India formulated the National Action Programme (NAP) in 2001. The various components of NAP have been part of various Government of India programmes over the years. Over time a need has been felt to re-visit and revise the NAP to enable a comprehensive and coherent approach to desertification, land degradation & desertification (DLDD) issues at the national level. The constrains for an integrated implementation of NAP may be the lack of synergy and coordination mechanism between the different ministries, departments, scientific institutes and civil society organizations.
With recent developments at the global level and with the adoption of the UNCCD 10 year Strategy, a review and alignment of NAP to the strategy is required for synthesis with the developments at the global level; as well as to develop a single- platform at the country level to track and report on the various policies, programmes and projects implemented at the national and the local level, respectively. In order to provide leverage to the existing process a the national level, the proposed project incorporates enabling activities, that will facilitate review and alignment to the Strategy, and support in the preparation of the national reports due in 2012 & 2014.
NAP alignment and national reporting are interlinked considering that the UNCCD 10 year Strategy is the foundation block for both the activities. The enabling activities proposed will provide a thrust towards cohesive and integrated planning, programming and implementation; and monitoring of DLDD related programmes and projects in the country. One of the project “Policy and Institutional Reform for Mainstreaming and Up-scaling Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management in India” under the GEF- Government of India (GOI) - Country Programme Partnership (CPP) is being implemented by Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), will provide for a platform for carrying out various activities as proposed in the proposal. The other six projects under the Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management (SLEM) programme will also link to the proposed project to the best feasible.
The two components of the proposed project is detailed below:
Component I: NAP alignment to the Strategy
India’s National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (NAP-CD) formulated in 2001 identifies the need to address and incorporate the following into an integrated planning for sustainable development- Natural resource conservation and management, socio-economic issues, strengthening the process of decentralisation of governance and formulation of more community driven projects and programmes; gender issues; public participation; strengthening the interface and co-ordination between various stakeholders, and awareness raising.
In order to achieve the above, NAP mentions a greater shift from centralised mode of governance to more decentralised governance; identification of problems/ priorities by the local communities and a greater devolution of powers to the local communities; Greater integration of existing programmes and activities not only at the national level but a more coordinated approach, particularly at the local level. A step towards ‘Single window’ implementation of programmes and schemes through local self governments (Panchayats) may be considered. Water issues are central to all conservation measures and production systems. Improvement of quality of life central to the issue so that people’s lives are improved and sustained and the local communities are empowered to take decisions, and implement programmes relating to their livelihood.
In 2007, at COP 8 Parties unanimously adopted (decision 3/COP.8) the 10-year strategic plan and framework to enhance the implementation of the Convention for 2008-2018 (The Strategy), almost six years after India formulated its NAP in 2001.
The Strategic objectives, of the Strategy, under Policy framework states -
“To support the creation of enabling environments for promoting solutions to combat desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought.” The Strategy has 2 direct outcomes related to NAP alignment, these are:
Outcome 2.2: Affected country Parties revise their national action programmes (NAPs) into strategic documents supported by biophysical and socio-economic baseline information and include them in integrated investment frameworks.
Outcome 2.3: Affected country Parties integrate their NAPs and sustainable land management and land degradation issues into development planning and relevant sectoral and investment plans and policies.
Therefore, NAP-CD needs to be aligned to the ‘The Strategy’, which has a bearing not only on planning, implementation and monitoring of the programmes and projects under DLDD at the country level, but reflects the same in the reporting process which is in conformity with the Strategy. At the recently concluded meetings of UNCCD subsidiary bodies – Committee on Science & Technology (CST- S2) and Committee on the Review of Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 9) in Bonn (16-25 Feb 2011), emphasis has been laid on NAP alignment process. Aligning NAP to the Strategy will enable prioritization and formulation of national programmes in synchronization with the Strategy that can be further reported (as required) against impact indicators (of the Strategic Objectives) and performance indicators (of the Operational Objectives).
Component II: National Reporting – 2012 (5th) & 2014 (6th)
After the adoption of the Strategy in 2007, it was agreed by parties to have the national reporting from 2010 onward in conformity with the Strategic and Operational Objectives of the 10 year Strategy of UNCCD. Therefore, while the 4th national report was based on reporting on only operational objectives and performance indicators; it was agreed that beginning 2012, country parties will initiate reporting on Impact indicators related to Strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3.
Developing the impact indicators: By decision 3/COP 8, the CST was requested to advise COP 9 on how best to measure progress on the achievement of strategic objectives 1, 2, and 3 of The Strategy:
– Strategic Objective 1: To improve living conditions of affected populations;
– Strategic Objective 2: To improve the conditions of the ecosystems;
– Strategic Objective 3: To generate global benefits through effective implementation of the Convention.
The UNCCD COP at its ninth session in Buenos Aires decided provisionally to accept a set of 11 impact indicators to assist measurement, at the national and global levels, of progress made under national action programmes in implementing strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3 of The Strategy.
In Decision 17/COP.9, a sub-set of two impact indicators (i.e., III Proportion of the population in affected areas living above the poverty line; IX Land cover status) was identified as the minimum required for reporting by affected countries beginning in 2012. The remaining nine impact indicators, while recommended, were considered optional for inclusion in reports by affected countries.
In decision 17/COP9, Parties agreed to refine the proposed set of eleven impact indicators using an iterative process taking account of:
– Application and review by countries
– Scientific peer review of relevance, accuracy and cost effectiveness of the indicators
– Possible synergies with relevant programmes, projects and institutions
– Relevant contributions from UNCCD Scientific Conferences
The Impact Indicators have gone through stages of refinement and iterative process, and will be formally adopted at COP 10, in October 2011.
The Reporting process: Reporting through Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) 1 in 2010 was on performance indicators for affected and developed countries, UN/Inter-Government Organisations (IGOs)s, GEF, Civil Society Organisations, UNCCD secretariat, Global Mechanism, and subsidiary bodies. Whereas reporting through PRAIS 2 in 2012 will include reporting on performance indicators and also reporting on the impact indicators related to Strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3 for affected countries. While the tracking frequency for performance indicators is 2 years, Impact Indicator tracking frequency is 4 years.
Reporting on Impact indicators: In India land use cover surveys, planning & management is conducted by various organizations like National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture; Space Application Centre (SAC), Ministry of Space; Forest Survey of India (FSI), Ministry of Environment & Forests; Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development; etc. and also by State level organization. Consequently, varying approaches, methodologies and criteria/indicators and tools are used to generate data sets and maps which have identified objectives. The Desertification Status Map prepared in 2007 is the first spatial inventory on desertification/land degradation carried out at national level for entire country at 1:500,000 scale, using satellite data. The DSM Atlas provides information on various land degradation processes and their severity. It serves as a baseline data for future monitoring, including the impact of UNCCD implementation.
In order to report accurately and efficiently on the impact indicators, it is imperative to develop an agreed methodology and approach to collect data, analyse and report at least on the two minimal impact indicators to be reported during the 5th national report. Recently, a brainstorming workshop was held for evaluating the data available and the accessing the capacity of the national scientific institutes to harmonize the information for reporting. In order to further facilitate the process, the proposed project has components of capacity building through training and workshops for understanding and application of methodologies for indicator-based reporting and on reporting methodologies and tools. Additionally, the proposed project aims to strengthen the knowledge management and monitoring systems for synthesizing the data available for reporting. It further proposes to enhance the linkages of UNCCD reporting and implementation with national development priorities.
Conclusion: The 10 year strategy of UNCCD provides the platform for NAP alignment and reporting on progress on the implementation of UNCCD at the global level; and also provides a basis for coordination and harmonization of programmes and projects implemented at the national and local levels. The proposed project will not only strengthen the existing capacities at the country level but will also ensure response on the feasibility of reporting on the impact indicators at the regional and global scales.
Acknowledging the significance of gender mainstreaming as recognized by UNCCD parties in many decisions since COP1, efforts will be made to collect gender segregated data in drylands areas of the country for reporting, as well as, for incorporating the same into planning process. As women are main actors in combating land degradation in drylands, while preparing the NAP special attention will be given to issues like women property rights; involvement of women in policies and programs to improve land use, manage common lands, incentives, and private investment in drylands; full participation of women when drawing on local knowledge and experience; increased level of education and participation; creation of financial opportunities to access credit.
Data collection, analysis and reporting for countries has been a challenge as seen during the preparation of the 4th national report. Discussion on the 4th National report submitted to UNCCD at the CRIC 9 and CST S2 meetings in Bonn, Germany in February 2011, showed data gaps as result of time and resources constrains. Hence, in order to prepare comprehensive reports, assistance to country parties is essential. India therefore has requested for USD 150,000 to augment its existing resources for comprehensive reporting in 2012 and 2014.
With recent developments at the global level and with the adoption of the UNCCD 10 year Strategy, a review and alignment of NAP to the strategy is required for synthesis with the developments at the global level; as well as to develop a single- platform at the country level to track and report on the various policies, programmes and projects implemented at the national and the local level, respectively. In order to provide leverage to the existing process a the national level, the proposed project incorporates enabling activities, that will facilitate review and alignment to the Strategy, and support in the preparation of the national reports due in 2012 & 2014.
NAP alignment and national reporting are interlinked considering that the UNCCD 10 year Strategy is the foundation block for both the activities. The enabling activities proposed will provide a thrust towards cohesive and integrated planning, programming and implementation; and monitoring of DLDD related programmes and projects in the country. One of the project “Policy and Institutional Reform for Mainstreaming and Up-scaling Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management in India” under the GEF- Government of India (GOI) - Country Programme Partnership (CPP) is being implemented by Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), will provide for a platform for carrying out various activities as proposed in the proposal. The other six projects under the Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management (SLEM) programme will also link to the proposed project to the best feasible.
The two components of the proposed project is detailed below:
Component I: NAP alignment to the Strategy
India’s National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (NAP-CD) formulated in 2001 identifies the need to address and incorporate the following into an integrated planning for sustainable development- Natural resource conservation and management, socio-economic issues, strengthening the process of decentralisation of governance and formulation of more community driven projects and programmes; gender issues; public participation; strengthening the interface and co-ordination between various stakeholders, and awareness raising.
In order to achieve the above, NAP mentions a greater shift from centralised mode of governance to more decentralised governance; identification of problems/ priorities by the local communities and a greater devolution of powers to the local communities; Greater integration of existing programmes and activities not only at the national level but a more coordinated approach, particularly at the local level. A step towards ‘Single window’ implementation of programmes and schemes through local self governments (Panchayats) may be considered. Water issues are central to all conservation measures and production systems. Improvement of quality of life central to the issue so that people’s lives are improved and sustained and the local communities are empowered to take decisions, and implement programmes relating to their livelihood.
In 2007, at COP 8 Parties unanimously adopted (decision 3/COP.8) the 10-year strategic plan and framework to enhance the implementation of the Convention for 2008-2018 (The Strategy), almost six years after India formulated its NAP in 2001.
The Strategic objectives, of the Strategy, under Policy framework states -
“To support the creation of enabling environments for promoting solutions to combat desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought.” The Strategy has 2 direct outcomes related to NAP alignment, these are:
Outcome 2.2: Affected country Parties revise their national action programmes (NAPs) into strategic documents supported by biophysical and socio-economic baseline information and include them in integrated investment frameworks.
Outcome 2.3: Affected country Parties integrate their NAPs and sustainable land management and land degradation issues into development planning and relevant sectoral and investment plans and policies.
Therefore, NAP-CD needs to be aligned to the ‘The Strategy’, which has a bearing not only on planning, implementation and monitoring of the programmes and projects under DLDD at the country level, but reflects the same in the reporting process which is in conformity with the Strategy. At the recently concluded meetings of UNCCD subsidiary bodies – Committee on Science & Technology (CST- S2) and Committee on the Review of Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 9) in Bonn (16-25 Feb 2011), emphasis has been laid on NAP alignment process. Aligning NAP to the Strategy will enable prioritization and formulation of national programmes in synchronization with the Strategy that can be further reported (as required) against impact indicators (of the Strategic Objectives) and performance indicators (of the Operational Objectives).
Component II: National Reporting – 2012 (5th) & 2014 (6th)
After the adoption of the Strategy in 2007, it was agreed by parties to have the national reporting from 2010 onward in conformity with the Strategic and Operational Objectives of the 10 year Strategy of UNCCD. Therefore, while the 4th national report was based on reporting on only operational objectives and performance indicators; it was agreed that beginning 2012, country parties will initiate reporting on Impact indicators related to Strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3.
Developing the impact indicators: By decision 3/COP 8, the CST was requested to advise COP 9 on how best to measure progress on the achievement of strategic objectives 1, 2, and 3 of The Strategy:
– Strategic Objective 1: To improve living conditions of affected populations;
– Strategic Objective 2: To improve the conditions of the ecosystems;
– Strategic Objective 3: To generate global benefits through effective implementation of the Convention.
The UNCCD COP at its ninth session in Buenos Aires decided provisionally to accept a set of 11 impact indicators to assist measurement, at the national and global levels, of progress made under national action programmes in implementing strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3 of The Strategy.
In Decision 17/COP.9, a sub-set of two impact indicators (i.e., III Proportion of the population in affected areas living above the poverty line; IX Land cover status) was identified as the minimum required for reporting by affected countries beginning in 2012. The remaining nine impact indicators, while recommended, were considered optional for inclusion in reports by affected countries.
In decision 17/COP9, Parties agreed to refine the proposed set of eleven impact indicators using an iterative process taking account of:
– Application and review by countries
– Scientific peer review of relevance, accuracy and cost effectiveness of the indicators
– Possible synergies with relevant programmes, projects and institutions
– Relevant contributions from UNCCD Scientific Conferences
The Impact Indicators have gone through stages of refinement and iterative process, and will be formally adopted at COP 10, in October 2011.
The Reporting process: Reporting through Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) 1 in 2010 was on performance indicators for affected and developed countries, UN/Inter-Government Organisations (IGOs)s, GEF, Civil Society Organisations, UNCCD secretariat, Global Mechanism, and subsidiary bodies. Whereas reporting through PRAIS 2 in 2012 will include reporting on performance indicators and also reporting on the impact indicators related to Strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3 for affected countries. While the tracking frequency for performance indicators is 2 years, Impact Indicator tracking frequency is 4 years.
Reporting on Impact indicators: In India land use cover surveys, planning & management is conducted by various organizations like National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture; Space Application Centre (SAC), Ministry of Space; Forest Survey of India (FSI), Ministry of Environment & Forests; Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development; etc. and also by State level organization. Consequently, varying approaches, methodologies and criteria/indicators and tools are used to generate data sets and maps which have identified objectives. The Desertification Status Map prepared in 2007 is the first spatial inventory on desertification/land degradation carried out at national level for entire country at 1:500,000 scale, using satellite data. The DSM Atlas provides information on various land degradation processes and their severity. It serves as a baseline data for future monitoring, including the impact of UNCCD implementation.
In order to report accurately and efficiently on the impact indicators, it is imperative to develop an agreed methodology and approach to collect data, analyse and report at least on the two minimal impact indicators to be reported during the 5th national report. Recently, a brainstorming workshop was held for evaluating the data available and the accessing the capacity of the national scientific institutes to harmonize the information for reporting. In order to further facilitate the process, the proposed project has components of capacity building through training and workshops for understanding and application of methodologies for indicator-based reporting and on reporting methodologies and tools. Additionally, the proposed project aims to strengthen the knowledge management and monitoring systems for synthesizing the data available for reporting. It further proposes to enhance the linkages of UNCCD reporting and implementation with national development priorities.
Conclusion: The 10 year strategy of UNCCD provides the platform for NAP alignment and reporting on progress on the implementation of UNCCD at the global level; and also provides a basis for coordination and harmonization of programmes and projects implemented at the national and local levels. The proposed project will not only strengthen the existing capacities at the country level but will also ensure response on the feasibility of reporting on the impact indicators at the regional and global scales.
Acknowledging the significance of gender mainstreaming as recognized by UNCCD parties in many decisions since COP1, efforts will be made to collect gender segregated data in drylands areas of the country for reporting, as well as, for incorporating the same into planning process. As women are main actors in combating land degradation in drylands, while preparing the NAP special attention will be given to issues like women property rights; involvement of women in policies and programs to improve land use, manage common lands, incentives, and private investment in drylands; full participation of women when drawing on local knowledge and experience; increased level of education and participation; creation of financial opportunities to access credit.
Data collection, analysis and reporting for countries has been a challenge as seen during the preparation of the 4th national report. Discussion on the 4th National report submitted to UNCCD at the CRIC 9 and CST S2 meetings in Bonn, Germany in February 2011, showed data gaps as result of time and resources constrains. Hence, in order to prepare comprehensive reports, assistance to country parties is essential. India therefore has requested for USD 150,000 to augment its existing resources for comprehensive reporting in 2012 and 2014.
Project Details
GEF Project ID
4706
Country
India
Implementing Agencies
GEF Secretariat
The World Bank
Status
Project Approved
Region
Asia
Executing Agencies
Indian Council for Forestry Research & Education, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India
GEF Period
GEF - 5
Project Type
Enabling Activity
Focal Areas
Funding Source
GEF Trust Fund
Project Documents
Financials
USDCo-financing Total
184,500
GEF Project Grant
148,500
GEF Agency Fees
0
Timeline
Received by GEF
23 Oct 2011
Concept Approved
19 Dec 2011
Project Approved for Implementation
18 Dec 2011