Source: SEAMEO BIOTROP's Research Grant | 2019
Abstract:
Ecological restoration is the process of
assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or
destroyed as a result of direct or indirect human activities or in some cases
caused by natural disturbances (SERI, 2004).
Local and
indigenous communities are always seen as an important component of forest
rehabilitation and ecological restoration initiatives. In their article, Egan et al (undated) argued
that human matters in ecological restoration because of the premise that humans
are responsible for degrading the natural environment, and therefore, they are
also responsible for repairing it. They
also recognized the important role of the indigenous people in ecological
restoration, because of their strong interest in ecological restoration,
particularly the areas that they inhabit, which provides the means of
increasing their resource base and rejuvenating their cultures. Vogt et
al. (2002) in Sirima (2015) also added that the close linkage between
nature and culture, and the long-term interaction with the local environment,
provide most of the indigenous communities with holistic understanding of
ecological processes of the environment, hence, their ability to manage
them.
Based on the above research results, it is concluded
that the ecological conditions within the study sites in Philippines
particularly in Atok, Benguet are gradually being degraded considering the
visible soil erosion, scarce water source during the dry season, and low
biodiversity index. Recognizing this condition, the indigenous people have been
employing local practices towards ecological restoration. These practices could have contributed to the
even distribution of species within the farmlots of the Ibaloi farmers. In
Indonesia site, it had also happened around 10-15 years ago and recently
community has restoration efforts through community forest scheme particularly
in West Lampung. Recently, 3
research locations namely Tribudi Syukur, Sukapura and Sindang Pagar on
satisfied natural resources condition due to the community have high commitment
towards to sustainability of their forest through their forest rules obedience
such as no cut the trees, planting the trees and biodiversity preservation i.e.
wild bird, mushroom.