Description
Lacandón – Forest for Life
Certified as:
Verified Carbon Units Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standard
Sustainable Development Goals supported:
THE STORY
The Sierra del Lacandon National Park sits within the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Selva Maya Corridor, which contains the second most extensive tract of continuous tropical rainforest in the Americas after the Amazon. However due to encroaching settlements, forest fires, poor management of natural resources, illegal logging and agricultural activities, the rate of deforestation is high.
THE SOLUTION
The Lacandon Forests for Life project reduces deforestation by controlling illegal timber extraction and assuring the legality of land use through sustainable forest management. The project also aims to address the cause of deforestation by improving the livelihoods of communities located within the National Park and surrounding areas. This includes the strengthening of governance through cooperatives, supporting sustainable economic livelihoods through technical workshops, and increasing environmental awareness through training.
THE IMPACT
Capacity building is a key aspect of this project, and women in particular benefit from governance, the development of a non-timber forest products value chain and environmental education. Surrounding communities enjoy a strengthened economy and improved environmental governance with support from project implementation. Sustainable forestry activities (such as conservation management, agroforestry and reforestation) provide a source of income for local communities while conserving natural resources. The project promotes health, family planning and environmental awareness through educational programmes.