Edition No. 12 - Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme

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CRISSY GUERRERORootcrops are commonNTFP, as explained bysome men from theApurina indigenouspeopleAdvocacy continuesDespite the postponement of the ASEAN Summit, the 2nd ASEAN CivilSociety Conference (ACSC 2) pushed through from 10-12 December2006 in Banilad, Cebu City. The postponement of ACSC2 was viewedas an opportunity for participants to refine the statement to bepresented to ASEAN in January 2007. Some gains from the meetingincluded:Expanding the profile of environmental organisations engagingthe ASEAN and the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN)Highlighting of the issue of the trans-boundary haze and forestconversion for plantations and its inclusion in the statement to ASEANForging of stronger links with groups engaging in ASEAN likeSolidarity for Asian Peoples Advocacies (SAPA) and Southeast AsianCommittee on Advocacy (SEACA)Forging of stronger links with environmental groups alreadyengaging at the international level and willing to raise nature andpoverty issues at that level (Sustainability Watch-Asia).In January, ASEAN agreed to establish a permanent forum for civilsociety members.Sarawak project kicks offThere had been a strong response of Penancommunities (Apoh Tutoh, Middle Baram,Sarawak, Malaysia) to NTFP-EP’s initialefforts at increasing awareness and fieldefforts on developing alternative livelihoodsto adddress the threats of expanding oilpalm plantations and destructive logging. Arecent project possible through the supportof NC-IUCN takes a more holistic stance. Theproject, headed by community developmentcoordinator Dominic Langat, is aimed atsecuring food supplies, establishing nativecustomary rights and providing alternativeNTFP livelihoods of the Penans. StartedJanuary this year, the strategy is also aimedat strengthening Penan community leadersso that they may develop their own platformto collectively address their issues.KEYSTONEHoneycombs hangingon the sides of thecliffs in IndiaComing together for the NTFPs of Latin AmericaNTFP-EP and Latin American organisations met at two workshopsto discuss the Latin American adaptation of the manual Stepsto Sustainable and Community-based NTFP Management: A manualdeveloped with special reference to South and Southeast Asia, authoredby Virtual Academy member Dr. Mary Stockdale. The first workshophosted by the Universidad Veracruzana was held in in Xalapa, Mexico(28 February-3 March) and the second in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil (7-9March).The enthusiasm of the group was apparent throughout thediscussions. The manual, when adapted to the realities of LatinAmerica and highlighting relevant case studies, is seen as a valuableresource in understanding and better managing of NTFPs in theregion. The meetings have resulted in the formation of a LatinAmerican NTFP network, and even greater enthusiasm for furthercollaboration in the near future {see Frederico Machado’s article onpp. 8-9).More sweet exchangesLast December 2006, Bebek of Dian Niaga,marketing arm of the Indonesia Forest HoneyNetwork visited Keystone Foundation inIndia to learn especially from the Green Shopexperience. You can read insights of this tripon p. 7.Meanwhile, Dr. Phung Luu Chinh of theBee Research and Development Center, Hanoi,Vietnam brought his Apis dorsata honeyexpertise to the tribal communities of SenMonorom, Mondulkiri province, northeasternCambodia last April. The training raised awareness on sustainable honeyproduction and marketing from Mundolkiri experience on honey. Thetraining was organised by WWF Cambodia in collaboration with theNTFP-EP.Looking 10 years ahead for CBFMAfter ten years of implementing the Community-Based ForestManagement as the Philippine strategy for forest management, theDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources actively involvedthe wide array of stakeholders – including other governmentagencies, non-government organisations, peoples’ organisations, localgovernment units and other partners in community forestry – in aseries of workshop-consultations from January to March held acrossthe country. Stakeholders are hopeful that the workshops translateinto strategies with greater impact the local level {see article by AbiAguilar on p. 11}.ANNIE PALERACIOThelvanaiAmarthalingan of SAM/FOE-Malaysia, joins inthe fun of papermakingduring the field tripto Maasin, Quezon,Palawan. SAM is amongthe partners of the N&PAlliance.voices from the forest no. 12
Sal tree or Shorea robusta is a large evergreen tree belonging to thedipterocarpaceae family. Aside from its extremely durable timber, there arenumerous uses for its parts. Sal leaf plates are widely used in India for festivals andweddings (see photo). Sal seeds and fruit are an important source of lamp oil andedible oil. Sal resin is burned as incense in Hindu ceremonies; it is also used in theindigenous systems of medicine as an astringent and detergent and is given indiarrhea and dysentery.MADHU RAMNATHThese aren’t yourordinary bags! Naturallydyed kamuyot (orslingbags), sold at thelocal markets, promotesforest protection whileincreasing incomes of theweavers. Naturally dyedhinabol is now highly indemand.Going natural!Last March, Higaonon weavers went toLake Sebu, South Cotabato, the Philippinesto join T’boli indigenous weavers to learnmore about the use of natural dyes.This isa follow-up to their initial training held bythe NTFP Task Force in February 2006.The use of natural dyes is fast regainingpopularity among women weavers ofthe Higaonon indigenous community inBarangay Hagpa, Impasugong. Havingshunned natural dyes for the moreconvenient synthetic commercial dyes, theyare now beginning see the benefits of usingnatural dyes to color their abaca fibers (alsoknown as Manila hemp), which they weaveinto their colorful hinabol or traditionalHigaonon woven cloth.The naturally dyed woven cloths fetch higher prices than thosedyed synthetically. Morever, the move has also promoted biologicaldiversity. Ilalama, a tree dye source, is found to be getting scant inBarangay Hagpa. The women from Tugunganon village are nowplanting this species so they can have continuous source of orange tobrown dye color. {For full article by Genevieve Jurolan-Labadan, seethe latest Not By Timber Alone.}Synergy and exchangeLast 2-5 May, the NTFP-EP came togetherwith contacts from the Nature and PovertySoutheast Asia and the Pacific Alliance for aregional planning, synergy and exchange inPalawan, the Philippines.Discussions focused on how to maximizecollaborative efforts on enhancing theknowledge and learning network on natureand poverty linkages (natureandpoverty.net). Also discussed were common issuessuch as oil palm expansion, watershedmanagement, and logging campaign; aswell as the evaluation of the first phase ofN&P. SawitWatch was identified as the hostorganisation for liaison.N&P, implemented by the IUCN-NL, is acollaborative program in three continentsaddressing conservation and povertyalleviation in marine and forest ecosystems.The meeting was sponsored by IUCN-NL andhosted by the NTFP-EP.GENEVIEVE LABADANNew book on NTFPsLast April 20 Madhu Ramnath’s Plants ofBastar: a Fieldguide was launched in theBotanical Gardens of Amsterdam. It was afestive and very well-attended occasion at alocation where the author earlier on foundinspiration and encouragementMadhu who is currently working as EPIndia field coordinator, has been working onthis field guide over the last 15 years.The book was published with financialsupport from NC-IUCN and the Van TienhovenFoundation. {Further details and orderinginfo are in “Publications and Videos” on p. 12}Making markets work for NTFPsThe work of NTFP-EP’s partners was recently showcased last 16-20April in back-to-back meetings at the Hague, the Netherlands. Theevent was hosted by CORDAID. Of particular interest was how theyears of training, exploration and capacity building has borne fruit.Major issues discussed were:To what extent can small-scale extraction and processing of forestproducts help access stable markets and enhance local livelihoods?What is the potential of the emergingmarkets for forest based products in Asia,Europe and the Netherlands, apart from theFair Trade stores?How can the private sector in Europe befurther interested in such products?A highlight was the public meeting– with close to 100 representatives of donoragencies, the private sector, and NGOs inattendance. Interest was generated of theorganisations’ experiences of working in thefield of NTFPs, and on the specific NTFPs. Thiswas complemented by a mini-display/storeof products, and judging by the enthusiasticresponse, will gain orders in the future.NTFP-EP also took the opportunity todiscuss future collaboration with CORDAIDand other donors, including HIVOS, DOEN, andIUCN-NL.PEACHY ONGLEOJohnny Utama ofDian Niaga, Indonesia,introducing someproducts, includinghandwoven rattan bags21 years of BothENDsDuring its 21st anniversary, European partner BothENDS invited its partner NGOs to a weeklongcelebration last March. It also coincided with the launch of the Joke Waller-HunterInitiative, which enables talented people who work at environmental organisations in theSouth to develop themselves further. Partners from NGOs and networks in Africa, Latin Americaand Asia joined in the celebration. {See Vince Docta’s article on p. 10.}JENNE DE BEERvoices from the forest no. 12
Page 1 and 2: www.ntfp.orgNTFPs are important par
Page 3: Some of the participantsin the Nati
Page 7 and 8: A view from the Keystonecampus in K
Page 9 and 10: Women of the Apurinaindigenous peop
Page 11 and 12: THE PHILIPPINESTowards crafting a n

Edition No. 12 - Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme

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