Mangyan - Tamaraw Driven Landscape Program

Transcription

1 Emmanuel Schütz Mangyan - Tamaraw Driven Landscape Program Activity Report Contact Emmanuel SCHUTZ, Project Manager D ABOVILLE Foundation Mobile : manuschutz.ph@gmail.com January 2017

2 Background The Tamaraw, a Philippine National Emblem and International Conservation Stake Mindoro Island in the Philippines archipelago is considered as a biodiversity hotspot and high center for endemism. Mindoro is above all the ancestral land of the Mangyan indigenous people. Mangyans have progressively migrated toward the mountainous interior following the colonization of the island by lowlander Filipino settlers coming from other Provinces during the XX century. Nowadays, they reside in heavily degraded environment, struggling to preserve their cultural identity and get their rights respected as a people. The Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), or Mindoro dwarf buffalo is the emblem of the Island and the only wild cattle species living in the archipelago. Population has dropped from 10,000 animals in 1900 to no more than 430 animals today. It is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the Red List of the IUCN. Mts Iglit-Baco National Park, located in the center of the Island is considered as its last viable refuge where its range overlaps with the territories of the Tau-buid Mangyan ethno-linguistic group. The Tamaraw Program - Conservation and Enhancement of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Mt Iglit-Baco National Park was initiated in 2012 in order to address the issues of this critically endangered species, its habitat and the people living there. This socio-environmental program is developed in partnership with international and national organizations and local stakeholders. News from the Structure Setting our Advocacy through the Program Title and a Renovated Website The D ABOVILLE Foundation is now fully carrying the project. Lately, the Foundation adopted the title Mangyan Tamaraw Driven Landscape Program to anchor its vision and approach as a community based program integrating local Mangyan indigenous communities as key stakeholders toward biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, while preserving cultural identity and enhancing local knowledge. It also emphasizes the different fields of expertise that are requested to address the overall issues and the various collaborations and partnerships to be built in order to achieve these objectives. New Board Members Also, the Foundation welcomed two new important board members with prestigious background in the field of environment and social development: Sec. Nereus Acosta, former Presidential Adviser on Environment during the term of President B. Aquino, Jr; and Illac Diaz, Founder and Global Director of Liters of Light. They will bring a precious expertise and inspiration to the Foundation. Enlarging our Scope of Action and Fields of Expertise Dr. Christian Rosales, a cultural anthropologist who conducted a long term fieldwork among the Mangyans of Mindoro which led to the fulfillment of his PhD in Anthropology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman has joined the Foundation in December. As part of the mission, he will bring his expertise to the program in the field of social sciences.

3 Visit of our Scientific and Project Partners in the Philippines The Foundation welcomed Dr. James Burton, Chair of IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group and Dr. Barney Long, Director of Species Conservation, Global Wildlife Conservation, during their week visit to the Philippines last October. Assessing Tamaraw sub-population in MIBNP. From left to right: Dr. B. Long, team leader ranger R. Abuwac, Project Manager E. Schütz, Dr. J. Burton (photo E. Schütz) The goal of their journey was to discuss issues and challenges on Tamaraw conservation and to emphasize results and development of the Mangyan - Tamaraw Driven Landscape Program. Several meetings with local stakeholders and partners were conducted and complemented by a field visit on Mindoro to the Gene Pool Farm and Mts Iglit-Baco National Park in order to meet with the rangers and technical staffs. The main purpose was to observe the elusive Tamaraw and assess the needs for field monitoring and further scientific studies to be developped. Meeting at the office of the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP-DENR) in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro with TCP coordinator and Pasu Rodel Boyles and field activity assistant D. Roca (photo E. Schütz) This visit ended up with promising perspectives that shall strengthen and highlight conservation work of the Foundation in Mindoro (Journey report on the blog of Barney Long: bit.ly/2g3miex ). News From the Field In 2016, important activities with promising outcomes have been undertaken leading to further actions and achievements. Identification of an Isolated Tamaraw Group Outside the Protected Area Completion of the Tamaraw / Habitat Assessment and Ecological Survey Following report from local indigenous tribe members in January 2016, meetings and consultations have been undertaken with local tribal leaders in order to organize a verification survey, to locate and to confirm the presence of an isolated group of Tamaraw on the upper Amnay River, north of Mts Iglit-Baco National Park, at the border between the two provinces of Mindoro. Typical landscape of Inner Occidental Mindoro dominated by grassland. Potential presence of Tamaraw (photo E. Schütz)

4 Two initial surveys aborted half way due to the sensitive context in this area such as the presence of the rebels New People s Army (NPA) and a complicated coordination with the remote Mangyan tribes. However the possible presence to up to 12 animals is suspected. The verification survey shall be completed by March Findings and results will help to define proper protection measures and monitoring for this small group, in the future. Verification survey up to river s head water areas in the Inner Mindoro (photo E. Schütz) Development of a Dedicated Protected Area Management System Progressive Establishment of a Consistent Zoning System within Mts Iglit-Baco National Park Together with the Park s management and members of the residing indigenous communities, a 1700 ha free hunting zone has been agreed and delineated on the ground within the core zone of the monitoring inside Mts Iglit-Baco National Park in April This shall become an initial component of a more complex zoning system for the Park and indigenous territories and subsequently proclaimed as a Strict Protection Zone. Area of delineation of the free hunting zone within the core zone of the monitoring (photo E. Schütz) Indeed, this activity is transverse to objectives 2 and 3 of the program, regarding the proposed land-use management approach and shall abet the Protected Area General Management Plan of the TCP/DENR as well as the proposed Indigenous Community Conserved Area (ICCA). Community Consultation toward an Adapted Traditional Hunting Management System Besides, positive consultative meetings were conducted with TCP, local Mangyan indigenous tribal leaders, elders and community members in April and December 2016, in order to propose and discuss about the specific hunting management model that would enable the Tamaraw (and other species) to safely disperse beyond its current range, within the core zone of the monitoring (MIBNP sub-population). Consultative meeting with the concerned Mangyan representatives at the TCP office in April 2016 (photo E. Schütz)

5 Discussions ended up with very positive feedbacks and inputs from the communities and with a general consent to address the issue of traditional hunting as one of the limiting factor for Tamaraw expansion. Main tribal leader also suggested expanding the recently delineated free hunting zone, thus accepting the future establishment of a larger Strict Protection Zone, so far as livelihood of community members would be taken into consideration by the different programs. Consultative meeting with local Mangyan representatives at ranger s station1, MIBNP, in December 2016 (photo E. Schütz) This activity was also the opportunity to initiate the mission of our newly assigned program assistant and expert, Dr. Christian Rosales, who will conduct a long term social sciences approach among the different residing communities in order to acquire a general cultural, geographic and ethno-ecological understanding of the communities and their environment. This study should help to better adjust the holistic logical approach of the Mangyan-Tamaraw Driven Landscape Program. Consultative meeting with Tau-buid tribal leader and representative at the community of Tamisan in December 2016 (photo E. Schütz) Addressing Illegal Activities in Occidental Mindoro Improving Governance and Protection Measure in Protected Areas The first module of the Law Enforcement Forum was conducted in October 2016 during the dedicated Tamaraw Month. This important activity, co-organized with the Tamaraw Conservation Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, brought together all the main local stakeholders concerned by illegal activities and unsustainable practices within the program area. Current situation, facts and risks were clearly stated and accepted by the audience. Effects, reasons and root causes were discussed and presented during the interactive day workshop. Second module will focus on defining gaps in law enforcement and discuss a proper strategy of action to be undertaken through cooperation, by all concerned stakeholders. Participative workshop Module 1 of the Law Enforcement Forum conducted in San Jose, Occ Mindoro (photo H. Castro)

6 Capacity Reinforcement of the Field Team Equipment rewarded by IDEAWILD in 2016 (GPS devices and binoculars) will be made available for the rangers assigned in areas of presence of Tamaraw in order to strengthen their monitoring field work. Specific training will be provided regarding the use of the GPS devices to the staff collaborating with the program. Technical staff and rangers at TCP office with newly rewarded equipment (photo E. Schütz) Communication and Awareness of Philippine Public Presentation of the Latest Results of the Program at the 25 th Symposium organized by the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines (BCSP) Most recent findings and results of the Program (current situation, issues and risks regarding the Tamaraw and its survival) were presented in plenary session during the symposium in April The symposium was held this year in Calapan city, Oriental Mindoro. Participation to the 25 th BCSP symposium in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (photo G. Tabaranza) Radio TV interview on Philippine Broadcast Channel Project coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Schütz, was interviewed by the Philippines TV Radio network TV5 during the popular evening live show of Cherie Mercado in March 2016.

7 Development of Ecotourism and Incomes Generating Activities Getting Visitors for Eco-treks inside the Core Zone of the Monitoring In support to the sustainable development of the Park, we developed cooperation with Philippine and French tour operators working in the field of outdoor tourism to enhance the Park as an outstanding ecotourism destination. Since 2015, three groups of international visitors had the chance to discover the unique scenery of the inner Mindoro and to observe the Tamaraw in its natural habitat, guided by experimented rangers. More efforts must be done to support infrastructures and communication improvement as well as to train locals to become hiking and wildlife guides. French clients trekking in MIBNP, with wild encounters (photo E. Schütz) The D ABOVILLE Foundation The D ABOVILLE Foundation is a Filipino based organization created in It works towards the preservation of nature, sustainable development, and eco-cultural tourism on the Island of Mindoro in the Philippines The Mangyan Tamaraw Driven Landscape aims at supporting the DENR and local stakeholders as well as building strong collaborations with local organizations in order to address our common challenges. Meeting at D ABOVILLE Foundation office with our partners. From left to right: G. Diamante (MBCFi), E. Schütz (Project Manager), J. Burton (AWCSG), B. Long (GWC), H. d Aboville (President), G. Tabaranza (MBCFi)