Bio-diversity

The project aims to increase the habitat and conserve biodiversity within the Upper Caliban-Imbang Watershed (formerly known as the Bacolod City Watershed) area and portion of the Northern Negros Natural Park. Interventions of the project includes nursery development and operation, habitat restoration through assisted natural regeneration of 10 hectares within the project site, forest protection/patrolling activities and capacity building for the communities, to include biodiversity conservation education and sustainable livelihood options. The project will be directly implemented by NFEFI, with the Upper-Caliban-Imbang Watershed Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative as a partner organization. This partnership will likewise support the planned sustainability mechanism for the project to continue even after SGP support. Biodiversity characteristics/ value: NNNP, formerly known as the North Negros Forest Reserve (NNFR) is the largest remaining forest in the island of Negros and second largest in Negros-Panay Faunal Region. On the western side of the NNNP lies the 1,000 hectares Upper Caliban-Imbang watershed formerly known as the Bacolod City watershed. Due to the biological and hydrological importance of the area, NNFR was declared NNNP through Presidential Proclamation No. 895 on 15August 2005. The draft bill of NNNP is still under deliberation in Congress. However, there are many pressing issues and concerns that need to be addressed by the newly organized Protected Area Management Board/Council while the NNNP Bill is awaiting passage into law, such as uncontrolled wildlife hunting, including palm civet and fruit bats; presence of illegal forest poaching and charcoal making by people living adjacent to the watershed area. The forest lacks effective protection involving local communities. The target project site serves as the habitat of two of endangered mammals in the world, such as Philippine palm civet Paradoxurus philippinensis (Jourdan), Malay civet Viverra tangalunga (Gray) and fruit bats, including many endemic forest vertebrates such as threatened hornbills (Penelopedis panini panini and Aceros waldeni), the endangered Visayan Spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), and the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons) (Wildlife conservation Society of the Philippines, 1997). The civet cats and fruit bats are important elements in the preparation of specialty coffee of the locality. Proponent Qualification The Negros Forests & Ecological Foundation, Inc (NFEFI) is a signatory to the Memorandum of Agreement for the rehabilitation and management of the Upper Caliban-Imbang Watershed, together with the DENR, f Negros Occidental Provincial Gov t, LGUs of Talisay City, Bacolod City and Murcia, and the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA). NFEFI has conducted massive advocacy work with the communities and with the Bacolod City Water District for the restoration and rehab of the watershed area. It has an extensive network with other NGOs and POs, LGUs and government agencies in Negros that can facilitate support requirements for the project. General Objective: Increase habitat and conserve biodiversity within the Upper Calmiban-Imbang watershed area and portion of the Northern Negros Natural Park Specific Objectives: Increase forest cover by 10 hectares through Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) Establish 32 hectares rainforest farming area using dipterocarps species and coffee Raise awareness of four barangays and four public schools on the importance of biodiversity conservation and forest protection Strengthen community-based forest protection within the watershed area Visit and learn from other successful projects that implement biodiversity conservation

Philippines