WANGARI MAATHAI FOREST CHAMPIONS AWARD

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/community-leader-from-philippines-awarded-wangari-maathai-forest-champions-award

 Context: Nida Collado received the Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award 2024 for her exceptional work in community-centred forest and coastal conservation in the Philippines.

The Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award

• Established By: Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), an international alliance founded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
• Purpose: To honour individuals for their pioneering efforts in promoting community forest management. This includes engaging indigenous communities and all forest users in conservation efforts.
• Inaugural Year: 2012
• Cash Prize: $20,000
• Named After: Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner known for her work in environmental conservation and women’s rights.
• Recently the award was presented during the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry in Rome, Italy, which took place from July 22 to July 26, 2024.
  

Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) ●The Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) is a voluntary arrangement among 16 international organizations with significant forest programs. ●The members work together to improve forest management and conservation, as well as the production and trade of forest products. They share expertise and resources to achieve these goals. ●The CPF's mission is to enhance the contribution of forests to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other global development goals. It aims to promote sustainable forest management and strengthen political commitment to this cause. ●The core functions of the CPF include supporting the United Nations Forum on Forests, providing advice to governing bodies, enhancing cooperation and coordination, and promoting the implementation of international forest agreements. ●Established in 2001 in response to a UN resolution, the CPF operates as a component of the International Arrangement on Forests and the United Nations Forum on Forests. It endorsed a Strategic Vision towards 2030 in 2020 to guide its future work. The CPF Policy Document formalizes its operations, outlining its mission, functions, membership, and rules of procedure.

 Nida Collado’s Contributions

Position and Organization

• Role: President of the Macatumbalen Community-Based Forest and Coastal Management Association (MBFCMA).
• Organization: MBFCMA is dedicated to community-centred conservation, focusing on the restoration and protection of forests and coastal areas through grassroots efforts and local knowledge.

 Achievements and Initiatives

• Forest and Coastal Management:
  • Reforestation: Under Collado’s leadership, MBFCMA has reforested 1,450 hectares of degraded land.
  • Protection: They have safeguarded 400 hectares of standing forests and critical community water supplies.
• Restoration of Mangroves:
  • Collado introduced the restoration of fragmented mangrove areas by creating interconnected pockets managed by local communities. This approach blends traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques, enhancing the ecological integrity of mangrove ecosystems and supporting local fisheries.
• Community Empowerment:
  • Education: Collado has educated local farmers about sustainable agricultural practices, particularly countering the dangers of slash-and-burn farming.
  • Community Groups: She has organized community groups to take collective responsibility for forest and mangrove conservation.
• Challenges Faced:
  • The MBFCMA has faced significant challenges, including low seedling survival rates, poaching, illegal wildlife trafficking, and destructive farming practices. The impact of Typhoon Rai in December 2021 further exacerbated these issues.

 Impact and Legacy

• Biodiversity Restoration: The efforts of MBFCMA under Collado’s leadership have contributed significantly to restoring biodiversity and improving local livelihoods.
• National and Global Recognition: Collado’s work has gained recognition not only at the national level in the Philippines but also on the global stage, emphasizing the value of community-driven conservation efforts.

 Broader Context

Deforestation in the Philippines

• Historical Context: The Philippines has faced severe deforestation over the past century, losing approximately 10 million hectares of forest cover by the end of the 20th century. The forest cover declined to 18.9% of the total land area by 1988, with the most significant losses occurring in the 1970s and 1980s due to commercial logging and other activities.
• Current Efforts: Local communities, such as those organized by MBFCMA, are playing a critical role in reversing these trends through conservation and restoration projects.

 Community-Based Conservation

• Significance: Community-based approaches, like those implemented by MBFCMA, are crucial for sustainable forest management. They leverage local knowledge, engage community members in conservation efforts, and address both ecological and socio-economic factors.
• Recognition: The Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award highlights the importance of these approaches in achieving meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes.

 Conclusion

• Nida Collado’s award recognizes her exceptional contributions to forest and coastal management in the Philippines. Her work exemplifies the impact of community-centred conservation efforts, blending traditional knowledge with modern practices to restore ecosystems and support local livelihoods. The recognition from the Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award not only honours Collado’s achievements but also highlights the importance of community involvement in global conservation efforts.

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 Source:

Down to Earth

Collaborative Partnership on Forests

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Who was awarded the Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award in 2024? A) Cécile Ndjebet B) Nida Collado C) Wasuk Hentai D) David Suzuki  Answer: B