Protecting Panay Island’s forests
BY AIRA SIMON HARIBON FOUNDATION

The Forest and Climate (FORCLIM) Protection of Panay Project is a three-year project funded by the German International Cooperation (GIZ) and implemented by Haribon Foundation and DFS. It operates in four provinces, Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo, and partners with 19 local government.

According to Michael Edrial, Haribon Foundation’s biologist, FORCLIM is designed to protect and improve forest and biodiversity condition of Central Panay Mountain Range (CPMR) through, the formulation of Forest Land Use Plans of the local governments surrounding the CPMR; reforestation and rehabilitation of 1,500 hectares of forests and development of 1000 hectares for Agroforestry; and identification of critical habitats.

Edrial also explained that Panay has a total land area of 12,783.78 hectares, of which 27.25 percent are allocated to farmlands, being rice as its first major crop. However, he added that there is the dominant practice of monocropping, although some portions are planted with alternative crops, such as monggo and watermelons during dry season.

“Some rice lands are non-irrigable due to salt intrusion. In general, organic and sustainable farming techniques are not adopted.” He also shared that the unsustainable agriculture on steeper slopes and decay of waste biomass cause emissions of greenhouse gasses, while “remaining areas of forest continue to be encroached and threatened by slash-and-burn, and wildlife poaching and uncontrolled logging,” further threaten the ecological stability of the area. The project chose Panay Island used to be covered with tropical rainforest. Today, however, only about 8 percent of Panay’s forest cover remains.

The forests of Central Panay Mountain Range are essential in stabilizing the local climate. They guarantee the flow of water into several rivers and it is the last refuge for some unique animal species.

Edrial identified the big five indicator species of the project that includes Panay monitor lizard, Visayan spotted deer, Visayan warty dog, writhed-hornbill and rafflesia lobata. He said “All are important in mapping the location and distribution of threatened species, as well as the quality of habitat.”

This also introduces the application of “green technology,” which helps address the need to protect biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions. It promotes alternative energy sources and more efficient conversion technologies.

This includes afforestation to grow wood fuel, as well as the introduction of improved cooking stoves and ovens that burn rice husks for rice-growing areas.According to GIZ, alternative approaches to land use and income generation is to be combined with forest protection because communities are dependent on its natural resources.

The project aims to protect the remaining natural forests of Panay and raise awareness on the importance of resource management and biodiversity conservation.