Forest protection in a CBFM site: The case of Tibkoi

KEYWORD: Community-based Natural Foresta Management, Asia. Asia, Philippines, incentives, logging, conservation, protected areas, reforestation, watershed, co-management, forestry department, institutions, communication, community participation, conflict, environmental education, case study, lessons learned. SUMMARY: This case study focuses on the CBNFM project TIBKOI near the community of Barangay Tible, in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. The Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources and USAID have supported this community by implementing water supply and reforestation projects in the area. These projects have brought some conservation benefits and have provided employment, though there has been great inconsistency in project design and follow-up. Illegal logging is recognized as a problem in the area, yet it is a major source of income. At times, there has been no legal source of wood products in the community despite people's dependence on this resource. This has resulted in violent conflict in the region with one enforcement officer killed during a confrontation over illegal harvesting. The enforcement officers, or BENROs, have had to work for extended periods without pay. Under these circumstances, the only motivation for them has been their dedication to forest protection. Recently, local leadership allocated a portion of net sales of lumber to the BENROs, which has increased their capacity to protect community and national interests. Still, important issues continue to impede progress toward effective protection and sustainable resource use. The authors note, for instance, the following: Protection requires investments of time and money, which may be derived from revenues generated in forest harvesting; Community members depend on the forests and conflicts are likely when forest use is denied; Protection activities are boosted by education campaigns, involvement of communities, support from leaders and training.