Progress in conserving tropical forests and biological diversity in developing countries : the 1987 annual report to Congress on the implementation of sections 118 and 119 of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended

continued a vigorous pursuit of the tropical forestry conservation and biological diversity protection goals set forth in Sections 118 and 119 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended). By the end of the year, 24 A.I.D. country missions were working on or had completed background assessments of conservation needs in biological diversity and tropical forests, as called for in the legislation. 1987 was a landmark year for A.I.D."s evolving program to conserve biological diversity. A.I.D. obligated $2,338,000 for 21 new activities in 15 developing countries to directly protect and conserve wild plants and animals, as authorized in Section 119 of the FAA. Another $2,500,00 was obligated for biodiversity activities as part of other Agency activities. Other major steps were taken by A.I.D. were to (1) establish an internal Biological Diversity Working Group with responsibility for reviewing new projects and setting priorities; and (2) support the formation of a donor group, the Consultative Group on Biolgoical Diversity, composed of U.S. private foundations and A.I.D. to exchange information and encourage collaboration and increased funding for biodiversity conservation in developing countries. During FY87, A.I.D."s bilateral tropical forestry program supported 146 forestry projects and projects with forestry components in 46 developing countries; funding obligations for the forestry activities in these projects totalled $66.2 million. Moreover, in many countries, A.I.D."s tropical forestry objectives continued to receive a strong boost from food aid. During FY87, some 30 P.L. 480 food aid projects in 23 countries contained forestry and closely related natural resource components; these received food commodity and local currency allocations estimated at $25.9 million. Most were in Africa; many were carried with the support of PVO"s. Total commitments to A.I.D."s tropical forestry program, including both bilateral and food assistance, reached an annual level of $82.1 million during FY87. Collaboration with, and expanded reliance on other U.S. organizations in advancing biological diversity and tropical forestry programs were achieved during 1987 via partnerships with the Peace Corps, the Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and numerous PVO"s and other nongovernmental organizations. A.I.D. also continued to be actively involved in donor coordination. Finally, A.I.D."s Africa Bureau issued a Plan for Supporting Natural Resources Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2/87. (Author abstract, modified)