20041 report on the analysis of tranboundary cooperation between PNKB and HNN

Project “Nature Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Region, Vietnam” Report on: Institutional analysis regarding communication / coordination mechanisms for cross border collaboration and recommendation for technologies and instruments for better transboundary information exchange and cooperation for biodiversity and kart preservation in Quang Binh and Khammounne provinces Nguyen Manh Ha Hanoi, December 2012 Background The area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (PNKB) covers 123,3261 hectares (ha), which is divided into three functional areas: a) Strictly Protected Area: 102,466 ha, b) Ecological Restoration Area: 17,449 and c) Administrative and Service Area: 3,411 Of this area, 85,754 was recognized as a National Park by the Vietnamese government in 2001 and as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2003 In addition to the World Heritage property, the PPC of Quang Binh approved an extension of the Park in 2008 The extension added an additional 37,572 ha, all protected under Vietnamese forest development and protection law and zoned as Strictly Protected Area by the Province The extension has been proposed as an addition to the National Park and World Heritage Site World Heritage listing is the highest level of international recognition that may be afforded to an area, acknowledging its outstanding universal values and global significance PNKB was inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites on the basis of its outstanding natural values The karst formation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has evolved since the Paleozoic (some 400 million years ago) and so is believed to be the oldest major karst area in Asia The vast karst area, extending across the border into the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, contains spectacular formations including over 104 km of caves and underground rivers, making it one of the most outstanding limestone karst ecosystems in the world Karst formation processes have led to the creation of a variety of cave types, including underground rivers, dry caves, terraced caves, suspended caves, dendritic caves and intersecting caves PNKB Park and adjacent forest land support an enormous number of species, including over 2,851 vascular plant species There are over 755 vertebrate species, including 113 mammals, 302 birds, 81 reptiles and amphibians, and 72 fish Over 70 of these vertebrate species are considered globally threatened, and ten primate species and subspecies are known from the Park The region supports a large number of endemic and relict species, such as Soala, Giant- Antlered Muntjac and Annamite Striped Rabbit Several of these species are specialists on karst or cave ecosystems, such as the Laotian Rock Rat, Hatinh Langur, Sooty Babbler, Annamite Flying Frog and two species of Phong Nha Blind Cave Scorpions (the first discovered in mainland Asia) These endemic and relict species are the result of evolutionary processes that are still on-going in the region Phong Nha – Ke Bang region has major historical significance because of the role that it played during the long war with America Many routes of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Victorious Road 20 run through the Park, and its caves and forests served as strategic bases and refuges during the war The region is rich in stories, both tragic and heroic, and has deep meaning for the people of Vietnam The PNKB and its adjacent area of Hin Nam No National Biodiversity Conservation Area (HNN) in Khammouane province, Lao PDR together form one of the most important biodiversity and kart terrain in Asia This area also covers one of the most biologically important regions of the Annamite mountain range The region is considered to be of global importance for biodiversity conservation Letter dated 16 Feb 2012 from the Quang Bihn Provincial People’s Committee to the PNKB National Park Management Board Both protected areas lie in rather poor districts of their respective countries with a high vulnerability in respect of food security In the area surrounding the protected areas there are villages with, mostly ethnic minorities These communities are highly depended on the utilization of natural resources from within the protected areas The Phong Nha-Ke Bang NP was recognized as World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003 for geological and geomorphologic values and the Hin Namno NBCA is considered as a candidate to the World Heritage List of UNESCO Quang Binh province (SR of Vietnam) and Khammuone province (Lao PDR) are the two leading provinces in the two countries in transboundary cooperation for biodiversity conservation; regional cooperation between the two protected areas has been initiated for more than 20 years And the cooperation became consolidated and formalised in 1998, Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) and Khammouane PPC signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 20 June 1998 regarding the transboundary cooperation in biodiversity conservation in the region of PNKB and HNN, following the above official MoU signed in 1998, the two provinces and the two protected areas have jointly signed other important agreements which helped to establish more solid legislative framework to enable the practical cooperation also at the ground level:  In November 2004; jointly signed: Cooperative Action Plan between Ha Tinh/Quang Binh (Vietnam) and Bolikhamxay/Khammouane (Lao PDR) to control illegal transboundary hunting, trading and transporting of wild fauna and flora for the period 2005 – 2010  In October 2006; Jointly signed: MoU on transboundary conservation between Hin Nam No NBCA and Phong Nha - Ke Bang NP  In December 2006: jointly signed: Joint Statement of the High Level Consultation Workshop for the conservation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang NP (SR of Vietnam) and Hin Nam No NBCA (Lao PDR)  In March 2012, Jointly signed: Minutes of Understanding between Phong Nha-Ke Bang NP, (Quang Binh Province, SR Vietnam) and Hin Nam No NBCA (Khammouane Province, Lao PDR) Furthermore, annually the delegates of the two provinces and the two PAs have organized working visits and activities for exchanging information and experience in biodiversity conservation From 1998 – 2012, during more than 14 years of formal regional cooperation between PNKB and HNN, the biodiversity conservation cooperation has resulted in achievements of information, knowledge exchanges However, these exchanges are not very regular and truly benefit the actual conservation and management activity on the ground In addition, the true joined activity of both PNKB and HNN has not been implemented as expected By other mean the activity has formally worked on political and friendship base rather than actual conservation activity base Above the cooperation between PNKB and HNN, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam) and Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao) has recently signed the Economic, Culture, Science-Technology Cooperation Treaty (09 April 2011) which has provided an institutional base for those detail cooperation agreement of the sector and province of both countries Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Vietnam, and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Lao also signed the Agreement on Agriculture, forestry and rural development for period 2012-2015; the Forest Protection Department of Vietnam (under MARD) and Department of Forestry Inspection (under MAF) has signed a MoU in controlling, preventing illegal transport, trade on timber, forest resources and wildlife species for period 2009-2012 These specific sectorial agreements again provide good framework for detail forestry and conservation cooperation between the two countries, in this case Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Namno National Biodiversity Conservation Area This report therefore will focus on analysis the current cross border cooperation that was and is planned and implementing on the ground, especially those in Quang Binh and Khammuoune province which target to biodiversity conservation and forest resources management between PNKB and HNN Within its context, strength and weakness of the activity and institutional arrangement will be identified; recommendation for more effective cooperation will be proposed; in addition, a list of equipment and capacity building activity for transboundary cooperation will also be listed in order to enhance a long-term cooperation of the provinces, especially PNKB and HNN in protecting their unique biodiversity value and irreplaceable kart terrain of the area Objective To provide an independent and credible analysis of the current status of crossborder cooperation on biodiversity conservation between the institutional governmental agencies (may include non-governmental agencies), focusing in Quang Binh province, Vietnam (and preliminary similar analysis in Khammouane province, Lao PDR) in relation with legislative framework, coordination, interactions and relationships and between the agencies; To provide an assessment of needs for more effective cross-border cooperation on biodiversity conservation through improved legislative framework, institutional framework, human resources and technologies; To provide a sample of implementation methodology for a similar in-depth analysis in Khammouane province for Hin Nam No NBCA Method and progression The analysis following these steps of progression: Inception Preparation of a concept note and work plan Desk based Information gathering Assembling the background information required for the assignment from both desk top studies and interviews and discussions with stakeholders and key informants Collect and review relevant legal document: the legal document was collected and reviewed at both national and provincial level, and specifically those agreement and joined activity of PNKB and HNN on Cross boundary cooperation Participatory interviews and consultations Gathering information and views regarding cross border cooperation from all relevant stakeholder in Quang Binh province, PNKB national park and HNN Synthesis and analysis Assessing the significance of the information we have gathered, identifying the main issues that our recommendations need to address and the main options for action and prepare report A list of equipment and technology was also assembled and recommend to support in order to facilitate better transboundary cooperation Consultation A series of meeting with GIZ project, FFI officer and and relevant agency that will play key role in future cross border cooperation in Quang Binh on finding s and recommend action and equipment for transboundary conservation Participatory and key information interviewing were the key method used for this analysis Relevant representative from provincial agencies that relate to crossborder issue such as Border Army, Provincial Police, Forest Protection Sub-department, Provincial Customs, Provincial Market Control Sub-department, border commune such as Thuong Trach, Thuong Hoa, Dan Hoa were interviewed In addition randomly local people, forester, forest resources retailers was interviewed on their opinion on crossborder resources harvest and use, crossborder management issue (see appendix on list of consultation meeting and interviewing) The management board of PNKB and HNN was specially focused in our analysis activity Intensive interviewing was made for both representatives from HNN and PNKB on current transboundary cooperation and their recommendation for improving the future activity The consultation meeting and interviewing was generally focus on the following issues:  The current status of crossborder cooperation between Quang Binh province and Lao, especially on biodiversity conservation and wildlife trade  Detail cooperation of the agency and Lao’ agency, especially with Khammuoune province  personal perception on the cooperation and how it should be facilitate to have an effective crossborder cooperation on biodiversity conservation  Recommendation for equipment, technologies and working mechanism that needs to be improved and supported All the interviewing and site vision was undertaken from 12 to 23 November which including four days joining the Quang Binh Delegates to prepare the Agreement of cooperation between Khammoune and Quang Binh province on transboundary biodiversity conservation for PNKB and HNN (see detail workplan in appendix) Taking the opportunity of visiting the province of Khammoune, consultation discussion was also made for representative from HNN and GIZ project component in HNN on transboundary conservation issue Key finding 4.1 Current cross boundary cooperation in Quang Binh and Khammuonne provinces Under the Strategic Agreement on Economic, Culture, Education and Science-Technology cooperation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and The Lao People Democratic Republic (singed on 09 April 2011), a series of provincial level agreement between border provinces of Vietnam and Lao has been renewed, or raised to larger scale or make into detail level Especially, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomat relation (05/9/1962 - 05/9/2012) and 35th anniversary of the Friendship treaty (18/7/1977 18/7/2012) several renewed agreement were signed between provinces and sectors of the two countries in order to echo the top level agreement In Quang Binh, within 2012 at least agreement were signed, among of those two specifically focused on biodiversity and nature conservation between PNKB and HNN - Cooperation agreement of Quang Binh’ Department of Justice and Khammuoune’ Department of Justice (signed on 7th March 2012) Cooperation agreement between PNKB and HNN (signed on 20th March 2012) on biodiversity conservation and experience exchange Cooperation agreement between Quang Binh and Khammuonne provinces on transboundary cooperation for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Namno National Biodiversity Conservation Area (signed on 16 November 2012) Beyond the signings, in 2012 the two provinces have sent several exchange programs in order to enhance the information, experience sharing These activities has not yet show a clear effective evidence of the cooperation on the ground, however have definitely facilitated a good start for better understanding and more effective cooperation between the two provinces in the future Additionally to the transboundary cooperation in forest protection and biodiversity conservation, under the provincial agreement, other Quang Binh’ provincial agencies also have some specific cooperation with lie agencies in Khammoune province such as agreement on trade, military cooperation, joint border patrol, custom procedure… these agreement were signed and periodically renewed base on their time limit and most importantly following the mother agreement framework of national friendship agreement and provincial cooperation Cooperation of Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Namno Initiative of transboundary cooperation in order to strengthen the conservation in PNKB and HNN has been long formulated and facilitated Since the first joint statement of Quang Binh and Khammuoune province on enhancing the cooperation on protecting the natural heritage and biodiversity value of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Namno area was discussed and announced in 1998 when both protected area was freshly established In the 1998 joint statement, significant of PNKB-HNN as a unified complex of biodiversity and geography was recognized and emphasized, and transboundary effort for protecting, conserving and management this important area was agreed by both sides In addition, many other important issue of exchanging information, experience, and joint research, and effort to call for recognition as world natural heritage for the complex was identified Additionally, the WWF/Link project has invested a significant resources and efforts to formulate a transboundary conservation effort for PNKB and HNN which has established important mechanism for the follow-up activity in the two protected areas Nevertheless, most of the activities were limited to their first stage of established the relationship and raising the important issue of transboundary and recognition of the two protected area as a unified complex Nevertheless, very little actual transboundary and conservation management activities were undertaken on the ground The Nature Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Region, Vietnam project now is the successor project to again raise and perhaps make the initiative truly work on the ground From 2009 to 2012 several activities has been implemented to facilitate the transboundary conservation issue back on track such as visiting exchange, sharing conservation effort and experience, signed agreement between the two protected areas However, the activity now still has its limit at experience exchange and visiting trips Again up to this time of reporting there is no joint research, discussion to seek for a common management mechanism that benefit the protection and management of the whole complex has been launched The most recent agreement on transboundary conservation effort between PNKB and HNN was signed on 20 March 2012 in which both sides again emphasis the important of sharing information and experience, controlling of illegal wildlife hunting and trade and identified the key activity for 2012 (seem very short-term) This agreement again indicates that the current cooperation between the two protected area are mostly limited to making agreement, joint statement and most importantly exchanging visit, all other important activity such as joint research, finding common management mechanism and seeking for UNESCO recognition of the whole complex The most recent and seem to be most important agreement has been archived so far for transboundary issue in Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Hin Namno is the Agreement of Quang Binh and Khammoune province (signed on 16 November 2012) on Cooperation for transboundary cooperation for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Namno National Biodiversity Conservation Area This agreement likely will provide a good legal framework for detail cooperation activity in the two protected area, even those no clear mechanism and plan for implementation has been given yet and more importantly no financing and resources has been indicated to implement the agreement In sum, the current cooperation for transboundary natural resources and biodiversity conservation and management between Quang Binh and Khammuone province, especially between PNKB and HNN has been emerged almost fifteen years Following the initiative, activities has been implemented however mostly limit to workshop, visiting exchange and making agreement More importantly, those activities have been implemented under support by international project (extra resources) rather than the state budget or the resources from the protected areas themselves Taking the opportunity of external funding resources to support conservation activity has always been and encouraging activity for all protected area however these resources likely an unstable and unsecure sources Therefore, a long-term conservation planning should not be solely depending on these unstable sources, especially the transboundary activity which often need a strong political support and long-term funding commitment in order to have appropriate plan and activity Therefore, in order to have an effective transboundary conservation and cooperation activity that work then transboundary perception will need to be reconsidered and preplanning in term of approach and funding 4.2 Cross boundary cooperation challenges Good cross boundary cooperation often require several element of issue that echo in supporting each other, perhaps most importantly a strong political will, relevant capacity and resources Those key elements will help the cooperation work not only on the signing table but on the ground In the case of PNKB and HNN, the advantage of political will and legal framework is perfectly available as Lao and Vietnam has recently renew their full-scale friendship and cooperation which give no limit to sectorial, provincial or ground level cooperation between the two countries In addition to the national level cooperation, framework of sectorial (MARD and MAF) and provincial agreement (Quang Binh and Khammuone) was also freshly renewed, more importantly in those agreement, clear statement were made on enhancing forest protection, wildlife trade and biodiversity cooperation between the two countries, and more specifically between Khammoune and Quang Binh Pertaining form above advantage political will and institutional arrangement difficulty likely will not be a challenge for cross boundary cooperation The capacity nevertheless likely is one of the key challenges The unequal working capacity of PNKB and HNN likely does not support a stronger cross border conservation activity, especially that technical conservation level As the current number of staff of PNKB exceeded 120 staff which well-arranged to sections (tourism, scientific, protection), but Hin Namno has less than 20 full-time staffs to run an area that triple the size of PNKB Therefore, with the current capacity and human resources, HNN seems difficult to catch-up with the process that has been done or proposed to be implement parallel in the both protected area In addition, conservation management process in both PAs seem quite unequally manage For instance, the biodiversity and geology survey for PNKB seem almost complete, but very little progress has been undertake in HNN Hence while proposing joint research PNKB perhaps will request for an advance activity that reaches beyond the basic biodiversity survey but HNN may only request to those activity In addition, in order to have an effective transboundary conservation management it is crucial to have both sides applying the same approach or to propose activity which both side could joint and benefit the actual conservation requirement in the two protected area Nevertheless, unequal management capacity of PNKB and HNN seem not so support such technical approach unless further capacity building activities will be implemented and management board of HNN will be soon strengthened Lacking of available resources especially state budget for the implementation of the agreement in both Lao and Vietnam would actually making the agreements work only in paper For instance, as the joint statement of Quang Binh and Khammoune provinces was announced in 1998 and the two newly signed agreements in March and November 2012 there has been no other detail plan to implement the agreement and no resources (implementation committee, coordinate unit, monitoring and reporting mechanism, budget) was spared to make the agreed issue work in both sides Moreover, no evaluation or review was undertaken for the last agreement period to the new agreement to be renewed and signed Lacking of necessary resources is perhaps the key reason that limits the effective of the agreements and eventually limits the transboundary conservation effort Currently all transboundary activities on natural resources management and biodiversity conservation were and are running by extra resources from foreigner support such UNDP/WWF and GIZ/KFW, the project base activity seem to be the short-term one Putting the objective of long-term transboundary conservation on a short-term financing sources will seriously interrupted the process and eventually not makes the transboundary conservation work in reality Unavailable resources for transboundary conservation and cooperation are not only the issue for provincial authority and protected areas but also for national level MARD and the Forest Protection Department has signed their MoU and cooperation agreement with relevant Lao’s Partner however there was no resources was spare to implement that then actually not actual activity was implemented accordingly Hence, the transboundary conservation and cooperation in the case of PNKB and HNN will only work and has its effective when is has both political will, adequate capacity and a secured resources to ensure that the agreed targets and activities will be implemented on the ground 10 Recommendation Since the current transboundary cooperation between PNKB and HNN only has not yet effectively work as it was expected due to a various reasons and difficulty Hence, seem like lot of work need to be done in order to keep this vital approach get on track and gradually work and benefit the conservation this important landscape of unified biodiversity resources and irreplaceable geology value Pertaining from those identified difficulty and challenges, the following is the approach, activity should be done to improve the current situation and ensure a long-lasting transboundary conservation effort for this important landscape 5.1 Recommendation for more effective cooperation In order to have good transboundary cooperation on biodiversity conservation between Quang Binh and Khammuone provinces, especially between PNKB and HNN Hence, first and foremost important is to strengthen the cooperation of all relevant agencies that involve in the transboundary issue, especially to consolidate the information sharing mechanism and joint effort for transboundary biodiversity conservation and management In the province of Quang Binh, the People committee should play the role of coordination for the implementation of the transboundary agreement of Quang Binh and Khammoune And a Secretariat Unit (ideally the Department of Foreigner Affair with the technical support for biodiversity and conservation issue from PNKB NP) will be established to coordinate the implementation of the provincial agreement In order to make the Secretariat work the following arrangement by the Provincial’ People Committee need to be done: - An official approval of the establishment of a Secretariat, in which mandates of the Secretariat will be clearly identified - Official guidance for all relevant agencies on reporting and sharing necessary information for the Secretariat to prepare plan and report for the implementation of the provincial agreement - Necessary resources to run the Secretariat (manpower, budget) The Secretariat will need to the following tasks: - Periodically report to the PPC the status of agreement implementation of all relevant agencies and the PNKB National Park - Maintain a regular contact with similar unit of department that plays the coordination role in Khammoune province to exchange information on the implementation in Vietnam - Organize annual meeting on transboundary and agreement implementation - Prepare and organize the biannual meeting of the two provinces on transboundary cooperation The working mechanism and information exchange of the Secretariat is recommended in the figure The establishment of such important unit will be important to show the willingness of the province in implementing its commitment which directly benefits the conservation and management the biodiversity and geology value of the PNKB and HNN complex 11 Figure Recommended coordination and information sharing mechanism on transboundary issue for Quang Binh and Khammoune province Semiannual meeting to report and review the implementation of provincial agreement - Forest resources and law enforcement - Reporting sector dialogue between Khammoune and Quang Binh - Exchanging challenge and information Local authorities and communities - Bo Trach - Minh Hoa Relevant Provincial agencies PNKB Secretary unit People committee of QB - Coordination Unit Annual meeting to review : - the implementation of the agreement - Joint research and monitoring activity - Joint training activity - Exchanging reports and information - Prepare for biannual higher level meeting on transboundary conservation HNN Secretary unit IGO, NGO, Scientific institution Report all actual activity relate to transboundary issue Rotation biannual meeting on Trans-boundary biodiversity and geology conservation - Review of progress of implementing the agreement - Exchanging setting target and identify priority action for the next two years - Exchanging experience and challenge Governor office of KM - Coordination Unit Local authorities and community - Boulapha Relevant Provincial agencies 12 IGO, NGO, Scientific institution Besides the coordination effort from the provincial level, the PNKB national park should play an active role in facilitating and implementing the transboundary activity Therefore, and frequent information and experience sharing mechanism should be especially focus for both PNKB and HNN to ensure that the actual transboundary conservation and management work on the ground From the perspective, a practical information and experience sharing mechanism should be formed and run in order to ensure that all conservation effort in both PNKB and HNN will be shared and learnt by both sides In addition, frequent experience sharing and joint activity will also be vital to make sure the using of similar approaches for conservation by both PNKB and HNN (or at least the approach that is using by other side are fully noted and learnt by the other) Hence, a second layer (provincial level will be the first or institution level) of transboundary experience and information sharing bridge should established between the PNKB and HNN At this level, all information and activity will be share between the two protected area with the active involvement of other important sectors such border guard, local community in the bufferzone and all research activity, project that implemented in the protected area The exchange should be made through an annual or semi-annual meeting and joint activity (research, biodiversity monitoring, conservation education, capacity building training ) which rotationally organised in both PNKB and HNN Again, secured funding to run this communication channel will be very important to ensure a long-term cooperation for the protection and existence of this important landscape Hence, financing this channel should be plan base on state funding rather than project based approach as currently applied Therefore maintaining the transboundary activity should be consider as a core activity of the park which necessary resources should be add to the annual park budget as well as its long-term management planning and development Outline of information and experience exchange between PNKB and HNN is recommended in the figure 13 Figure Recommended coordination and information sharing mechanism on transboundary issue for Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Hin Namno Communes in the border area Quarterly meeting on biodiversity and nature conservation - Forest resources and law enforcement - Reporting on joined-patrolling - Agriculture and community development activity Border guard and Environment police PNKB NP NGOs, Bio research report Base on actual activity implementing or planed in the park Ranger and technical staff Rotation semiannual meeting on Trans-boundary biodiversity and geology conservation meeting - Experience and conservation practice meeting - Joined-research and monitoring activity - Community and buffer zone management HNN NP Ranger and technical staff Communes in the border area NGOs, Bio research report 14 Border guard and Environment police 5.2 Recommendation for capacity building Unequal capacity between PNKB and HNN was identified as one of the key issues that limit the effective of transboundary cooperation and conservation management With such limit resources, it will be very difficult for HNN to catch-up with the process of PNKB, event to implement the priority activity that has been agreed between the two PA and the provincial agreement In PNKB has better resources and capacity which provide them more advantage to have more effective transboundary conservation Nevertheless the experience and performance of their staffs still need much of improvement, especially skills and knowledge relate to transboundary conservation Sharing the similar difficult with all other protected areas in Vietnam, most of the PA’s staff in Vietnam now have strong forestry or law enforcement back ground but lacking of biology, ecology knowledge and other important working and conservation skill in addition, working in an international context and international organization also request many more skill that reach beyond the standard forestry knowledge and other training that protected area’ staff often received Additionally to the trainings and skills that need to be provided for the protected area’ staff Other relevant and relate provincial sectors and forces also need to be provided in order to have better support for the nature resources, biodiversity protection and management in Quang Binh province Therefore the flowing capacity building training activity is recommended: No Training Focus sector Transboundary natural resources and biodiversity conservation and management Principal and skill of international and diplomat working (working skill and diplomat correctness) Biodiversity and natural resources management in Landscape ecology approach PNKB, FPD, DARD, DONRE, district forestry and biodiversity staff – Laos partner PNKB, FPD, DARD, DONRE, and all provincial sectors that involve in transboundary issue – Laos partner PNKB, FPD, DARD, DONRE, district forestry and biodiversity staff – Laos partner PNKB, FPD, DARD, DONRE, district forestry and biodiversity staff – Laos partner sectors that involve in transboundary issue International agreement and treaty on natural resources, forestry, biodiversity, wildlife trade Advance foreigner language course: English and Laos Recommend training institution Biodiversity research institution and international NGOs School of international affair Biodiversity research institution Biodiversity research institution and international NGOs Professional Language Training Centre It is also strongly recommended that for every training and capacity building activity that will be provided for Quang Binh, it is crucial to have Lao partner (especially HNN’ staff) involve in the training As the transboundary management effectively work when all the stakeholder involve have appropriate skill and invest similar efforts and apply similar approach 15 5.3 Recommendation for supporting necessary equipment and resources Effective transboundary cooperation often requires a various tool and technology to facilitate a good communication and enhancing the working performance Moreover, those equipment and technology often require a constant maintain and upgrade And the more stakeholder involve in the work will require more various tool and technology For instance, the requirement equipment of Custom, police or border army are often specialized and very expensive which could normally not affordable by a conservation project A multifunction border scanner usually cost few million dollars versus inexpensive field equipment often request by forest ranger and park’ technical staff Hence, satisfying that huge and various demand of the stakeholder involve in the transboundary issue could not be fulfill by and project or program alone but by a national or sectorial long-term support Therefore in this section we has summarized and only recommend the equipment that recommended and requested by all relevant agencies of Quang Binh province that was visited and interviewed during our analysis The recommended equipment was selected based on following the criteria: a Relate directly to transboundary information sharing on natural resources and biodiversity conservation b Improve the effective of current and long-term work that relate to the biodiversity conservation between Quang Binh and Khammoune c Not too expensive and affordable (should not exceeded $1,000 per item) d Equipment that has not yet support by Vietnam Government (central, local or specialized sector - such as police, army or FPD specialized equipment) e Non-lethal (no weaponry value) Base on the consultation meeting and discussion of affordable equipment that request to support in order to improve the biodiversity conservation in PNKB and directly relate to improve the transboundary conservation and information exchange, following recommend list of equipment has been divided in two specific sectors and section to have clearer picture for who will involving in review and making decision The PNKB national park should play a key role in the transboundary conservation issue, hence it should receive the most immediate and important support to improve their performance The support will be the equipment that benefits the conservation work and also office equipment that will help the storing, enhancing information exchange or those will be used for transboundary workshop and used as a training platform for future capacity building in PNKB and HNN Table Recommend equipment for PNKB National Park Support Item Computer (desktop) Data file cabinet Two way radio (unit) Printer Centre for Scientific research and Park FPD Rescue headquarter 2 Ranger station Arem 1 16 Thuong Hoa Hoa Son Total 3 12 Scanner Binocular Tele-scope GPS Camera (compact) Camcorder (compact) First aid kit for fieldwork (for 6-10 persons) 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 The mentioned function room should be setup in the Centre for Scientific research and Rescue of the PNKN national park This room will be used for all the meeting, training on transboundary issue that will be held in the park Table Recommend function room (will be serve as transboundary meeting and training platform) No Support item LCP projector Screen Flip chart while/black board Speaker/applier (set) Microphone (unit) Table (roundtable ) Table (single Chair Number of item 1 2 24 All the community in the border and bufferzone should be also received equipment support in order to help them gather, store information that will be shared in the quarterly meeting in PNKB on forest protection, buffer zone management The recommend support equipment only limit to those will help gathering, storing, and producing report (table 3) Addition to the request equipment the border guard also recommend to support a set of two way radio that will be used for both Park’ ranger to support a better communication when they has any joint patrol or law enforcement raid with park ranger The station also request a collection of reference book on conservation, current legislation on forestry and biodiversity conservation and protected species identification guidebook which they could use in order to support the park or future transboundary cooperation (the requested two way radio unit was listed in the table 1) Table Recommend equipment for ccommune in the border Support Item Computer (Desktop) Camera (compact) Thuong Trach Name of commune Thuong Hoa Hoa Son Tan Trach Dan Hoa Trong Hoa Total 1 1 1 1 1 1 17 All border station that managing the border area of PNKB and HNN (in Vietnam side) should also receive necessary equipment that would help the station to gather information, producing report which will be share in the regular meeting with PNKB on transboundary and other border management issue (table 4) As special request from the stations laptop is the recommend equipment because this unit could be easily charged by solar battery and generator which only run in the evening and suite to their particular condition Table Recommend equipment for border guard station Support Item Computer (laptop) Printer Camera (compact) Name of Border Station Con Ca Rong Roang Ca Xeng Cha lo Ra Mai Total 1 1 1 1 1 The custom seem to be the only force that request litter support and limit to only the information sharing activity The requested equipment was one computer that work as data sharing platform that they will use to store, share and look-up for the information on transboundary, wildlife trade issue as their official computer information is classified and prohibited to connect and share with any third party And only two border gate should receive this support (table 5) In addition to the equipment, the custom office in Cha Lo and Ra Roong also requests support for: - a cabinet that contain all guide books on current legislation and law on conservation and wildlife trade, especially identification guide book of protected species of Vietnam and Laos which could provide a quick look-up for their daily work on controlling import and export merchandised - A specially training course on wildlife trade control and CITES which specially organized in Cha Lo and Ca Rong border gates Holding the training in the gates will allow more of their staff attend but also benefit other relevant forces in the same gate such as Animal Quarantine and Border Guard Table Recommend equipment for Custom office Name of the border gate Cha Lo Ca Roong 1 1 Support item Computer (laptop) Camera (compact) Beside the recommend equipment, we also strongly recommend that these important partners should be involved in conservation training, capacity building or study tour that relate to transboundary issue As long as these partners has a good understanding on the significant transboundary conservation issue then they could support better the conservation in the park and this important biodiversity and geology landscape 18 Appendix Appendix Analyses process Desk review No Secondary data Desk review of Legal documents - regional agreement of crossborder - National agreement and treaty on Vietnam-Lao cooperation - provincial agreement of crossborder cooperation the review will specially refer to the following programme/project  Sub-regional Biodiversity Conservation Component, implemented by WWF (Project code: RAS/93/102, 3years starting from July 1995), this project is helping to facilitate better coordination and information sharing on biodiversity conservation between the four countries (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand) The project, known as the Indochina Biodiversity Forum, was developed to establish a forum for greater levels of technical exchange and discussion on biodiversity conservation issues that require an international rather than a national approach  WWF LINC project (Linking HinNamno and PhongNhaKe Bang through Parallel Conservation LINC is a three-year project beginning in 1999 for participatory resource management and biodiversity conservation The project links conservation initiatives between PhongNha-Ke Bang National Park and HinNamno NBCA)  The Greater Truong Son Conservation Action Plan (Co-implemented by Vietnam FPD, USAID and WWF) The Truong Son Conservation Action Plan is a plan adopted by the Government of Vietnam to bring greater focus, coordination and domestic investment to protect Truong Son’s natural systems for optimum long-term development and poverty reduction It is intended as a framework for action by all international and non-government partners concerned with maintaining the contribution of the region’s biodiversity wealth to national economic, social and environmental well being  Strengthening Protected Area Management in Viet Nam-SPAM Project, implemented by Vietnam FPD and managed by WWF Part of this project was to conduct a basic survey on plant and animal resources in the forest area along the border between Vietnam and Laos There were separated survey programme on Gaur and Tigers in the South of PhongNha 19 Expected outcomes  List of secondary data  Summary of main contents  Legal background for cross border cooperation  Challenges     Biodiversity monitoring and enforcement projectNakai-Nam Theun Protected Area of Laos PDR, implemented by WCS Trans-boundary conservation of the Annamites, implemented by IUCN, the project is designed to catalyse and support trans-boundary conservation through consolidated high level government commitments, enabling policies and on-ground activities in the Annamite Range which forms a natural border between Laos and Vietnam (briefly with Cambodia as well) As part of the Indo-Burma conservation hotspot, the Annamite Range is also one of the richest biodiversity havens on earth, listed by WWF as a globally significant eco-region The FFI PhongNha – Ke Bang Programme (of Fauna & Flora International) Project “Nature Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Phong NhaKe Bang National Park Region”(in brief: PNKB Region Project) 20 Appendix List of Interviewee and consultation meeting No Conduct interviews at state level Government Agency  Provincial People’s Committee  Border district People’s Committees  People’s Committees of communes with the border gates  Provincial Border Army  Provincial Police  Forest Protection Sub-department  Provincial Customs  Provincial Market Control Sub-department  Provincial department of Education and Training  Biodiversity Conservation Agency (Under DoNRE)  Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park  Provincial department of Culture, Sport and Tourism  Provincial Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas  Management Boards for Special Use and Protection Forests (if needed)  Provincial mass organisations (Young Unions, Women Union… (if needed)  Randomly selected local crossborder forest product collectors and users  GIZ component of the PNKB region project in Quang Binh  KfW component of the PNKB region project in Quang Binh  Selected local crossborder forest product collectors and users in Xuan Trach and Thuong Trach Communes NGOs and Project/program working relate to cross border issue in Quang Binh  GIZ component of the PNKB region project in Quang Binh  KfW component of the PNKB region project in Quang Binh  FFI Vietnam 21 Expected outcomes  Legal background  Issues related to propose new management structure  Human and budget resource allocation  Report lines and coordination between PAs and the state agencies  Opinions about the current structure in Vietnam and recommendations  Opinions about the new management structure  Opinions about the current structure in Vietnam and recommendations Appendix 3: Detail workplan Date Agency 12/11/2012 08: 00-09:00 Meeting with GIZ project   09:30-10:30 Meeting with Provincial Customs in Dong Hoi 10:30-11:30 Meeting with Provincial Market Control Subdepartment  13:30-14:30 Meeting with Provincial department of Education and Training  15:00-16:30 Provincial Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas 13/11/2012 08:00-09:00 Meeting with Biodiversity Conservation Agency 09:30-10:30 Meeting with Young Unions Provincial 10:30-11:30 Meeting with Women Union Provincial  Topic of the discussion workplan and other consultation issue in Vietnam and working in Lao The current status of crossborder cooperation between Quang Binh province and Lao, especially on biodiversity conservation and wildlife trade cooperation of the agency and Lao’ agency, especially with Khammuoune province personal perception on the cooperation and how it should be facilitate to have a effective crossborder cooperation on biodiversity conservation Recommendation for equipment, technologies and working mechanism that needs to be improved and supported Note 13:30-14:30 Meeting with Provincial Police in Dong Hoi 14/11/2012 15/11/2012 16/11/2012 17/11/2012 15:00-16:30 Meeting with Provincial Border Army Depart for Khammouane Work in Khammouane with Hinanmo and GIZ project Work in Khammouane with Hinanmo and GIZ project Interviewing Vietnamese delegations on Crossborder Discus and sharing the key finding in vietnam and recommend how the work should be done in Lao  The current status of Representa crossborder cooperation tive from 22 cooperation issue while working in Lao    18/11/2012 Return Dong Hoi 19/11/2012 08:00 t- 9:00 working with PNKB national park      09:30-16:00 Visit collector and local people in Xuan Trach and Thuong Trach commune  23 between Quang Binh province and Lao, especially on biodiversity conservation and wildlife trade cooperation of the agency and Lao’ agency, especially with Khammuoune province personal perception on the cooperation and how it should be facilitate to have a effective crossborder cooperation on biodiversity conservation Recommendation for equipment, technologies and working mechanism that needs to be improved and supported The current status of crossborder cooperation between Quang Binh province and Lao, especially on biodiversity conservation and wildlife trade cooperation of the agency and Lao’ agency, especially with Khammuoune province personal perception on the cooperation and how it should be facilitate to have a effective crossborder cooperation on biodiversity conservation Recommendation for equipment, technologies and working mechanism that needs to be improved and supported The cross border resources harvesting and management perception of people toward cross border cooperation on resources people committee at provincial, district level and biodiversity conservation 20/11/2012 Reviewing information and reporting 21/11/2012 Additional consultation meeting and interviewing 24 ... cooperation Cooperation of Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Hin Namno Initiative of transboundary cooperation in order to strengthen the conservation in PNKB and HNN has been long formulated and facilitated... help the cooperation work not only on the signing table but on the ground In the case of PNKB and HNN, the advantage of political will and legal framework is perfectly available as Lao and Vietnam... boundary cooperation in Quang Binh and Khammuonne provinces Under the Strategic Agreement on Economic, Culture, Education and Science-Technology cooperation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and The