GEF Lolkisale Biodiversity Conservation Support Project

completed

As previously disclosed (in Project ID 9579), the project was to establish an exclusive 16-bed lodge on the boundary of the Tarangire national Park in Northern Tanzania. This lodge would form part of a 35,000 acre private wildlife consrvation area that would be established as part of the project (the Lolkisale Conservation Area). This project has very strong developmental impact because of the following reasons: The local community is involved as a major shareholder, a significant area will be conserved in terms of diversity of flora and fauna, additional income will be generated for the Lolkisale village from royalties which will be directed to community development programs and employment benefits will be generated.The additional component incorporated in this SPI has the purpose of developing and implementing a comprehensive Integrated Conservation Management Plan (ICMP). The ICMP will aim, inter alia, to clarify land tenure policy, strengthen stakeholder relations, mitigate tourism impacts and develop solutions to current overgrazing problems. The implementation of the ICMP will include hiring and training field staff, community counterparts, establish ranger posts and established community-based conservation processes and programs. In this way the MSP will catalyze global environmental benefit from a project that already aims to generate significant development benefits.