The Philippines has had a large number of initiatives to rehabilitate 1 its degraded forest lands 2 over the last century (see Chapter II). These initiatives have evolved in response to changing socio-economic, environmental and political realities; and have varied in scale, objectives, actors involved, funding sources and institutional arrangements. However, the outcomes and long-term sustainability of the efforts have rarely been evaluated. Since 1960, formal projects and private initiatives combined have supposedly rehabilitated more than 1.7 million ha, but little is known about their status (Esteban 2003, Chapter II). Some claim huge failures with nothing much to show on the ground (Esteban 2003) while others indicate some success with increased forest cover in Cebu and elsewhere (Kummer et al. 1994, FMB 2004, Durst et al. 2005). Information is scarce on the impacts on biodiversity and watershed functions. Impacts on livelihoods appear varied (Borlagdan et al. 2001, Chapter II). Timber from rehabilitated areas contributes little to meeting national needs (Acosta 2002, FMB-FAO 2003).
Publication year
2006
Authors
Chokkalingham U; Pulhin J M; Carandang A P; Peras R J J; Natividad M Q; Lasco R D
Language
English
Keywords
biodiversity conservation, forest management, forest rehabilitation, reforestation
Geographic
Philippines
