Environmental sustainability and conservation through indigenous natural resource management (INRM) in the Cordilleras [Philippines] options for participatory communication

Sustainable resource management is embedded in the tradition, culture and beliefs of the indigenous communities in the Cordilleras. The richness of the natural resources in the region is coupled with Indigenous Natural Resource Management (INRM) strategies that help conserve and sustain their environment for decades. The paper presents the development and application of participatory approaches in the development of Information Exchange and Campaign (IEC) materials on INRM at the community level. IEC materials including posters, flyers, comics and radio spot were developed using a variety of participatory approaches such as Key Informant (KI) interview, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), community poster development, community folk story development and community translation. The Muyong or Pinugo is an indigenous forest management strategy in the Cordilleras recognized internationally. Various publications report that this INRM strategy does not only provide sources of food, fiber, fuel wood and construction materials to the communities but also helps minimize soil erosion and water runoff; maintains soil fertility, plant and animal biodiversity, and provides steady water source of the rice fields below for several generations. Another INRM strategy practiced by indigenous communities in the Cordilleras is the tapak-tapak system. Wild sunflower is used as organic fertilizer. Foliar cuttings are applied either in the rice seedling beds or directly to the fields, and allowed to decompose before the start of the planting season. As an organic fertilizer, it helps maintain soil fertility, gives vigorous growth to rice and sustains rice yield. Participatory approaches are essential in acquiring first-hand information essential in the development of acceptable and effective forms of community IEC materials (e.g. community poster, flyers and story book) for environmental sustainability and conservation. With the tacit nature of indigenous knowledge as in INRM strategies in the Cordilleras, effective transformation of such knowledge into community level communication tools is necessary.