News

A study on Philippine mountain peoples

27.02.2017

Indigenous mountain peoples are using community-based forest resources management to mitigate climate variation in the Caraballo Mountains, the Philippines, a new study shows. Using qualitative case study research methods and survey questionnaires in the local language Tagalog, researchers of the Ecija University of Science and Technology examined the relationship between the Kalanguya people and their forested mountain environment. The results indicated that the Kalanguya people are moderately aware of climate change and its impacts, and are using traditional practices to mitigate climate change.

Based on the study participants’ responses, the cultural practices of the Kalanguya people are in line with the principles of sustainable community-based forest resources management. Their cultural practices include traditional strategies such as labour-sharing, or Da-ngah, and serving food to the workers, or Ubbo. The Kalanguya people are taking steps to protect the mountain forests they live in from business interests and the impacts of climate change as forest preservation is connected to the  survival of their cultural ways and the viability of their traditional lifestyles.

According to the study, the indigenous organization Wishful Ancestral Domain Association of the Kalanguya (WADAKA) is spearheading climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in the region. These strategies include the promotion of crop diversification, the protection of soil and watersheds, the development of sustainable tourism and participation in the government’s National Greening Program.

Because indigenous mountain peoples are among the hardest hit by climate change, outside support to indigenous organizations and communities is crucial. Bottom-up, participatory approaches make it possible for external support to respond to the priorities and worldviews of the beneficiaries. For this reason, the study recommends a “shift in paradigm” for NGO’s and government agencies in order to account for the traditional knowledge, technology, observation and mitigation strategies of indigenous peoples.

Read the full study “Indigenous People’s Contribution to the Mitigation of Climate Variation, Their Perception, and Organizing Strategy for Sustainable Community Based Forest Resources Management in Caraballo Mountain, Philippines”

Photo: Ramon F Velasquez