29 March 2011: The World Bank approved a US$6.9 million grant in support of a protected areas management project in Benin. The project seeks to enhance protection of biodiversity in the Northern Benin Savanna Ecosystems through conservation measures and reduction of human pressure on the national parks.

The project also aims to ensure the sustainability of the Protected Area systems and expand the land-based protected area networks, through: ensuring the continuity of biodiversity conservation activities in two National Parks; exploring the possibility of expanding the Protected Areas network, in particular to include central and southern Benin; and preparing the implementation of a financial mechanism for the long-term financing of recurrent costs of managing the Protected Areas.

As part of the project, the Bank will: provide technical and operational support to the National Center for Wildlife Management (CENAGREF) to implement the management plans for the two National Parks in the project; conduct the feasibility study to determine the conditions for reclassification of four forest reserves in central and southern Benin; and pilot and monitor the execution of all project-related activities.

Support also will be provided to the parks’ neighboring communities to help them engage in income-generating activities, with a view to reducing human pressure on wild fauna and flora. Lastly, the project will provide technical assistance to the Government to facilitate the establishment and operationalization of a Foundation tasked with managing a Conservation Trust Fund that will provide long-term financing of the main recurrent costs for the Northern Benin Savanna Ecosystems Management plans, following closure of the project. [World Bank Press Release]