The investment will prevent soil erosion and restore degraded lands as well as promote biodiversity benefits from the restored habitats of endangered flora and fauna. The newly forested area will also produce fuel wood, timber and non-timber products to meet the needs of rural communities as well as additional social benefits such as local employment in tree cultivation. The active involvement of local councils, who own about half of the land under the project, is likely to ensure sustainable management of the afforested lands once transferred back to them. The implementation cost for the project during first 11 years (2002-2012), is estimated at $18.74 million.