The World Bank Landscape Approach to Wildlife Conservation in Northeast China (P122383) REPORT NO.: RES33179 DOCUMENT OF THE WORLD BANK RESTRUCTURING PAPER ON A PROPOSED PROJECT RESTRUCTURING OF LANDSCAPE APPROACH TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN NORTHEAST CHINA APPROVED ON FEBRUARY 23, 2016 TO PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC Regional Vice President: Victoria Kwakwa Country Director: Bert Hofman Senior Global Practice Director: Karin Erika Kemper Practice Manager/Manager: Iain G. Shuker Task Team Leader: Ms. Anisi The World Bank Landscape Approach to Wildlife Conservation in Northeast China (P122383) I. BASIC DATA Product Information Project ID Financing Instrument P122383 Investment Project Financing Original EA Category Current EA Category Partial Assessment (B) Partial Assessment (B) Approval Date Current Closing Date 23-Feb-2016 30-Jun-2019 Organizations Borrower Responsible Agency People's Republic of China State Forestry Administration Project Development Objective (PDO) Original PDO To help create the ecological conditions for recovery of threatened biodiversity in priority ecological landscapes in the far northeast territory of the Recipient (Heilongjiang and Jilin), using the Amur Tiger as a flagship species. Summary Status of Financing Net Ln/Cr/Tf Approval Signing Effectiveness Closing Commitment Disbursed Undisbursed TF-A1988 23-Feb-2016 28-Mar-2016 23-May-2016 30-Jun-2019 3.00 1.80 1.20 Policy Waiver(s) Does this restructuring trigger the need for any policy waiver(s)? No II. SUMMARY OF PROJECT STATUS AND PROPOSED CHANGES The World Bank Landscape Approach to Wildlife Conservation in Northeast China (P122383) The US$ 3 million GEF grant for Landscape Approach to Wildlife Conservation in Northeast China Project was approved on February 23, 2016 and became effective on May 23, 2016. The current loan closing date is June 30, 2019. The Project includes four components: Component 1: Institutional Coordination to Mainstream Wildlife Conservation Across Sectors; Component 2: Conservation of Priority Ecosystems and Increased Effectiveness of Habitat Protection in the Changbaishan Landscape; Component 3: Reducing Human Wildlife Conflict in Priority Forest Landscapes; Component 4: Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation. The Project Development Objective is to help create the ecological conditions for recovery of threatened biodiversity in priority ecological landscapes in the far northeast territory of the Recipient (Heilongjiang and Jilin), using the Amur Tiger as a flagship species. The PDO remains relevant and the project is making progress towards the PDO despite delays with grant implementation, mainly due to great contributions from the domestic programs as counterpart funded activities. The two PDO level indicators are on track or exceeding the target for year three - the area brought under enhanced biodiversity protection in existing and new nature reserves has reached 3,498 square km, and the area outside of nature reserves managed in a biodiversity friendly manner- 11,631 square km. Anti-poaching and snare removal activities have resulted in a 30% decrease in the incidence of snares. Overall management efficiency of the existing natural reserves has improved as demonstrated by the METT assessment. The likelihood of the project achieving its development objectives and overall implementation progress are both rated moderately satisfactory due to the delay and efficiency. Overall coordination and project management have improved substantially due to the concerted efforts made by the National PMO and provincial and local PMOs in staffing, training, and planning. Physical progress of GEF funded activities is substantial, including removal of snares, patrolling using SMART techniques, infrared camera monitoring, field investigations using integrated monitoring system, awareness building and training activities, technical expert committee meetings, and study tours. Most contracts for consulting service have been signed or are underway. The total grant disbursement has reached US$1,8 million, accounting for 62% of the total grant amount. However overall progress still witnesses an accumulative delay as a result of the slow start-up, ongoing institutional reform, and personnel changes. Given the relatively short implementation duration of three years and the accumulative delay so far it would be difficult for the project to catch up and complete all the activities by the original closing date of June 30, 2019. The original project duration of four years was cut short due to the delay in GEF approval of the project. Moreover, few GEF funded activities were carried out during the first year because it took ten months to establish the special account and due to other project management and coordination challenges. To ensure the remaining activities that are essential to the realization of the PDO/GEO can be completed, the National Project Management Office (NPMO) and the Provincial Project Management Offices (PPMOs) have discussed and proposed to extend the closing date by nine months from June 30, 2019 to March 31, 2020. The GEF-funded activities that will need additional time for implementation include carrying out the field survey in the snow season of 2019 (January and February, 2019); conducting one more round of infrared camera monitoring to make the before and after contrast more meaningful; organizing the planned technical experts committee meetings and international and regional meetings to exchange experience and disseminate knowledge; and participating in overseas and domestic study tours. This extension will help achieve the PDO and provide better evidence for monitoring and evaluation. The NPMO has prepared an action plan found satisfactory by the Bank. The Bank received MoF's formal restructuring request dated November 26, 2018 for the closing date extension without requesting changes to the project design or indicators. This will be the first extension of the closing date. The World Bank Landscape Approach to Wildlife Conservation in Northeast China (P122383) The project is in compliance with legal covenants as well as bank fiduciary and safeguard policies. There are no outstanding audits or audit qualifications. Safeguard performance is rated as satisfactory. III. DETAILED CHANGES LOAN CLOSING DATE(S) Original Revised Proposed Proposed Deadline Ln/Cr/Tf Status Closing Closing(s) Closing for Withdrawal Applications TF-A1988 Effective 30-Jun-2019 31-Mar-2020 31-Jul-2020