Natural Habitats Sierra Leone commissioned an independent regulatory Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) (Integrated Geo-information and Environmental Management Services), High Carbon Stock (HCS) and Greenhouse Gas Assessments (GHG) (Montrose Environmental), and High Conservation Value (HCV) Assessment (Digby Wells, led by Philip Patton (ALS15041PP)), to meet the requirements of the RSPO’s New Planting Procedure (NPP).
The assessments have been done covering the entire Makpele chiefdom as this is considered to be important, due to the proximity to the Gola Rainforest National Park. Out of the 41.218 ha, 25.293,13 ha have been identified as HCV conservation area (through the HCV assessment). From the area identified as HCVs approximately 10.185 ha have been identified as High Carbon Stock forest area by the HCS assessment. The company plans to develop up to 7.500 ha into an oil palm plantation in the next five years, and to support independent smallholders in the development of 2.500 ha (within the concession area).
Please, find the summary reports of the studies and management plans below: