cbcz.ir - Third Project Steering Committee Meeting- December 30, 2009

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Third Project Steering Committee Meeting- December 30, 2009

The third Project Steering Committee meeting of the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone Project was held on December 30, 2009 in the conference hall of Iran’s Department of Environment, Deputy Directorate for Natural Environment and Biodiversity. The meeting chaired by Mrs. Shirin Abolghasemi- Advisor to the Deputy Head, was attended by representatives of stakeholder ministries and organizations.

Presenting a thorough report of the project progress in 2009, Dr. Mohammad Farhat- national project manager appreciated the efforts made by the project team which led to extension of the project by 2013.

Dr. Farhat further mentioned the project achievements; namely signing MoU with Ministry of Agriculture Jihad to establish Biodiversity Enterprise Center (BEC), implementation of the three month contingency plan, holding participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) workshops in two pilot villages of Sivar and Gele Sefid in Isfahan and Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari provinces respectively, adoption of village projects in technical working groups of the provinces, implementation of social communication activities in the pilot villages, establishment of a Mountain Biodiversity Resource Center (MBRC) in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari as well as Tree Planting in pilot villages on the occasion of Natural Resources week in march 2009.

Mr. Ferdowsi- Manager of Environment Department of UNDP office in Tehran stated: "The project was planned for 2005 to 2010. As per the request of then National Project Director, it was decided to plan a three-month contingency plan at the first stage. Due to the successful implementation of the plan, extension of the project for the next two and half years was adopted by UNDP officials."

Mr. Golriz-representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that due to the extension of the project, it is vital to modify ambitious goals of the project document and set up new achievable goals.

Later, Mr. Jazi- Social Participation consultant elaborated on the field activities and added: "despite carrying out extensive studies and forming various committees in the ministries, many problems in the villages are encountered. On the other hand we are witnessing destruction of forests and rangelands. The project with a holistic perspective attempts to establish provincial connections. In the meantime, the village problems are solved through participatory programmes."

The meeting proceeded with a thorough review of the other issues on the table including 2010 Work Plan.

2009 project progress report, 2010 Work Plan, the need for project document revision, membership of the representatives of Forest, Rangelands and Watershed organization and Ministry of interior in the committee as well as sufficient and timely allocation of the national budget were among the issues approved by the committee.