Summary of the Request

A Brazilian non-governmental organization called “Mongue, Proteção ao Sistema Costeiro”, represented by Mr. Plinio Melo, submitted several communications to the old Mechanism with observations and complaints regarding the replacement of the existing environmental protection system in the Project area with a so-called “mosaic approach,” designed to protect special and limited conservation units rather than a large contiguous conservation area. Of particular concern to the Requester was the proposed establishment of such special conservation units, and changes in the conservation regime of the Jureia-Itatins Ecological Reserve in the municipality of Peruíbe (Sao Paulo), as well as the Bank’s plans to finance certain elements of this new approach. The Requester also states that disbursement of the loan for the Project would be contrary to a court decision issued in the State of São Paulo.

MICI actions

After an exhaustive analysis of the complaint submitted, the Project Ombudsperson declared the Request ineligible for the Consultation Phase and transferred it to the Compliance Review Phase, where it was declared eligible. The Recommendation and Terms of Reference for a compliance review were presented to the Board of Executive Directors, which requested some clarifications.

During the first quarter of 2013, the Panel issued a revised draft of the document and sent it to Management and the Requester for comments.In November 2014, after a thorough analysis of the situation, the Panel decided to recommend to the Board to close the case. The Board approved the Panel’s recommendation on November 7, 2014, and with this decision the management of this case was terminated by the MICI.