1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

15/01/2009

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Woodlot is a forest management approach which aims the to provide food, wood for fule, construction and material for woodcarving and to provide a steady source of water for the lower-hilly riceland area.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Woodlot or 'muyong' as it is called in the local language is basically a timber management system. The harvesting of non-timber products like fruits and other benefits like the maintenance of a stable water supply are secondary objectives. Fuelwood and construction timber are the major products of woodlot. The usual size of woodlot is not more than one hectare and is individually owned. The approach is believed to have started at least a century ago. It began when it became apparent that sources of fuelwood near homes were becoming difficult to find. The approach also came about when people realized the need for accountability in the use and management of natural resources. The ancestors of the present-day owner of the woodlots were influenced by the relationship of a reliable and steady water supply and the existence of forest. Woodlots normally evolved from swidden fields. The owners encouraged the growth of prefered species either by direct seeding or by transplanting seedlings uprooted fron nearby forest.

Present practices involve the growing of introduced-fast growing species such as mahogany (Switeria macrophylla) and gmelina (Gmelina arborea). Rattan a valuable material for the furniture industry is also raised in the woodlot. Medicinal herbs are also gathered. Mushrooms and nuts are also grown. Woodlot is an approach unique to the indigenous tribes of the Cordillera. Boundaries, tenures and disputes are settled based on local traditions and beliefs. Common disputes arise from illegal gathering of fruit products. Transfer of ownership is upon the discretion of parents and only to married children. Inheritance of a woodlot denotes the handling down of authority and responsibility over the family. Woodlot or 'muyong'has been hailed as one of the nine successful 'Traditional Forest Related Knowledge' (TFRK). In terms of sophistication and social organization, woodlot is no equal among the approaches being practiced by the different ethnic groups in the country.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

Sustainable use of forest resources by employing traditional beliefs, customs and traditions. Promote ecological balance.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	passive
planning	passive
implementation	passive
monitoring/ evaluation	none

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• land users alone (self-initiative)

Explain:

Land user driven (bottom-up). Indigenous practice. Consultation among clan members and between clan.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• on-the-job

Subjects covered:

Informal training among family members on the management of forest for sustainable use.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

Environmental protection particularly watershed management is a top priority of the government and NGO's. The 'woodlot' approach of watershed protection is regarded as a perfect example of forest management being employed by indigenous people.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

by promoting aesthetics

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing
• ecology
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Researches on traditional forest knowledge of different ethnic groups.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

land users 100%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

• agricultural

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Strong respect for customs/traditions in the management of resources.
Strong backing from local government units (LGU's)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Respect for land users rights even though there is no legal documents to hold on for the land
Continous replanting
Strong resolve of the land users on the need for sustainability.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Woodlot can be a sanctuary for pests for the nearby rice fields.	Maintenance and cleanliness.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Not all members of the community is involved/benefited.	Wider involvement using other areas within the vicinity of the community.
Tendency for the woodlot to be commercialized and over-exploited.	Carrying capacity of the woodlot should be determined.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Report on the Study of Traditional Forest Related Knowledge of the Ifugao and Bontoc Ethnic Groups in the Cordillera Region of the Philippines

Available from where? Costs?

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Quezon City

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact, Analysis of an Indigenous and Introduced Agroforestry Systems in Luzon.

Available from where? Costs?

University of the Philippines Los Banos Library, Los Banos, Laguna