BPA Forest Resource Enhancement Program (FREP) (original) (raw)

The BPA Forest Resource Enhancement Program (FREP) is a flagship program; which was designed to promote reforestation activities and preservation of the natural forest within the Bui Generating Station region of influence and other BPA operational areas. Cognizance of the imminent of climate change, land degradation from the construction activities, inundation of savannah woodlots as well as the hydrological characterization of the reservoir, the FREP concept was mooted in 2012 to combat these menaces.

The FREP Program is primarily to promote sustainable utilization of the forests within the Black Volta Basin, the Acquired Land (Executive Instrument 158) and other operational areas. It involved reforestation/afforestation and protection of natural forests. The FREP is an initiative which is aimed at encouraging massive tree planting throughout BPA operational areas. This is to ensure continuous flow of water into the reservoir from the upper watershed areas. Furthermore, the FREP promotes the protection of the lakeshores against siltation, sedimentation and other inimical activities that have the tendency to introducing nitrogen and phosphates into the lake.

The formation of the Bui reservoir created a lake covering up to 444 km2 of landmass at its full supply level of 183 meters above sea level (masl) most of which is savannah woodlot. The formation of the Bui Reservoir has therefore contributed to the depletion of the forest resources in the area. The development of the land-based Solar will deplete some amount of vegetation in such locations within the 200acres of land being used to for the Solar farm currently within the enclave. Experience showed that, with population increase, human activities such as adoption of inappropriate farming methods, bush burning, tree harvesting, cattle grazing, fish smoking and sand winning increased rapidly and considerably are likely to be on the rise. basin. Thus, the human activities caused forest depletion and the tendency of accelerated erosion and sedimentation, with a resultant adverse impact on climatic conditions within the lake basin.

On the account of the above, it is expected that the FREP will ameliorate this canker. The Forest being created under the FREP will benefit society by; Creating more Carbon sinks, protecting the Bui lake system against soil erosion, reservoir siltation and sedimentation, thereby prolonging the life span of the lake to sustain such economic activities like electricity production, fishery, tourism, agriculture, and water supply. Other benefits will include the improvement of microclimate, providing wind breaks, fuel wood, herbal medicine and commercially valuable products (timber). The FREP will also create job opportunities, recreation and tourism as well as providing habitat for a diversity of flora and fauna.

A memory Centre where indigenous knowledge on forest products can be kept will serve as a repository of knowledge for the use of biodiversity to compliment the works of salvage archaeology that was carried out for future reference. Rural communities around the areas have various traditional knowledge and ideas on the biodiversity. Considering the landmass that will be permanently inundated, it is important to preserve the knowledge of some of this useful biodiversity for the future generation.

On the backdrop of the above, the BPA’s FREP has the following specific objectives:

• Create of Memory Centre for the preservation of indigenous and traditional knowledge of the forest resources of the Black Volta Basin.
• Control and protect against soil erosion, reservoir siltation, sedimentation and depletion of vegetative cover in the Black Volta basin.
• Enhance forest resources of the BPA operational areas and other BPA operational areas and the Acquired Land for sustainable utilization in terms of medicinal use, commercial timber and fuel wood.

Pilot A:

Lakeside Afforestation for selected area up to 200m from the Bui Lake using hired labour from Project Affected communities (Establishment of buffer Zones).

Pilot B:

Buffer zones (greenbelt) Reforestation near the Bui Dam Enclaves and other Operational Areas using hired labour from Project Affected communities.

Main Program:

Extension of Pilots on un-utilized Acquired Land through joint venture arrangements with private sector actors and other partners.

The budget for the implementation of the FREP pilot program is always drawn from the proceeds of the Reservoir Clearing Exercise as an interim measure while the Authority is looking for alternative ways of funding the main Program. Considerations for funding of the main project included self-financing by the Authority and/or collaboration with interested investors/environmental NGOs.

It is expected that the forest created under the FREP will benefit society by; protecting the Bui lake system against soil erosion, reservoir siltation and sedimentation, thereby prolonging the life span of the lake to sustain such economic activities like electricity production, irrigation, fishery, tourism, agriculture, and water supply. Other benefits will include the improvement of microclimate, providing wind breaks, fuel wood, herbal medicine and commercially valuable products (timber). The FREP has also created job opportunities, recreation and tourism as well as providing habitat for a diversity of flora and fauna. A memory Centre will be served as a repository of knowledge of the use of biodiversity would be harnessed to compliment the salvage archaeology works which was carried out for future generation.

Tree Species Planted