Results of a Problem and Objective Analysis, and the Application of the Logical Framework Approach An Example from the Nam Tong Watershed, the Lao PDR

Transcription

1 Chapter 4.3.2: Problem Analysis and Scoping 1 Module 4: Planning Case Study Results of a Problem and Objective Analysis, and the Application of the Logical Framework Approach An Example from the Nam Tong Watershed, the Lao PDR The figures on the following page depicts the results of a problem and objective analysis conducted during watershed management planning for the Nam Tong watershed in Feuang District, Vientiane Province, and the Lao PDR. The exercise was supported by the MAF / DANIDA Watershed Management Capacity Building Project. Table 1 summarises the results of the application of the logical framework approach (LFA) during the planning process in form of a logical framework matrix (LFM). The Nam Tong watershed covers an area of 55,612 ha (~556 km²) with a total population of about 15,000 people, of whom the majority belongs to the Lao Lum ethic group and approximately 27 % to the ethnic minorities such as the Lao Soung and Lao Kang. It is characterised by the socioeconomic conditions of a subsistence economy and the bio-physics of rural areas commonly found in the Lao PDR, including [1]: Rice production as the main source of income Government employment and the raising of livestock are included among other main income sources The collection of non timber forest products is important in complementing income generation and food consumption Insufficient land is available for agricultural production Insufficient access is available to markets Twenty-five percent of households are subject to rice insufficiencies The application of unsustainable natural resource management practices such as shifting cultivation The main land use types are forests (out of which 58 % or approximately one third is highly degraded), rain fed and irrigated paddy fields, upland rice and cash crop production (maize, pineapple, groundnuts), shifting cultivation and grassland / pasture The problem analysis was carried out during a workshop including planners from the provincial and district authorities, who represented all the major sectors (i.e. agriculture, irrigation, livestock and forestry). Other stakeholders were not present during this workshop, but the perceptions of villagers of concerned villages were integrated into the analysis, as relevant data had been collected in advance through semi-structured interviews. An objective analysis was conducted based on the results of the problem tree analysis, resulting in an Objective Tree [1].

2 Chapter 4.3.2: Problem Analysis and Scoping 2 It should be noted that watershed management in the Lao PDR has been practiced with a focus on general rural development, land use and poverty reduction issues. Therefore the scope of both the problem and objective analysis was much broader than water and related resources 1. See charts on next pages. 1 Water related resources are natural resources the status or utilisation of which, (a) impact on water quantity and its temporal variation, or (b) impact on water quality, or (c) are water bound and in turn are impacted on by (a) or (b) [2].

3 Chapter 4.3.2: Problem Analysis and Scoping 3 Figure 1: Results of the Problem Analysis depicted as a Problem Tree [1] Watershed degradation productivity Increase in poverty Increase in social problems biodiversity Reduction in soil quality Impaired hydrology Forest loss Ineffective use of limited resources Increased conflict over scarce natural resources Effects Unsustainable agricultural practices Inappropriate changes in land use Increased uncoordinated pressure on natural resources Inappropriate upstream / downstream water management Inappropriate and insufficient natural resources management (NRM) in the Nam Tong watershed Core Problem DAFO / PAFO do not adequately prioritise and implement NRM. Limited awareness, capacity and access of communities to manage and address NRM Insufficient funding, enforcement and implementation of legislation Poor co-ordination and information exchange of NRM activities among relevant stakeholders Limited capacity of GOs to manage and address NRM Prior, insufficient extension system Increasing population pressure e.g., immigration Low awareness and understanding of environmental legislation Increasing demands and low incentives for government staff Data sharing and information absent or inadequate Causes Inadequate legislation, guiding principles as well as both basic & strategic policies in watershed planning for natural resources management

4 Chapter 4.3.2: Problem Analysis and Scoping 4 Figure 2: Results of the Objective Analysis depicted as an Objective Tree [1] Improved watershed environment Increase in productivity poverty social problems Increase in indicator species. Improvement in soil quality Improved hydrology Reduction in forest loss Effective use of limited resources Decreased conflict over scarce natural resources Sustainable agricultural practices Appropriate changes in land use Development of a coordinated natural resources planning strategy Improved upstream/downstream water management Indicators Improved and sustained natural resources management in the Nam Tong watershed Development Objective DAFO/PAFO capable of appropriate management, monitoring and facilitation of community based natural resources activities Improved awareness and capacity of communities to plan and implement natural resources activities Improved enforcement and implementation of environmental legislation and funding Co-ordination and information exchange of NRM activities among relevant stakeholders Immediate Objectives GOs capable of managing and addressing NRM Extension system fully operational Fall in rate of population growth Improved awareness and understanding of environmental legislation Lower demands on and higher incentives for government staff Data sharing and information systems operational National legislation, guiding principles as well as both basic & strategic policies in watershed planning for natural resources management

5 Chapter 4.3.2: Problem Analysis and Scoping 5 Table 1: The Logical Framework Matrix [1] Objectives Expected outputs Proposed activities Development Objective Improved and sustained management of natural resources in the Nam Tong watershed Immediate Objectives 1. District capable of appropriate management, monitoring and facilitation of community based natural resources management 2. Improved awareness and capacity of communities to plan and implement natural resources activities Overall land use zones for the Nam Tong watershed delineated into conservation, buffer and development zones based on village land use zones Sub-sector plans developed according to analysis and agreement on use of natural resources District staff trained in planning, management, monitoring and technical subjects District extension service functioning IWM plan updated Village land and forest allocation (LFA) completed for all 27 villages Village action plans developed with prioritised activities Village requests submitted to district for assistance Intra-village networks established to develop a sub-catchment plan Review and delineate the catchment area into three overall zones through discussions with relevant villages and district staff Sub-sectors develop their annual plans, which supports the village development plans in line with the natural resources analysis Sub-sectors implement their annual work plans Follow-up on request from the district on designating the district protected area Identify training needs and conduct the training Set-up the extension systems and assign adequate numbers of farming systems extension workers Update IWM plan Update LFA in 15 villages and complete the LFA in the remaining 12 villages Conduct participatory rural appraisal (PRA) in all villages and draw-up village action plans Assist villages in developing proposals for village development activities Assist villages in networking with each other 3. Improved enforcement and implementation of natural resources and environmental (NRE) legislation District staff trained in relevant NRE legislation Access the legislation and conduct training workshops 4. Co-ordination and information exchange of NR activities among 4.1 Coordination meetings held between relevant stakeholders District organises regular meetings among the different stakeholders in relation to natural resources

6 Chapter 4.3.2: Problem Analysis and Scoping 6 Objectives Expected outputs Proposed activities relevant stakeholders 4.2 MAF at the central level provides appropriate NR maps and information to the district level management Identify and discuss possible land use options that are agreeable to all partners Identify alternative income generating activities District send request to MAF for maps and other NR information as appropriate. References and Sources for Further Reading [1] MAF, 2002: Nam Tong Integrated Watershed Management and Development Plan Feuang District, Vientiane Province. [2] MRC / GTZ Watershed Management Project (WSMP), 2005: Information and Knowledge Management Strategy and Concept. Working Paper No. 15.