Part 1 – A Rapid Participatory Biodiversity Assessment - IUCN

• Village landscape and biodiversity studies
o In depth Land-use and land rights studies at the village level
o Forest regeneration studies
IUCN Rapid Participatory Biodiversity Assessment
These areas are expanded upon in section 5.4 Recommendation for further socio-economic analysis
Process R5.1.4: Expand collaborative land use mapping exercises to eventually cover all
districts. Strengthen these exercises with simultaneous socio-economic and biodiversity
studies.
The spatial mapping exercises should be conducted to facilitate proper zoning of areas in each
district, including areas important for biodiversity conservation, establishment of plantation sites and
community agricultural land.
Process R5.1.5: Strengthen biodiversity considerations in the plantation preparation phase by
adopting recognised guidelines for the conservation of biodiversity in plantation projects
See section 5.1.1 b) Guidelines for selection of suitable sites for establishment of plantation forest
plots; and c) Guidelines for land clearing phase
Process R5.1.6: Review the timing of the plantation preparation phase to ensure that the
plantation and intercropping schedule provides optimal benefit for the plantation and for
livelihood crops.
Due to the request for land by the company and land use competition in the area, it is recommended
that the company review the implementation of its plantation policy / process to ensure that is being
followed adequately, including timing for both plantation and the intercropping practices that will
benefit the company, but also provide adequate grazing ground for cattle. In addition, awareness
raising and capacity building for local communities for plantation activities are highly recommended
as to get local people’s participation and sharing the benefit of plantation activities along, including
nursery establishment or involvement them in seedling preparation and planting.
Process R5.1.7: Initiate biodiversity monitoring programmes to monitor the integration of
environmental safeguards into the plantation operation, evaluate benefits to local
communities, and resolve issues/conflicts
A district level task force should be established under the chairmanship of the District Administration
Head, and represented by plantation managers, and village cluster heads, to monitor the progress of
relevant interventions, discuss specific issues and take decisions to resolve issues that affects the
natural environment and the well-being of villagers. The village cluster heads could then brief the
village task forces (see R 5.3.2 for details), and carry out regular monitoring at the ground level.
5.2 Recommendations to minimize harmful impacts of plantations on
biodiversity and related ecosystem services
As outlined in section 3.8 plantation projects can place much pressure on village landscapes and
important biological resources. The following sections detail specific guidelines that can be adopted
by Stora Enso to manage potential impacts of its plantations in Savannakhet and Salavan.
Guidelines 5.2.1: Integrate environmental safeguards as below into the proposed plantation
forestry operation
48