Environmental Management Plan

for the

Mitigation of Environmental Impacts

of the

The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Project

entitled

Reversal of Land and Water Degradation Trends in the Lake
Chad Basin


29 March 2002

the World Bank

Africa Safeguards Policy Enhancement Team





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Table of Contents

Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................................................2
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................3
1. Waza-Logone Pilot ....................................................................................................................................................4
2. Komadougou-Yobe Pilot ­ Integrated Wetlands Management .................................................................................7
3. Niger-Chad Transboundary Desertification Control Pilot .......................................................................................11
4. Lake Chad Shorelines Pilot .....................................................................................................................................15
5. Lake Fitri Pilot.........................................................................................................................................................17
6. Upper Chari Basin Pilot...........................................................................................................................................19

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Environmental Management Plan

Introduction
The objective of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Project is to focus on the "Reversal of Land and Water
Degradation Trends in the Lake Chad Basin". The main environmental problem in the basin countries is the
degradation of the natural resource base caused by decades long decreases in the rainfall regime combined with
unsustainable land and resource use systems. Inhabitants of the Lake Chad Basin need to adapt their production
systems to remain sustainable within the constraints of climatic fluctuations. Two main causes of land and water
degradation are: (i) growth of non-sustainable rain-fed agricultural systems that leave soils eroded and depleted or
only sustain crop production at very low levels of productivity and (ii) the open access, natural resource use systems
that prevails on the vast majority non-agricultural lands. Open access and sustainable management are incompatible.
Opportunities for rapid progress in the development of sustainable natural resource systems are probably greater
than that for the development of productive, sustainable rain-fed agricultural systems.

The two principal outputs of the project are (1) The Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and (2) The
Strategic Action Program (SAP) for the sustainable management of resources in the Chad Basin among the five
member countries.

Role of the Pilots in Support of the SAP
One component of the LCBC project is split into six pilot initiatives located in the five LCBC member countries: 1.
Waza-Logone Floodplains (northern Cameroon); 2. Komadougou-Yobe Integrated Wetlands (northern Nigeria); 3.
Transboundary Desertification Control (Niger and Chad); 4. Lake Chad Shorelines pilot (Cameroon, Chad, Niger
and Nigeria); 5. Lake Fitri pilot (Chad); and, 6. Upper Chari Basin Transboundary Project (Central African Republic
and Chad).

The present level of development of natural resource management (NRM) systems in the Lake Chad Basin is very
low. A principal role of the pilot projects should be the small scale development, testing and adoption of sustainable
natural resource management systems on a to identify those that are best suited for large scale application in the
SAP. Proven and promising sustainable NRM systems will be critical to the SAP.

Overview of the Environment Management Plan
This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) consists of a set of mitigation, monitoring and institutional measures
to be taken during implementation and operation to eliminate adverse environmental impacts of the LCBC project,
offset them or reduce them to acceptable levels. This plan also includes the actions needed to implement these
measures. The EMP (a) identifies the set of responses to potentially adverse impacts; (b) determines requirements
for ensuring that those responses are made effectively and in a timely manner, and (c) describes the means for
meeting those requirements.

This EMP only addresses the biophysical impacts of the proposed project e.g. deforestation. The mitigation plans in
relation to social impacts e.g. loss of access to resource and / or displacement of populations are addressed in the
Process Framework and Resettlement Framework respectively.

Dam Safety
Although the project does not plan to construct dams, the safety of dams (OP 4.37) does enter into the project
because the project will rely on the performance of existing dams, and failure of dams upstream to project activities
and structures is relevant. Bank procedure therefore requires that independent dam safety specialists inspect and
evaluate the safety status of the existing dams, review and evaluate the owner's operation and maintenance
procedures and provide a written report of findings. Reviews for the three dams involved in the project (Maga, Tiga
and Challawa) were completed by a dam safety expert recruited by the Bank.

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There is no direct risk of failure of Maga dam, which is a 30km long earthen structure. However, there is a need to
implement management activities to make the operation of the dam safe (water level not to exceed a certain height).
The dam is threatened by erosion, wave action, overtopping and seepage. The most viable option for improving the
dam is modification to the left abutment spillway. An emergency preparedness plan should also be put in place as
soon as possible. The plan should then be updated in accordance with the solution that will be implemented. If the
dam fails, several thousand people are at immediate risk to their lives, and approximately 20,000 are at risk of being
flooded.

At Tiga the probability of failure is considered high for this 8km zoned earthfill embankment. An emergency
preparedness plan should also be put in place as soon as possible. The number of people at risk at Tiga is in the tens
of thousands. The main threat is from "piping" (water creating channels through the dam).

At Challawa the probability of failure is considered several orders of magnitude lower than Tiga. The dam is a new
6km zoned earthfill embankment. An emergency preparedness plan should be put in place as soon as possible. The
number of people at risk of dam failure is in the tens of thousands. The report states that more information is
required to fully appraise the Challawa dam, however the risks appear lower than at Tiga.

The reports concerning the three dams show that the danger of dam bursts is not immediate and that therefore it will
not be necessary to prepare resettlement plans as a requirement for proceeding with project preparation. The report
does however give recommendations that management actions (e.g. lowering water level in the dam to reduce risk of
overflow / failure) be carried out. It is imperative that the management authorities for each dam carry out these
recommendations, as put forward in the dam safety report. Furthermore, emergency evacuation plans should be
prepared in addition to other actions such as installation of formal warning systems, which are absent at Tiga and
Challawa Gorge.
1. Waza-Logone Pilot

Introduction
The project will include continued but increased allocation of water to the floodplain from Maga dam,
rehabilitation/creation of a wildlife pond in Waza National Park in an upland forest area, cleaning/enlarging of a
channel connecting two streams on the floodplain and developing management plans.

The project area covers 8,000 km2, roughly half of which is the Waza Logone floodplain. The area includes both the
Waza and Kalamaloue National Parks. The floodplains are highly productive, providing breeding grounds for fish,
dry season pastures that support cattle and fertile land for arable crops and forestry products. Over 100,000 people
earn all or part of their livelihoods from the floodplains. The area has been degraded because of the construction of
the 30km earthen Maga dam and a 20km dike along the edge of the Logone. These structures significantly reduced
the flooding of the Waza-Logone floodplain, causing social and environmental problems. The Waza Logone Project
was established in 1988 to promote the integrated management of the floodplain. Breaks in the dike were created to
increase flooding and restore the ecology on the upper floodplain. The total "average" flooded area has been
increased by some 200 km2, with very significant local impacts.

Evaluation of Potential Impacts
Activities with potential impacts are:
· Activity: Increased releases of water to the floodplain from Maga Dam;
Impacts:
- Significant benefits to communities in the south and other parts of the floodplain, and to the ecological
integrity of Waza National Park.
-
Positive environmental and socio-economic impacts.
As these impacts are positive, no mitigation measures are required.


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· Activity: Rehabilitation/creation of a wildlife pond in Waza NP
Impacts:
-
The principal environmental impacts of this activity would be on the wildlife and on the natural habitats in
the Waza NP.
-
When wildlife is concentrated around a few dry season water points, they can have marked impacts on the
habitats around the water points. The short-term environmental impact of the new pond in Waza NP will be
to reduce grazing/browsing pressure around other existing water points and to increase localised
grazing/browsing pressure around the new water point.
- If the limiting factor on wildlife populations is the availability of dry season water, then increasing the
availability of dry season water may lead to higher wildlife populations in the park. One could easily
envisage a scenario whereby one increases the number of dry-season water ponds to the point where water
is no longer the limiting factor ­ where the availability of browse and pasture becomes the limiting factor.
Providing too many dry season water points could easily lead to overgrazing / overbrowsing and
degradation of the natural habitats of the park. This is almost certainly not a significant risk for the single
pond to be funded under this project.
-
Changes in vegetation structure around the water point
-
Reduce conflict between wildlife and communities at watering sites outside the park.
Most impacts here will be positive or insignificant; however, mitigation measures for the negative impacts are
tabulated below.

· Activity: Cleaning/enlarging of a channel connecting two streams on the floodplain
Impacts: It is not entirely clear that this will have the expected impacts or how large the impacts will be.
- The extra water flow will compensate for the decreased wet season flow in the Mayo Vrick, and the
flooded area would be expected to increase in this part of the floodplain.
- A number of families/communities, who had moved into the lower parts of the floodplain following
decreased flooding, can be expected to move back to their original settlement sites on higher ground within
the floodplain. It is clear that the benefits of restored / enhanced flooding are understood and welcomed by
the communities. The Resettlement Framework addressing this issue is applicable in this case.
Many activities in this component do not have direct impacts as they are not outputs achievable during the
project period (e.g. An equitable and sustainable allocation and distribution of the sub-basin's water resources"
is unlikely to be achieved during the project life). As such, they are not included in the impacts.

Mitigation
Mitigation measures
Activity
Impact
Mitigation
Entity
Entity
Performance
responsible responsible
indicators
for
for
mitigation
monitoring /
surveillance
Rehabilitation/creation of a
Increased localized
Spread water points
LCBC / PSR /
LCBC
Reduction of
wildlife pond in Waza NP
grazing / browsing
over greater area /
PMU
grazing pressure.
pressure around
limit grazing pressure
Quality of graze /
the new water point
/ increase amount of
browse material
browse material
Rehabilitation/creation of a
Changes in
Maintain an area of
LCBC / PSR /
LCBC Example
of
wildlife pond in Waza NP
vegetation structure
upland forest with no
PMU
unmodified
around the water
water points, as an
habitat in upland
point
example of
forest maintained
unmodified habitat.
Rehabilitation/creation of a
Overgrazing as a
None required as
LCBC / PSR /
LCBC Signs
of
wildlife pond in Waza NP
result of water no
impact is insignificant
PMU
overgrazing.
longer being the
limiting factor
Cleaning/enlarging of a
Families /
Prepare a
LCBC / PSR /
LCBC Resettlement
plan
channel connecting two
communities
resettlement plan
PMU
completed,
streams on the floodplain
having to move
acceptable to

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World Bank
standards.
Families /
communities
moved and
compensated.


Dam Safety
It has been strongly speculated in the EA/SA that the Maga Dam is not a safe structure, however the recent report of
a dam specialist seems to indicate otherwise. The threat of danger of the dam needs to be qualified by the Bank
before further commitments are made to this particular pilot. The only immediate mitigating factor that should be
executed is an emergency evacuation plan for the potentially affected areas. The project should provide regular
reports on the process of resolving the issues of safety and water release from Maga dam if the Bank chooses to
proceed.

Monitoring

The LCBC via the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Steering Committee (PSC) will have overall
responsibility for the activities of the pilot demonstration activities, specifically coordination responsibilities such as
monitoring and evaluation.

Hydrological Studies: Monitoring and Evaluation is seen as a key pilot project component and is a stated objective
of the project ­ "To develop and implement an effective ecosystem, hydrology, and socio-economic monitoring and
evaluation system." There appears to be considerable overlap in some of the proposed hydrological studies that are
included in the main project and in some of the pilot projects. This potential duplication of effort and potential
waste of resources should be investigated.

Project Impacts as well as Lessons Learned: to evaluate social or environmental impacts that are the result of direct
or indirect project actions; and to provide a wider evaluation of pilot project performance and impacts to feed in to
the development of the SAP, indicating replicability to other parts of the basin. The project has been carrying out
detailed monitoring studies in the floodplains for over ten years. The results of this research/monitoring exercise
have demonstrated the considerable social and economic value of wetlands and have been used to guide local,
national and regional policy development. The systems they have established are now well tried and understood by
local staff. This is particularly true of the socio-economic monitoring. However, there are some doubts about the
capacity of parks staff to effectively monitor biological parameters within the park, let alone in the surrounding
flood plains. It is therefore recommended that alternative options be identified for this activity. Having said this, it is
recommended that monitoring in the park specifically address ecological changes in both the areas adjacent to the
new or rehabilitated water holes, and in the upland forest areas that are left without dry season water. This needs to
be done to determine the ecological impact of the new water point that will be opened with the pilot.

Capacity Development and Training

The pilot project was developed out of previous project proposals and as part of this exercise included discussions
with many of the key ministries and agencies that will be involved in project management. At the national level
discussions were held with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water and Fisheries in Yaounde and with
the National GEF Focal Point, Yaounde. Discussions were also held with IUCN at Waza Logone and with IUCN,
WWF and Birdlife International in Yaounde. Some staff members of LCBC were also included in the consultation
process.

Although it was not possible to hold discussions with any of the communities within the flood plain, the previous
project held extensive consultations with flood plain communities on the restoration of flooding to the upper part of
the floodplain, and obtained written consent for their actions from individual households.


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Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates
Budget
Activities
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total US $
Spread water points

$1,000
$500 $500 $2,000
over greater area / limit
grazing pressure /
increase amount of
browse material
Maintain an area of

$500 $500 $500 $1,500
upland forest with no
(monitoring)
water points, as an
example of unmodified
habitat.
Prepare a resettlement
$4,000
$0
$0
$4,000
plan of families having
to move from channel
clearing area
TOTAL
$5,500 $1,000 $1,000 $7,500

2. Komadougou-Yobe Pilot ­ Integrated Wetlands Management

Introduction

The pilot will include clearing blockages on floodplain channels to facilitate flow to floodplains, reducing water
consumption and developing systems of negotiated access to common property resources to reduce land/water
resource use in the wetlands. This pilot project is a continuation of the existing Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands
Conservation Project (HNWCP), which has been working in northern Nigeria since 1987. The Komadougou-Yobe
River forms the boundary between Niger and Nigeria before flowing into Lake Chad. The river basin covers an area
of 150,000 km², and is the only perennial river system flowing into the northern pool of lake Chad. Following the
construction of a number of dams, the flow is now less than 1% of the total input to the lake. The main flow into the
river system is from the Hadejia and Jama'are tributaries, which flow into an extensive floodplain (the Hadejia-
Nguru Wetlands). The floodplain provides a wide range of resources including agricultural soils, grazing, non-
timber forest products, firewood and fisheries. In addition, the wetlands are a unique migratory habitat for many
birds, and are a designated Ramsar site. However, the floodplain has come under increasing pressure from drought
and upstream water developments. The extent of flooding has declined from 300,000 ha to 100,000 ha, there are
signs of increasing salinity in the Hadejia River and there is a threat from the development of agriculture. To date,
the project has carried out research on land use, fisheries, grazing pressure, hydrology and bird habitats.

The pilot project proposal aims to extend the work of the HNWCP. The overall objective of the pilot is stated as:

The long-term sustainability and wise use of the wetlands of the Komadougou-Yobe Basin as a means of
establishing working methodologies for the integrated management of trans-boundary aquatic ecosystems.

Evaluation of Potential Impacts

The project has one activity that will have a direct impact:
· Activity: Clear blockages on floodplain channels to facilitate flows to downstream locations and floodplains.
Impact: This activity will have complex impacts that need to be studied case-by-case.
-
river downstream from the point where the canal is constructed or cleared will be deprived of flow
-
area to which the flood is directed will receive increased flooding
-
change in ecosystem function
-

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The other activities are all indirect, with the project "catalyzing" other agencies to take actions to restore a managed
flooding cycle that will emulate the natural flooding cycle. The following activities are related to either releasing
increased flows from upstream dams, or reducing upstream water demand:
· Action Promote upgrading of existing water management plan for the basin, including catering for rainy season
releases.
Impacts:
-
Increased flooding in downstream wetlands
-
Macroeconomic impact of not developing irrigation schemes
· Action: Catalyze redesign of an efficient water intake structure for Kano City Water Supply.
Impacts: are unknown
· Action: Catalyze replacement of gravity irrigation with drip and sprinkler irrigation in large irrigation schemes.
Impacts:
-
Risk of salinization of soils using irrigation systems that are more water-efficient

Within the wetlands areas, the project is proposing to reduce water consumption and develop systems of negotiated
access to common property resources to reduce land/water resources in the wetlands.
· Action: Promote residual moisture cultivation and the conjunctive use of surface and ground water in crop
production.
Impact: no significant negative environmental impacts
· Action: Promote communal ownership of fisheries.
Impacts:
-
Positive environmental impacts
-
Unknown social impacts
· Action: Promote review of land tenure law for equity.
Impacts: No significant negative social impacts

The project also has specific conservation/protection objectives, linked to the second objective, "Promote the
sustainable use of the biological resources...":
· Action: Identify critical wetlands for conservation; assist in developing and implementing management plans
for critical wetlands. Catalyze designation of additional Ramsar Sites.
Impact
-
Positive environmental impacts
-
Increased pressure on floodplain resources away from these protected areas
-
Changed access to the resource through protected areas
· Activity: Assist to conserve both in situ and ex situ threatened cultivars
Impacts unknown

Many of the outputs would better be described as long-term development objectives, as they are not an output
achievable during the project period e.g. "Hydrological rhythm of the downstream component of the KYB restored".
Social impacts e.g. loss of access to resource under Ramsar designation of wetland sites are addressed in the Process
Framework and Resettlement Framework (see separate documents).

Mitigation

This table refers to the mitigation measures for potential negative impacts of the Pilot, and their monitoring. It does
not refer to the broader monitoring activities (e.g. hydrological monitoring) that are the objectives of the project.
Activity
Impact
Mitigation
Entity
Entity
Performance
responsible responsible
Indicator
for
for
mitigation
monitoring /
surveillance
Clear blockages
Reduced flow in river
Monitor unknown
LCBC / PMU /
LCBC
The extent to
on floodplain
downstream from the
effects
PSR with aid of
which physical

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channels to
point where the canal
NGOs
measures to
facilitate flows to
is constructed or
redistribute
downstream
cleared.
floodplain waters
locations and
actually do
floodplains
redistribute the
waters. Water flow.
Areas of flooding
affected. The
environmental and
social impacts of
these
redistributions
Clear blockages
Increased flow to
Monitor unknown
Consultant
LCBC
Area of increased
on floodplain
area to which the
effects
engineer
inundation. Water
channels to
flood is directed
flow.
facilitate flows to
Environmental and
downstream
social impacts of
locations and
these
floodplains
redistributions
Clear blockages
Change in ecosystem
Monitor changes
NGO /
LCBC
Ecological
on floodplain
function
(positive / negative).
environmental
indicators: number
channels to
If changes negative,
consultant
of species,
facilitate flows to
apply corrective
population of
downstream
actions.
species, vigour of
locations and
individuals.
floodplains
Promote
Increased flooding in
Identify all
Consultant
LCBC
The environmental
upgrading of
downstream wetlands
stakeholders and
engineer
and social impacts
existing water
involve them in
of increased
management plan
planning. Get
releases of water
for the basin,
approval from those
from upstream
including catering
who will receive
dams
for rainy season
more, and those
releases
who will receive less
water.
Promote
Macroeconomic
Audit impacts. If
Economist /
LCBC
Budget / cash flow
upgrading of
impact of not
macroeconomic
LCBC
/ profitability /
existing water
developing irrigation
impacts prove
employment levels
management plan
schemes
negative, use
of irrigation
for the basin,
corrective actions
schemes / natural
including catering
ecosystems
for rainy season
releases
Catalyse redesign
Unknown impacts
Study potentially
LCBC / PSR /
LCBC
Unknown
of an efficient
negative impacts
PMU
water intake
structure for Kano
City Water Supply
Catalyze
Risk of salinization of

Environmental
LCBC
Salinity of soils
replacement of
soils using irrigation
consultant
gravity irrigation
systems that are
with drip and
more water-efficient
sprinkler irrigation
in large irrigation
schemes
Promote
Unknown social
Ensure
LCBC / PMU /
LCBC
The impacts of
communal
impacts
establishment or re-
PSR
community
ownership of
establishment of
ownership of
fisheries
fisheries
fisheries on the
management
fisheries resources
system based on
and on the
biology and ecology
equitability of the
of fisheries
distribution of costs
resource, especially
and benefits of the
if sound traditional
new use /
systems exist.
management
systems that will
be put in place

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Identify critical
Increased pressure
Identify wetlands for
LCBC /
LCBC
Pressure on
wetlands for
on floodplain
conservation in
environmental
floodplain in
conservation;
resources away from
consultation with
consultant
impacted areas
assist in
these protected areas
local population.
(level of grazing,
developing and
Compensate
soil erosion)
implementing
population on
management
resource foregone
plans for critical
(e.g. fisheries).
wetlands
Supply other source
of wetland resource
from sustainable
source e.g.
firewood, reeds,
thatch.
Identify critical
Changed access to
Establish a process
LCBC /
LCBC
Socio-economic
wetlands for
the resource through
of participatory
environmental
impacts on
conservation;
protected areas
project design and
consultant
stakeholders
assist in
conflict resolution.
whose tenure /
developing and
Identify and
access rights have
implementing
document all
been diminished.
management
stakeholders who
The environmental
plans for critical
have traditional
and social impacts
wetlands
tenure or use rights
of negotiated
over the area.
changes to land
Negotiate specific
tenure and
mitigating measures
resource access
with all of these
rights.
parties. Coordinate
with DFID.
Assist to
Impacts unknown
Study the impacts of
LCBC /
LCBC
Unknown
conserve
conservation of
environmental
threatened
threatened cultivars
consultant
cultivars both in
in situ and ex situ
situ and ex situ
e.g. accidental
escapes of cultivars
into non-native
territory

Monitoring
The project includes specific monitoring and research studies, which are not the same as the monitoring of
mitigation activities above. The following components are included:
· Baseline surveys of hydrology, ecology and socio-economy of the wetlands.
· Hydrological monitoring.
· Ecological monitoring.
· Socio-economic monitoring.
· Evaluation of all project activities.

The hydrology studies are expected to monitor river flow, groundwater levels, flood extent and water quality. The
output will be a hydrological yearbook for the basin. The project also proposes to carry out topographic surveys of
river channels, of the exposed floors of the northern pool of Lake Chad and a bathymetric survey of the northern
pool of Lake Chad. It will carry out an inventory of the biodiversity and biological resources of key wetlands and
develop systems to monitor ecosystem conditions.

The project expects to continue to undertake surveys of baseline socio-economic conditions in and around key
wetlands and to monitor changes in socio-economic conditions and the uptake of "wise uses options". It will
evaluate water resources activities, uses, and demands throughout the basin and compare these with water
availability. With this information the project will refine the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Conservation Project
(HNWP) report and extend it to the whole of the Komadougou-Yobe basin.


Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates

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Budget
Activities
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total US $
Monitor unknown effects of blockages
$0
$0
$0
No additional cost to
on floodplain channels to facilitate flows
Komodougou Yobe -
to downstream locations and floodplains.
- M&E system in
place
Stakeholder identification and approval
Definition of project
Definition of project
Definition of project
$6,000
for water allocation for water planning.
process ­ extra
process --
process ­ monitoring
Promote upgrading of existing water
funding for
monitoring
$1,000
management plan for the basin, including
documentation of
$1,000

catering for rainy season releases
traditional tenancy


Establish a process of participatory
systems,
project design and conflict resolution.
compensation for
Identify and document all stakeholders
resources losses --
who have traditional tenure or use rights
$4,000
over area. Negotiate specific mitigating

measures with all parties. Coordinate

with DFID.
Identify wetlands for conservation in
consultation with local population.
Compensate population on resource
foregone (e.g. fisheries). Supply other
source of wetland resource from
sustainable source e.g. firewood, reeds,
thatch
Study the impacts of conservation of
$4,000
$500 $500 $5,000
threatened cultivars in situ and ex situ
e.g. accidental escapes of cultivars into
non-native territory
Ensure establishment or re-establishment
of fisheries management system based on
biology and ecology of fisheries
resource, especially if sound traditional
systems exist.
Study potentially negative impacts of
$4,000
$500 ­ monitoring
$500 -- monitoring
$5,000
redesign for an efficient water intake
structure for Kano Water Supply
TOTAL
$12,000
3,000 3,000 $16,000

Capacity Development and Training
Under "Protected areas and conservation", the project is going to identify critical conservation areas, and assist in
developing management plans for these areas, one of which they expect to be designated as a Ramsar site. The
implicit assumption is that these conservation areas will be effectively protected areas, and that land use that support
the primary purpose of biodiversity conservation is allowed. The emphasis is on training staff from line institutions
in "community liaising", community based development and integrated resources management.
3. Niger-Chad Transboundary Desertification Control Pilot

Introduction

The project proposes to work in the areas of sand dune fixation, range management, water point development and
agricultural improvements on upland, rain fed sites. This pilot project will address land / resource degradation and
desertification in the area to the north and east of Lake Chad in Niger and Chad. This area is the largest "drainage"
area in the basin. However, there is virtually no surface flow from this area into the lake. Moving sands and recent
"ergs" cover the majority of the area. Wind erosion is a normal phenomenon, and is exacerbated by poor land use
practices. Overgrazing and cultivation have resulted in the loss of the vegetation that held the dunes in place. The
activities that have direct and significant environmental and/or social impacts are dune stabilization and range
management with associated water point development. Range management would involve radical changes to access

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to range resources ­ this could potentially affect indigenous transhumant pastoral groups. The project should be
guided by OP/BP 4.12 on the need for participatory processes in drawing up the plans for managing access rights.
This specifically includes the need to take account of the needs of vulnerable groups and especially those below the
poverty line, the landless, the elderly, women and children, and ethnic minorities.

Under sand dune fixation, dunes that pose immediate threats to important infrastructure or valuable lands will be
selected. They will be fixed using a combination of physical and biological techniques. The physical techniques will
require large amounts of plant materials to construct a checkerboard-like pattern of fences or barriers across the
dunes to be stabilized. These structures are intended to minimize sand movement long enough for biological controls
to be put in place. The biological dune fixation measures consist of planting perennial trees and shrubs. If the areas
treated are very small, then the impacts will be relatively insignificant. If the project addresses the fundamental
reasons that cause stable dunes to become live, the impacts could be very significant.

Evaluation of Potential Impacts
· Activities with significant impacts - Dune stabilization.
Negative impacts:
-
Harvesting of large volumes of suitable plant material could degrade sites from where they are harvested
-
Risks posed by introduction of invasive species
-
Restrictions on the right to practice rain-fed agriculture on fragile, high-risk sites
-
Prohibiting open access grazing on live dunes and on sites at risk of becoming live
-
Degradation of stabilized areas after project implementation
Positive Impacts:
-
Protection of high-value infrastructure
-
Restore productivity of areas that had lost most of their productivity
-
Demonstrating that desertification can be reversed
-
Range management with associated water point and information system development.
Negative environmental impact:
-
Increase in vegetation cover could lead to an increase in evapotranspiration
Positive environmental impacts:
-
Increased soil cover and increased biomass production
-
Increased diversity of herbaceous and woody species
-
Greatly decreased wind erosion
-
Decrease and/or reversal of dune activation
-
Improved habitat for wildlife
Negative social impacts:
-
Radical changes to access rights to range resource
-
Risk that transhumant populations are left out of management planning
-
Risk of conflict because of change in access right
-
Risk to disadvantaged groups (e.g. women) of having to increase supervision of livestock under new "range
management".
Positive social impacts are:
-
Restored productivity and quality of pasture for livestock
-
Increased production of secondary products from trees, shrubs, perennial grasses
-
Increased food security
- Increased confidence of local people that they can positively influence their environment and their
production systems
· Activities with insignificant impacts because of their small scale:
· Improvements in agriculture (develop water points for crops).
· Establishment of a credit scheme for minor local enterprises e.g. purchase of simple agricultural tools,
drying equipment for algae, equipment for mining and treatment of natron (hydrated sodium carbonate ­
Na2CO3·10H2O).


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Social impacts e.g. loss of access to resource under Ramsar designation of wetland sites are addressed in the Process
Framework and Resettlement Framework (see separate documents).

Mitigation
The impacts of dune stabilization and range management can be avoided by integrating the mitigation measures and
by expanding them to include "forest" management. Uncontrolled open access grazing is one of the leading causes
of dune activation. Once dunes become partially or fully active, even low-intensity open access grazing effectively
prevents grasses, shrubs and trees from regenerating. As part of the range management, severely degraded areas
should be closed to grazing and most extractive activities (e.g. cutting wood and harvesting thatch) should be
stopped until the sites recover. As they recover, more and more uses may be allowed as appropriate. Such an
approach is the only way to achieve positive environmental impacts on a significant scale. In the Diffa Department,
there are hundreds of square kilometers of live sand dunes that have become unstable in the last 30 years. They
cannot possibly be treated with the techniques proposed in the project document. It is only through putting an end to
open access and the development of management systems that one can hope to restabilize these dunes. By keeping
livestock off the live dunes, more cost effective techniques of re-establishing vegetative cover can then be tested. A
variety of direct seeding techniques could be used e.g. aerial seeding similar to that done by the government of
Mauritania, where spectacular success in areas with as little as 50 mm average annual rainfall are reported.

Mitigation measures
This table refers to the mitigation measures for potential negative impacts of the Pilot, and their monitoring. It does
not refer to the broader monitoring activities (e.g. hydrological monitoring) that are the objectives of the project.
Activity
Impact
Mitigation
Entity
Entity
Performance
responsible responsible
Indicators
for
for
mitigation
monitoring /
surveillance
Dune stabilisation
Harvesting of large
Import plant material from
LCBC
LCBC / PMU /
Certification that imported
volumes of plant
sites where their harvest
PSR
plant material is
material could degrade
is sustainable. Study use
ecologically sound
sites where they are
of alternative plant
harvested
materials.
Dune stabilization
Risks posed by
Study and propose
LCBC /
LCBC / PMU /
Report of alternative
introduction of invasive
alternative, native species
environmental
PSR
species containing
species (Prosopis)
if they exist, if necessary
consultant
alternative species
Dune stabilization
Restrictions on the right
Increase awareness of
NGOs / LCBC
LCBC / PMU /
Level of awareness of
to practice rain-fed
necessity of restriction.
PSR
population. Certification
agriculture on fragile,
Offer compensation on a
that adequate
high-risk sites
per hectare basis. Launch
compensation received.
alternative income
Alternative income
activities.
activities operational.
Dune stabilization
Prohibit open-access
Increase awareness of
LCBC
LCBC / PMU /
Level of awareness of
grazing on live dunes
necessity of prohibition.
PSR
population. Alternative
and on sites at risk of
Suggest other livestock
livestock rearing methods
becoming live.
rearing methods e.g.
in place. Amount of
tethered, fenced. Provide
fodder provided.
other sources of fodder.
Dune stabilization
Degradation of
Put institutions, incentives
LCBC
LCBC / PMU /
Systems for stabilizing
stabilized areas after
or systems in place for
PSR
dunes in place. User
project implementation
managing or protecting
associations in place and
the dunes after
operational.
stabilization. Create
"water point user
associations" to generate
revenue.
Range
Increase in vegetation
Study species that do not
Environmental
LCBC / PMU /
Report of study on plants
management and
cover could lead to an
increase
consultant
PSR
likely to increase
water point
increase in
evapotranspiration. Do
evapotranspiration.
development.
evapotranspiration
not vegetate areas that
were not "naturally"
vegetated before they

13
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were degraded.
Range
Radical changes to
Changes in access rights
NGOs, World
LCBC / PMU /
Changes in access rights
management and
access rights to range
must be negotiated using
Bank, LCBC
PSR
negotiated.
water point
resource.
participatory planning,
development.
stakeholder involvement
and include minority and
disadvantaged groups.
Educate and increase
awareness on need to
change access rights.
Use successful examples
e.g. the Pilot Pastoral
Project (PPP). Institute
"rangeland user
associations" and charge
fees for use.
Range
Risk that transhumant
Ensure that transhumant
NGOs, LCBC
LCBC / PMU /
Number of transhumants
management and
populations are left out
populations are
PSR
/ % of transhumants
water point
of management
consulted.
included
development
planning
Range
Risk of conflict because
Increase awareness and
NGOs, LCBC,
LCBC / PMU /
Number of conflicts
management and
of change in access
educate on need to
PMU, PSR
PSR
developed.
water point
right
change access rights.
development
Ensure equitable
redistribution of resource,
in consultation with
inhabitants.
Range
Risk to disadvantaged
Increase awareness and
NGOs, LCBC,
LCBC / PMU /
Survey with
management and
groups (e.g. women) of
educate on need to
PMU, PSR
PSR
disadvantaged groups of
water point
having to increase
change access rights.
time use and possibility of
development
supervision of livestock
Supply alternatives e.g.
taking on extra work
under new range
corrals, fences,
management (ban on
alternative sources of
open access).
fodder during new range
management

Monitoring
These monitoring activities are part of the overall objectives of the project, not monitoring of mitigation activities as
above.

The project will implement a pasture monitoring and evaluation system for the whole of the project period. The
system will be implemented with pastoralists and their representatives, to provide information on forage availability.
However, this is only one of the proposed project activities and if the integrated approach recommended in this
report is adopted, then this should be reflected in an integrated monitoring system covering controlled access to
rangeland, regeneration of vegetation on dunes, and access to boreholes.

As a starting point, the project will need to document the process of negotiating and formally handing over
rangeland access rights and responsibilities to communities.

The key impact of the proposed interventions should be improved vegetation cover. The approach should be to
evaluate change in soil cover by vegetation, forage production, species composition and abundance. The World
Bank Pilot Pastoral Project (PPP) has developed an effective monitoring system for these and other parameters ­
they should be consulted and the monitoring system developed should be compatible with the PPP if possible to
facilitate comparison of impacts. Subjective evaluations by herders can be supported by simple transect surveys. The
use of fixed point photography can contribute to a monitoring program over a number of years.

The project is also proposing to construct boreholes to supplement existing water supplies. The water depth and
quality in these should be monitored over the season, along with the animal numbers using each water source.



14
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Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates
Budget
Activities
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total US $
Import plant material from sites where their harvest is
Plant species
Monitoring -
Monitoring -
$5,000
sustainable. Study use of alternative plant materials.
specialist --
- $500
- $500
Study and propose alternative, native species if they exist, if
$4,000
necessary
Study species that do not increase evapotranspiration. Do not
vegetate areas that were not "naturally" vegetated before they
were degraded
Put institutions, incentives or systems in place for managing or
Extra
Monitoring
Monitoring
$8,000
protecting the dunes after stabilization. Create "water point user
funding for
$1,000
$1,000

associations" to generate revenue.
compensa-


Increase awareness of necessity of prohibition. Suggest other
tion for

livestock rearing methods e.g. tethered, fenced. Provide other
resources
sources of fodder.
losses --
$6,000
Increase awareness of necessity of restriction. Offer

compensation on a per hectare basis. Launch alternative income

activities.
Ensure that transhumant populations are consulted.
Part of
Monitoring
Monitoring ­
$0
Increase awareness and educate on need to change access
project
­ part of
part of
rights. Ensure equitable redistribution of resource, in
process -- $0 project
project
consultation with inhabitants.
process
process
Increase awareness and educate on need to change access
rights. Supply alternatives e.g. corrals, fences, alternative
sources of fodder during new range management
Changes in access rights must be negotiated using participatory
planning, stakeholder involvement and include minority and
disadvantaged groups. Educate and increase awareness on need
to change access rights. Use successful examples e.g. the Pilot
Pastoral Project (PPP). Institute "rangeland user associations"
and charge fees for use.
TOTAL
$10,000 $1,500 $1,500 $13,000

Capacity Development and Training
Capacity building components are not fully developed, but will be required when the participatory process of
determining access rights to the rangeland will start. It is suggested that specialized NGOs and PPP / World Bank
specialists be contacted in this task.

4. Lake Chad Shorelines Pilot

Introduction

The project will produce a management plan and monitoring scheme for Lake Chad and its shores according to
RAMSAR guidelines. The project area is defined as the shoreline of Lake Chad and the lake itself, although this
varies widely (3,000 km2 to 25,000 km2). The hydrology of the lake is unique and not fully understood. The
southern part of the lake is more like a delta than a conventional lake. The "northern pool" is like a shallow lake, but
it only fills from overflow from the southern pool. This did not happen during the 80s and most of the 90s, and the
northern pool remained dry, although it received waters again in the past few years. About 120 species of fish have
been recorded in the lake. The importance of the lake and its wetlands for migratory birds makes it a site of global
biodiversity importance. Cropping on the lakebed and recession agriculture have become important in the recent
decades of drought. There are no traditional tenure systems for this and conflicts are common. Large numbers of
livestock use the lakebed and the wetland margins in the dry seasons ­ conflicts are also common between herders
and farmers.

15
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In July 2000, the LCBC declared the entirety of Lake Chad a "Transboundary RAMSAR site of International
Importance", however, as yet none of the countries have designated any specific sites around the lake as Ramsar
sites.

Evaluation of Potential Impacts

The only direct activity proposed by the project that could have environmental and social impacts is minor funding
for unspecified interventions:
· Activity: Provide seed funding for highest priority initiatives identified in the community action plans, within
limits of current project resources.
Impacts:
-
To be determined
-
Risk of inhabitants of region becoming disillusioned if no action is taken

Designating Ramsar sites implies setting up a management plan in consultation with stakeholders, using the
participatory method. The impacts will be known once the actions of the management plan are known. However,
given the conflicts already in existence in the basin (from the absence of land tenure systems on the lake bed) the
management plan will have to address this as a necessary condition.
· Activity: Designation of Ramsar sites
Impacts:
-
depends on Ramsar management plan according to "wise use"
-
risk of inhabitants of region becoming disillusioned if no action is taken
·
Activity: Carry out management planning exercise for four to six communities around Lake Chad.
Development and implementation of community-based natural resource-use action plans.
Impacts:
-
restricted access to certain resources or resource areas
-
risk of inhabitants of region becoming disillusioned if no action is taken

Social impacts e.g. loss of access to resource under Ramsar designation of wetland sites are addressed in the Process
Framework and Resettlement Framework (see separate documents).

Mitigation
This table refers to the mitigation measures for potential negative impacts of the Pilot, and their monitoring. It does
not refer to the broader monitoring activities (e.g. hydrological monitoring) that are the objectives of the project.
Activity
Impact
Mitigation
Entity
Entity
Performance
responsible
responsible
Indicators
for mitigation
for monitoring
/ surveillance
Provide seed
Unknown
Determine what
LCBC
LCBC
Actions to be
funding for highest
(depends on
actions to be
funded known
priority initiatives
activity funded)
funded
identified in the
community action
plans, within limits of
current project
resources
(unspecified)
Designation of
Unknown
Designate sites
LCBC /
LCBC
Ramsar sites
Ramsar sites and
(depends on
and develop
environmental
designated and
development of
management
management plan
consultant
management plan
corresponding
plan)
in place
management plan
Carry out
Restricted
Ensure
LCBC / NGOs
LCBC
Survey
management
access to
participatory and
stakeholders
planning exercise
certain
consultative
about degree of

16
emp2.doc

for four to six
resources or
process is utilised
consultation
communities around
resource areas
to arrive at
employed
Lake Chad.
decisions.
Development and
implementation of
community-based
natural resource-use
action plans
All activities
Risk of
Be clear about
LCBC LCBC
Survey
inhabitants of
possibilities of
stakeholders
region becoming
project. Make no
about
disillusioned if
false promises.
expectations and
no action is
promises
taken

Capacity Development and Training
Capacity building is not fully developed, but will be required when the participatory process of determining access
rights to the shoreline of Lake Chad will start. It is suggested that specialized NGOs be contacted in this task.

Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates
Budget
Activities
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total US $
Determine what actions
Within project scope --
Within project scope --
Within project scope --
Within project scope --
to be funded
$0
$0
$0
$0
Designate sites and




develop management
Sensitization role -- $0
$0
$0
$0
plan
Be clear about
possibilities of project.
Make no false
promises.
TOTAL
$0
$0
$0
$0

5. Lake Fitri Pilot

Introduction
The activities of the pilot are to compile existing studies, to hold a seminar, to conduct new studies and dialogue
with stakeholders, to formulate a management plan, approve the plan, and to establish a management platform. None
of these would have any direct impacts. Lake Fitri is located 300 km north-east of N'Djamena. Like Lake Chad, it is
has no outlet and it is not salty. The project area is completely within Chad and has no transboundary component.
The annual rainfall is around 3-400 mm and highly variable. The lake is fed by the Batha River that provides around
60% of the annual inflow, and during periods of low rainfall the lake can dry up. Following a series of waterfowl
counts in the mid-1980s, attention was drawn to the biodiversity value of the lake and in 1987 the lake was declared
a Ramsar site. The key global conservation importance is the very high populations of seasonal migratory birds and
afrotropical waterfowl. The lake environment also supports the endangered red-fronted gazelle (Gazella rufifrons)
and there are reports of roan (Hippotragus equinusa) and tiang (Damaliscus lunatus) antelopes, as well as lion, in
the wooded area south of the lake. This area also harbours a small elephant population. Two main groups use the
lake: sedentary Bilala farming communities and transhumant Arab pastoralists. The rainfall of the area is marginal
for agriculture, but rain fed agriculture continues to expand and conflicts between sedentary agriculturalists and
transhumant herders have multiplied. Clearly there are already issues of access rights and conflicts between
pastoralists and sedentary farmers and between different groups of pastoralists. The project proposes to develop
management plans at various scales that will involve negotiation between different user groups, and advocacy to
maintain the rights of minority groups.


17
emp2.doc

Social impacts e.g. loss of access to resource under Ramsar designation of wetland sites and / or the displacement of
populations are addressed in the Process Framework and Resettlement Framework (see separate documents).


Evaluation of Potential Impacts
The project has two minor unspecified activities that may have direct environmental and social impacts:
· Small-scale development activities; priority should be given to problems linked to ecological issues. These
are likely to build on and link with activities promoted by the NGO SECADEV.
The impacts are:
· introduction of exotic species into the project area
· Small-scale conservation inputs (unidentified).
Possible impacts:
· unknown
· Compilation of existing studies, the holding of a "seminar", the conduct of new studies, dialogue with
stakeholders, the formulation of a management plan, approval of the plan, and the establishment of a
management platform, although this is not clearly defined.
Possible impacts:
· no direct impacts
· risk of inhabitants of region becoming disillusioned if no action is taken

Mitigation
This table refers to the mitigation measures for potential negative impacts of the Pilot, and their monitoring. It does
not refer to the broader monitoring activities (e.g. hydrological monitoring) that are the objectives of the project.
Activity
Impact
Mitigation
Entity
Entity
Performance
responsible for
responsible for
Indicators
mitigation
monitoring /
surveillance
Small-scale
Possible
Use of native
Environmental
LCBC /
Number of native /
development
introduction of
species
consultant / NGO
environmental NGO
exotic species
activities
exotic species
introduced
Small-scale
Unknown
Determine
LCBC
LCBC
List of activities
conservation
activities
inputs
All activities
Risk of
Be clear about
LCBC
LCBC
Survey
inhabitants
possibilities of
stakeholders about
becoming
project. Make no
expectations and
disillusioned if
false promises.
promises
no action is
taken

Monitoring
Activities of this pilot are few, therefore monitoring is minimal. Both have to be developed.

Capacity Development and Training
Capacity building components are not fully developed, but will be required when the participatory process of
determining access rights to the rangeland will start. It is suggested that specialized NGOs and environmental
specialists be contacted. The Sultan of Yao, the traditional head of the sedentary Bilala people living around Lake
Fitri, is arguably the most important individual stakeholder in this project. It is doubtful whether any project for
Lake Fitri could be executed without his approval. Significantly the Sultan of Yao stressed the issue of outside
organisations coming to the lake, carrying out studies and preparing reports and disappearing, leaving the
communities with raised hopes but then no actions.

Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates
Budget
Activities
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total US $

18
emp2.doc

Use of native species
Within project scope,
Within project scope --
Within project scope --
Within project scope --
Determine activities
except native species
$500 for native species
$500 for native species
$2000 for native species
specialist -- $3,000 for
monitoring
monitoring
monitoring
Be clear about
development



possibilities of project.

$0
$0
$0
Make no false
Sensitization role -- $0
promises.
TOTAL
$3,000
$500
$500
$4,000

6. Upper Chari Basin Pilot

Introduction
This pilot proposes a participatory planning approach to develop strategic and sustainable actions designed to
reverse current resources degradation. Impacts will be beneficial, although a potential negative impact will be that
people will eventually become disillusioned and uncooperative if nothing positive for them comes out of the
process. Lake Chad receives the majority of its water from the Chari River system. The Chari pilot project site is
defined loosely as the entire upper catchment of the Chari River, lying within the Central African Republic and
Chad. The project will establish the basic data sets and monitoring systems that it will need for developing projects
in the basin.

Evaluation of Potential Impacts
The project logical framework has eleven activities, none of which have any direct environmental or social impacts.
· risk of inhabitants of region becoming disillusioned if no action is taken

Mitigation
Mitigation measures
Activity
Impact
Mitigation
Entity
Entity responsible
Performance
responsible for
for monitoring /
Indicators
mitigation
surveillance
All activities
risk of inhabitants
Be clear about
LCBC
LCBC
Survey
becoming
possibilities of
stakeholders about
disillusioned if no
project. Make no
expectations and
action is taken
false promises.
promises

Monitoring
Activities of this pilot are few, therefore monitoring is minimal. Both have to be developed.

Capacity Development and Training
Capacity building components are fully developed, but will be required when the pilot is developed.

Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates
Budget
Activities
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total US $
Be clear about
Within project
Within project
Within project
$0
possibilities of project.
scope -- $0
scope - $0
scope - $0
Make no false
promises.
TOTAL
$0
$0
$0
$0


Integration of EMP with Project
There is very little management of natural resources in the Lake Chad Basin. The present natural resource use
systems are characterised by de facto open access to resources i.e. no management. The following is a very

19
emp2.doc

preliminary analysis of the present "State of the Art" for sustainable NRM in the Basin. The projects / programs
below are resources that could be integrated into the project, as they are representative of the activities of the pilots:

· Range Management ­ The World Bank has funded the Pilot Pastoral Project (PPP) for four to five years in both
Chad & Niger. Early results of the community-based management approach are very promising, but no one has
yet attempted to replicate and adapt these pilots to new sites.
· Natural forest management ­ Harvest of wood products from natural forests is regulated by national forestry
services through permit systems. This should not to be confused with management systems that ensure adequate
regeneration of the resource harvested. Natural forests subject to such permit systems are undergoing severe
degradation all across Africa. The Team was unable to identify any pilot natural forest management initiatives
in the Basin. Burkina and Niger (outside of the Basin) are leaders in natural dry forest management in Africa ­
both countries have developed very successful community-based management approaches. Burkina has over
550,000ha under management.
· Fisheries management ­ There are very promising/successful, but isolated, examples of good fisheries
management to build upon. The traditional system controlled by the Sultan of Yao at Lac Fitri in Chad seems to
be an exceptionally successful case. There is a very successful example of community-based river fisheries
management involving three villages on the upper reaches of the Chari River in Chad.
· Wildlife management ­ there are no ongoing pilot initiatives. The UNDP/GEF Manda project in southern Chad
proposes to include a community-based wildlife management component.
· Wetlands management (for extractive uses of wetland resources) ­ None identified
· Groundwater management ­ None identified
· Watershed management ­ None identified
· Multiple use NRM / integrated NRM / environmental management ­ None identified. Most successful or
promising examples of natural resources management across Africa remain limited to a single sector. There
have been relatively few attempts to integrate management of multiple resources on the same site ­ such as
managing the forest, range and wildlife resources on the same piece of dryland forest.

Once again the above analysis of the "state-of-the-art" for the Basin is very preliminary. The TDA will have to
perform a much more complete inventory, but the level of development is probably not much more advanced than
this preliminary analysis would indicate. The pilot projects should play a critical role in developing sustainable
natural resource management systems that can effectively reverse the degradation of land and water resources in the
Basin.



20

Document Outline