for sustainable management of mangrove resources by local

communities; and

to provide the local communities with access to mangrove forest products on a

continuous basis

iii 

The major focus of the proposed project is to establish a MRV system in MOECAF and to

enhance livelihood improvements for local communities, thereby contributing to the

sustainable management of mangrove forests in the delta performing ecological functions

and meeting the basic needs of local communities. The project will contribute towards the

establishment of a MRV system of mangrove forests while creating the mangrove-based

livelihood options for local communities in the delta and enhancing their awareness about

the usefulness of mangroves.

1 

1. Project Identification

1.1 Context

Myanmar has a long coastal line of more than 2,500 km in length and a continental

shelve of nearly 270,000 km2. There are three coastal regions in Myanmar, namely Rakhine,

Ayeyawady and Tanintharyi where mangroves are common. Mangroves were found with the

coverage of 7,850 km2 (785,000 ha) of which 3,200 km2 (320,000 ha) were designated as

reserved forests in 1920s. The Ayeyawady delta covers an area of 33,670 km2 (3,367,000

ha) having a large network of creeks, streams, and rivers. The mangrove area in the

Ayeyawady delta has fallen to about 65,127 ha in 2007, down from approximately 160,735

ha in 1995. The delta region lost some 95,607 ha of mangroves within a period of 13 years,

or some 59 percent of the extent found in 1995. The annual rate of deforestation was about

7,350 ha.

The tropical cyclone 'Nargis' severely hit the lower parts of Myanmar, mainly Yangon

and Ayeyawady Divisions, on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2008, claiming many lives and causing

enormous destruction to infrastructure, villages, plantations and forests including food

supplies. Out of a total of 0.5 million ha of Permanent Forest Estate (PFE) i.e. Reserved

Forests and Protected Area Systems (PAS) in the Ayeyawady delta, about 14,000 ha of

mangrove forests and 21,000 ha of forest plantations were damaged by the cyclone. The

cyclone Nargis seriously affected the forestry sector, causing direct impact on mangrove

forests and indirect impact on mangrove ecosystem, thereby resulting in loss of habitats of

aquatic species. As a consequence, fishery and agricultural products significantly dropped.

The infrastructure was also seriously damaged.

Many inhabitants lost their means of livelihood. Among the most heavily hit areas are

the villages that depend on traditional farming and fishing. People in the affected areas need

to repair or rebuilt their houses, agricultural tools, boats, and more importantly, they

urgently need support to get equipment and raw materials to fully resume their works.

Nearly hundred of rehabilitation activities were carried out by the government, international

organizations, NGOs, companies and the private sector directly and indirectly in cyclone

affected areas. However, there is no comprehensive information package which is entirely

documented to review all activities done by different institutions. Based on the situation, the

Forest Department has been requested to conduct the environmental impact assessment of

the cyclone Nargis, and to implement restoration and rehabilitation activities as well as to

establish a master plan of mangrove forest management. In order to do that, it is crucial to

2 

conduct an overall assessment through transparent discussion among stakeholders and

institutions.

In this context, the technical and institutional cooperation are needed for

rehabilitation and restoration of mangrove ecosystem in cyclone affected areas. Coverless

situation, in addition to insufficient-institutional cooperation in delta area resulted enormous

damage caused by Nargis.

This pre-project conducted a baseline survey for all actions of rehabilitation by multi-

sector, international organizations, NGOs, companies and private entrepreneurs. The

planned activities were to collect all available data and information on policy, programme

activities that had been undertaken by concerned institutions. Focus of pre-projects activities

will include the formulation of a full project proposal through a series of intensive key

stakeholder consultation meetings.

1.2. Origin and problem

Due to its limited organizational capacity, the Forest Department (FD) of Myanmar,

timely needs the cooperation and support of both local and international agencies in order to

sustainably manage the mangrove forests in the Ayeyawady delta. Accordingly, MOECAF has

prepared a project proposal for developing a monitoring system of mangrove ecosystem

management with livelihood improvement and awareness generation among all stakeholders

in the Ayeyawady Delta, Myanmar.

The major focus of the proposed project is to establish a MRV system in the

MOECAF; to enhance livelihood improvement for local communities; and to create

awareness of the holistic values of mangroves among local communities and all relevant

stakeholders, thereby contributing to the sustainable management of mangrove forests in

the Ayeyawady delta performing ecological functions and meeting the basic needs of local

communities.

Therefore, the present situation urgently calls for rehabilitation of Mangrove forests

of the Ayeyawady Delta with the following expectations:

to reconstruct the infrastructures of the forestry sector damaged by the cyclone;

to develop the proper landuse plan adaptable for current situation;

to create job opportunities for local community; and

to rehabilitate the mangrove forest ecosystem through institutional cooperation as

well as community participation

3 

As emergency relief operations are almost over in the affected areas, time has come

to plan the implementation of medium- and long-term livelihood and forest rehabilitation

activities. The major focus of the pre-project is to conduct the baseline survey for all actions

of rehabilitation by multi-sector, international organizations, NGOs, companies and private

entrepreneurs to contribute to longer-term recovery and rehabilitation of mangrove forest

affected by Nargis cyclone.

Therefore, the achievements of the pre-project will be where, how to implement and

who are the key stakeholders in the process of rehabilitation, lessons learnt for planning in

future to develop a comprehensive project proposal on integrated rehabilitation of mangrove

forest damaged by Nargis cyclone through a national-level workshop.

Problems to be addressed

All undesirable activities in the delta area mentioned above were significant

characteristics to the complex social and economic needs of the people in particular and the

region as a whole. Some underlying causes for those activities can be generalized to weaken

the quality and quantity of mangrove ecosystem before Nargis as follows:

Insufficient law enforcement

Weak in institutional cooperation and partnership mechanism

Unsustainable land-use practices and limited income sources

Inadequate public awareness on values of mangrove forests

Insufficient stakeholder participation

2. Project Objectives and implementation strategy

The development objective of the pre-project was to enhance rehabilitation process

of mangrove forest and integrated management practices of mangrove ecosystem in Nargis

Cyclone affected area, Delta.

Specific Objective

To assess relevant sectoral policies, programmes, and activities on mangrove

ecosystems in order to formulate a full project proposal to rehabilitate Nargis affected

mangrove forests in Ayeyawady Delta through stakeholder consultation workshops.

The implementation strategy of the pre-project was laid down as followings processes:

- All information relating to mangrove rehabilitation before and after Nargis cyclone

will be wrapped and the status of mangrove forest in targeted area of Ayeyarwady

delta will be fully documented,

4 

U Aye Myint Maung, Director-General, Forest Department,

delivering opening speech 

U Ohn Lwin, National Project Manager delivering an opening remarks from Dr. Hwan Ok Ma

U Hla Maung Thein, Director of FRI, chairing

the workshop 

Prof. Kyaw Htun, National consultant presenting project

assessment framework

- Sharing knowledge and discussing key issues among relevant institutions will be

transparent.

- More specifically, location, extent, system, mechanism, strategies etc; which are

needed to refine will be laid down.

- Activities for mangrove rehabilitation programme will be identified and prioritized to

contribute sustainable mangrove forest management.

- Project proposal for rehabilitation of mangrove forests in the Ayeyarwady delta

affected by tropical cyclone Nargis will be formulated.

3. Project Performance (Project elements and implemented)

In ordered to achieve the objectives, the pre-project was implemented with consists

of workshops, assessment, and communicative discussion with stakeholders.

3.1. Inception Workshop on Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected by Cyclone

Nargis

The Inception Workshop was jointly organized by

the Forest Department of the Ministry of Environmental

Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF) and International

Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) from 12-13 October,

2010 at the City Hall in Bogalay Township, Ayeyawady

Division, Myanmar. The objectives of the Inception

Workshop are: (i) To inform all stakeholders about the

Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected by Cyclone Nargis Pre-Project PPD 143/09 (F)

which is being implemented by Forest Department, (ii) To share data and information

concerning activities which have been implemented for mangrove rehabilitation among

international non-governmental organizations, local non-governmental organizations,

companies, private sectors and all relevant ministries and sectors, (iii) To develop an

assessment framework for mangrove rehabilitation programs and activities by different

5 

Discussion of Group(1) in progress

institutions, (iv) To support in formulating a Project Proposal on rehabilitation of Nargis

affected mangrove forests in Delta in an integrative way.

A total of five papers (three are technical and two are reports) were presented at the

workshop. The technical papers basically reviewed Mangrove Management in Myanmar and

the reports shared information on pre-project activities and formulation of full project

proposal.

Group Work Session

The participants were divided into three groups and three thematic issues were

discussed. Group 1 discussed "Key Issues among relevant institutions in rehabilitating

mangrove forests and mangrove ecosystems"; Group 2 discussed "Identification of activities

for mangrove rehabilitation to contribute sustainable mangrove forest management", and

Group 3 discussed "Development of Assessment Framework for rehabilitation programs and

activities carried out by different institutions (GOs, INGOs, LNGOs, CBOs, CSOs, etc.) after

Cyclone Nargis".

Outputs of Group 1:

1. To strengthen institutional capability;

2. To resolve land use conflict (conflict of

interest);

3. To take measures in order to reflect

poverty reduction;

4. To strengthen law enforcement and legal

aspects of private and community forests

regarding the forest products;

5. To strengthen financial aspect;

6. To educate local communities with respect to mangrove conservation;

7. To encourage the participation of the people,;

8. To strengthen the mangrove management system;

9. To encourage the emergence of books regarding mangrove forests;

10. To promote the establishment of seed production areas to ensure sufficient seeds;

11. To obtain adequate labours;

12. To encourage diverse livelihood options;

13. To provide required assistance for education, social and economic aspects of local

people;

6 

Discussion of Group(2) in progress

Discussion of Group(3) in progress 

Outputs of Group 2

1. To conduct a socioeconomic survey in selected

reserved forests;

2. To determine the areas of remaining

mangrove forests and depleted mangrove

forests;

3. To reduce the production of mangrove forest

products;

4. To make efforts for the emergence of clear-cut land use policy;

5. To promote energy substitution and energy efficiency;

6. To take measures for the development of urban business;

7. To monitor the sea-level rise in the most vulnerable areas and make efforts to use

the species adaptable to the sea-level rise;

8. To apply Zoning Management;

9. To carry out mapping for salinity tidal inundations;

10. To promote awareness and capacity development;

11. To conduct evidence –based research activities;

12. To settle the disputes over land use conflicts in accordance with the prescribes forest

Policy, Law, rules and regulations;

13. To conduct rehabilitation activities using possible ways and means;

14. To consider and apply market driving approach;

15. To attain policy advocacy regarding land tenure right;

16. To strengthen institutional capacities;

17. To provide required subsidy for effective mangrove rehabilitation;

Outputs of Group 3

Group 3 discussed in assessing the rehabilitation activities with multi-aspects such as

(i) Institutional Aspect; (ii) Technical Aspect; (iii) Social Aspect; (iv) Economic Aspect; (v)

Environmental Aspect; (vi) Sustainability Aspect and

(vii) Performance Aspect and proposed to form a

Coordinating Committee with the high-ranking

officials from the Headquarters and Forest Division,

the representatives from line ministries and relevant

stakeholders to facilitate the assessment.

7 

Discussion with the Offices of the Forest Department in Progress

3.2. Assessment of Rehabilitation of Mangrove Forests Affected by Cyclone

Nargis in Delta

General Background

A comprehensive information package which is entirely documented to review all

activities done by various institutions is necessary in order to develop a strategic plan for

rehabilitation in the aftermath of the cyclone Nargis. Accordingly, the Forest Department of

the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry of the Union of Myanmar was

requested to conduct the environmental impact assessment of Nargis cyclone, and to

implement restoration and rehabilitation activities as well as to develop a master plan of

mangrove forest management. It is an essential prerequisite to conduct an overall

assessment through transparent discussion among stakeholders and institutions. In this

context, the technical and institutional cooperation are needed for rehabilitation and

restoration of mangrove ecosystem in cyclone affected areas.

The present situation urgently calls for rehabilitation of mangrove forests of the delta with

the following expectations:

(i) To construct the infrastructure of the forestry sector damaged by the cyclone;

(ii) To develop the proper land-use plan adaptable for the current situation;

(iii) To create job opportunities for local community; and

(iv) To rehabilitate the mangrove forest ecosystem through institutional cooperation as

well as community participation.

Due to its limited organization capacity, the Forest Department of Myanmar, timely

needs the cooperation of both local and international agencies in order to implement the

rehabilitation of the storm-affected forests in Myanmar.

Collection of Data and Information

Data Collection was constructed in three townships, namely Bogalay, Laputta and

Mawlammyaing Kyun townships. During the field trip, personnel of line ministries and local

NGOs were interviewed and the interview was

conducted to exchange their views and experiences of

rehabilitation and sustainability of mangrove forests.

Discussions and meetings were also held with the

government officials and responsible persons from the

NGOs. Data and information about the rehabilitation

programs were obtained from different sources mainly

from the Forest Department, field survey, journals and

8 

Assessment Team Taking Measurements in one Mangrove Plantation 

research papers. The questionnaires were sent to the NGOs and the three Township Forest

Departments and their responses were received. Some experts were privately interviewed to

acquire their expert’s opinion on perspectives of the sustainability and rehabilitation of

mangroves in the country.

Methodology

Methodologies used in collecting the required data and information are stated such

as (i) Field Survey/ Observation, (ii) Personal Communication, (iii) Semi-Structure Interview,

(iv) Expert’s Opinion, and (v) Questionnaire Survey.

Analysis of the Data and Information

Descriptive data analysis was carried out

based on the collected data and information. Height

measurements of some mangrove plantations were

taken and studied as an indicator of the growth

performance. Survival percentages of some selected

plantations were also collected.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The mangrove area in the delta has fallen to 65,128 hectares in 2007, down from

253,024 hectares in 1924. Therefore, the delta region has lost 187,128 hectares of

mangroves over the period of about 80 years, or some 74 percent of the extent found in

1924. The rate of deforestation for this period is thus about 2,260 hectares per year. If the

deforestation continues at this rate, the mangroves in the Ayeyawady delta will be totally

depleted within the next 30 years or before 2040. This trend is clearly indicating that the

situation of mangroves is getting worse. The health of mangroves and all the related marine

and terrestrial ecosystems depends on their effective conservation and sustainable

management.

The following are recommended for the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems in the

delta region:

• New legislations for effective protection of encroachments on mangrove forests

should be enacted;

• Better protection and management should be practiced through the identification of

integrated coastal area management as a possible solution to competing land uses;

9 

• Conversion of mangrove area for aquaculture and agriculture should be continuously

monitored and controlled;

• Environmental impact assessment is required for all development projects inside the

mangrove forests;

• Different approaches including public forestry, private forestry, community forestry

and agroforestry should be applied in accordance with the bio-physical and

socioeconomic situations;

• Research activities more relevant to silvicultural and ecological aspects should be

carried out for effective and successful plantation establishments;

• More effective and efficient plantation techniques should be tested and applied for

speedy rehabilitation of the degraded mangroves;

• Budget allotment per acre is hardly enough to follow all the prescribed procedures in

the establishment of mangrove plantations and therefore, the current prescribed

funds should be reviewed and revised accordingly;

• Policies and legislatives related to forestry, agriculture and fishery sectors should be

reviewed to provide appropriate recommendations to the policy- and decision-makers

to make reforms in policy and legislative aspects as necessary for protection and

conservation of mangrove resources; and

• Institutional aspect should also be critically reviewed within the forestry sector to

provide recommendations to the decision-makers to make necessary institutional

improvements as necessary such as formation of a specialized agency or department

with adequate professionals to protect and conserve the mangrove resources in the

country effectively.

3.3. Second Workshop on Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected by Cyclone

Nargis

The second Workshop on Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected by Cyclone Nargis

to Facilitate the Development of an Integrated Mangrove Ecosystem Management in Delta,

Myanmar, ITTO Mangrove Project PPD 143/09 (F) was held by the Forest Department of the

Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry in coordination with the International

Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) on 22 February, 2011 at the Forest Department,

Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. During the

project period, the basic data and information regarding the rehabilitation activities carried

out by the different institutions including INGOs and LNGOs were collected. The process of

10 

   U Aye Myint Maung, Director‐General,FD, 

delivering an opening speech Dr. Hwan Ok Ma, Projects Manager, ITTO, delivering an opening speech 

U Win Myo Thu, Chief EcoDev, discussing  

Dr. Myint Oo, Rector, University of Forestry, chairing the workshop 

work, policies, and relevant data and information were also collected. Formulation of a

comprehensive project proposal through stakeholder consultation is one of the activities of

the project. Accordingly, the second workshop was held in Nay Pyi Taw.

The objectives were as follows:

(i) To present and discuss the progress achieved after the inception workshop which

was held from 12 to 13, October 2010 in Bogalay township, Delta region;

(ii) To present the findings of the assessment of the rehabilitation activities carried out

by different organizations in the wake of the cyclone Nargis in the delta; and

(iii) To facilitate the formulation of an integrated mangrove rehabilitation project.

The following papers were presented at the Workshop.

(i) Presentation of the Implementation of Mangrove Pre-project PPD 143/09 (F) by U

Ohn Lwin, National Project Manager, Deputy Director of the Forest Research

Institute;

(ii) Mangrove Management in Myanmar by Dr. Myat Su Mon, Staff Officer, Planning and

Statistics Division, Forest Department, Ministry of Environmental Conservation and

Forestry;

(iii) Environmental Rehabilitation Strategies and Activities in Delta: UNDP Experience by

U Htun Paw Oo, Forestry and Environment Specialist, UNDP, Myanmar;

11 

Dr. Myat Su Mon, Assistant Director, Planning and Statistics Division,

presenting “Mangrove Management in Myanmar”

U Htun Paw Oo, Forestry and Environment

Specialist, UNDP, presenting “Environmental Rehabilitation Strategies and Activities” in

Delta

(iv) Assessment of Rehabilitation of Mangrove Forests Affected by Clone Nargis in Delta

by Prof. Kyaw Htun, National Consultant of Mangrove Pre-project PPD 143/09 (F);

(v) ITTO Thematic Programme on Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and

Enhancing Environmental Services – REDDES by Dr. Hwan Ok Ma, Manager of ITTO

Projects;

(vi) Rehabilitation of Mangrove Ecosystems in Delta for Climate Change Adaptation and

Mitigation by Prof. Kyaw Htun, National Consultant of Mangrove Pre-project PPD

143/09(F);

Regarding the formulation of a full mangrove project, the following were discussed and

adopted;

• Social security issues such as loss of agricultural lands and houses, and women and

children who are faced with the issue of human trafficking in the aftermath of the

cyclone Nargis;

• Needs to compile statistics regarding deforestation and forest degradation based

facts and figures;

• To provide adequate support to enhance livelihood improvement of local

communities;

• To consider the extraction for fuelwood from mangrove forests;

• To consider the importance of land capacity map which is important in addition to

Land Use Policy and Land Use Map which are also needed to identify residential

areas, paddy field fields, forest plantations, etc. for which high tech level map is

essential;

• To compile technical reports and make necessary arrangements for the forth coming

National Workshop in April, 2011 and to formulate a full project proposal in time;

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discus

Outpu

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Outpu

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Outpu

The fo

rehab

1.

2.

3.

4.

ss “To und

ssions were a

uts of Grou

To modify

To suppo

MRV;

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uts of Grou

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social and

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reserved fo

To suppo

system;

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To promot

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To conside

uts of Grou

ollowing asp

ilitation activ

To accomp

for people

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and village

(CBO);

To train fo

To set up

derstand the

as follows:

up 1

the carbon

rt Satellite

awareness t

sources, car

RS and GIS

sh permanen

the MRV sys

p Carbon Ac

up 2

age diverse

e required

economic a

ct a socioec

orests;

ort liveliho

in the produ

te energy su

ct livelihood

er and apply

up 3

pects were c

vities.

plish semin

participatio

ct the associ

ers like Com

or intelligenc

capacity bui

e benefit o

accounting

images and

training for

rbon in orde

Technology

nt sample pl

stem for oth

ccounting tra

livelihood o

assistance

spects of loc

conomic surv

ood using

uction of ma

ubstitution an

activities usi

y market driv

considered i

nar, meeting

n;

ation based

mmunity Base

ce villagers;

lding in man

of mangrove

system;

d Software

measuring

r to IPCC gu

y;

ots for meas

er mangrove

aining;

ptions;

for educati

cal people;

vey in selec

agro-fores

ngrove fores

nd energy ef

ing possible

ving approac

n assessing

g and works

on local peo

ed Organiza

ngrove ecosy

Dis

Dis

Dis

e forest”. T

for

the

uide

suring the ca

e;

on,

cted

stry

st products l

fficiency;

ways and m

ch;

the

shop

ople

tion

ystem and m

scussion of Gro

cussion of Gro

scussion of Gro

The outputs

arbon;

living in the

means;

management

oup(1) in progr

up(2) in progre

oup(3) in progr

s of the g

mangrove a

t;

13 

ress 

ess

ress 

group

area;

14 

Group Photo of Myanmar delegates

with MIC staff Path of Mangrove at MIC  Group photo with forest user group

at ITTO project site 

5. To apply possible extension activities using Vinyl, Pamphlets, video tape, books by

project staff;

6. To conduct planting ceremony

3.5. The Study Tour on Community Participation in Rehabilitation and

Management of Mangrove in Bali, Indonesia

A study tour programme to mangroves in Bali of Indonesia was conducted with the

kind arrangement by the Director-General of Watershed Management and Social Forestry

Development Department, Ministry of the Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia and kind

assistance of ASFN, ASEAN Social Forestry Network. The delegation consisting four members

visited mangrove information centre MIC, central forest nursery, national park, ITTO

bamboo cultivation and utilization project from 21 to 25 February, 2012 for sharing

experience and initiate future collaboration.

4. Project outcome, target beneficiaries involvement,

i) The specific objective was achieved through three workshops involving stakeholders

from relevant sectors and organizations, and communicative interviewing and

discussions. A Project Coordination Committee (PCC) was formed with senior officials

from the Forest Department and relevant ministries. Stakeholder analyses were

conducted three times including the "National Workshop" to identify elements for the

formulation of a full project proposal.

ii) Tangible output(s) of the project: An assessment of rehabilitation of mangrove

forests affected by Cyclone Nargis was made. It revealed the situation of mangrove

forests in the delta region before and after the cyclone Nargis, and provided

practicable suggestions and comments on conservation of mangroves in the delta

region.

15 

• For sectoral policy; Sectoral policies of different line ministries were collected and

reviewed relating to mangrove ecosystem rehabilitation and restoration after

rehabilitation and restoration activities had been done. Awareness about

importance of ecosystem services was promoted and lessons learnt after the

tropical cyclone Nargis.

• For programme: As a result of several lessons learnt from the cyclone Nargis,

long-term programmes of concerned sectors were updated and integrated into

the national programmes such as land use plan, master plan for conservation of

mangroves in the delta in the forestry sector, rehabilitation of paddy land in the

agriculture sector, livestock and fisheries sector demographic sector regarding

immigration issue under the General Administration Department of the Ministry of

Home Affairs.

• Physical environment: During the pre-project, researchers from the executing

agency acquired knowledge about mangroves. The project provided necessary

equipment (one desktop computer, two Net-book computers, laser and color

printers, safe box, CD duplicator, projector with screen, eleven books of forestry,

environment, soil, watershed management, etc; ) to be able to set up an office

on the premise of FRI. An old Mitsubishi double cab was repaired and used for

office and field works. The project circulated technical assessment reports and

proceedings of the workshops available to stakeholders, and reported to FD for

further development of the integrated mangrove management.

iii) The project staff, township and district forest officers of the Ayeyarwady Division, FD

of MOECAF, acquired knowledge and methodologies from the outputs of the

workshop and participated in assessment of rehabilitation of mangrove forest

affected by the cyclone Nargis. Stakeholders from government organizations such as

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Livestock Breeding and non–

governmental organization (NGOs) and international government organizations

(INGOs) had opportunities to share views and discuss development of a long-term

programme. For local communities, those with project finance will play a vital role of

participation in mangrove rehabilitation programme in addition to benefitting from

livelihood improvement activities under the project.

iv) Post project expectation: insight Knowledge shared and key issues discussed among

Project Coordinating Committee PCC, members of relevant institutions from

16 

respected sectors during the pre-project period will be useful and applicable in the

future.

v) According to the project document, a project proposal has been formulated based on

the outcomes from stakeholder consultative meetings and submitted to ITTO for

review and technical inputs.

5. Assessment and analysis

(i) Project rationale and identification: The pre-project was initially invited by ITTO

projects manager to help rehabilitate and restore mangroves in the delta area after

cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008. FD welcomed ITTO's support to restore the

status of mangrove forests in the delta region together with other INGOs and NGOs.

ITTO’s support was timely in the wake of severe cyclone Nargis and supplementary

to the assistance provided by JICA project in the delta area from 2007 to 2012. It

would not have been possible for the Forest Department alone to implement

conservation and management of mangrove forests. In this regard, stakeholders

include both rural as well as urban people from governmental as well as non-

governmental organizations.

(ii) Comments on objectives, strategy: Objectives of the pre-project was focused mainly

on assessing sectoral policies, programmes and activities on rehabilitation scheme to

explore possible means for future cooperation in rehabilitating Nargis affected

mangrove forests in the Ayeyarwady delta through stakeholder consultation

workshops, which is in fact an implementation strategy.

(iii) There was no critical difference in terms of activities between planned and actual

project implementation. To kick off the pre-project, FD held an Inception workshop

using its own resources before funds from ITTO was actually transferred.

(iv) Project inputs: For successful implementation of the project, FD organized the

Project Steering Committee (PSC) like previous ITTO projects. FD assigned a

National Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager, and project staff to fully focus on

project activities in addition to appointing a national consultant. However, the timing

of fund transfers was erratic mainly due to complex procedures and ineffective

internal access. The pre-project started in July 15, 2010 but funds were transferred

only starting from January 2011. In order to overcome these financial issues, FD

provided necessary funds in advance. Appropriate sites and methodologies were

17 

discussed and selected during consultative meetings and workshops for a full project

proposal.

(v) External influence: There was no external influence whatsoever encountered during

the implementation of the pre-project. Realizing a higher priority for climate change,

i.e. development of an MRV system, project formulation process was moved away

from the original idea.

(vi) Project beneficiaries: Transparent sharing and discussion among major stakeholders

(Governmental organizations, NGOs, INGO,) during consultative meetings and

workshops had been achieved to support formulate full/long term project proposal.

However, in the long-term, the beneficiaries of the pre-project outcomes would be

FD and major stakeholders.

(vii) Sustainability after the project: After the pre-project, all information-package of

mangrove rehabilitation programme from different sectors can be accessed by the

stakeholders and members of project coordinating committee (PCC) when developing

further mangrove-related programmes.

The outline/framework from the project can be synthesized as mainstreaming for

long term restoration in delta area.

(viii) Institutions involved: Forest Research Institution under the supervision of FD was

main implementing agency with the support from Planning and Statistics Division,

Training Research and Development Division, Budget and Finance division,

Ayeyarwady Division.

During the consultative workshops, major stakeholders from line ministries played

essential role only in sharing views reflected to their sectors due to the nature and

objective of the pre-project.

By the reason of inter-ministerial procedures, a time consuming communication

barrier was observed among project staff at FRI, Project Coordination committee,

PCC members from governmental organizations in the Ayeyarwady division, and

ministries in Nay Pyi Taw.

6. Lessons learned

a) Lessons learned from project identification, design and implementation:

• Project identification clearly emerged from the natural disaster of Nargis cyclone in

Myanmar in 2008.

18 

• The outline of project design and implementation strategy was cautiously set up to

fulfill the requirement of all aspects such as social, environmental, economic in the

Ayeyarwady division. Due to a frantic time for all sectors engaged in rehabilitation

activities, project staffs of FRI were considered not familiar with the project area and

lack of enough capacities, knowledge and experience in mangrove rehabilitation

activities.

• FRI, the project implementing agency, is located far from the project site so that

more time and money were spent. Moreover, the FD staff members of the

Ayeyawady Division were unable to develop the project proposal by themselves, and

to communicate with international organizations because of the internal office

procedures requiring communication only with Nay Pyi Taw.

• Due to lack of time for planning and formulating preproject, problem analysis was

conducted based on secondary data and information.

• Due to rigid official procedure and action on security of information, communication

among major governmental organizations faced barriers.

• In additional arrangement, inception workshop recommended by PSC, the project

activities were strengthened and achieved the target earlier than the planned.

Reporting the progress of the project at Project Monitoring committee PMC, meeting

was also observed as contributor to the success of the project.

• Outputs of group discussions of workshops were observed to be the main driver to

achieve the specific objective of the project.

• In normal process, framework and outlines of the project formulation was intended

to be based on outcomes from consultative meeting and workshop to fulfil the gaps,

to avoid overlapping for transparency among stakeholder's views. However, in

practice, reflecting global trend, the climate change component was considered to be

included in the project proposal in order to ensure financial assistance.

• The proceedings of the workshops, assessment report, and project proposal would

be, after the project, useful tools and lessons learned by major stakeholders for

further development of integrated mangrove management plan.

• However, as the full project proposal must be based on the outcomes from the

consultative meetings and workshops, by the reason of ITTO's thematic programme,

it was necessary to be revised to align with the climate change trend.

19 

b) Operational matters:

• The Project steering Committee (PSC) led by DG, FD was the highest body for

decision making and guiding principles.

• The Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) under FD was formed to evaluate the

progress of every international project on a quarterly basis. National project

Managers had to inform of the progress of project activities in accordance with the

work plan.

• The flow of fund: The fund provided by ITTO was enough to cover the activities. Due

to internal funds transferring procedure, the project received only Japanese yen

which needed to be converted to us dollar and then to FEC and finally to Myanmar

currency Kyats. The exchange rate fluctuated from time to time and there was no

official evidence for exchange rate.

• The project was started earlier before funds were transferred from ITTO to the pre-

project. As a result, balancing budget was rather difficult due to unstable and ever-

changing exchange rate.

• Definition and role of institutions: The roles and responsibilities of the institutions in

project implementation were almost the same as those mentioned in project

proposal.

• Project documentation: Project outputs were well documented in proceedings and

reports which would be readily available in the forms of both hard and soft copy for

all stakeholders.

• Monitoring and evaluation: National Project Manager (NPM) reported the progress,

issues and requirements to the quarterly held Project Monitoring Committee PMC,

meetings held at FD office.

• NPM under the management/support/supervision of FD had to overcome all foreseen

matters which influenced the project implementation such as extra/additional-

assignment, transferring and movement of project staff to other place, replacing

project staff. In general, there was no serious internal and external factor influencing

the project implementation.

• After the project activities were successfully accomplished, some amount of money

which was allocated under the international travel in National Workshop remained.

According to the suggestion by ITTO projects manager and FD, and approval from

Executive Director of ITTO, the study tour programme to mangroves in Bali of

20 

Indonesia was arranged to acquire experiences in rehabilitation and management of

mangroves in addition to observing community and social activities.

7. Conclusion and recommendations

• Identification: The pre-project was identified in a precise, comprehensive, sensible,

achievable and wide-ranging manner.

• Design: Project design was simple, compact, smooth-process, and practicable to

grasp the set target.

• Implementation: Collecting and collating required data and information were smooth.

The whole implementation was visible, step by step, and mechanical. Laying down

an assessment framework, and formulating the full project proposal become a lot

more easier.

• Organization: NPM, project staff, field staff, local FD, contact persons were well

organized to be able to carry out the project activities together.

• Management: Project Steering Committee PSC, Project Monitoring Committee PMC

under FD, logistic support from implementing agency FRI, National Project Manager

NPM, National consultant, capacity were involved in the efficient management of

project resources including time and budget resources.

• Potential for replication and/or scaling up: Pre-project was designed as a basis for

the formulation of a longer term project proposal which was already submitted to

ITTO which is mentioned below, and is now being revised in accordance with the

recommendations of the experts' meeting.

Full Project Proposal

INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER ORGANIZATION ITTO PROJECT PROPOSAL

TITLE Developing Monitoring System of Mangrove Ecosystem

Management with Livelihood Improvement in Delta, Myanmar

SERIAL NUMBER

COMMITTEE Reforestation and Forest Management

SUBMITTED BY Republic of the Union of Myanmar

ORIGINAL LANGUAGE English

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21 

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Assessment of Mangrove Forest Affected by Cyclone Nargis to Facilitate the Development of an Integrated Mangrove Ecosystem Management in Ayeyawady

Delta Myanmar PPD 143/09(F)

Contact address ITTO Mangrove Pre-Project - PPD 143/09 (F)

Forest Research Institute, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw Tel24: 095 67 416524  Fax 095 67 416523

Email – [email protected]