Conservation Planning to promote sound land use and nature conservation planning. The preparatory studies generated extensive documentation and data regarding resources in the study area, including physical, biological, social and economic resources and uses. The project concept is for a transfrontier conservation and development area, which needs to be planned and zoned to ensure that areas of global and national biodiversity importance are protected and managed appropriately. This requires that a vision and strategy are prepared following further stakeholder consultation and with the involvement of the relevant authorities on both sides of the border. Conceptual proposals for compatible land-use zonation derived in the preparatory phase need to be negotiated and action plans prepared for implementation. This implies conservation planning at the landscape level, and is designed to be facilitated by appropriate professionals, and with the full involvement of the staff of the respective ministries and departments in both countries.

Deficiencies in data, particularly for biodiversity, were identified in preparation, and these will be addressed by focused data collection and further analysis to confirm priority areas. A participatory biodiversity monitoring system will also be designed to ensure that data on trends can be derived for areas across the landscape. Habitat and species data collected under the assessments will provide the baseline for monitoring activities to determine project impact. Field assistants recruited from local communities will also be trained to assist in surveying as a precursor to ongoing monitoring of key components. A core professional support team for biodiversity conservation will be assembled in this component.