The GOLDEN Forest areas have been selected based on their biological importance quantified in terms of species richness and watershed functions, as well as the extent of threats they are facing. Except for the Zambales mountains, all the project sites are habitats of the Philippine Eagle, the country’s national bird and a flagship species for conservation.
The GOLDEN Forests is the second project grant of EC to Haribon. The first one, implemented in 2001 to 2005, was the Integrating Forest Conservation withLocal Governance in the Philippines (IFCLGP), particularly in Mindoro, Antique and Surigao del Sur provinces.
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“Projects like IFCLGP and GOLDEN Forests guide the local communities and local government to consider forest conservation in their planning and decision-making for sustainable development,” said Noel Resurreccion, Haribon Site Conservation Action Department Manager. He also cited that the implementation of the GOLDEN Forests is very timely and relevant as the Foundation gears up for its nationwide campaign to restore one million hectares of denuded forests by year 2020.
“Restoring the remaining forests is of utmost importance because as cited by a Filipino scientist, Dr. Sajise, an archipelago like the Philippines needs 54 percent forest cover to be able to adequately perform its ecological functions,” Resurreccion said.
According to Haribon, a century of forest plunder has decimated the Philippine forest cover to barely 5 million hectares or 18 percent of the country’s total land area. Consequently, excessive flooding and massive landslides are now occuring more frequently to the detriment of many Filipinos. With the continuous pressures on the already degraded Philippine forests, it is paramount to make real conservation action happen now.
We take on the challenges of reducing deforestation rate in the GOLDEN forest areas; and of helping the forest-dependent families, particularly the indigenous peoples, women and youth in diversifying their livelihood options,” Resurreccion said.
Haribon believes that the GOLDEN Forests offers golden opportunities to many local stakeholders such as sustainable forest management, improved local governance, appropriate national policies, and livelihood for forest-dependent families.
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Text and activity photos by
MBLeones/Haribon
