THE BUFFER ZONE RAINFOREST PROJECT: Visit www.unahi.org

We met Chief Datu and his wife Lisa in June 2003 after corresponding for some time. We had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with Datu to discuss many details of the work that he and other Elders of his tribe are involved with. We were so impressed with Datu’s efforts so far, his sincerity and integrity that we committed to supporting his work to protect the rainforests of Mindanao.

Below is a small proposal to get the next phase of the project started. For more info, contact http://www.unahi.org/contact.htm

BIG Picture Project Description: The Buffer zone rainforest project is an indigenous initiative of the Higaonon Tribal people to preserve the Last remaining Virgin Rainforest in the Philippines. (Their Home, Hospital, Supermarket and Church). The rainforest is 1mill acres covering 5 provinces (Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur) and is a Critical Watershed to these 5 provinces, home to the largest eagle in the world, the Monkey-Eating Eagle. This forest is also the home and food supply of 350,000 Higaonon people living in the forest. The project aims to protect the forest and to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the Higaonon tribal people without compromising the integrity of the ancient tribal customs and traditions.

The project aims to reforest 500,000 hectares of buffer zone surrounding the virgin forest, with a biodiverse, analogue food forest and sustainable food crops. The Higaonon have full ownership of the initiative, the key ingredient for its success.

Over the past three years the Higaonon Tribal people have developed 100HA’s of Prototype forest in different areas surrounding the virgin forest. All sites are doing extremely well. One Higaonon family becomes the steward of each hectare lot, consisting of 100 trees in a ten by ten spacing. Farmers grow companion crops, such as Bananas, Taro, Potato and Cassava that serve as “Nurse Plants” for the young seedlings, as well as their survival food.

ABOUT UNAHI: UNAHI Mindanao is the United association of Higaonon tribes in Mindanao, an Indigenous Peoples organization (IPO) and non-profit organization that relies on volunteer efforts and is based in Buena Vista, Agusan del Norte. Mindanao. (Registration no˜199806067,November 3, 1998)
UNAHI is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the last remaining rainforest in the, Philippines and its inhabitants. Its purpose is to uplift the socio economic conditions of the Higaonon tribal people without compromising the integrity of the ancient tribal customs and traditions. It promotes sustainability, which will empower the people to meet their basic needs. UNAHI also works to objectively help the lowland Filipinos and other governments world wide to understand the Higaonon people and to respect their culture, and their environment.

By bringing the Elders of the 8 river clans together to form UNAHI Mindanao, they have gained a great strength, by solidifying the union of all Higaonon Indigenous People, to work for the good of their tribal culture and uphold their customary laws.
So far UNAHI Mindanao has instigated a 100Hectare Proto type project in different areas surrounding the forest.called the TAFT Agroforestry project. After three years the 100 hecrtares are doing extremely well.

They have instigated, volunteered the labour and built a Tribal Training Center at Buena Vista that serves as: a meeting place for all tribal elders meetings; training of horticulture and nursery skills; a craft and tribal arts center; a home for students from the mountains studying in Buena Vista; and an administration center/office9. If your organization is requesting funds that will be passed along to another organization, please briefly explain the relationship between your two organizations.