Safeguard Documents 

The World Bank has developed a number of Safeguard Operational Policies to ensure that all possible negative impacts are considered and mitigation measures are spelled out prior to the implementation of any proposed project. These policies ensure that the quality of operation is uniform across different settings worldwide. If the decision is taken that a safeguards policy should be applied, mitigation measures and plans need top be developed and in place before the implementation of a proposed project. ICEMA has three Safeguards Documents.

A full environmental and social assessment (ESA) was undertaken by recruited local and international consultants as part of the project preparation process. It has been carried out in line with Namibia's National Environmental Assessment Policy, the emerging Environmental Management Bill and the applicable World Bank safeguard policies (OP 4.01, OD 4.20, OD 4.30, OPN 11.03 and OP 4.04). The ESA provides an analysis of all biophysical and social impacts associated with the implementation of the project and its activities.

It includes 3 volumes: 

1. Environmental and social assessment (ESA) - Volume 1 

2. Indigenous people development plan (IPDP) - Volume 2 

3. Resettlement policy framework (RPF) - Volume 3

The main ESA report contains an assessment of each component; the analysis of the project environmental and social impacts; a mitigation plan with measures to limit these impacts and a separate environmental and social management plan. The ESA methodology is based on documentation review, technical analysis and a detailed consultative process including an audit of the National CBNRM Program with all concerned stakeholders. As the overall project aims to promote integrated ecosystem management and thereby restore, secure and enhance ecosystem processes, the ESA concluded that the ICEMA project is likely to be very beneficial to CBNRM in Namibia whilst any potential negative impacts are expected to be minimal and can be mitigated. The ESA analysis has concluded that under this project no impacts related to displacement of population are foreseen. For the specific case of project interventions in conservancies with San populations, an Indigenous People Development Plan has been developed. The IPDP defines the project activities and mitigation measures that San consider as profitable for them in terms of social, economic, cultural and environmental development.

The revised and final ESA, the IPDP and the RPF have been officially reviewed and cleared by the Directorate of Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Tourism before public is closure (January 26, 2004). The Project Office will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Bank's as well as Namibian EA procedures. The different Directorates under the MET will effectively manage implementation of safeguard measures for those activities and sub-components where the respective Directorate is taking the lead on overall implementation. The Namibian EIA processes are already being extensively applied in-country and only modest need for training is expected. Still, capacity building at national, regional and local (conservancy) level will be needed for Bank safeguard requirements and procedures. Several workshops and training courses have been planned and budgeted for under the ICEMA project. It is expected that only selected activities under Component 1 (Ecosystem-Based Income-Generating Activities) and 2 (Sustainable Ecosystem Management) may possibly trigger formal EA processes, e.g. development of alternative income generating possibilities through small-scale business including community-based tourism investments, ecosystem restoration, rehabilitation measures including infrastructure and translocation of economically important wildlife species.

                                          (All pictures taken by Jo Tagg)