Conservation and Development through Local Participation in Mosquitia, Honduras
Case Study C0041
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| Date | 2002 |
| Agency | Mosquitia Pawisa Agency for the Development of the Honduras Mosquitia (MOPAWI) |
| Donor/support agency | The Nature Conservancy |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | indigenous territory |
| Geographic coverage | Honduras |
| Locality | Mosquitia region |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape and species |
| Development focus | Indigenous communities of Mosquitia region |
| Conservation goals | Ensuring ecological sustainablity, strenghtening indigenous technical knowledge and resource management |
| Poverty reduction goals | Combining conservation with the socioeconomic needs of people |
Summary
The Mosquitia region lies in eastern Honduras and is part of biodiversity rich Greater Mosquitia Ecosystem. It has wetlands, lagoons, mangroves and the world's second largest coral reef. It is home to four indigenous groups - the Miskito, Tawahka, Pesch and Garifuna. These groups make their living by subsistence agriculture, fishing, hunting and gathering from the forest and occasional wage labour. However, their resource base is under threat from unsustainable practices like large-scale cattle ranching, logging operations and petroleum and mineral exploration. A local NGO, Mosquitia Pawisa Agency for the Development of the Honduras Mosquitia (MOPAWI) has been working with the community groups to ensure the ecological sustainability and improve livelihoods for the last fifteen years. The agency facilitates the co-development of people and the resources with local participation. In the Mocorn zone, MOPAWI has supported and trained communities in the use of 68000 hectares of forestland allocated to them by the government. It helped people prepare a management plan for 3500 hectares of pine forest and 14500 hectares of broadleaved forest. Likewise, it supports more than 100 people in a protection programme for marine turtles. These people patrol beach, protect and monitor the nests until the baby turtles are born. So far, 5967 baby turtles are born and set free in sea. MOPAWA supports a butterfly farm, which is used to export butterflies to zoos and museums in USA. It runs environmental education programmes on the three biosphere reserves of the region. Simultaneously, MOPAWA has promoted sustainable agriculture and agro forestry practices for improving the livelihoods. These activities involve 700 families in 48 communities. These communities are provided with technical assistance on agro industrial crops, plantains and bananas, basic grains and family garden plots. These activities have improved food security and improved nutrition through cultivation of vegetables. The cultivation of organic cocoa constitutes the only source of income for 600 families. More than 100 people have been trained in ecotourism activities, which can provide alternative sources of income. Under a credit and micro enterprise programme, 110 women were provided loans through eight village banks, and established their own small businesses like butcher shops and sale of clothing and mosquito nets. MOPAWI's interventions have benefited over 1000 families of the region and endangered species like the giant loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles, green iguana and butterflies are being protected by the local people.
Conservation impact
Endangered species like the giant loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles, green iguana and butterflies are being protected by the local people. Under turtle conservation programme, 5967 baby turtles have been protected and released in sea. In certain zones, forests are being managed acoording to managment plans.
Poverty reduction impact
Sustainable agriculture and agro forestry practices have been adopted by 700 families in 48 communities. These activities have improved food security and improved nutrition through cultivation of vegetables. The cultivation of organic cocoa constitutes the only source of income for 600 families. More than 100 people have been trained in ecotourism activities, which can provide alternative sources of income. Under credit and micro enterprise programme, 110 women were provided loans through eight village banks, and consequently established their own small businesses like butcher shops and sale of clothing and mosquito nets.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Ecoagriculture
Local employment/job creation
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Reference 1
http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/secondary/equator_prize2002.htm#honduras
Reference 2
http://www.tve.org/ho/doc.cfm?aid=1299
More information
Osvaldo Munguia, Executive Director, MOPAWI, Residencial Tres Caminos, 1½ cuadra al Oeste del Instituto Maria Auxiliadora, Apartado Postal 2175, Tegucigalpa, M.D.C, Honduras, Tel: +504 235 8659, E-mail: oemunguia22@yahoo.com
Related records above this one:
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Organisation O0078)