Month: March 2009

By Crissy Guerrero, NTFP-EP

Phong looked at his baby, Kim Ngoc, smiled and shared with us his story. Over a year ago, his wife, Tien, was complaining of pains in the lower abdomen. Phong decided to bring her to the doctor trained in Western medicine. To his dismay, the doctor pronounced that his wife had a grave illness in her kidney and she had to be operated on immediately or she would never be able to deliver another baby. Phong did not believe the doctor and instead bet with him that he would be able to heal his wife with medicines from forest plants. Kim Ngoc was proof enough that he had won that wager.

Phong had used the plant, Thui Dich of the family Fabaceae, to treat his wife over a year ago. Phong is a traditional healer from the ethnic Cham people of Southern Vietnam. The Kingdom of Champa flourished up to the 15th century in Central and Southern Vietnam. They are known not only for the temples that reflect the legacy of an ancient civilization but also for their healing tradition.

“We have at least 400 recipes of traditional medicines,” Phong said, as he leafed through the delicate pages of what he called the “Bible” of Cham traditional medicine written in an ancient script only a few can decipher. Because of his knowledge and his eagerness to keep the Cham healing tradition alive (Phong photocopied dozens of the “medicine-recipe-Bible” and distributed it free of charge to other Cham colleagues), Phong was made the Chairman of the 32 man-strong traditional healers association of his commune in the Village of Binh Nghia in Ninh Thuan province. Interest in conserving the healing tradition is so great that the provincial government offered to support a publication on traditional Cham medicines and medicinal plants.

Such interest was unheard of about three years ago. At this time, the Center for Biodiversity and Development (CBD), a group of young community-development minded, Saigon-based researchers, met Phong. Realizing his zeal and depth and breadth of knowledge, they supported his work with meager funds to start a traditional medicine garden. Lo and behold, after several months, the resourceful Phong, with hardly any space behind his small home (doubling up as his wife’s tailoring shop) had established a flourishing 100 square meter garden with over 100 different plant species. Phong shared that the plants could provide relief to common colds, cure fever, and some plants could be used to treat liver disease and other ailments. Phong treats not only the locals; people come from far and wide seek him out for treatment.

Phong is still experimenting with the cultivation of medicinal plants. He has had some success with some plants while for others he is still testing soil, light and water conditions. He tells us that “The forest is still the best medicine bank.” Unfortunately it is that same “bank” that is being “robbed” through illegal logging and poaching activities. It is the hope of Phong and CBD that through awareness raising, medicinal garden development and further training of healers, more will understand the importance of forest-based medicine. His message is simple: The forest can cure, only if and when we also care for the forest. May the legacy of Cham medicine extend beyond the generation of Kim Ngoc.

As of presstime, we received the sad news that Phong’s medicinal garden and surrounding areas were destroyed by floods due to unusually heavy rains. We all are seeking the necessary support to rebuild this garden.

Contact the author: Crissy Guerrero, crissyg33@yahoo.com

Contact CBD: Luu Hong Truong, Center for Biodiversity and Development (CBD)
85 Tran Quoc Toan Street, District Three
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +74.8.9320355
Email: hongtruongluu@yahoo.com

By Crissy Guerrero, NTFP-EP

NTFP-EP has focused the last decade on promoting sustainable forest-based livelihoods and enterprises with local communities. Though successes in community-based NTFP enterprises are seen in different parts of Asia, the lure of revenues and promises of employment from large-scale industries, however, often make such initiatives less attractive to cash-strapped forest peoples.

Given this reality, the network is exploring other income streams for communities from sustainable ventures that would lessen impacts on forests. Thus, the network is exploring such approaches as payment for ecosystem services (PES) which would compensate communities actively conserving forests for the benefits that others derive from these ecosystems.

Climate Change, Forest Carbon & the Kyoto Protocol

With the climate change phenomenon escalating and efforts to mitigate CO2 emissions growing, more attention is being placed on the role of forests in providing the ecosystem service of carbon sequestration. The financial opportunities of forests as carbon sinks grows as carbon markets are expanding and as there is a growing understanding and appreciation of the value of carbon sequestration from natural forests.

Under the Kyoto protocol, only carbon sequestration through afforestation and reforestation are recognized methods for industrialized countries to gain credits from emission reductions. An emerging concept gaining ground, and with pilots in several developing countries[1], is that of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation or REDD. REDD is being proposed as a measure to provide positive incentives to developing countries to slow down their rates of deforestation and forest degradation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It has been estimated that approximately 20% of current greenhouse gases is due to land use change mostly deforestation in developing countries.[2]

Industrial nations are seeing REDD as a potential opportunity to meet emission targets through financial payments to developing countries by conserving natural forests/standing forests. The interest to support REDD projects in developing countries would heighten if a positive decision is taken to recognize REDD methods in the post-Kyoto (2012) term. Such a decision for the recognition of REDD is expected in the next meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)[3] in December 2009.

REDD Hot Debates

REDD brings with it a bundle of issues which are heavily being debated across the globe. Many organisations state that recognizing REDD towards emission targets would provide perverse incentives to industrialized nations to forego their targets to reduce emissions on home-ground. Environmental organisations insist as well that market-based mechanisms are unstable and could lead to the sale of cheap emission credits which would significantly undervalue forests in REDD programs.

Methodological concerns also dominate the REDD, including unresolved issues on estimation and monitoring of carbon stock as well as baseline reference levels of rates of deforestation. The question of permanence of forests is also challenging in countries where forest governance is already very weak and where land tenure systems are still undefined, or skewed in favor of forest concession holders, plantation companies, rather than local community stewards.

The NTFP-EP REDD Project

NTFP-EP joins this discourse with the aim of further understanding the potentials and pitfalls of REDD for forest-based communities. Along with the environmental lawyers group Upholding Life And Nature and the local community forestry organisation Kalahan Educational Foundation, NTFP-EP are embarking on a project on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, primarily for the Philippines but also involving other countries in Southeast Asia.

This 18-month project seeks to explore the hurdles to effective implementation of a pro-community REDD in the Philippine context and to consolidate recommendations for REDD policy definition within the UNFCCC framework. The project aims to identify geographic areas suitable for possible REDD application in the Philippines as well as build capacities of local forest peoples (especially indigenous peoples), and grassroots NGOs in carbon measurement and monitoring.

The REDD project is supported by the Natureandpoverty.net which is coordinated by IUCN-NL. The overall goal of Natureandpoverty.net is, through knowledge exchange and mutual learning, to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of project interventions and of participating organisations.

[1] REDD pilots are being implemented in Aceh, Kalimantan and Papua in Indonesia.
[2] Stern report in 2006 commissioned by the British government.
[3] A policy directive was already agreed upon in the Bali conference of parties of the UNFCCC (2007) to consider policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to REDD, role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.

By Asnarith Tep, WWF Greater Mekong Cambodia Country Programme

Indigenous Phnong (also referred to as Bunong) communities in Krang Thes and Pou Chrey communes are operating a honey enterprise project, a non-timber forest product-based livelihood initiative which started in 2007 with support from WWF and Ecosystems Grants Programme (EGP)-IUCN Netherlands. The project currently covers 46 households, all honey collectors, and promotes sustainable harvesting practice that respects biodiversity and maintains the intimate relationship and harmony with the forests.

During their harvest period of March–May 2008, they achieved a honey collection of 1000 litres. Of this, 400 litres were packaged following hygienic practices, with support from Bethany Cares. In June 2008, the brand name ‘Mondulkiri Wild Honey’ kicked off its first promotions in ten shops and NGO-based selling outlets in both Mondulkiri province and Phnom Penh. Many environmental and commercial events were opportunities to introduce this new product.

“At the Third Cambodian Nationwide Trade Fair held in December last year, the community sold around US$799 worth of honey during the four-day event annually organised to promote Khmer products. This was good exposure for the community’s honey and a good opportunity to convey the message of linking forest conservation to the livelihoods of community,” said Amy Maling, Community Extension Technical Advisor with the WWF’s Eastern Plains Landscape Project (EPL).

Honey is one of the forest-based resources that has the potential to generate income among the Phnong indigenous communities in Mondulkiri. Properly handling and good honey harvesting practices does not only result in higher production, but maintains the intimate relationship and harmony between people and the wilderness. Honey bees need the forest to survive and produce honey. Bees require large trees for nesting; they are important agents of pollination for many plants in the forests – bees fly from flower to flower and transfer pollen fertilizing flowers and producing seeds.

Besides improving honey productivity, the development of the honey enterprise also brings change to the local honey trade situation. Traditionally, fresh wild honey is sold only to Mondulkiri’s local buyers who offer a low and unstable price. In 2007, for example, honey was sold for 10,000 Riel (around US$ 2.5) per litre. But with the increased market in the province and capital of Phnom Penh, the Phnong collectors sold an average of 18,000 Riel (around US$ 4.5) per liter in 2008.

Pich Phony, a Phnong villager living in Pu Rapet village, Krong Teh commune, Pech Chrada district, has completed a series of trainings for proper honey collection techniques and reaped the good results that he witnessed himself throughout the past years. “Rather than just collect one lot of honey from a nest, with the new technique I can collect up to three times more during a 25-day period. This is very important to me because it gives me more income to support my family,” he said. Before, he added, honey prices were unstable because prices were set solely by brokers. The selling price in the village was 10,000–12,000 Riel per liter, but if sold directly to tourists, the price could reach as high as between 18,000–20,000 Riel per liter.

According to Maling, the honey collectors are now collecting information about the number of honeybee nests, a crucial step for the management of this important NTFP resource. Trees where they collect honey are being tagged and mapping of the collection areas is being carried out.

“The honey collectors will maintain a database of these trees with the following information: name of tree, number of honeycombs in each tree, and amount of honey collected, the number of honeycomb harvested, and the number of times they harvested from the same honeycomb. This information will be used in monitoring population of honeybees and the volume of honey available,” she said.

To promote sustainable use of forest resources, the EPL’s community extension team conducts regular awareness raising of the importance of forests among 16 local villages and encourages them to protect these natural resources which can sustain their livelihood and for generations to come. The primary target groups are communities living in and around WWF’s protected areas of Mondulkiri Protected Forest and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, both of which are being managed in cooperation with the Cambodian government’s Forestry Administration and Ministry of Environment.

“Increased awareness of local people about the environment and their involvement in livelihood activities, conservation and natural resources management are a crucial contribution to preserving Cambodia’s unique wilderness of dry forest Eastern Plains, which harbour a number of globally important wildlife such as Tiger, Banteng, Gaur, Asian Elephant, Eld’s Deer, Wild Water Buffalo and many significant waterbirds and aquatic life,” said Craig Bruce, EPL Manager.

The benefits of using sustainable techniques for collecting honey has been recognized among villagers; they wait for honey combs to mature before harvesting and only collect the part that contains honey leaving bees to produce more. Local people wisely ensure that trees are maintained as food for bees, are more careful with not causing any fire while in the forests, and take part in reducing hunting pressures on wild animals.

For the community people, the joy of receiving concrete benefits from the honey project in which they are directly involved increases their ownership of the unique and globally irreplaceable natural resources in the Cambodia’s dry forest Eastern Plains Landscape. “While it is a livelihood success at this stage, there is much to do to maintain the level of commitment of the community people. The honey project being promoted among villagers of Pu Chrey and Krang Thes represents a social enterprise model that entrusts the community members with ownership opportunity, and I am very happy that the communities are so keen to take over this initiative and will depend less upon NGO assistance,” Bruce said.

The Eastern Plains Project provides the communities with capacity building for techniques and knowledge related to planning and marketing. For instance, they are trained for key aspects when dealing with selling outlets in Mondulkiri and properly managing the honey product. WWF and its NGO partner, NTFP-EP, will continue supporting the deals with outlets in Phnom Penh.

Asnarith Tep, Senior Communications Officer WWF Greater Mekong Cambodia Country Programme House 54, Street 352, Boeung Keng Kang I Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: +855 23 218 034 Fax:+855 23 211 909 Email: asnarith.tep@wwfgreatermekong.org

MISEREOR (or The German Catholic Bishops’ Organisation for Development Cooperation) was founded in 1958 as an agency fighting hunger and disease in the world. In its capacity as the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Germany, it cooperates in a spirit of partnership with all people of goodwill to promote development, fight worldwide poverty, liberate people from injustice, exercise solidarity with the poor and the persecuted, and help create “One World.”

MISEREOR is mandated to fight the causes of hardship and misery as manifested chiefly in countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America – in the forms of hunger, disease, poverty and other forms of human suffering – thus enabling the people affected to lead a life of human dignity.

Since 1959, it has succeeded in promoting over 80,000 development projects and assistance across Africa, Asia and Latin America where, majority goes to the poorest countries. The assistance that MISEREOR provides is designed to stimulate and support self-help and pave the way for sustainable improvement in the living conditions of the poor. Development projects being supported by MISEREOR cover a wide variety of relevant sectors from basic education, primary health care, rural and urban development, human rights, and gender relations. Themes and issues being supported by MISEREOR that cut across sectors include: Participation, Climate change and Justice, Gender, HIV and AIDS, Food security and Agriculture, Microfinance, Appropriate technology, Vocational training, Energy for the poor, Resources and Energy, and Focus on Effects.

Since 2005, MISEREOR has provided technical and financial support to the EP network and a number of its partners in undertaking initiatives to build sustainable livelihoods and empowering forest-dependent communities in South and Southeast Asia. {Vince Docta}

www.misereor.org

From 15-18 of December last year, forest based communities and their supporters participated in the annual ‘One Village One Product’ exhibition organized by the Ministry of Commerce in Phnom Penh’s Mondial Trade Centre in Cambodia.

The Cambodia NTFP Working Group, an informal network of NTFP livelihood supporters, including WWF, NTFP Exchange Programme, CFI and CaNDO are joining the fair with communities from Mondulkiri, Kampot, Ratanakiri and other provinces to promote sustainably harvested and community processed NTFPs. This includes forest products such as wild honey, resins and rattan.

From Mondulkiri province, Prey Rodang and Krung Ratuon community based enterprises of Bunong indigenous communities are proud to promote Mondulkiri Wild Honey, a community-owned brand for Mondulkiri forest foods, as its first product to enter the market. From Kampot province, Prek Thnot community display bookshelves and chairs made from rattan harvested in community-managed rattan collection areas.

Since the community-owned production of honey and rattan handicrafts became operational last year, their work motivated by the commitment to sustainably use natural resources they depend on, is yet to reach awareness and recognition nationwide. This year’s Cambodian products exhibition provides an opportunity to promote indigenous and forest-based community products – as also truly Cambodian made.

“What they bring to the trade fair are the achievements of their self-managed enterprises. Therefore we are very excited to help them gather greater public attention on the products as part of such an important event,” said Amy Maling, WWF’s Community Extension Technical Advisor.

“I hope this helps grow bigger market for Mondulkiri Wild honey,” she continued. “This represents an excellent opportunity not only for the Prek Thnot community to present their rattan handicrafts, but also for Cambodia to promote its rattan industry sector that is growing so fast and has great potential to enter regional and international market if Cambodia’s rattan resources are sustainable managed,” said Ou Ratanak, WWF’s Rattan Project Manager.

In partnership with communities, government and the NTFP Working Group, WWF is implementing forest-based livelihood projects in the Mondulkiri’s Eastern Plains Landscape and Kampot province with the goals to maintain the forests ecosystem and reinforce the sustainable use of natural resources for Cambodia’s next generations.

“The Cambodia NTFP Working Group and communities’ participation in the trade fair promotes conservation and enterprise with a community perspective. Our efforts go importantly with a good working relationship among the supporting organizations with the communities and our government partners,” said Femy Pinto, NTFP-EP Cambodia Facilitator and acting coordinator of the Working Group.

“This is my first time to join a big event like this. There are so many people. At first we only sold a few (bottles). People asked me a lot about the quality of our honey, about the association and who helped us. As people learned more about our project they buy our honey.

“I am very happy and proud to sell our product because I know the quality is good. I am also happy to have the opportunity to talk about our association. This helped me improve my skills especially in marketing. Now I feel more confident. I’d be happy to join again next year.- Chanty, honey group member

Remember the announcement in the last issue about our new game “Lost & Found in the the Rainforest”? Since then, the game has made its rounds in the network, making many NGOs and communities we work with “NTFP gamers” … whoever thought that work could be so fun?

Inspiration for the game came from the traditional board game called Goose, which has some similarity to the childhood favorite Snakes and Ladders. The game of Goose is simple – it is a race of geese (the game pieces) to the center of the board which is “goose heaven”. You throw the dice and encounter various obstacles (or goodies) along the way. The first one in the middle is the winner.
We gave the game a twist, NTFP-EP style. Instead of “goose heaven,” it is our vision of a sustainable community-managed forest. The successes and obstacles are true-to-life. So you may encounter a run-in with a wild boar, tribal conflict or more seriously, have to face a mining concession threatening to bulldoze your forest. On the more positive side, you may finally acquire some much needed technology for your honey processing or push your products into a good marketing outlet.

The final product is a sturdy tarpaulin gameboard – all the better to bring to communities and set them on the floor (or anywhere else), unique game pieces, a game guide, all in a bamboo case.

We’re very pleased that the game has been received very positively, triggering discussions on issues related to forest management including conversion to oil palm, encoachment of mining concessions in forestland, and many others. There are plans already for a Khmer adaptation and translation for Cambodian partners. NTFP-EP has a limited number of the bamboo case edition of the game for sale, in the hopes that funds generated would support further distribution and translation.

Thank you to the very “game” collaborators for making the game possible:

Zul M.S. of Riak Bumi in Pontianak, Indonesia for his fantastic illustrations, which were finalized virtually with the secretariat

The communities of Lake Sebu and Palawan, Philippines for the playing pieces – featuring T’boli beading made into various animals, a mini shoe made from T’boli tinalak, and the tiny slipper and jug made from bamboo. {Aloisa Zamora-Santos}

For inquiries, please email us at publications@ntfp.org

By Pandurang Hegde, APPIKO/Prakruti

There are few regions in the world which are as unique as Western Ghats, locally known as Sahyadri, the mountain with resilience. The tropical forests in south India are mainly found in the mountain ranges of Western Ghats that run parallel to the west coast, with a distance of 1400 kms. The diversity of flora and fauna has attracted the attention of world scientists, as it is one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots.

The history of NTFP collection dates back to two thousand years, when the abundance of pepper in the forests attracted the Arab traders to this mountain range. Pepper (Piper nigrum) was collected from the wild and shipped from the west coast to Europe by Arab traders. Thus this region in Sharavati valley was known as ” Pepper Queen.”

The region is also famous for numerous endemic species which are high-end NTFPs. Some of them are Uppage (Garcinia gummigatta), Kokum (Garcinia indica), Dhoop (Canarium strictum), Ram Patre (Myristica malbarica) and Halmaddi (Ailanthus triphysa).These products are collected by the indigenous communities who live in midst of the forests and are part of the Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine. These NTFPs end up in the market of US and Europe as medicines. There is increased demand from the urban elites of both developed as well as developing countries for the products from the forests of Western Ghats, increasing the pressure leading to depletion of the resources.

It is not only the unique ecosystem of Western Ghats, but the diversity of cultural groups like, Siddis (Negroid tribes), Jenu Kurubas (honey hunting tribes) and Soligas who inhabit the forest regions and earn their livelihood mainly through collection of NTFPs. Some of these groups have very special technical skills in sustainable harvesting practices like the collection of wild honey from Apis dorsata as well as collection of gums and resins.

The EP India has been working in this region for several years and has reached out to thousands of honey hunters in sustainable collection and marketing of honey. EP partners are also involved in building the capacities of indigenous communities in assessing the availability of NTFPs and sustainable harvesting of the produce. Similarly, there are attempts to influence the NTFP policies at regional level, working with government forest departments.

In recent years, the natural forests in Western Ghat region are under threat form huge infrastructural projects like hydro dams, thermal power plants, river linking and mono culture plantations. The “Pepper Queen” has been converted into “Timber Queen”. The livelihood security of the indigenous groups in this region is threatened by developmental projects.

To address these issues an important meeting of activists, policy makers, and civil society organisations, media persons, lawyers and research organizations was held in Goa, in midst of Western Ghats from last 8-10 February. About 150 people participated in this consultation in which partners of EP India played a major role. Keystone Foundation and Appiko/ Prakruti were the main organizers of this event. The consultation suggested measures to address the major problems and helped to evolve the strategies for future actions.

Pandurang Hegde, APPIKO/Prakruti
Hulemalgi Building, Chowkinath, Sirsi 581401 Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India
Tel: 08384-225139
Email: appiko@sancharnet.in
www.savewesternghats.net

Deforestation in Orissa was so rampant in the 1960s that by the early 70s about half of the forests adjacent to nearby villages had vanished. This wreaked havoc both environmentally and socially. With this impetus, communities across the state took it upon themselves to participate in forest conservation efforts, giving rise to the innovative concept of “conservation of the natural forest.” This is now popularly termed as Community Forest Management (CFM) with local communities demonstrating many successful models and Mayurbhanj district taking a pioneer role.

The success has been possible through the uncommon leadership over the last 20 years of the Budhikhamari JFPC, a federation of 95 Village Forest Protection Committees. A community-initiated and community-owned historical movement, it started in the remote villages of Hatikote, Ahari and Budhikhamari, and has since reached hundreds of villages. Today, 95 villages have remarkably joined hands to institute the federation that now guards and manages about 10,000 hectares of forest. Some remarkable aspects are:

> They have initiated a self-sustaining rotational mobile patrol team specifically to guard their forest.

> They have formulated their by-laws for forest management based on their own learning and experiences.

> Based on community estimates, each family earns about Rs. 17000 annually from the forest.

> As an expected effect of this unique conservation, new vegetation has grown up to flourishing forests rich with NTFPs. The ground water level has also risen. As per community opinion, rainfall has become normal and the sporadic presence of wild animals are also evidently marked giving rise to growth in biodiversity, soil fertility and the natural habitat. {Deepak Pani}

It is a time for recognition, for celebration. More importantly, it is a time for reflection, and looking towards taking on new and even bigger challenges. Definitely not a time to rest on our laurels!

Our cover story of Phong in Vietnam, highlights the wonders of medicinals in saving lives while ensuring the continuity of an ancient tradition. Phon’s garden was recently wasted by flooding caused by unusually heavy rainfall. Phong is now faced with the challenge of rebuilding what nature has destroyed. NTFP-EP will be assist in any way possible to help in the rebuilding process.

On a more positive note, the past months have brought recognition to the network, bolstering spirits and further inspiring all. Keystone’s outstanding work with indigenous honey collectors led their way to the finals in the prestigious World Challenge 2008 (p. 15). Likewise, NATRIPAL’s own honey work was recognized in the academic realm. And last but not least, www.ntfp.org bagged a Philippine Website award.

In Cambodia, Mondulkiri communities are reaping the benefits of sustainable wild honey collection in the continued collaboration between NTFP-EP and WWF. While last December, NTFPs were brought to national attention during a trade fair. In April, there are more opportunities for promoting NTFPs with it being NTFP Month in Cambodia!

In Kedang Pahu in Indonesia, rattan artisan Ibu Rujun shares her insights on a recent training aimed at further improving their rattan products while ensuring better saleability. Some emerging and rather contentious issues are also pondered upon in this Voices. Climate change sets the backdrop for exploring possible incomes for forest communities from carbon trading. Gender, while a buzzword for some time now, continues to be misconceived by locals.

– Aloisa Zamora-Santos

Everybody is looking forward to the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between NTFP-EP and the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)! The MOA will kick off the pilot testing of Participatory Resource Monitoring (PRM) across the country. Part of a three-year project entitled “Comparative Application of Existing and Alternative Resources Inventory and Monitoring Designs for a Simplified and Cost-Effective Approach in the Management of Non-Timber Forest Products,” PRM will be undertaken in Barangay Landingan, Nagtipunan, Quirino; Barangays Maoyon, Babuyan, and San Rafael, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Barangay Hagpa, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Overall, the project aims to review the existing DENR NTFP inventory methodology and explore alternative inventory and monitoring approaches. These can then serve as effective tools in the sustainable management of NTFPs.

NTFP-EP will pilot test the PRM approach, a modification of existing methodologies, namely the Biodiversity Monitoring System and the Simplified NTFP Inventory System, as alternatives. This will be led by the Forestry Development Center of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Initial community and government consultations have been conducted since late 2008 and enormous support has been given to the project by concerned PO partners, local government units and the DENR at the local and national levels. Everyone is excited especially with how it could provide inputs to policy reform by project end. {Abi Aguilar}