conservation of biodiversity in central zagros …...landscape in an area over 3.1 million hectares...

Conservation of Biodiversity in Central

Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone

No: PIMS 2278

Performance report 2014

1/18/2015

Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone UNDP/GEF Project No: PIMS 2278

Performance Report 2014 2

Table of Contents

Acronyms and Abbreviation ................................................................................................................... 3

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Project goals ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Performance/Implementation field in 2014 .......................................................................................... 8

Summary of project performance 2014 ................................................................................................. 9

List of activities and determine physical progress of outputs and activities in 2014 work plan ......... 12

Development Method and Reporting Limits ....................................................................................... 14

Results, Influences and Outcomes ....................................................................................................... 15

Review Financial Performance ............................................................................................................. 16

Challenges Ahead ................................................................................................................................. 20

Risk Management and Risk Appetite ................................................................................................... 21

Learned lessons .................................................................................................................................... 23

Conclusion and Recommendations ...................................................................................................... 25

Annual Report Approval Certification .................................................................................................. 26



Acronyms and Abbreviation

Action Plan AP

Annual Work Plan AWP

Biodiversity BD

Biodiversity Enterprise Grants Scheme BEGS

Conservation C

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari C and B

Convention on Biological Diversity CBD

Community Based Organization CBO

Combined Delivery Report CDR

Catchment Management Areas CMA

Central Zagros Mountains CZM

Director General DG

Deputy National Project Manager DNPM

Department of Environment DoE

Environment Impact Assessment EIA

Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Organisation FRWO

Global Environment Facility GEF

Governor General GG

Government of Islamic Republic of Iran GIRI

Head Quarter HQ

Information System IS

Kohgiloye and Boyerahmad K and B

Local Planning Committee LPC

Major Green Initiatives MGIs

Ministry of Agricultural Jihad MOAJ

Minutes of Meeting MoM

Memorandum of Understanding MoU

Management Plan MP

Non-Governmental Organization NGO

National Project Director NPD

National Project Manager NPM

Project Implementation Review PIR

Pilot Management Area PMA

Provincial Planning and Development Council PPDC

Sustainable Development Strategy SDS

Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA

Terms of References ToR

United Nations Development Programme UNDP

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO

Zagros Mountains' Conservation Areas ZMCA

Zagros Mountains' Conservation Area/Biosphere Reserve ZMCA/BR

Zagros Mountains' Resource Center ZMRC



1. Executive Summary

Design CZM Management System including Legal and Policy Framework, and sharing

draft proposal for feedbacks, finalization and process designation;

Draft CZM management program Scale-up strategy including definition of Catchment

Management Areas and budget estimation; Also, submit through IR-6th development

plan and finding initial approval for the required budget;

Draft integrated and collaborative Management Areas planning and management

toolkit and introduce CZM management tools (including CZM ecological land use and

guidelines), and build capacity of stakeholders in four provinces to use and develop

the tools, through 14 workshops;

Draft proposal for the CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Strategy

through nine consulting workshop and share with key stakeholders for feedbacks,

finalization and process designation;

Final drafts of CZM wise and sustainability resource use guidelines including Water

Resource, Agriculture, Forest, Waste Water, Rangeland, Ecotourism, Solid Waste,

Aquaculture, EIA, and sharing with key stakeholders through five consulting

workshops for feedbacks, finalization and set them in place;

Develop ZM RCs concept notes and establish buildings, web and initial data bank for

RCs in four provinces and make them functional with participation of NGOs in the

management of centers;

Conduct CZM social survey with collaboration of four NGOs in CZM provinces

including data collection from 120 villages, analyses the data and draft the

information materials for sustainable resource enterprises and livelihoods within

CZM;

Final draft of Zagros Project Pilot Program Evaluation report with participation of key

stakeholders in CZM provinces, and use the lessons within design of CZM

management system;

Develop and implementation of 2014 AWPs for each pilot area by LPCs and process

complementary budget allocation by PPDCs in the 4 provinces;

Draft Sectoral Resource Use MPs for each PMAs through eight consulting workshops

and up scale the model in the long catchment Management Areas;

Support implementation one priority conservation and Livelihood development

actions in each pilot MA for up scaling the implemented initiatives;

Total GEF and Governmental planned budgets are respectively, 464,000 $ and

666,000 $ and the total expenditure GEF budget is 427,868 $ (with delivery rate

+92%), and the total expenditure governmental budget is 2,434,027 $ (with delivery

rate +365 %);



2. Introduction

Zagros, the greatest and longest mountains of Iran, with an area of more than 32 million

hectares, includes 11 provinces of Iran. It starts from West-Azarbayjan province; it passes

Kordistan, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Hamedan, Isfehan, Chahar mahal-e-Bakhtiari, Kohgilooye

and Boyerahmad, Fars, Ilam, Khuzestan, Bushehr and Hormozgan provinces; it continues to

the north of Hormoz Canyon and there it joins Iran central mountains and Makran highlands.

The topography and climate, has caused a great diversity in ecosystems and habitats all over

this region. Existence of habitats of more than 2000 plant and some mammals, endangered

and endemic species has made biodiversity of Zagros Mountains globally significant. This

mountain is undoubtedly one of the main reasons for the emergence of the first civilizations

in this area. Zagros Mountains are the source of some important rivers such as Karoon,

Zayanderood, Karkhe, Zarine rood, Semirom, Dalaki and etc; and considering the amount of

rainfalls and low evaporation surface and quite appropriate location of geologic formations,

it provides considerable amounts (45% to 50%) of the ground and underground water of our

country. In recent decades, due to population growth, economic and social systems and less

usage of traditional management and land use methods, and as a result of unsustainable

and unbalanced development, Zagros biodiversity in protected areas and its surroundings

(90% of it) is in serious danger. If current practices of using natural resources and the

environment do not change, many of the species will disappear in no time.

In this regard, DOE on behalf of Iran's government and with cooperation of UNDP and GEF,

has designed and implemented the Zagros biodiversity conservation in central Zagros

landscape Project, with biodiversity conservation purpose through integration of

conservation and sustainable development. The study area of conservation and sustainable

development is located in central Zagros. It was planned that in first stage, the program

would be implemented in pilot areas and then the results will be extended to the whole

central Zagros. Finally the extension mechanism of these achievements all over the central

zagros will be investigated and it will be suggested for implementation. This plan's goal is to

protect and manage the region in a sustainable and balanced way through mainstreaming

biodiversity conservation in management and sustainable use of water sources, agriculture,

forestry, rangelands, tourism and surface and underground waters and also mainstreaming

it in infrastructure development and economic and social development plan.



3. Project Goals

Zagros project’s main goal is to contribute to conservation of biodiversity in central Zagros

landscape in an area over 3.1 million hectares through integrating related considerations of

conservation and sustainable exploitation of environmental resources into key sectors of

agriculture, natural resources (forest and rangeland), water, tourism and biodiversity.

Project attempt to build capacity on policy making, institutional and individual levels of

regional level and improve the coordination between production sectors and governmental

agencies.

Before the projects implementation all over Central Zagros areas, in order to check the

possibility of development, implementation and practice of the suggested approaches and

checking various encouraging actions, the projects was implemented in smaller areas named

as pilot management areas. In order to do so the pilot conservation and stabilization of the

use of the resources plan , in PMAs, in two phases, study phase(2006) and executive

phase(2009) were designed and implemented with the purpose of eliminating, controlling

and solving main challenges. Therefore 4 pilot areas in 4 provinces located in CZM were

selected (map1). It is necessary to mention that the whole range of pilot areas in four

provinces in CZM is 393465 hectares and it is as below:

- Naghan-Boldaji is located in Charmahal and Bakhtiyari with an area of 132197 hectares.

- West Dena is located in Kohgiluye and Boyerahmad with an area of 70147 hectares

- Kor-Kamfiruz is located in Fars province with an area of 87551 hectares in Marvdasht

district.

- Dena-vanak is located in Isfahan province with an area of 103570 hectares in Semirom

district.

Pilot program has tried to check and overcome main challenges along with designing and

implementing PMA management system in a way that we can witness the improvement of

the biodiversity situation, protection of the natural resources and stabilization of the

common and; existing exploitation.

Mentioned challenges are:

- Main socio-economic challenges: unemployment, low income, infrastructure and

inadequate communications

- Unsustainable agriculture and indiscriminate harvesting of biodiversity products: hunting,

over grazing, excessive harvesting of nature

- Water resources limitation for a huge number of users

- Degradation of the environment by visitors in tourism areas

- Lack of public awareness and participation in biodiversity and environment conservation.

Zagros landscape in an area over 3.1 million hectares through integrating related

considerations of conservation and sustainable exploitation of environmental resources into

key sectors of agriculture, natural resources (forest and rangeland), water, tourism and



biodiversity. Project attempt to build capacity on policy making, institutional and individual

levels of regional level and improve the coordination between production sectors and

governmental agencies.

Establishment of the Central ZAGROS MOUNTAIN Sustainable

Development and Management System

Vision The whole of Central Zagros Mountains region will be conserved and

managed as the CZM Sustainable Development and Management System.

The Zagros Mountains Project purpose is to facilitate the design, establishment, capacity development and management of the CZM Sustainable Development and Management System.

Central Zagros Mountains will be a special region managed permanently for multi-sectoral, multi-use, integrated Conservation and Sustainable Development.

Within Central Zagros Mountains all sectors will be managed based on CZM Sustainable Development Master Plan for sustainability and biodiversity conservation: biodiversity protection and restoration, and sustainable and green development will be promoted; unsustainable resource uses and high-impact development activities will not be allowed.

Central Zagros Mountains governance, management and financing will be led by the Provincial Governors and the District Governors; supported by CZM Sustainable Development and Management System.

CZM Sustainable Development Master Plan will include management tools and management support system namely Integrated Catchment Management, land use planning and sustainable sectoral development guidelines.

Project goals

Overall goals Facilitate establishment of an efficient management system in order to conserve

Zagros (region, ecosystems, culture and future prospect) Integrating conservation of biodiversity through coordinating relations between

different organizations (national, provincial and local) Participatory management through capacity building and raising public awareness

Pursued goal by GEF Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and central Zagros landscape zone



4. Performance/Implementation field in 2014

Major undertaken actions of 2014 will be introduced according to the road map that is

presented below. The draft annual work plan of 2015 will be presented in annex 1.

Zagros Project Road Map and Exit Strategy, 2014 – 2016

2014 2015 2016

1. Complete Pilot work

2. Evaluate Pilot work

3. Design CZM Management System (full-scale, long-term)

4. Facilitate establishment of full-scale CZM management system and program

5. “Hand-over” to permanent CZM Office

6. Capacity development of CZM management system

7. Project closure/ exit



5. Summary of project performance in 2014

Outcome1: A national institutional and policy framework that is fully supportive of mainstreaming

biodiversity into development in the central Zagros Mountains

Output 1.1 Establish institutional and policy framework for Zagros Mountains

Conservation Area management system

Establish three consulting working groups (national level) to design CZM

Management System including Legal and Policy Framework, and sharing draft

proposal for feedbacks;

Two meetings with the Head of DoE and submission of proposal for CZM CA

management system to the secretariat of High Council of Environment;

Outcome 2: Sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity is integrated into economic and

sectoral programmes and government practices at the Conservation Zone level

Output 2.1 ZMCA/BR management program implementation scaled-up across whole of

Central Zagros

Draft CZM management program Scale-up strategy including definition of

Catchment Management Areas and budget estimation; and also sharing with key

stakeholders for feedbacks;

Submission of CZM Scale-up strategy through four meetings of IR-6th development

plan and finding initial approval for the required budget;

Develop and implement of 2014 CZM institutions Capacity development plan

including the major below implemented actions:

o Develop concept, methods and results of Sustainable Agriculture Program

through eight workshops in the four CZM provinces;

o Introduce CZM management tools (including ecological land use and

guidelines), and build capacity of stakeholders in four provinces to use and

develop the tools, through 14 workshops (with presence of 15

representatives of governmental organizations and at least 20 participants

in each workshop);

o Support five national conferences and festivals, three study visits, and five

meetings with media and press;

Output 2.2 Management tools and system developed for ZM CA/ BR

Draft proposal for the CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Strategy

through nine consulting workshop and share with key stakeholders for feedbacks;

o Conduct three studies namely "CZM BD hotspots", "CZM hydrological, water

resources and consumption" and “CZM Ecological Land Use Planning”; and



disseminate the results through meeting with four provinces Governor

General and five consulting workshops for feedbacks, use the studies and

complete the data gaps; also combination the data into CZM management

information system;

o Final drafts of CZM wise and sustainability resource use guidelines including

Water Resource, Agriculture, Forest, Waste Water, Rangeland, Ecotourism,

Solid Waste, Aquaculture, EIA, and sharing with key stakeholders through

five consulting workshops for introduce and feedbacks;

Develop ZM RCs concept notes and establish buildings, web and initial data bank for

RCs in four provinces and make them functional with participation of NGOs in the

management of centers,

Draft BE Grant Scheme proposal and finding approvals by LPCs in four PMAs, Also

piloting the grants through advertisement, review the submitted proposals and

process budget allocation to applicants (by LPCs) for implementation;

Output 2.3 CZM CA/BR Livelihoods Support Program

Conduct CZM social survey with collaboration of four NGOs in CZM provinces

including data collection from 120 villages, analyses the data and combination into

CZM information management system;

Draft of information materials for sustainable resource enterprises and livelihoods

within CZM through CZM social survey and analysis of livelihood options;

Outcome 3: Successful, sustainable, financially replicable model Management Areas demonstrate

integration of resource sector sustainable development and livelihoods with conservation of

biodiversity.

Output 3.1 Completion of establishment of four pilot Management Areas; complete

Evaluation of pilot program

Draft proposal for management of Pilot Areas including planning, financing

mechanism, monitoring, reporting and up scale the model in the long term CZM

management system;

Submit the design of national and provincial CZM management executive secretaries

(structure, ToR and required budget), for approval and establishment;

Develop and implement of 2014 CZM Stakeholders Capacity development plan

including the major below implemented actions:

o Publish and dissemination four books/ booklets, also support of 8 local

festivals/ campaign including theater festival entitled “To Save Zagros” and

product media series "the Zagros Birds" broadcasted by IRIB Mostanad

Channel;

o Training and awareness raising for the teachers (4 workshops), students (24

workshops), and clergymen(one workshop)



o Develop and organize the "Each School, One Nursery" by holding training

workshops at national and provincial levels and disseminate the lessons and

experience for all provinces within Zagros Mountain;

Final draft of Zagros Project Pilot Program Evaluation report with participation of key

stakeholders in CZM provinces, and use the lessons within design of CZM

management system;

Output 3.2 Support implementation of Pilot Management Programs in 4 Areas

Draft integrated and collaborative Pilot Management Areas planning and

management toolkit;

Develop the 2014 AWPs for each pilot area by LPCs and process budget allocation by

PPDCs in the 4 provinces;

Draft Sectoral Resource Use MPs for each PMAs through eight consulting workshops

and up scale the model in the long catchment Management Areas;

Output 3.3 Support priority conservation and livelihood actions

Support implementation one priority conservation action in each pilot MA for up

scaling the implemented initiatives:

o Rehabilitation and conservation of medical plants" in Dena-Vanak;

o Implement 2nd phase of sustainable agriculture program in 6 core villages of

Kor-Kamfirouz;

o Conduct experimental and field study to analyze the effect of natural factors

and identify the resistant gene types of Oak trees in the West Dena;

Support implementation one Livelihood development action in each pilot MA for up

scaling the implemented initiatives:

o Ecotourism development ( wild watching) in West Dena, including forming

and build capacity for 10 tour leaders CBO, provide bird/ wild watching

equipment, establish the rural visitors accommodation, hold exhibition for

the local handicrafts and products;

o Development of Sustainable Livelihood AP (Naghan-Boldagi) and build

capacity of (45 women and 56 men) rural to develop environment friendly

livelihood options including medical herbs planting, carpet, mushroom,

beekeeping, compost, sewing local clothes;

o Handicrafts development for the nomads in dena-Vanak;

Sustainable tourism development in Kor-Kamfirooz including form and build

capacity for the CBO (20 volounteers), establish and equip local residential

house/ wild watching cottages/ handicrafts seasonal shop;

o Rural Handicrafts development in Naqan-Buldaji including forming and build

capacity a CBO from the 20 local females as "Sholiz", establish an exhibition

for marketing the products, and initiate submission of Leili doll for

registration by UNESCO;



6. List of activities and determine physical progress of outputs and activities in 2014 work

plan

Outcome/objective Weight of each activity

(percent)

Physical progress (percent) Final

weight Activities and sub-activities predicted achieved

Outcome1: A national institutional and policy framework that is fully supportive of mainstreaming biodiversity into development in the central Zagros Mountains

Output 1.1 Establish institutional and policy framework for Zagros Mountains Conservation Area management system

1.1.1 Design, submission and ratification of proposal for CZM CA management system - institutional, legal and policy framework (drawing on lessons from Pilot Program Evaluation (3.1.5)

5 100 100 0

1.1.2 Designation of ZMCA management institutions - national, Provincial and local

1 100 50 -0.5

1.1.3 Establishment of legal and policy framework for ZM management system

3 100 50 -1.5

1.1.4 Official Launch of ZMCA management system 1 100 0 -1 Outcome 1 total 10.0 7.0 -0.3

Outcome 2: Sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity is integrated into economic and sectoral programmes and government practices at the Conservation Zone level

Output 2.1 ZMCA/BR management program implementation scaled-up across whole of Central Zagros 2.1.1 Plan strategy for ZMCA management program scale-up (linkage with 1.1.1)

5 100 100 0

2.1.2 Identify and designation of ZM sub-catchment Management Areas across Central Zagros (4 Provinces) (linkage with 2.2.1)

2 100 100 0

2.1.3 Establish and build capacity of scaled-up ZM Institutions (national, provincial and local - Management Areas and LPCs) with functioning ZM management and financing mechanisms)

3 100 100 0

Output 2.2 Management tools and system developed for ZM CA/ BR 2.2.1 Development of CZM CA management tools and management support system (including GIS, resource use and land use mapping, environmental impact assessments, biodiversity mapping, etc.)

5 100 100 0

2.2.2 Develop wide-scale sustainable development strategies and best practice guidelines for management of resource use Sectors across the Central Zagros Mountains region (with linkage to Sector management plans under 3.2.3)

5 100 100 0

2.2.3 Develop and operate ZMCA Resource Center network (including information/ visitor/ BE centers) in the four CZM Provinces

3 100 75 -0.75

2.2.4 Design and develop "BE" Grants scheme (integral part of MA financing mechanism) to support CBO and NGO initiatives, linked to Resource Centre network

3 100 75 -0.75

Output 2.3 CZM CA/BR Livelihoods Support Program 2.3.1 Community and stakeholders consultation survey of CZM (see also 3.2.5)

3 100 100 0

2.3.2 Development of information materials for sustainable resource enterprises and livelihoods within CZM CA; through survey and analysis of livelihood options (linkage with 2.2.2 SRU strategies; linkage with 2.2.3 Resource Centres; linkage with 3.3.2 Pilot

3 100 100 0




(percent)



livelihoods program.

Outcome 2 total 32.0 30.5 -1.5

Outcome 3: Successful, sustainable, financially replicable model Management Areas demonstrate integration of resource sector sustainable development and livelihoods with conservation of biodiversity.

Output 3.1 Completion of establishment of four pilot Management Areas; complete Evaluation of pilot program

3.1.1 Basic management in place for each Pilot Area - planning, financing mechanism (DG-GG), monitoring, reporting

3 100 100 0

3.1.2 Establishment by Provinces and Districts of ZM management offices and Prov and Dist Committees

3 100 75 -0.75

3.1.3 Formal designation of pilot Areas by Provincial GG 2 100 100 0 3.1.4 Support and capacity development for Prov. and Dist. Committees (LPC), stakeholders and Managers

3 100 100 0

3.1.5 Prepare Evaluation of the performance of the pilot Management Areas in each Province

4 100 100 0

Output 3.2 Support implementation of Pilot Management Programs in 4 Areas 3.2.1 Support development and implementation of 2014 pilot Area Management Programs and budgets; including pilot Grants scheme (linkage to 3.2.4); including AWP budget for Grants.

3 100 100 0

3.2.2 Pilot development of the CZM management tools and Management Decision System (linkage to 2.2.1) in the 4 Pilot Areas

5 100 100 0

3.2.3 Pilot development of Sector Management Plans (integrated with 2.2.2; based on 3.2.2) for Sustainable Development of each resource use Sector for each ZM pilot Management Area.

5 100 100 0

3.2.4 Introduce "BE" Grants scheme to pilot Area LPCs and communities (linkage to 2.2.4)

3 100 100 0

3.2.5 Support community and stakeholders consultation/ survey, for each pilot MA - integrate with 2.3.1

3 100 100 0

Output 3.3 Support priority conservation and livelihood actions

3.3.1 Support collaboration on 1-2 priority conservation actions in each pilot MA

3 100 75 -0.75

3.3.2 Support 1-2 Livelihood development pilot initiatives, in each pilot MA

3 100 75 -0.75

Outcome 3 total 40.0 37.75 -2.25

Outcome 4: Efficient technical support to all project activities, coordination, monitoring, advocacy and adaptive management

Output 4.1 Central office and staff

4.1.1 Central office staff 2 100 100 0

4.1.2 Project Board (semi-annual), DoE, UNDP and other project coordination meetings

2 100 100 0

4.1.3 Liaison with other programs and international projects 2 100 100 0

4.1.4 Quarterly project staff meetings 1 100 100 0

4.1.5 Capacity building for Project staff 2 100 100 0

4.1.6 Project administration 2 100 100 0

Output 4.2 Short-term Consultants

4.2.1 Short-term Consultants 2 100 100 0




(percent)



Output 4.3 Project information management, monitoring, reporting and evaluation

4.3.1 Maintenance of project data bank and regularly disseminate data

3 100 50 -1.5

4.3.2 Annual project audit 2 100 100 0

Outcome 4 total 18.0 16.5 -1.5

Grand total 100 91.75 -8.25

7. Development method and reporting limits

In order to achieve study goals, through establishing a reporting system, activities of

provincial experts and HQ staff are carefully examined and analyzed monthly. With

summarizing available reports, the context for 2014 performance is prepared. Listed below

are the experts and colleagues have been actively involved in preparation of the report:

No. Name JOB TITLE Duty station

1 Shirin Abolghasemi NPM HQ

2 Ali Arvahi DNPM HQ

3 Reza Derakhshandeh Finance and Procurement expert HQ

4 Masoome Hosseini Nasab

Technical Expert-Management, Policy, Planning HQ

5 Poone Raeisdana Technical Expert-Management, Policy, Planning HQ

6 Mehdi Mojtahedi Communication, Training and Awareness Expert HQ

7 Fatima Shirkavand Project Assistant HQ

8 Ali Zand-e-Moghaddam Provincial coordinator Provincial office-Isfahan

9 Farnaz Bozorgnia Provincial Technical expert Provincial office-Isfahan

10 Farzaneh Basiri Provincial Technical expert Provincial office-C and B

11 Pardis Valavi Provincial Technical expert Provincial office-Fars

12 Parsa Arameshinia Provincial Technical expert Provincial office-K and B



8. Results, Influences and Outcomes

Implementation of projects such as Zagros project that has new approach towards landscape

and inspired by its objectives, within CBD which is the 1st binding international agreement in

field of sustainable conservation and exploitation of biodiversity resources, face many

obstacles in wide range of Iran.

A treaty that its main goal is institutionalizing subjects such as sustainable conservation and

exploitation of biodiversity resources, ecosystems, species and genes, equitable sharing of

arising benefits from exploitation of genetic resources, in line with providing human

interests on condition of not decreasing biodiversity in long-term, with approach of

integrating conservation of biodiversity and sustainable exploitation from biodiversity

resources and through mainstreaming activities of agricultural, natural resources including

forest and range land and watershed, water and tourism, in order to avoid sectoral activities.

As can be seen, achieving project’s expected goals, including conservation of biodiversity

with emphasis on socio-economic development through improving public livelihood,

mainstreaming efforts of various in charge organizations and finally participation of

government sector and public and improve required capacity on individual, organizational

and systemic levels of internal organizations, undoubtedly is difficult and achieving that

requires assistance and cooperation of all involved authorities, experts and stakeholders.

Despite executive problems in above, after conducting mid-term evaluation, in nearly 1 year

duration, serious activities in executive phase, resulted to reliable outcomes that necessity

of expressing them is felt:

1) Developing and introducing the C+ SDS (Conservation and sustainable development

strategy)

2) Preparing the tools for the CZM Management namely land use, guidelines and

sustainable development guidelines, information management system, and

monitoring frame work for the CZM

3) Developing the draft for the enactment of C + SDS based on the projects outcomes and

having it included in the 6th plan of sustainable development office

4) Preparing the draft of scale up strategy for the CZM MS and predicting the required

budget to be presented in the 6th plan of sustainable development programme

5) Institutionalizing participatory management contemplation in PMAs on local level, and

providing arrangements for participatory planning in all affairs of the pilot area and

encourage to actively participate in planning, decision making and collective effort for

addressing common problems (assigning public business to public)

6) Institutionalizing participatory management contemplation in implementing provincial

planning by provincial authorities, organizations and officials, avoid sectoral vision,

integrating different programs and views through LPC and PPDC and finally approve

them to be implemented in PPDC and notify organizations by governor (avoiding

sectoral vision)



7) Better understanding the concept of mainstreaming conservation of biodiversity

among national provincial and local stakeholders

8) Conduct empowerment activities and develop systematic capacity building implement

prioritized plans in a one year transition plan

9) Finishing the piloting projects, and cooperative evaluation of the pilot plan and

implementing the results and the learned lesson in designing the permanent plan for

the CZM

9. Review financial performance

Project’s financial performance can be explained in 2 parts:

1) 2014 financial performance

2) From beginning of project till end of financial year

Project’s 2014 national and international financial performance

In 2014, project attempts to implement activities from annual work plan simultaneously with

implementing compulsive plan or transition plan. Predicted budget for implementing project’s

program is:

No. Title of the program International National Total credits

1 Q1 125200 164375 289575

2 Q2 145700 157375 303075

3 Q3 161950 162875 324825

4 Q4 31050 181375 212425

Total 464400 666000 1130400

0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 140000 160000 180000

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Expendature/Predicted budget at 2014(Quaterly)

Expendature Predicted



Expenditures in 2014 during different seasons on based CDR’s and quarterly Reports is: (all figures

are in US dollars)

Budget Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total

International 55448.36 89051.99 116487.82 166.586.13 427868.91

National 31.000 1.843.428.76 97,120 462,479 2434027.76

Predicted national budget for 2014 was 666000 dollars and due to the facilitation done by the LPCs

at pilot and county levels; by analyzing each LPC's and other activities done by the project, the

project managed to have the national cooperation's budget raised up to 2087640 $. In addition to

direct and cash aid, DOE and other key stakeholders provided 346.387 dollars of non-cash

contribution to the project in 2014. It can be stated that in 2014, 2 434 027.76 dollars was allocated

to project from GIR. of Iran. Calculating all non-cash aids and the money allocated by the executive

stakeholders and Doe 5398892.47 $ has been spent in the project so far.

International (dollar) National (dollar)

Predicted Allocated Percent of allocation


464400 427614.38 92.07 666000 2434027.76 +365

Summary of project’s financial performance

Summary of project’s financial performance from beginning of the project till 2014

No. Year International budget (dollar) National budget (dollar)



1 2006 473712 172783.48 36.4 203850 187000 91.7

2 2007 315000 195754.76 62.1 480000 340000 71

3 2008 544388 188108.17 34.5 791000 200000 25.2

4 2009 385103 448122.27 116 397600 80000 20.1

5 2010 853520 623457.90 73 970000 220000 22.6

6 2011 600000 545954 91 828000 511000 80

7 2012 259903 201266 77.43 1100000 93000 8.45

8 2013 324889 307623.74 93.4 1220000 10000 0.81

9 2014 464400 427868.91 92.07 666000 2087640 +313

Total 3928515 3107123.49 79.09 6656450 3688640 55.5



During 9 years of implementing project, 1710252.47 dollars is spending as INKIND (non-cash costs

such as rent for project offices, etc.)

Project’s national budget expenditure from beginning of the project till the end of 2014 (US dollar)

Province/Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Total

Fars 46750 85000 50000 10000 50000 25000 17000 3000 362,480.00 286750

Isfahan 46750 85000 50000 30000 70000 60000 27000 2000 892,520.00 370750

K and B 46750 85000 50000 10000 50000 367000 37000 2000 515,280.00 647750

C and B 46750 85000 50000 30000 50000 59000 12000 3000 317,360.00 335750

Annual total sum

187000 340000 200000 80000 220000 511000 93000 10000 2,087,640.00

1641000

0

500000

1000000

1500000

2000000

2500000

3000000

3500000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

$

The Summary expendature National and International Budget from 2006 to end of June

2014

National

GEF/UNDP



Spent international budget from beginning of the project till the end of 2014 (US dollar)

No. Predicted All the expenditure during project’s implementation

Total Residual 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

1 447000 1873142 912241 3463389 7524401 1201096 577126 4239044 75322.41 49562.01 488730.11 -41730.1

2 1929000 9811447 598257 1204209 7754026 31482171 16837529 1365065 52533.27 163816.22 906876.53 1022123

3 582500 0 2291609 711193 5989731 2863 26678 6633979 93294.09 111754.07 390854.28 191645.7

4 891500 560994 13042574 13432026 23544069 17976223 29318825 7888528 82658.37 102736.61 1293516.81 -402017

Total 3850000 17294548 168446 18810817 44812227 6234579 54595442 20126616 303808.14 427868.91 2652108.5 770022.6



10. Challenges Ahead

Most important challenge ahead of Zagros project is successive changes in different

levels of executive and management structure on national and provincial levels. So

far, 4 head of DOE, 5 NPM and numerous executive managers on provincial level

have been changed. Also with changes in higher levels, intermediate and low levels

will be changed as well.

There isn’t an appropriate mechanism for stabilization of national budget allocations

and it was all the time considered as an important issue for the implementer

partner. This would be solved based on the 2015 AWP, and having the C+ SDS

implemented in the 6th plan of development.

Project’s executive structure isn’t proportional with project’s operation size, extent

and subject variety and allocated human resources and budget from project

document isn’t suitable for needs. This would not be solved unless the C + SDS and

management and scale up plan are implemented as planned.

Inappropriate indicators for assessing performance progress in project’s document

(PIR) that will be solved in the 2015 AWP.

There is a contradiction between centralized, sectoral and organizational budgeting

system with systemic vision and cooperation between sectors and desired

participation system in project’s document



11. Risk Management and Risk Appetite

Zagros project as an international project is pursuing institutionalizing new attitudes in specific

area of Zagros, will face risk as an unknown event but try to identify and control it’s factors.

Therefore, initially projects identify most likely risks. Important and influential cases identified

and listed. Then, weight percentage attributed to each factor.

Table of Zagros project’s classification probable risks

Classification Most likely risks for

Zagros project Probability of

occurring (percent) Solutions for reducing

risk

Internal risk

Legal restrictions 50

Propose and adjust legal regulations that are compatible with current situations and mainstreaming project’s beneficiary organizations

Not allocating national budget on time

85

Assign a separate line for DOE’s international projects in annual budget or establish a joint fund

Wrong evaluation of conducted activities by project’s evaluating indicators

50

Considering quantitative and measurable indicators and revise monitoring and evaluation framework

Inefficiency of project’s executive structure

50

Revise project’s structure and strengthen national and international consultants/ build capacity of project staff and empower them

Noncompliance of staff’s expertise and experience with project’s activities and goals

40

Arrange necessary educational courses/ evaluate project staff and revise process of recruitment

Not increase in project budget in accordance with country’s inflation

85

Increasing national budget annually in accordance with inflation rate



Classification Most likely risks for

Zagros project Probability of

occurring (percent) Solutions for reducing

risk

rate

Lack of clarify in responsibilities, duties and powers of project partners

60

Sign MoU between head of DOE, relevant ministers and granting authority to provincial organizations

Lack of sufficient authority for NPM

50

Increasing NPM’s authority proportional with increasing activity area and number of project’s experts

Insufficient manpower and expertise proportional with project activities

40

Increasing project’s technical manpower/ use governmental staff

Mismatching project’s objectives and period

85 Extend project’s implementation period

Noncompliance of project’s objectives and budget

50 Increasing project’s budget

External risk

Possibility of cutting international funds off

15 Increase overseas diplomacy

Inability to hire experts and consultants with international experience in required work scope

85 Providing amenities and facilities for recruitment

Description: 1) high probability: 85% 2) probable: 60% 3) possible: 40% 4) average probability:

50% 5) improbable: 15%



12. Learned Lessons:

Project has achieved some results during its one year implementation:

1) As it is mentioned in 5th development plan, in several legal materials, is emphasized on

implementing ecosystem management in order to conserve and sustainable exploitation of

biodiversity in sensitive ecosystems but mainstreaming organizations and ministries

activities in line with sustainable exploitation of biodiversity resources is inconspicuous.

Therefore it seems that achieving project goals required mainstreaming with other

organizations activities. They are listed as:

Article 184 " Strategic system of evaluation for environment" at national and local levels

Article 185 " developing a system of sustainable indicators" at national level

Act (A) of article 187: "developing and implementing the management of the environment

and implementing plan of conservation and sustainable use of BD in sensitive ecosystems"

Act 238 of High Council of Environment ( conservation of BD approaches of GIRI)

NEX Act (A) Article 192 of 5th socio economic development plan of Iran

Developing the draft for c+ SDS of CZM based on the guidelines and management and scale

up programme

Developing the draft for the enactment of C + SDS and planning to have it mentioned in the

parliament

Developing the draft for the enactment of scale up strategy of Zagros management system

to have it mentioned in the parliament 7 get the required budgets in the 6th plan of socio-

economic development

2) Successful implementation of project in implementation phase in 4 provinces will be

achieved with cooperation and proactively participation of beneficiary organizations. This

change in attitude, with purpose of establishing collaboration between mid-level managers,

had a dramatic growth through arranging sessions and holding educational workshops.

Therefore, the project started to prepare the management tools including the land use, and

the sustainable development guidelines, information management system and monitoring

and evaluation framework.

3) Based on delegated authorities to provincial governors and allocation of provincial funds,

and also according to the signed MoU between head of DOE and 4 governors, so far they

had an effective participation with project in order to achieve project goals. In the C+ SDS

special role is defined for the GG of the 4 provinces.

4) Not predicting and considering unexpected events such as drought, consequences of climate

change and such risks, have affected project results and should be survey in technical

meetings from aspect of management mode and evaluating effects of nature phenomenon

and other coercive phenomenon on project’s progress.



5) According to growing population process especially in rural and tribal communities and over

reliance on natural and biological resources as source of income and estimation of basic

biological needs, a holistic invasion from local community take place. Clear example of it is

increasing mount of infractions and refers them to justice system after building a case.

Respectively, Zagros Project has done a comprehensive study on socio-economic situation of

the local communities in its agenda and simultaneously managed to prepare information

tool for the livelihoods that are environment friendly. Following this, it is necessary to

publish these data and build capacity of the local community to have an alternative

livelihood.

6) Changing pilot villages to CMAs with considering ecological and managerial criteria, led to

increasing the areas up to 3.068.000 hectares.

7) Project’s main goal is mainstreaming biological resources management in order to achieve

sustainable development goals. Therefore, by holding joint meetings between 4 provinces

key stakeholders and presence of head of DOE as trustee of conserving biodiversity in

country, an agreement was signed between head of DOE and governors of 4 provinces so

implementation of project’s activities and sub-activities and forming LPCs happen under

governors’ supervision.

8) Currently, LPCs in the PMAs are formed from task force whom conduct project’s work plan

and taken measures will go to PPDC through local governor so it can be included in

province’s executive programs. This way, local community as ecosystem immediate

managers and part of nature’s cycle will have a direct participation in managing biological

resources. Following this, and regarding the scaling upo the PMAs to CMAs, the

management structure of that would face a little changes to have it managed via a

cooperative approach.

9) Cooperative evaluation of the PMAs ended in introducing the important learned lessons and

the results to be adopted for the ZM MS to make it feasible to solve the threats and

challenges and hence, fulfilling the goals of CZM C+ SDS.



13. Conclusion and Recommendations

It is necessary to have the enforcement of C + SDS and its management tools

ratified to be sent to the relevant parts in 2015 Q 1.

It is necessary to have the enactment of C + SDS in the format of laws that are

ratified in the parliament of GIRI, and also the 6th socio-economic plan of

development in 2015 Q 1 by mainstreaming activities of agriculture, natural

resources (forest, range land, watershed), water and tourism with focus on

conservation of biodiversity for sustainable conservation and exploitation of

biodiversity

It is necessary that ministry of foreign affairs and government emphasize on more

collaboration from executive organizations specially ministry of interior (governors

of 4 provinces) to allocate the national budget on time to establish the

management structure of CZM at national/provincial/CMAs levels and also

establishment of the secretariats at national and provincial levels of CZM.

It is necessary to raise motivation for mainstreaming and participation of different

sectors on provincial level in project specially in technical working groups

It is necessary to pursue the proposal of sustainable conservation, regeneration

and exploitation of central Zagros biodiversity in line with 6th development plan.



Annual Report Approval Certification

2014

1- NPM Approval Shirin Abolghasemi

Date and Signature

Full Name and Organizational Title

NPM for Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone

2- NPD Approval Ahmad Ali Kheikha

Date and Signature

Full Name and Organizational Title

Deputy of Natural Environment and Biodiversity in DOE and NPD for Conservation of Biodiversity in Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone

conservation of biodiversity in central zagros …...landscape in an area over 3.1 million hectares...

Documents