Project/activity information

The objective of the pre-project was to collect baseline information and to formulate a project proposal with a view to rehabilitate the natural forests of Bato, through plantations and sustainable management of existing natural forests.

The strategy adopted for the pre-project was a participatory approach for the planning of the potential future project activities. To that effect, the consultation processes were considered to be as important as the collection of baseline information at the project site. An international consultant was hired as well as a group of national experts. Five main studies were carried out and their findings were used as the basis to develop a project proposal to be submitted to ITTO:

- identification and demarcation of 7,620 ha of land on which plantations will be established, and 1,180 ha of natural forest to be managed;
- forestry study, including forest inventory;
- a study on land tenure issues and socio-economic conditions in the project site;
- a study on soil and land capability; and
- an environmental impact assessment.

A national workshop was held before the end of the pre-project in order to discuss the findings and the resulting project proposal. In addition, a draft forest master plan was developed as part of three pre-project activities.

The main output of pre-project activities was the project proposal PD13/00 (F) "Support to the Akposso and Akebou Population for the Participatory Management of Residual Forests and Uncultivated Savannahs in the Valleys of Akpe and Akama for the Production of Industrial Timber".

Another achievement of the pre-project was the consultative process that was initiated during the implementation of the pre-project and which involved all stakeholders, in particular the local communities who are also land owners, and representatives of the forestry administration. These discussions and consultations have prepared a favorable environment for the implementation of sustainable forest management activities in the project area.