Fire Management in High Biodiversity Value Forests of Amur-Sikhote-Alin Ecoregion

The objective of the proposed project is to strengthen conservation of the high biodiversity value forests of the Amur-Sikhote-Alin Ecoregion through the improved forest fire management, reducing frequency, size and intensity of catastrophic fires in the areas of the global conservation importance. The project would develop and implement policies and practices for the integrated management, monitoring and prevention of forest fires within and outside of protected areas. The proposed GEF project would be additional to the fire management component of the on-going Russia Sustainable Forestry Pilot Project (World Bank loan) and would have three specific outcomes: (i) establishment of an ecoregion-wide integrated forest fire management system to include high biodiversity value forests currently without proper fire management regime; (ii) increased effectiveness of fire management in high biodiversity value forests through strengthened regulatory framework and interdepartmental coordination, integrated ecosystem management, and increased capacities to address catastrophic fires and their consequences; and (iii) raised public awareness and support from the local population and communities to fire prevention and mitigation through promotion of community-based fire management and alternative land/ecosystem management programs.