Context
The natural forest of the central mountain range of the Philippine island of Panay is the most important carbon sink in the region. It guarantees the flow of water into most of the rivers in Panay and is a refuge for endangered species, such as the Dulungan Hornbill and Rafflesia plants, which are only found on this island and are threatened with extinction.
Conservation of this forest is therefore vitally important. At the same time, it is under huge pressure from exploitation: slash-and-burn practices, unregulated logging and poaching pose a threat to the entire ecosystem. Inappropriate forms of agriculture on the steeper slopes and unused biomass contribute to avoidable greenhouse gas emissions, which adversely affect the climate. Deforestation of the mountain range leads to erosion and fluctuating water levels, and jeopardises rice irrigation and drinking water supply in low-lying areas.
Objective
The globally important biodiversity contained within the last large contiguous natural forest area in the Central Panay Mountain Range is being conserved. The local communities are using natural resources in the buffer zones in a sustainable and climate-friendly manner.
Approach
The project’s second phase aims at an expansion and further implementation of outcomes and lessons learned with respect to nature conservation, protection of critical habitats, forest land use plans, reforestation and sustainable forest management in the buffer zones. In addition, efforts are being made to develop alternative energy sources derived from biomass (agricultural waste and wood from reforestation projects). The aim is to generate income for local communities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Participatory forest land use plans are being created and incorporated into overall land use plans. In this process, the rights and interests of indigenous groups are being respected and critical habitats for endangered species are being designated.
• Municipalities, user groups and households receive support in connection with co-management and land rights instruments; they are assisted in establishing community forests, and developing and implementing management plans for forests designated for conservation and commercial purposes.
• Agroforestry areas are being expanded as agreements are reached on financing, conservation and rehabilitation, and reforestation activities are carried out in buffer zones.
• Biomass is being used as a renewable energy source with consideration for environmental, economic and social sustainability.
• Knowledge and information is being made available on the protection of forests, climate and biodiversity. Exchange of information among different stakeholders on these topics is being promoted at local, national, regional and international level.
In order to ensure that the results are mutually reinforcing, the project is working closely with the EnRD component on Community-based Forest Management, the cooperative Community-based Forest and Mangrove Management Programme Panay and Negros and the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Project. These projects have agreed on a joint approach based on identical methodologies, standards and criteria. The consulting firm DFS Deutsche Forstservice GmbH is also involved in the activities.
Results
From 2010 to 2014, an innovative basis for the conservation of the Central Panay Mountain Range was developed. To date, nine forest land use plans have been completed. Special environment offices have been established in 18 partner communities and nine have employed local forest guards. Five communities have already designated special habitat protection areas and embedded these in their land use plans.
Based on improved forest conservation, the project has contributed to reducing CO2 emissions resulting from deforestation by 16,800 tons annually. In addition, another 11,650 tons of CO2 is fixed per year thanks to reforestation activities.
Partner communities and local households have already established a total of 1,060 hectares of species-rich mixed forest and 890 hectares of agroforestry areas in the buffer zones. As part of a development partnership with the private sector, the project cooperates with companies in the coffee, cocoa and abaca sector. An analysis has been conducted on the potential for substituting biofuel for fossil fuels in one of the project provinces.