Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforests, including those in the Philippines and Indonesia, and plays a vital role in climate regulation, supporting thousands of plant and animal species, and providing essential resources for Filipinos, especially for the indigenous and rural communities.
Community-Led Reforestation in the Philippines
Those critical landscapes are increasingly under threat due to deforestation, illegal logging, mining, and agricultural expansion. From 2002 to 2023, the world lost 76.3 million hectares, according to Global Forest Watch, of tropical wet primary forest. The Philippines accounts for about 190,000 hectares, 13% of its total tree cover loss, posing serious risks to the nation’s biodiversity, water supply, and climate resilience.
To address this, collaborative forest restoration efforts are being implemented between the government, local communities, and civil society. In the Philippines, the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Program empowers People’s Organizations through long-term agreements that support sustainable forest stewardship. These partnerships not only aim to curb deforestation but also promote long-term sustainability and community well-being. One major initiative under this framework is the “5 Million Trees by 2028” campaign, which focuses on planting native tree species nationwide.
Indigenous Community Collaboration
A similar approach is thriving in Indonesia, where the coalition between Aliansi Kolibri, a network of civil society organizations, and Jaringan Komunitas Masyarakat Adat (JKMA) has been focusing on facilitating forest restoration efforts through funding, training, and strengthening the capacity of local communities.
In this collaboration, Muhammad Nasir, a local leader known as Imeum Mukim in Mukim Paloh, Pidie Regency, Aceh, is committed to preserving the forest. For Nasir, the forest is more than just a source of livelihood for the indigenous people; it also symbolizes the deep connection between him, his community, and their ancestors.
When 2,981 hectares of Nasir’s ancestral forest were designated as industrial plantation land in 1987, the community’s sacred traditions and water sources were put at risk. Determined to protect their customary rights, Nasir sought assistance from JKMA in 2012, leading efforts to map territories, institutional strengthening, establish local regulations, address climate change issues, and train his community in forest management. The training is focused on economic utilization and land protection—an effort that reflects his unwavering commitment not only to preserving the hard-won status of Mukim Paloh’s customary forests but also to empowering the local community.
“Preserving customary forests isn’t just about protecting the trees; it’s about safeguarding our culture, traditions, and rights as an indigenous people,” said Nasir.
The recognition of Mukim Paloh’s customary forest was officially realized with the issuance of a Decree (SK) signed by the Minister of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) on September 7, 2023, affirming its status. This decree was later presented directly by President Joko Widodo on September 18, 2023, at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) in Jakarta, marking a significant milestone for the indigenous people of Mukim Paloh in their efforts to protect and preserve their customary forest.
This collaboration is not the only innovation being implemented in Indonesia. Aliansi Kolibri has also restored 22 hectares of degraded forest across six districts, involving more than six local organizations. This community-based restoration model has sparked greater interest among local communities in planting native species, which also contributes to food security. A total of 2,584 seedlings have been planted to enhance food resilience, with an expected harvest time of at least 4-5 years after planting. The cultivated crops include avocado, durian, guava, oranges, cocoa, coconut, mango, pineapple, and many more.
“We hope the community-based restoration model developed by Aliansi Kolibri can serve as an example for other Southeast Asian countries to involve local communities so they too can directly benefit from these initiatives,” said Saharuddin, Secretary of Aliansi Kolibri.
