Category: Events

There is vast potential for timber sector to learn from NTFP experiences working with SMEs/communities; and for NTFP producers to benefit from experience of timber sector with legality assurance systems/information collection and management.

There is also potential for sustainable NTFP production (especially bamboo), but also risks of overexploitation of NTFPs if market demand raises while green and fair-trade arrangements are not yet developed.

There should be a balance between the attention and work on the supply as well as the demand side (consumers’ side). Multi-sectoral collaboration and stronger and inclusive policy work and analysis for supply and demand aspects of timber and non-timber forest products should be undertaken.

Community based forest enterprises (CFEs) are empowering and effective mechanisms that capture, conserve and communicate multiple values (economic, ecological, cultural, spiritual, etc.) of forests.

• Around 100 people attended the event; 6 speakers, two on timber and three on NTFPs and one on market intelligence.
• Many tropical producing countries are in multi-stakeholder dialogues regulating and governing timber legality such as through FLEGT VPAs; their trade is increasingly monitored; 
• Important changes in value chains in the Asia-Pacific region take place: more timber comes from plantations (IDN, VN), there is an increasing role of small and micro-businesses in timber and timber product production, and several producing countries increase and regulate their own timber imports. These changes result in needs or potentials for regulatory reforms, and space for innovations in timber legality and sustainability assurance mechanisms; 
• China remains the main global timber market and imports timber to serve its domestic market and exports; regional and global reflections on legal and sustainable timber trade need to address China’s role.
• The engagement although still mostly informal but increasingly becoming more organized community forest enterprise or MSMEs around NTFPs; various initiatives on sustainable production and marketing where lessons and potentials are seen
• The demand for quality/standard developments for NTFPs utilizing local/traditional ecological knowledge and sustainability values and dimensions;
• The importance of small and micro-businesses in the NTFP sector, and their needs wrt tenure security, access to markets, information and finance; 
• The potential for sustainable NTFP production (Bamboo), but also risks of overexploitation of NTFPs if market demand raises while green and fair-trade arrangements are not yet developed. 
• Data issues remain – some improvements in the timber sector (also related to transparency and tools), but still too little understanding of dynamics of NTFPs;
• Joint efforts by governments, CSOs, research and the industry on the supply and demand side are needed.
• Timber side has a lot of experience with irresponsible trade and market. Timber and NTFP sides can learn from each other to improve responsible markets for both, e.g. experience of the timber sector in regulating legal and sustainable production and markets is useful for developing NTFP production and markets.; experience of NTFP initiatives in supporting and organizing smallholders, communities, and micro-enterprises is beneficial for the timber sector.

ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Build new and develop further existing resource platforms for better statistics and information management on timber and non-timber forest products to improve supply chain controls, facilitate systems implementation, reduce costs, apply due diligence, inform policy/regulatory reform and facilitate independent monitoring activities;
2. Adapt governance systems building on multi-sectoral collaboration, and tailor requirements specific to the needs of smallholders, communities, and micro-enterprises to ensure they can participate in legal and sustainable supply chains and access trade benefits for improved livelihood;
3. 3. Facilitate greater collaboration and cross-fertilization of experience and expertise between the timber and non-timber sectors, leveraging on the experience of the timber sector in regulating legal and sustainable production and markets and capitalizing on the experience of NTFP initiatives in supporting and organizing smallholders, communities, and micro-enterprises;
4. Promote exchanges and collaboration between and among producing and consumer countries to increase the effectiveness of demand- and supply-side measures for timber legality and stronger governance in the forest sector;
5. Promote the use of innovative technologies (remote sensing, traceability systems, wood identification) for timber legality and sustainability assurance systems appropriate for a country’s needs and capacities.
6. Bring together more producers and the private sector in the next APFW.

Meaningful engagement of CSOs, local communities, and indigenous peoples is a key ingredient to successful forest governance. There have been numerous researches and case studies that support this key message. With certain Asian national governments taking a right-wing stance in political direction, the prevalence of unsustainable initiatives in forest landscapes and mega-developments challenges and issues, how can responsible, inclusive and proactive forest governance be championed? What mechanisms can be unlocked and tapped?

In this session, key civil society organizations, local communities and indigenous people’s representatives will present, and share their experiences, challenges, perspectives, and lessons learned in forest tenure and access rights and forest governance.

Asian Farmers Association shared their experience in evidence-based advocacy movements using the Land Matrix in tracking forest land grabbing, ANGNA India spoke about their challenges and responses in their fight together with the indigenous peoples to fully implement the Forest Rights Act, and PACOS Trust discussed facilitating and hindering factors in pushing for establishing ICCAs through the support multi-stakeholder working group Sabah Social Forestry network.

Selected CSOs and indigenous community representatives provided their responses to the main presentations and a question and answer will be facilitated at the end of all presentations and responses.

KEY MESSAGES

• Gaps and lags in forest governance still exist because of several challenges: inconsistencies in data, lack of capacity among local community and indigenous peoples to engage in multi-stakeholder governance, weak support from the government in recognition of customary land tenure and ICCAs in some countries, and lack of trust and confidence in government-civil society collaborative action.
• Despite these challenges, there are on-going initiatives by the civil society organizations from various local, national and regional levels.
• People and forest cannot be disconnected. The key to maintaining this innate connection is to sustain and increase partnerships, building trust and confidence within and among various stakeholders. The government, civil society, local communities, and indigenous peoples (most especially women), should be effectively and equally engaged as key stakeholders in policy development towards effective forest governance.

LIST OF SPEAKERS

Mr. Prem Singh Tharu, Program Officer, AIPP
Ms. Olivia Melendrez, Area Coordinator, NTFP-EP Philippines
Moderators

Ms. Femy Pinto, Executive Director, NTFP-EP Asia
Opening remarks and key messages

Ms. Lorraine Angelica Ablan, Land Matrix Coordinator, AFA
Experience in evidence-based advocacy movements using Land Matrix in tracking forest land grabbing

Mr. Remish Ekka, Executive Director, ANGNA India
CSOs and indigenous people’s challenges and responses in advocating for the full implementation of FRA

Mr. Gordon John Thomas, Technical advisor, PACOS Trust
Multi-stakeholder working groups (SASOF) as a support mechanism for establishing ICCAs

Ms. Noraeri Thungme, Vice Chair, Indigenous Women Network in Thailand
Role of Indigenous women in the forests: promoting traditional governance system to safeguard forests

Mr. Myo Ko Ko, Programme Manager, Advocacy and Networking, POINT
Myanmar Indigenous people’s perspective on the global environment facility

Dazzle Labapis, Program officer, NTFP-EP Asia
Indigenous people’s perspective on the global environment facility

INCHEON, South Korea – The Republic of Korea will be the host of the largest and most important forestry gathering in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific Forestry Week (APFW) 2019 will be held in Incheon, South Korea and will be attended by representatives from government institutions, development organizations, investors, academics, civil society, media, and the private sector.

The overall theme of the 4th Asia-Pacific Forestry Week (APFW2019) will be “Forests for peace and well-being.” This is a reflection of the positive dimensions of forestry and a call on the proactive integration of forestry into the wider context of the environment, society, and sustainable development, under which economic, social, human and cultural dimensions are considered in a holistic manner.

This APFW2019, NTFP-EP is co-leading Stream 4: “Promoting responsible trade and markets” along with European Forest Institute (EFI) EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Facility (EU-FLEGT Facility), Food and Agriculture Organization and European Union FLEGT Programme (FAO-EU FLEGT Programme), International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Forest Trends, and World Resources Institute (WRI)

Stream 4: “Promoting responsible trade and markets” offers 10 events that will provide an overview of current actions, trends, issues, opportunities, partnerships, and policies in ensuring the sustainability of forest products trade and markets. Events will offer a deep dive into the dimensions of forest products trade, market, and technology initiatives and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, the focus will be on: ensuring the sustainability of forest products (timber and non-timber); empowering community enterprises; promoting smallholder interests; exploring forests investment opportunities; improving synergy between FLEGT and other initiatives; developing integrated forest management approaches; and enhancing transparency in managing agricultural systems in forests.

Below are the scheduled events of NTFP-EP throughout the week:

NTFP-EP is also co-organizing The CANopy Room (Culture and Networking space). The CANopy Room offers a space for participants to meet, hang out, and take a break from the intensive workshops and meetings while gaining knowledge and getting inspired by forest-friendly lifestyles under the overall theme of APFW 2019 “Forests for Peace and Well-being”.

The CANopy is located at the back of the Exhibition Hall. Fourteen partners are collaborating on various events and exhibits showcasing how forests promote peace and well-being, through its four zones: (1) Wild Bar & Kitchen; (2) Wellness Hub; (3) Eco-Market Place; and the (4) Forest Interact Zone.

Drop by The CANopy room for fun activities and surprises from NTFP-EP, ESSC, IFSA, FAO, and other partners. The schedule is as follows:

HPA-PUN, Myanmar –  In a time of growing uncertainty about the peace process and the increasing displacement of marginalized peoples by conflict and large-scale investments, the Salween Peace Park represents the culmination of decades long efforts by Karen communities and leaders of Mutraw District to realize their holistic vision for a peaceful and sustainable life

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“The Salween Peace Park initiative works for the purpose of bringing peace, freedom and security to the area. This is the land of Mutraw Indigenous Karen people. To preserve and protect our existing ancestral land, environment and culture, we established the Salween Peace Park initiative.” – Padoh Ten Der, Mutraw District Chairman

In December of 2018, the Salween Peace Park Committee and Karen Environmental and Social Action Network have launched the Salween Peace Park. Along with Karen traditional ceremonies and performances, the three-day event included discussions about Karen culture, sustainable livelihoods, and Karen peoples’ aspirations for peace and security.

During the launch, they have marked the ratification of the Salween Peace Park Charter, a community-developed document that embodies Karen communities’ aspirations for genuine peace and self-determination, environmental integrity and cultural preservation.

A memorial ceremony commemorating Saw O Moo, an indigenous leader and hero of the Salween Peace Park who was shot and killed in March, was also held.

The launch has been attended by the  Salween Peace Park Committee, Indigenous Karen communities from Mutraw, Karen Environmental and Social Action Network, other Karen civil society representatives and international experts

KESAN is a community-based, non-governmental, non-profit organization that works to improve livelihood security and to gain respect for indigenous people’s knowledge and rights in Karen State of Burma, where the violence and inequities of more than 60 years of civil war have created one of the most impoverished regions in the world. Kesan is NTFP-EP’s partner in Myanmar and the forerunner of the ICCA Working Group in the country.

For more information, contact:
Saw Klo Htoo:  +66 55 577 502
Naw Hsa Moo: +66 9 7995 8177
Saw Ma Bu Htoo: +66 8 4364 7238

KATOWICE, Poland – As discussions are made to steer directions and operationalize a global framework for global climate action in COP24 Katowice, NTFP-EP has teamed-up with European Network for Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability (ECOLISE) and Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) to discuss the role and contribution of indigenous peoples and local community initiatives for enhanced climate ambition, showcasing transformative change. This side event aims to present stories, researches and cases that demonstrates how innovative platforms, innovative mechanisms and local communities and indigenous people’s adaptation practices could generate significant impacts and contribute to Paris Agreement targets.

The event will take place on Friday, 07 Dec 2018, 16:45-18:15 (GMT+1), Narew. Click here to convert the side event time to your timezone.

For those who can’t join us in Katowice, a live webcast will be made available through this link.

Speakers:

Luca Jahier, President EESC
Meera Ghani, Policy Coordinator ECOLISE
Amelie Krug, Student Researcher, Global Ecovillage Network – Germany
Edna Maguigad, Policy and Governance Advisor, NTFP-EP
Gobinda Shahi, Program Director, KIRDARC
Robert Hall, President ECOLISE
Andrew Cooper, Rapporteur COR

 

16.45 Start of Side Event

16.45-16.50 Introduction and key messages of the side event, Robert Hall, President ECOLISE (5 min)

16.50- 17.10 ECOLISE  (20 min)

On empowering and recognising the role of community-led action on climate. First, we hear from two EU institutions, one for labor market actors and the other for local governance on the significance of bottom-up initiatives. Then we hear from networks of community initiatives on the need for recognition and support and a practical case of transitioning European rural villages.

16.50 – 1655   Luca Jahier, EESC President (5 minutes) On the importance of  community action
16.55 – 17.00  Andrew Cooper, COR Rapporteur (5 minutes)  Community action & post-2020 climate governance
17.00 – 17.05  Meera Ghani, Policy Coordinator, ECOLISE (5 min) On EDSC and Enabling environments(fin/tech)
17.05 – 17.10   Amelie Krug, Student Researcher, GEN Germany’s  project “Living in Sustainable Communities” (5 min)
17.10 – 17.15   Q&A as time permits

17.15-17.35 NTFP-EP section (20 min)

NTFP-EP will present stories, research, and cases from communities living in and around forests in South and Southeast Asia that demonstrate how innovative platforms, innovative mechanisms, and indigenous people’s adaptation practices could generate significant impacts and contribute to Paris Agreement targets.

17.15 – 17.35  Edna Maguigad, Policy and Governance Advisor, NTFP-EP: (20 min) Building community resilience thru community forestry and community-based forestry enterprises in Asia.  Inclusive and working platforms for facilitating indigenous peoples rights in Climate Change actions, with guest appearance by an indigenous peoples representative from Myanmar.

17.40-18.00 KIRDARC section (20 min)

On the empowerment of vulnerable, marginalized and socially excluded indigenous mountain communities to realize their fundamental human rights promoting inclusive growth and fair development.

17.40 – 18.00  Gobinda Shahi, Program Director, KIRDARC (20 min): On the indigenous communities and mountains
18.00 – 18.05  Q & A as time permits

18.05-18.10 Closing words Robert Hall, President ECOLISE

18.15 Closure of Side Event

 

For more information, contact:

Non-Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme Incorporated (NTFP-EP)
Mr. Dazzle Labapis  dazzle.labapis@ntfp.org +63 2 9676127

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Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre* (KIRDARC)

Mr. Gobinda Bahadur Shahi, gshahi@kirdarc.org +977 9858023846

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European Network for Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability (ECOLISE)
Mr. Robert Hall robert.hall@ecolise.eu +46 76 2187369

BANGKOK, Thailand–– The city dwellers of busy Bangkok were treated to a feast of forest goodness in RECOFTC’s People and Forest Forum 2018.

“Our aim is to interact and guide audiences, particularly urban residences, to a better understanding of this question. Entitled ‘Forests are Us: Why Forests Matter,’ this forum will explore why and how we are intricately connected to the forest and to those who preserve it. We will also hear from experts on how we can help contribute to the sustainable management of such a necessary aspect of our life.”

The forum was held 19-20 August 2018 . The first day  was a market place held at Suan Plern Market, Bangkok. Sharing the same vision of empowering local communities towards protecting forests for all, NTFP-EP, friends, and partners participated in the People and Forests Forum 2018.

Women as protectors of forests, traditions, livelihoods

Deforestation has a devastating impact on women and local communities who are dependent on forest resources. It affects the availability of clean water for the community, including for families and for farmers’ small-scale agriculture, and the collection of non-timber forest products that forest communities, and especially women use regularly.

Uslaini came from a farming family of the Minangkabau indigenous tribe in West Sumatra, Indonesia. As a child, she used to work the fields to earn enough to cover her own school fees. She has always wanted to help other rural women. Today, she is an activist and works for the development of rural communities and for the conservation of forests. She is the Director of an organization called WALHI West Sumatra in Indonesia, which works among forest and indigenous communities.

 Uslaini, Director of Walhi West Sumatra talking is through crafts from the forest made by women

 

At the core of WALHI’s work are pressing environmental and social issues including gender justice. WALHI campaigns and advocates for community development in rural and forest villages in Indonesia, and runs projects that help to transform people’s lives in practical ways to be in harmony with the forest. Our non-timber forest products project is a good example of conserving forests with sustainable use.

Products hailing from various parts of Indonesia Philippines were also highlighted by Borneo Chic and CustomMade Crafts Center (CMCC). As the marketing arms of NTFP-EP, BC and CMCC work with master weavers and indigenous artisans to create beautiful and functional products that express the timeless traditions of these cultural communities while meeting the needs of the modern market.

 Joy Chua of CMCC explaining how indigo supports the livelihoods of communities during the natural dye demonstration at the Kreative Korner

Through innovative product design, product diversification, branding and niche marketing, both BC and CMCC are working towards the expansion of the market for these works of art, to ensure that these communities will continue their traditions and way of life, and keep on nurturing the forests that sustain them.

Local forest harvest for food security

Forests, including its components: trees, fruits, and animals, provide nutritional benefits in more ways than one. However, its contribution to local, national, regional strategies are often poorly reflected, often leaving out its crucial role in the bigger food security picture.Additionally, the growing preference for fast and convenient food has made tangible impacts not only to health but also to ecosystems.

While the global food dilemma is a complex problem that needs sustainable solutions, the forestry sector is one of the ways by which it can be alleviated. There is an increasing trend of going back to basics. Where food is good not only for health but also contributing to forest protection.

Products from the forest

The Panen Raya Nusantara (PARARA) Festival is an initiative in Indonesia that has successfully launched festivals in Jakarta (in 2015 and 2017) and supported over 100 producer groups and reached at least 5,000 consumers in the city. It was aimed at bringing to consciousness the import contribution of people and forests in the food and health security agenda. As a sustaining marketing effort, the PARARA network is establishing the PARARA café which combines the local food and ingredients from partner farmers, fishers, and forest based communities across Indonesia into attractive and tasty culinary packages.

PARARA cafe’s forest feast

Flying in from India, The Place to Bee is a restaurant in the mountain town of Ooty, Tamil Nadu, established by Keystone Foundation and the Last Forest Enterprises (LFE). They specialize not only in serving the best Italian food in town but also promoting local wild and indigenous recipes and flavors. The restaurant is also a space where the principles of Slow Food are communicated to the customers – the principles of good, clean and fair food.

 Recipes using ingredients form the forest courtesy of The Place to Bee 

The two have set up a café installation and have served dishes through the day. Live demonstrations and talk shows of preparation of wild/indigenous food and benefits were made by chefs and food experts. The combined Indonesian and Indian dishes have showcased a cross-cultural gastronomic feast that has not only emphasized the challenges of local, wild, indigenous food and but also shared some recommendations for consumers and public and private sectors.

On this day, we underline the continuing plight of indigenous peoples all over the world. More than ever, developmental and other related pressures have caused an increasing trend of migration among communities.

Many indigenous peoples have relocated to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities for themselves and their families. Some communities have been displaced due to unrest in their own lands brought about by intimidation and/or the unforgiving impacts of climate change.

In most cases, these movements have further alienated and oppressed indigenous peoples, adding further to the already intersectional layers of discrimination.

This year’s International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples, we zero in on the situation of indigenous peoples in relation to their territories, their identities, and their rights.

 

A significant percentage of the world’s genetic resources can be found on indigenous people’s lands. Thus, support for community-based ecosystem and resource management strategies that uphold traditional knowledge need to be sustained.  

Traditional cultural expressions have the potential to provide fair economic benefits to indigenous communities. Acknowledging this, gaps in the market need to be linked to provide better economic opportunities for indigenous communities.

Many indigenous peoples remain extremely vulnerable to health-related risks like malnutrition and other preventable infections. While the abundance of resources found in the environment have long been used by communities for nutritional and medicinal uses, the agenda on food and health security in terms of policy and practice has to be emphasized.

Despite the persistence of aggression over land and resources. there is a growing discursive space on the recognition of indigenous peoples’ right to govern their customary tenure and/or resource use rights. Enabling policies that promote the recognition of communal tenure rights, resource management, and governance systems have to be advocated more strongly. 

The myriad of challenges that indigenous communities around the world continue to brave is evidence of the persistence of their struggle towards self-determination. Hence, the ways by which indigenous peoples’, specifically women and the youth, can genuinely participate in the bigger sustainable development picture have to be revitalized.

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Over the years, indigenous peoples have sought for the recognition of their way of life that is linked intimately to their rights over their territories. However, this has been met with a long history of systemic inequality. In this light, the Non-Timber Forest Products–Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) calls for the realization of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This side event will discuss the importance and potential of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) for the cosmetic and fragrance sector globally. Specific experiences from Asia and the Pacific will be presented based on 12 country studies prepared as part of the “Forests and Beauty” initiative. The event aims to raise awareness on the immense potential of NWFPs for use in the cosmetic and fragrance sector, the total value of which is estimated at US$460 billion (2014) and is expected to grow rapidly to reach US$675 billion by 2020. Recommendations for future work will be gathered.

The use of cosmetic and beauty products derived from forests has a history dating back more than 6,000 years. Traditional beauty products were almost invariably derived from plant, animal or surface mineral sources, including many forest products. Globally, plant-based products are becoming increasingly popular choices in modern markets due in large part to the growth of more ethically and environmentally-minded consumers. Many facial creams, soaps, shower gels and oils are increasingly relying on natural products from forests. FAO recently undertook case studies across Asia and the Pacific on the status and potential of products derived from forests for cosmetic and fragrance sector. An overarching competitive advantage of NWFPs used in beauty and cosmetic formulations is the perception of naturalness compared to many other products. The case studies demonstrate that prospects are very good for continued and increased use of NWFPs in beauty and cosmetic products. A variety of important challenges exist –  NWFP producers of beauty and cosmetic products need to be continuously adapting and improving to ensure they maintain their advantages. However, solutions to most of these challenges can be found.

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PROGRAMME

08:30	Opening: Mr. Thomas Hofer, Senior Forestry Officer (FAO), Facilitator
08:35 – 08:40	Opening remarks:Ms. Eva Muller, Director of the Forest Department of FAO
08:40 – 08:45	Special remarks: Mr. Jürgen Blaser, Adviser of the ASEAN Swiss Partnership on Social Forestry and Climate Change (ASFCC)
08:45 – 09:00	Presentation 1: Ms. Nola Andaya (NTFP-EP Asia) Forests and Beauty in Asia Overview of the cases, results, way forward
09:00 – 09:15	Presentation 2: Ms. Nuning Barwa (Martha Tilaar, Indonesia) Global perspective on natural products in the cosmetic industry: The case of langsat (Lansium domesticum or Lansium parasiticum)
09:15 – 09:25	Presentation 3:  Ms. Shiny Rehel (Keystone Foundation, India) Natural products in the cosmetics and personal care industry: The case of soapberry (Sapindus emarginatus)
09:25 – 09:50	Q&A
09:50 – 10:00	Conclusion and way forward: Ms. Thais L. Juvenal, Senior Forestry Officer (FAO)

Tuesday July 17, 2018 | 08:30 – 10:00 AM | Ethiopia Room, FAO Rome

DA NANG, Vietnam – Over 80 representatives from ASEAN civil society, local communities, and forest stakeholders are gathered in the 7^th Annual Meeting of the Civil Society Organizations Forum on Social Forestry in ASEAN (CSO Forum) on 24-25 June 2018 in Central Vietnam with the theme ‘Sustaining Collaborative and Innovative People-Centered Actions.’

As purveyors of traditional knowledge and protectors of resources, indigenous peoples and local communities living in and around forests hold crucial roles in forest management schemes. The rich experiences and innovations of the civil society could contribute greatly to pivotal trends and movements from the local to the global that will ensure to the bigger sustainability picture: the ASEAN Plan of Action on Social Forestry, ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on Forestry, ASEAN commitments and support to Nationally Determined Contributions, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the last seven years, the CSO Forum has been pivotal in linking issues, lessons, and experiences from the ground to key regional bodies such as the ASEAN Working Group on Social Forestry (AWG-SF), the ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF), and potentially to other relevant regional and international intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder bodies and fora.

While several challenges and issues need to be resolved, it was through the CSO Forum that critical bottlenecks have been identified and discussed at the regional level. For example, the CSO Forum has pushed the envelope in discussing gaps in addressing the vulnerabilities of communities, the importance of traditional knowledge, and the recognition of tenure of many indigenous and local communities.

Assessing its previously affirmed goals and objectives, the CSO Forum has drafted a ‘report card’ that provides an overview of social forestry from the civil society perspective.  It is through its 7^th Annual Meeting that the CSO Forum will decide on the succeeding steps in sustaining itself as an effective platform towards a people-centered social forestry and climate change mitigation and adaptation in ASEAN.

 

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DAY 1

In Indonesia, forest conversion has been changing Sumatran forests since the 1970s. Its unique typology and diverse wildlife provide crucial social and cultural benefits for indigenous communities like the Orang Rimba. However, pressures from various industries like industrial timber plantation, oil palm plantations and open-pit mining continue to drive pressures into Bujang Raba.

Putri Pratami of KKI Warsi along with 80 other civil society representatives engaged in knowledge exchange through inspiring stories of challenges, opportunities, and success like the experience of Bujang Raba during the first day of the 7^th Annual Meeting of the CSO Forum.

Participants from 8 countries from Southeast Asia have affirmed their perspective on social forestry in the region through the ‘CSO Report Card.’

It was until local communities in Bujang Raba decided to formalize their management over their resources through the Hutan Desa scheme and KKI Warsi initiated the REDD-plus project in 2012.

Bujang Raba landscape,  courtesy of KKI Warsi

Results from the monitoring studies conducted in 5 villages in Bujang Raba from 2013-2016 have been remarkable. Not only was there zero deforestation within the engagement period; Bujang Raba was able to reduce emission up to 100%, going beyond the target of 75%, certifying carbon emissions of 10,000 ton CO₂eq.

Monitoring plays an important part in the operationalization of governance mechanisms. Staying true to its knowledge-sharing core, the CSO Forum has shared skills and tools such as forest monitoring that are useful in addressing challenges and tapping opportunities in four key thematic areas: community economy & livelihoods, forest tenure and access rights, governance mechanisms, and safeguards.

Cases of collaboration like that of in Bujang Raba continue to inspire neighboring communities in the region: the passion of local communities to sustainable manage their forest resources; the openness of the government in awarding rights to implement community-based forest management schemes in the landscape; and the active involvement of the civil society.

These stories shared in the 7^th Annual Meeting of the CSO Forum parallel existing initiatives and success stories happening simultaneously in many parts of the region.

 

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DAY 2

“The interface between the government and civil society in advancing social forestry has been productive in building and sharing capabilities,” said Dr. Nguyan Phu Hung, AWG-SF Focal Point of Vietnam and Director of Technology and International Cooperation/VNFOREST Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (MARD) on the opening of the second day of the 7^th Annual Meeting of the CSO Forum.

Dr. Nguyen Phu Hung, AWG-SF Focal Point of Vietnam

With the need to expand discussion spaces, the second day of the CSO Forum has been set-up as a dialogue seminar to make tacit the rich and diverse social forestry knowledge-base. Trinh Le Nguyen, Executive Director of PanNature, fittingly expressed how “social forestry is understood differently in different places, and practiced in various ways and methods.” Social forestry, while it is generally understood as an integration of the capacities of local communities in sustainable forest use and management, manifest its complexities in practice. This results to variations both in direct and indirect policy and legal responses by various states.

However, groundbreaking changes have been surfaced by their civil society counterparts in the CSO Forum. There is an increasing trend to put in place systems that incorporate the protection of biodiversity, understanding traditional ways of managing forest resources, providing maximum benefits for local communities, and making use of existing mechanisms.

Concrete actions on the ground have shown that initiatives on community economy and livelihoods have helped in recognizing the key role of communities in forest management. Connecting these to opportunities could potentially contribute to its sustainability. One windows of opportunity most especially for community forest enterprises who often worked in isolation is the growing interest in ‘green’ and sustainable products the ASEAN Economic Community.

Many state policies are moving towards the recognition of tenurial and rights of communities as forest managers and owners as seen in the cases presented in the CSO Forum: of customary forests, hutan adat in Indonesia, tagal hutan in Malaysia, spirit forests in Malaysia, and forest shifting cultivation in Myanmar. Although responses by the respective state actors have been varied, they nonetheless signify progressive movements.

There is an increasing number of established multi-stakeholder social forestry groups in ASEAN Member States. Similarly, there exists parallel streams of projects and programmes on strengthening social forestry in the region that, when harmonized, could contribute to the capacities and functions of these multi-stakeholder groups. Expanding the capacities of these working groups in aspects like documentation and resolution could help operationalize stronger governance mechanisms.

While safeguard mechanisms such as FPIC, the Paris Agreement, and intellectual property rights protocols, a major challenge posed to the region still is to develop put in place safeguard measures that do not only avoid harm but also bring benefits to the communities.

The complexities of realizing a people-centered forestry entails complex responses both from the government and civil society. While there is much to do in fulfilling a responsive sector that engages, empowers, and provides benefits for forest-dependent communities in the region, today, more than ever, the momentum has been set for a more conducive cooperation.

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For more information, contact:
Dazzle Labapis, CSO Forum Facilitator, NTFP-EP Asia: dazzle.labapis@ntfp.org

Links to the presentations have been uploaded here.

Live video courtesy of PanNature:

Earl Diaz, NTFP-EP Asia

 

PALAWAN, Philippines – an island province  known for the abundance of forest resources, is hailed the country’s last frontier. It is home to a number of indigenous people, one of whom are the Palaw’an.

Pewpenew Mountain, in Brooke’s Point, Palawan

 

The municipality of Brooke’s Point in south-eastern Palawan Island is 192 kilometers away from the provincial capital, Puerto Princesa. Amas, one of its 18 barangays, was established in 1935. A few kilometers hike  from the barangay center takes one atop Pewpenew mountain, one of the community’s conservation area.

Rolito holding an almaciga fruit

 

Valuable forest resources found within the community’s reserves like in Pewpenew have been managed sustainably by generations of Palaw’an through a lore that bespeaks of the group’s rich traditional ecological knowledge. Agathis philippinensis or almaciga, is a tree native to the Philippines that usually grows in elevated forested areas and produces a high-grade resin. This valuable non-timber forest product is among the Palaw’an peoples’ priced forest possession.

Collecting almaciga seedlings

 

Making sure the holes are far enough from each other

Around three sturdy but gentle taps on the trunk of the almaciga tree make a small incision. It is from this hole where drops of clear liquid start flowing. The wound is left open to accumulate enough resin as it solidifies after a few weeks. The tappers usually come back and re-tap on the same part around two to three more times within a span of a few months, depending on the tree’s productivity. The chunks are then collected very carefully.

Every almaciga tapper should follow their traditional rules and regulations

 

Verifying the perfect time to harvest resin

For many tappers, the almaciga trees they own have been passed on as ancestral gifts from generations of fathers to their children. Managing Almaciga trees is no easy feat. Certain rules set by the Panglima should be followed at all times.

The Palaw’an are traditionally governed by the Panglima system, a group of elders who makes the decisions over conflicts and over management of their forests and other resources. Edio (right) is a member of the Panglima while Carly (left) is the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative to the government.

When traders reached the shores of Palawan, this once traditional activity of resin harvesting eventually became commercial with the demand for industrial materials such as paints, varnishes, and plastics. Despite the huge market however, the Palaw’ano tappers often found themselves at the mercy of middle men and traders who left them with little to no benefit at all. To overcome this hurdle, the Palaw’an of Barangay Amas have started taking collaborative action.

 

Huge chunks are considered first class almaciga resin

While smaller chunks are bought at a slightly lower price

It was in 90’s when the Palaw’an in Amas decided to take charge over the business by forming Samahan ng mga Palaw’ano sa Amas, Brooke’s Point (SPABP), a community-owned cooperative that trades the resin collectively. The learning curve has been steep for SPABP as the group found themselves braving through several challenges throughout their existence. Through the years, their sense of community not only allowed them to have a better economic status but also to be recognized as rightful managers of their ancestral lands. Today, their total land claim is now at 14,000 hectares, covering three other barangays that is part of the Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape.

It was through their collective will that SPABP and its members have been constantly improving. Understanding the importance of forest conservation and cultural preservation, they youth have taken it upon themselves to ensure the continuity of their traditional knowledge.

To guarantee consistent supply, the group started putting up an Almaciga nursery

 

The Palaw’an elders and youth have both made strong commitments to protect their identities as Palaw’an.

The Palaw’an people’s sense of community is not only bound by a cultural heritage but also by their respect for nature and its abundant gifts to them.

John Vincent, a Palaw’an youth volunteer

Maika, a Palaw’an youth volunteer

 

The Palaw’an of Barangay Amas were able to share to a broader audience their almaciga story on Tuesday, 29 May, 1030AM during our session at the Communities, Conservation & Livelihoods Conference: Creating Fair Market Spaces for Indigenous Communities’ Products, Special-3C Fair Markets and Local Economies (S165)

Rolito Landuan, Operations Manager of SPABP explaining the importance of Almaciga in the governance of their ancestral domain.

 

Tanya Conlu, Community-Based Conservation Coordinator, sharing about NTFP-EP’s work

Despite the number of sessions happening simultaneously during that day, the ICCA session garnered much commendation and support from the conference attendees!

Participants availing of their free Hinabol pouches made of abaca.

 

 

Story by Earl Diaz, NTFP-EP Asia