In Puerto Galera, Philippines, Iraya Mangyan patrollers like Bernito Pampilo undertake daily treks through dense forests to protect ancestral lands. These patrols, which can extend into the night, involve navigating challenging terrain and are supported by mobile apps for assigned coordinates.
The Mindoro Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Programme, led by the Center for Conservation Innovations Philippines Inc., aims to conserve over 40,000 hectares of ancestral forest and support approximately 2,500 Iraya Mangyan households. This initiative, running from 2020 to 2049, integrates ancestral domain recognition, carbon monitoring, Indigenous patrols, and livelihood projects. The program is testing whether an international climate mechanism can provide lasting benefits for Indigenous communities while conserving forests within the Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 1977.
Source: Mongabay