Biodiversity Protection Criteria

PROVISIONS FOR NEW ACQUISITIONS

Conservation Area	Provisions
Watercourses (rivers creek & streams) of different width	0 to < 5m : Preserve 10m native vegetation on either side of the river. 5 to ≤ 20m : Preserve 20m native vegetation on both sides of the river. > 20m : Preserve 60m native vegetation on both sides of the river.
Lakes, Ponds and swampy sources	Bank Slope ≤ 8°, preserve native vegetation within a 25m radius. Bank Slope > 8°, preserve native vegetation within a 50m radius.
Slopes	No clearing on slopes beyond 45°, For slopes < 45°, provide terraces and make Contour planting.
Wetland RAMSAR Convention	Comprehensive Conservation of the area.
Peatland	Comprehensive Conservation of the area.
Habitat for migratory waterbird species protected by AEWA	Comprehensive conservation of habitat and nesting of these protected bird species.

PROVISIONS FOR PLANTED AREAS

Planting to the edge of waterways (rivers)

Apply the new criteria when replanting

Planting in drained areas

Leave at least 5m vegetation strip on each side of the drains to allow mechanized maintenance of drains using backhoe.
When replanting, apply the new criteria keeping 5m track on each side of drains without planting for mechanized maintenance.

Planting on steep slopes, hill tops and mountains

Apply the new criteria when replanting :

No replanting on slopes higher than 45°.
No replanting on hill tops and mountains.

PROVISIONS FOR LAND PREPARATION

Prohibit the use of fire for land preparation

PROVISIONS FOR NEW ACQUISITIONS

a) Conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) or an Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) (in compliance with local requirements) for any agricultural development project :

Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) : less than 1000 ha of land
ESIA for more than or equal to 1000 ha

b) Systematically carry out a High Conservation Value Study (HCV).
c) Systematically carry out a High Carbon Stock (HCS) study.
d) Prohibit the use of fire for land preparation.

ZERO DEFORESTATION COMMITMENT

a) High Conservation Value (HCV) areas as defined by the network of HCV ressource ( «HCV Ressource Network» ) and subject to verification by them (https://hcvnetwork.org) are protected and preserved.

b) High Carbon Value (HCS) areass defined by the HCS Stering Group ( «HCS Approch Stering Group» ) and subject to verification by them (https://highcarbonstock.org) are protected and preserved.

Biodiversity Criteria SIFCA
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