Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (WNAD)

Project Code: 012-502-013	Start Date: Nov. 1, 1993	End Date: 31/03/1998
Commitment: £684,100	Status: Awaiting Confirmation of Completion	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
The Korup National Park Project (Korup Project) was set up principally to conserve the unique biodiversity of the Korup rainforest. However, many villagers within the support zone of the Korup Park, as well as those from 6 villages which are still in the park, rely on hunting and trapping of wildlife, not only for food, but to earn cash income. Alternative sources of income have to be provided for villagers if the level of hunting and trapping is to be reduced and the integrity of the Park maintained. In the original Master Plan for the Korup Project, it was envisaged that this need would be addressed through a comprehensive rural development programme. However, since the start of the Korup project, staffing and finance for rural development have been inadequate. The main conclusion of two studies carried out to assess the rural development work done since the Korup Project started was that although much useful work had been done, the rural development activities had not been accorded the same priorities as had the work on the Park itself. Rural development activities had been limited in scale and ad hoc in their execution. It was decided that to fully realise the Master Plan a Rural Development Component (R.D. Component) was needed, this would make provision for the technical cooperation needed to develop and implement a full programme of rural development activities. This comprises one Senior Rural Development Adviser (SRDA), and one Rural Development Adviser (RDA). The RD Component will be undertaken in collaboration with relevant Government Ministries. An agreement will be made with Government of Cameroon officials to appoint local representatives within the support zone from each of these ministries who will be designated as counterparts to the SRDA & RDA. The SRDA will be responsible for the preparation/implementation of a three year rural development plan and for coordinating the plan activities with the relevant Government Ministries and other participating agencies. The RDA (who will be under contract to DFID) will report to the SRDA. His/her main task will be the implementation of the rural development annual work programmes.

Project Objectives:
To increase the standard of living of the rural population in the support zone of the Korup National Park by implementing a programme of rural development, environmental protection and assistance with park conservation.

Intended Outputs:
The intended outputs of this project are the production and implementation of a medium-term rural development plan for the support zone of the Korup National Park; provide support to individuals, families and communities resettled from within Korup Park; staff training programmes in rural development issues undertaken; programme of training households in the support zone, carried out; Village Development Committees established and functioning in the support zone; and rural development extension publicity materials produced and distributed.