Does the Bank finance forest plantations?
OP 4.36 allows for the Bank to assist client countries in the establishment and sustainable management of environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest plantations to help meet growing demands for forest goods and services. However, the Bank does not finance plantations that involve any conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats, including adjacent or downstream critical natural habitats. At present, the only Bank operation that includes establishment of plantations is in the Forestry Development in Poor Areas Project in China. The objective of the project is to develop forest resources in poor areas of central and western China on a sustainable and participatory basis to support poverty reduction, forestry development, and improved environmental management. The project components include the establishment of timber plantations and economic forest crops, including bamboo, fruit, nut and medicinal trees. Several other bank operations focus
