A.
Based on the international standards used for benchmarks, the “critical natural habitats (including critical forests) and “natural habitats (including natural forests)” are deemed to be the following:
[World Bank Environmental and Social Standard 6 (Paragraph 21, 23)
- (1) Critical habitats
- (a) habitat of significant importance to Critically Endangered or Endangered species, as listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened species or equivalent national approaches;
- (b) habitat of significant importance to endemic or restricted-range species;
- (c) habitat supporting globally or nationally significant concentrations of migratory or congregatory species;
- (d) highly threatened or unique ecosystems;
- (e) ecological functions or characteristics that are needed to maintain the viability of the biodiversity values described above in (a) to (d).
- (2) Natural habitats
- (a) areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native origin, and/or where human activity has not essentially modified an area’s primary ecological functions and species composition.
[IFC Performance Standard 6 (Paragraphs 13, 16 and note 7)]
- (1) Critical habitats
Critical habitats are areas with high biodiversity value, including:
- (a) habitat of significant importance to Critically Endangered and/or Endangered species
- (b) habitat of significant importance to endemic and/or restricted-range species
- (c) habitat supporting globally significant concentrations of migratory species and/or congregatory species
- (d) highly threatened and/or unique ecosystems
- (e) areas associated with key evolutionary processes.
- (2) Natural habitats
- (a) areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native origin
- (b) areas where human activity has not essentially modified an area’s primary ecological functions and species composition
- (3) Significant conversion or degradation
- (a) Elimination or severe diminution of the integrity of a habitat caused by a major and/or long-term change in land or water use.
- (b) Modification that substantially minimizes the habitat's ability to maintain viable populations of its native species.