How the ACB, through the Small Grants Programme, capacitated the 13 community forest user groups (CFUGs) in Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (ILWS) in Myanmar to restore the once-encroached areas of the park and sustainably use the natural resources for livelihood.
The diverse forests of Indawgyi provide refuge for the critically endangered Baer’s Pochard (Aythya baeri), the endangered banteng (Bos javanicus), and several other globally threatened mammal species. They are a criticial source of food, medicine, and other needs of people living within the protected area. However, the sanctuary is threatened by alarming rates of deforestation.
To address the issue, the Indawgyi Environmental Conservation and Development Association (IECDA) has turned to community forest development, a participatory natural resource management that promotes the involvement of local communities in forest management.
With a vision to safeguard the sanctuary’s forests, promote a healthy and thriving environment, and ensure that bamboo and timber are harvested sustainably and efficiently, the group has been actively supporting community forest user groups (CFUGs), as well as the diverse ethnic communities that call the region home.
The IECDA is using a blend of technical expertise and financial assistance to empower communities surrounding the wildlife sanctuary in a bid to address the alarming rates of deforestation and forest degradation that threaten the area’s ecological balance. Over the years, they have adopted robust forest management practices, which in turn, have fostered a sense of stewardship and collaboration among the residents.
With the help of the SGP, IECDA has rolled out a series of impactful initiatives designed to nurture both the land and the communities. One of their cornerstone efforts involves conducting educational programmes that raise awareness among residents. These programmes are crafted to inspire and inform, fostering a deep-rooted understanding of and appreciation for the environment.
Under the project, a total of 13 CFUGs have emerged, each dedicated to raising environmental consciousness within their villages. Through a series of outreach initiatives, these groups have shed light on criticial issues facing their communities, including the threat posed by corporate ownership of forested areas. Villagers have been made aware that such ownership of forested areas. Villagers have been made aware that such ownership could strip them of their traditional rights to harvest resources, including the valuable bamboo that has long sustained their way of life.
Members of community forest user groups (CFUGs) helped restore degraded forest lands in Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Efforts have also been made to educate villagers about the significance of watershed forests. These vital ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and availability of water sources, ensuring the sustainability of their communities.
A series of trainings on community forests were also conducted to increase the effectiveness of CFUGs.
Beyond educational activities, IECDA has also sought the help of the communities to do their part in helping the forest flourish. Over 50,000 forest protection trees or giant trees have been planted to serve as sentinels, shielding the delicate ecosystem from harm and preserving its natural beauty for generations to come. The local communities also planted over 25,000 perennial crop trees, anticipating benefits within five to six years. In total, the association and the communities have restored 160 acres of degraded forest land.
Thousands of trees were planted in community-managed areas
In addition, IECDA has been instrumental in creating community-managed forests in strategic buffer zones. These green sanctuaries serve as a protective embrace around the core forest areas, nurturing biodiversity and offering a tangible way for communities to connect with and care for their natural surroundings.
To safeguard these precious areas, IECDA has established regular patrols to prevent illegal intrusions. These vigilant efforts not only protect the forests but also reinforce the community’s role as guardians of their own environment.
IECDA also obtained four forest certifications from four villages to protect against local encroachments. Efforts to secure additional certifications continue.
The partnership between IECDA and the communities is akin to the forest they seek to protect – with each new sprout, there’s a promise that together, they will grow Indawgyi’s forests.
