Integrating Biodiversity Conservation andEcoTourism: The Bohol Province,

Philippines Experience

ICLEI World Congress 2006Cape Town, South Africa

Atty. Juanito G. CambangayProvincial Planning & Development CoordinatorBohol, Philippines

Bohol’s Biodiversity Situation

High diversity of flora and fauna found indifferent ecosystems75,7666 hectares (1/4 of the Province’s area)is considered Environmentally Constrainedand Environmentally Critical AreasBohol Marine Triangle found 6,000 species ofmollusks and related species in a 15,000hectare area1,200 species of crabs and shrimps1,920 hectares of coral reefsLimestone landscapes landmarked by theChocolate Hills

Bohol’s Biodiversity Situation

Biggest man-made mangrove forest inSoutheast AsiaPresence of reptiles, amphibians, batspecies, and the Tarsier60% of the country’s marine mammalspecies found in Pamilacan IslandAlmost 70% of total land area in Karstformation78 birds species belonging to 28 families411 fish species370 macro invertibrates species12 major watersheds

Bohol’s Biodiversity Situation

destruction of eco-systems(due to conversion offorests to agricultural andurban uses)disappearance of habitatspollutionoverexploitation (due toincrease in population,poverty and limitedlivelihood opportunities)erosionoverhuntingillegal trade

Threats to Biodiversity

EcoTourism Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity Conservationthrough Ecotourism

The basis for ecotourism is the biodiversity in a given area.

Care must be taken to ensure that the existing biodiversity ismaintained and enhanced over time for ecotourism to be sustainable.

The Province of Bohol integrates biodiversityconservation into the tourism sector through promotionof ecotourism to local governments and communities asa tool for poverty reduction

Ecotourism contributes to Biodiversity Conservation andvice versa

Biodiversity Conservationthrough Ecotourism

Principles of Ecotourism

Sustainable management

of natural/cultural resources

Community Participation

Social and Cultural Sustainability

Local Economic Benefits

Quality of Visitor Experience

Biodiversity Conservationthrough Ecotourism

Initiatives & Management ToolsThe Bohol Environment Code: identifiesecotourism as a major strategy for the conservationof biological diversity, preservation of uniquenatural cultural heritage and creation ofemployment opportunities and thus mandates:

Prioritization of ecotourism zones and areas fordevelopmentDetermination of appropriate type of developmentand management with community& private sectorparticipationRegulation and control of growth of ecotourismactivitiesLocal governments to provide ecotourism servicesand facilities

Biodiversity Conservationthrough Ecotourism

Initiatives &Management Tools

Crafting of Bohol Biodiversity Conservation &Ecotourism FrameworkEstablishment of database for terrestrial, freshwaterand coastal/ marine flora and faunaEstablishment of Biodiversity Research CenterImplementation of the Biodiversity Monitoring SystemImplementation of the Coastal ResourceManagement (CRM) Certification SystemStrong ties and partnerships with government,communities non-government organizations andacademe

Biodiversity Conservationthrough EcotourismSuccessful Cases

Bow-riding bottlenosed dolphins

The Pamilacan Island Marine Life Tour

Organized the Pamilacan Island Dolphin and WhaleWatching Organization as a legal cooperative (80 families/144 members)Increased awareness and understanding of communitiesinvolved on environment conservation and ecotourismEnhanced networks and partnerships for government,community and industryImproved skills to local personnel in businessmanagement, tour guiding and visitor managementFive-fold increase in income

Biodiversity Conservationthrough EcotourismSuccessful Cases

The Candijay Mangrove Adventure TourOrganized the Panadtaran Mangrove Associationwith 160 members to conserve and preserve theenvironmentThe association is awarded by the DENR with a600 hectare-mangrove for them to manage andutilizeOrganized a team of tour guides which iscurrently accepting bookings for eco-toursImplementation of support programs provided bylocal and foreign-funding institutions

Where to now?

Strategies and Policies

Enhance the conservation and protection ofbiodiversity through comprehensive Informationand Education ProgramsInstitutionalize appropriate monitoring andcontrol system for the management of biologicaldiversity and tourism activitiesImplementation of Biodiversity Conservation andEcotourism Framework PlanIncrease in biodiversity in farming, agro-forestryand forest program

Where to now?

Strategies and Policies

Establishment of wildlife corridors to connectforest fragments to similar ecosystemsApplication of strict zoning in protected areas tocontrol ecotourism activitiesPreservation of island ecosystems andendangered species through appropriate sitemanagementEnactment of provincial, municipal and villagelegislation to support biodiversity conservationRehabilitation of original habitats byreintroducing native species

Lessons Learned

An ecotourism project benefits the entirecommunity, but not necessarily hires the entirecommunityEcotourism is not for all sites, there are many sitesthat should not be developed because they are toosensitiveEcotourism is not all advocacy but food for thefamilyGood ecotourism demands much preparation forsite selection. It is not just a matter of how muchrevenues to be realizedThe existing biodiversity is our capital, we mustlearn to spend only the interest of this capital if weare to have any sustainability now and for futuregenerations

thank you!

End of Presentation