Support for the development of the Development Plan for the Lac Télé Community Reserve
CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE CONSULTANCY
· General presentation of the Lac Télé Community Reserve.
Located in the far northeast of the Republic of Congo (RC), the Lac Télé Community Reserve (RCLT) was created in 2001 on a proposal from the IUCN. It is the only community reserve in the country. With over 4,400 km2 of wetland savannahs and extensive flooded forests, the RCLT is part of the world's largest transboundary swamp forest Ramsar site (199,167 km2 ) along with neighboring Lake Tumba in the DRC and the second largest largest wetland in the world. The soils of this transboundary landscape contain vast peatlands containing around 30 billion tonnes of carbon, making this forest the world's largest tropical peatland and a vital part of mitigating global climate change. The RCLT is also home to exceptional biodiversity, with very high densities of western lowland gorillas, populations of elephants and a high diversity of bird and freshwater fish species. The ecological integrity of this habitat, still preserved to this day, contributes to the capture and continued storage of carbon by the forest. A total of 27 villages, or around 20,000 inhabitants, are spread across the boundaries and inside the reserve. The population depends almost entirely on natural resources for its subsistence and income: fishing and subsistence agriculture (cassava) represent the main economic activities.
WCS has supported the management of the RCLT since 2001 and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2008 with the Ministry of Forest Economy. The RCLT is headed by a Curator, representative of the MEF, and a Principal Technical Advisor, representative of WCS. In 2023, the RCLT had 65 agents (including 4 agents from the MEF and 61 from WCS). It includes five services: Surveillance, Community Conservation, Ecological Monitoring, Logistics and Administration & Finance.
· Situation relating to the Development Plan
Article 5 of the decree creating the RCLT specifies that the reserve is divided into two zones: a rational use zone and an integral protection zone. These two zones are defined by the reserve development plan.
To date, three development plans (PA) of the RCLT have been developed:
· A first Development Plan was proposed in 1999 by the IUCN (via funding from PROGECAP/GEF). After presenting a brief environmental and socio-economic analysis of the site and identifying the heritage values and threats of the RCLT, the development plan (PA) defines four management objectives. The zoning plan divides the RCLT into two blocks (north and south) and recognizes three types of zones in each of the blocks:
· Zone of influence , located outside the RCLT and playing the role of peripheral zone;
· Rational use zone , varying from 5 to 10 km in depth from the villages and in which the latter have free access to natural resources subject to compliance with the general legal provisions in force;
· Integral protection zone , purged of all usage rights (with the exception of Lake Télé in which fishing activities for nationals of the village of Boha remain authorized).
This first PA provided for six management programs: surveillance, nature management, ecodevelopment, training, research and development and ecotourism.
In terms of governance, it was planned to set up a Local Conservation Committee which coordinates the activities of the Village Conservation Offices present in target villages.
This plan has not been officially validated.
· A second Development Plan was prepared in 2009 by WCS (funded by the CARPE program). After presenting the unique value of the Reserve, the plan describes the physical, biological and socioeconomic characteristics of the site. It then defines the vision, the desired conditions, the objectives and 11 technical directives which guide management on specific themes (resource management, fire management, fishing, hunting, flora, forestry, infrastructure, scientific research, data management, ground-water-air, tourist activities).
A zoning plan is proposed based on a mapping of village lands carried out in the 24 villages of the reserve [1] . These lands are grouped together in the Agroforestry Zone which covers the entire southern block of the RCLT and a large part of the northern block. In the latter , two areas not covered by village lands stand out: Mohokele (66,287 ha) and Moudimba (18,677 ha). It is proposed to consider these two zones as Integral Protection Zones.
The AP implementation plan lists activities to be carried out based on six themes: i) Conservation and protection of ecosystems; ii) Socio-economic activities and ecodevelopment; iii) Awareness-Eco-development-Training; iv) Research & Monitoring; v) Ecotourism and vi) Administrative and financial management.
This AP has not been officially validated.
· In 2016, a preliminary version of a third Development Plan was drawn up. This version presents in detail the environmental, social and economic context of the RCLT. It notably integrates numerous data collected as part of three specific studies conducted at the end of 2013-beginning of 2014 [2] by the CNIAF of the MEF (“Socio-economic report of the RCLT”, “Ecological report of the RCLT” and “Cartographic study report”).
This version defines a total of seven objectives for the RCLT in the context of the implementation of the AP. In terms of zoning and on the basis of predefined criteria and data available in the three aforementioned studies, the document identifies three series of development : a series of community development (with an area of 39,724 ha or 9.05% of the RCLT), a conservation series (399,235 ha; 90.95%) and a research series (without affected area). Management measures are proposed for each series.
A set of various considerations completes this preliminary version of the AP: wildlife management; usage rights; social aspects. The chapter relating to “Implementation, monitoring-evaluation and revision of the PA” is incomplete.
This plan was not finalized due to the cessation of funding (PACEBCo program) covering the cost of its implementation.
These three versions will be made available to the selected consultant.
Note that in January 2018, a mission from the MEF went to the RCLT to develop the drafting framework for the RCLT AP . The mission report recommends developing a PA lasting 10 years. Following this mission, the outline adopted for the RCLT PA was officially transmitted by letter dated July 28, 2018 from the DG of the MEF to the DG of WCS-Congo. This framework provides nine chapters, the last being devoted to the cost of implementing the AP (see Appendix 1).
Note that there is abundant literature on RCLT produced by the MEF-WCS as part of reserve management activities. This literature (internal reports, expert reports, published articles, communication documents), which will be made available to the consultant, concerns biodiversity and the socio-economic environment of the Reserve. In 2023, an independent consultancy carried out an evaluation of 20 years of WCS intervention in the RCLT and made numerous recommendations in different areas (governance, organization, operational management, etc.).
· Objective
The objective of this consultancy is the development of a finalized version of the RCLT AP following the framework established by the MEF in 2018.
· PHASING
This consultancy will be implemented according to a work plan composed of three phases:
· Phase 1: Summary and writing of the draft V1 of the PA
During this phase, the selected consultant will synthesize the information available on the RCLT through bibliographic analysis and interviews with the MEF-WCS management team of the RCLT. On this basis, he will write the draft V0 of the PA following the MEF 2018 framework. Particular attention will be paid to the zoning plan of the reserve. This V0 draft will be given to the RCLT management team for advice and comments. These will be integrated to produce version 1 (V1) of the PA.
There are no plans in this phase to collect data in the field or consult local populations (see phase 2).
· Phase 2: Public consultation
Draft V1 of the PA and in particular its zoning plan will be presented to the 27 villages of the Reserve during a public consultation in each village.
This consultation will be carried out jointly by the consultant and the agents of the Community Conservation component of the RCLT. There will be a public consultation and possibly separate interviews with village chiefs, notables and other groups.
After validation by the RCLT management team, the comments received will be integrated into V1 to produce V2 of the PA.
· Phase 3 : Finalisation
V2 will be presented to the administrative authorities of Likouala (sub-prefectures, DDEF, etc.) during a local workshop (financially covered by WCS). The comments received during the workshop will be integrated by the consultant into the finalized version of the PA (VF) which will be submitted to the RCLT supervisory authority (ACFAP/MEF) for validation.
This final validation will take place at the prefecture headquarters in the presence of the Minister of Forestry Economy in the presence of the Prefect, the Sub-Prefects and other administrations. The organization of the final validation workshop will not be the responsibility of the Consultant whose presence is not obligatory.
· Suggested schedule
The consultancy will cover the period from May to November 2024.
· Effort & logistics
It is estimated that the service will require between 60 and 80 hours of work to be divided between an international expert – national expert pair.
The travel time from Brazzaville to Epena, the administrative headquarters of the Reserve, is two full days (unless the domestic flight Brazzaville - Impfondo by Africa Airlines is available which currently takes place twice a week). On site, transport between villages by motorized canoe varies from a few hours to a day for the most distant villages.
· Deliverables _
The expected deliverables are:
· Versions V0, V1 and V2 of the PA (Phase 1 and phase 2);
· the report of the public consultations (phase 2);
· the final version (VF) of the PA to be presented at the final validation workshop (phase 3).
The consultancy will be supervised by the Principal Technical Advisor and the Curator of the RCLT.
· CONSULTANT PROFILES
The service will be entrusted to a consultant with the following qualifications:
· University Diploma in Natural Resource Management;
· Experience in protected area management;
· Experience in drafting Protected Area Development Plans;
· Experience of Central Africa;
· Excellent command of the French language (oral and written).
It is recommended to present an international expert – national expert pair.
Phase 2 must be conducted by a bilingual French-Lingala expert. Fluency in the local language (Bomitaba) would be an important asset.
· Delivery of offer:
Offers should be sent to: wcscongobrazza@wcs.org and cc dbrugiere@wcs.org .
The deadline for submitting offers is March 30, 2024 .
Offers must include:
· A technical offer composed of;
· A simple technical methodology (15 pages maximum – any methodology exceeding this limit will be eliminated). The methodology should not repeat these ToR. It must emphasize the technical added value provided by the consultant;
· A presentation of a maximum of 10 references on similar missions (if the offer is presented by a Design Office);
· A schedule for executing the mission;
· One (or more) CV (5 pages maximum per expert – any CV exceeding this limit will be eliminated).
· A financial offer broken down by phase;
· The financial offer will only include the costs of expertise and international transport (visa included). The consultant will be accommodated free of charge by WCS both in Brazzaville and on site. WCS will also provide transportation for the consultant from Brazzaville to the site and to the site itself. Per diem (food costs) will be paid directly to the consultant according to the WCS grid.
Please note that in the case of submission of an offer by a pair of independent consultants, the contract can only be awarded to a single expert. The two experts must co-sign a Note designating the main consultant who will sign the contract alone, responsible for paying the second consultant his financial share.
About WCS
The Wildlife Conservation Society is an international NGO headquartered at the Bronx Zoo, New York, working to save wildlife and address global challenges in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia , in America and in the oceans of the world. The Africa Program is the largest of CMS's field programs, with approximately 1,100 staff across 12 country programs across four major regions (Central Africa, Sudan-Sahel, Eastern and Southern Africa, Madagascar, and Western Indian Ocean).
Our MISSION is to save the world's wildlife through science, conservation, education, and inspiring people to appreciate nature. Our VISION is a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas and is valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. Our GOAL is to conserve the world's largest wild spaces in 16 priority regions, which are home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity. Our VALUES are respect, accountability and transparency, innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration and integrity.
Annexes to this TOR :
· PA MEF canvas
· RCLT presentation brochure
Appendix 1- PA MEF CANVAS
|
Outline of the RCLT PA |
|
Contents Reading guide List of abbreviations and acronyms List of paintings List of Figures (maps and graphs) Definitions Résumé INTRODUCTION I. APPROCHE DESCRIPTIVE 1.1. C ontexts I.1.1. Contexte international II2. Sub-regional context I.I.3. Contexte national et local I.2. Vision I.3. Objectives of the development plan I.3.1. Main objective I.3.2. Specific objectives II. CONCEPTUALISATION DU PLAN 2.1. Methodological approach 2.2. Scope of the development plan III. GENERAL PRESENTATION 3.1. Institutional and legal frameworks 3.1.1 Institutional framework 3.1.2. International legal framework 3.1.3. National legal framework 3.2. Presentation of the RCLT 3.2.1. Legal framework of the RCLT 3.2.2. Localisation 3.2.3. Historical 3.2.4. Limits and area 3.2.5. Biophysical characteristics 3.2.5.1. Climate 3.2.5.2. Relief 3.2.5.3. Hydrography 3.2.5.4. Geology and Pedology 3.2.5.5. Vegetation 3.2.5.6. Wildlife 3.2.6. Socio-economic characteristics 3.2.6.1. Demography 3.2.6.2. Ethnic composition 3.2.6.3. Mobility and migration 3.2.6.4. Land situation (Right of access to land) 3.2.6.5. Infrastructure and communication routes 3.2.6.6. Social organizations (modern and traditional) and areas of village activities 3.2.6.7. Main economic activities (of the population and businesses ) 3.2.6.8. Projects involved in the area and joint initiative groups 3.2.7. Overview of management methods 3.2.7.1. Previous management 3.2.7.2. Current management IV. ANALYSIS OF STUDIES AND WORK CARRIED OUT 4.1. Cartographic studies 4.2. Multi-resource inventories (large mammals, birds, fisheries resources, flora) 4.3. Socioeconomic studies 4.4. Ecological studies VI. DEVELOPMENT MEASURES 5.1. Zone division 5.1.1. Definition and purpose 5.1.2. RCLT Zoning Approach 5.1.3. Zones 5.1.3.1. Rational use zone (agroforestry, hunting, gathering, etc.) 5.1.3.2. Full protection zone 5.1.4. Macrozoning around the RCLT 5.1.5. Development activities 5.2. Duration of application of the development plan ( 10 years ) 5.3. Types of layout of different zones 5.3.1. Transverse layout 5.3.2. Specific layout 5.3.2.1. In the rational use zone 5.3.2.2. In the full protection zone 5.3.2.3. In the macro zone VI. AREA MANAGEMENT MEASURES 6.1. Rational use zone 6.2. Full protection zone 6.3. Macro zone 6.4. Conservation targets 6.4.1. Importance of conservation targets 6.4.2. Description of conservation targets 6.4.3. Analysis of the current state of conservation targets and their management measure 6.4.3.1. Cultural conservation targets 6.4.3.2. Human well-being targets VII. IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS 7.1. Administrative and financial management 7.1.1. Staff and training 7.1.2. Infrastructure, logistics and maintenance 7.1.3. RCLT Sustainable Financing Mechanism 7.1.4. Documentation and database 7.2. Social aspects 7.2.1. How resources are used by local communities 7.2.2. Conflict resolution procedure in natural resource management 7.2.3. Participatory management plan (how communities can participate in resource management) 7.2.4. Health and education 7.2.5. Food Safety 7.2.6. Improvement of the living environment 7.2.7. Raising awareness among local communities and stakeholders 7.3. Conservation and enhancement of biodiversity 7.3.1. Anti-poaching fight 7.3.2. Monitoring 7.3.3. Basic and applied research 7.3.4. Tourist valorization 7.3.5. Collaboration with the private sector on the outskirts of the RCLT 7.3.6. Development of partnerships VIII. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 8.1. Functional organization 8.2. Application of the layout 8.3. Monitoring the application of measures 8.4. Audits 8.5. Revision of the development plan IX. COST OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 9.1. Cost of developing the development plan 9.2. Cost of implementing the development plan CONCLUSION REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIES ANNEXES
|
[1] Three villages located on the Likouala have no territory within the RCLT
[2] PACEBCo financing
Submit your calls for tenders for your search for services aimed at strengthening your organization, facilitating your projects...