A multinational rubber producing company planned to expand its rubber plantations (Hevea brasiliensis). The project area borders a large natural forest ecosystem of outstanding conservation value. In the expansion phase of the rubber plantation it should be ensured that no high conservation value forests (HCVF) or other high value ecosystems are converted. In the framework of this project, it was determined whether the rubber producing company and its expansion plans comply with the criteria and principles of the HCVF and IFC (International Finance Corporation) standards. UNIQUE identified the location and size of areas, which (i) could be transformed into rubber plantations (“go areas”) or which (ii) would fall under the categories of high conservation value forests (“no-go areas”).

• Assessment of the ecological and social feasibility of the planned expansion project.
• Development of measures to mitigate possible negative ecological and/or social impacts.
• Recommendations for further steps to initiate and implement a land use and development plan.
• Provision of a report and thematic maps based on current GIS satellite images.