Users In Action

Hear stories from the forest defenders working in the field.

Users In Action | Global Forest Watch Blog

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indigenous peoples | Global Forest Watch Blog

Indonesia

Indonesia | Global Forest Watch Blog

Isabela Barriga

Inge Snip

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6pfTvH6_520?si=NSmHYOeS_YIpeBBy" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forests have protected the climate of our planet, including protecting against flood threats and soil erosion. They provide a source of water for essential needs, a variety of types of food, and oxygen. At their core, [forests] have provided everything for all of us.” – Muhammad Ichwan, National Executive Director of Indonesia’s Forestry Independent Monitoring Network (JPIK)&nbsp;



Indonesia is home to the world’s third-largest forested area. Founded in 2010, JPIK is a leading voice in the country’s battle against forest loss and illegal logging, as well as addressing the causes of deforestation, using GFW tools. Their work spans years of mobilizing communities, leveraging technology and advocating for sustainable forest management.&nbsp;



JPIK is a network of civil society organizations across Indonesia, form Papua to Aceh, that originally came together to monitor the application of Indonesia’s Timber legality Assurance System (SVLK).&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="624" height="468" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JPIK-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18195"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Meranti logs resulting from illegal logging in Central Kalimantan Province. Credit: JPIK</figcaption></figure>



JPIK has grown into a national network, comprising 26 regional offices, over 614 individual members and 68 institutional members. As Ichwan explains, JPIK’s mandate now goes beyond monitoring logging; it combines community engagement with policy advocacy to create long-lasting solutions to prevent forest loss and degradation.



This expansion required a strategic rethinking of the monitoring framework used by independent monitors to enable them to advocate for legal and policy reforms to better address illegal logging and protect Indonesia’s forests.



The adoption of satellite technology, particularly GFW data, has improved JPIK’s forest monitoring capabilities significantly in recent years.



“The use of satellite technology today is quite helpful in JPIK’s work,” said Ichwan. “We use this technology as our basis for conducting field monitoring, and for evidence of complaints — to law enforcement, to certification agencies, government.”



For example, in a pivotal case in December 2022, JPIK used GFW data to uncover illegal logging activities in Central Kalimantan. The investigation revealed the illegal harvesting of ramin wood, a species <a href="https://wri-indonesia.org/id/wawasan/mengenal-cites-dan-perannya-mengatasi-perdagangan-kayu-ilegal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species</a> (CITES). “Through the GFW app we can track illegal logging sites in protected forests, the flow of wood into rivers, until it enters the company,” said Ichwan. By tracking the wood’s journey, JPIK exposed an operation aiming to disguise the illegally logged timber as legitimate. The findings were submitted to Indonesian authorities, leading to legal actions against the perpetrators.



The involvement of local communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, is key to JPIK’s success. Indonesia’s forests are critical to the livelihoods of Indigenous and local communities, who often bear the brunt of effects of deforestation and poor forest management, facing increased risks of flooding, landslides and other environmental disasters. “If the forests are damaged or the governance of these forests is damaged, [Indigenous or local communities] will be most affected,” said Ichwan.



JPIK provides training to communities on independent forest monitoring and the use of GFW tools. According to Ichwan, empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities to independently lead forest monitoring has been one of JPIK’s most effective strategies. “Indigenous or local communities are the primary independent monitoring actors because they are the closest party to forests, the closest to forests as their life support,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="468" height="312" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JPIK-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18196"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Training on GFW with WRI Indonesia. Credit: JPIK</figcaption></figure>



In another case in Central Kalimantan, a group of Indigenous people trained by JPIK helped stop illegal logging in protected areas. Their efforts, which included reporting the violations to law enforcement, resulted in significant legal actions: criminal sanctions, withdrawal of SVLK certifications and fines for the perpetrators and others.



Looking to the future, JPIK recognizes the importance of involving Indonesia’s youth in forest monitoring. They plan to recruit and train hundreds of young people — aged 17 to 29 — on the principles of sustainable forestry, using GFW and forest advocacy. The goal is to equip this new generation with the skills needed to document, report and campaign against illegal logging and deforestation, while also using social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube to raise awareness.



This next generation of independent forest monitors will continue JPIK’s legacy of community-driven, technology-enhanced forest protection. According to Ichwan, continuing to use GFW in this work is key: “GFW, for us, is very important to support our work on forest monitoring, to counter the threat of deforestation and illegal logging in Indonesia.”



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voices of Global Forest Watch: Muhammad Ichwan, Indonesia’s Forestry Independent Monitoring Network

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6pfTvH6_520?si=NSmHYOeS_YIpeBBy" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forests have protected the climate of our planet, including protecting against flood threats and soil erosion. They provide a source of water for essential needs, a variety of types of food, and oxygen. At their core, [forests] have provided everything for all of us.” – Muhammad Ichwan, National Executive Director of Indonesia's Forestry Independent Monitoring Network (JPIK)&nbsp;



Indonesia is home to the world’s third-largest forested area. Founded in 2010, JPIK is a leading voice in the country's battle against forest loss and illegal logging, as well as addressing the causes of deforestation, using GFW tools. Their work spans years of mobilizing communities, leveraging technology and advocating for sustainable forest management.&nbsp;



JPIK is a network of civil society organizations across Indonesia, form Papua to Aceh, that originally came together to monitor the application of Indonesia's Timber legality Assurance System (SVLK).&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JPIK-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18195"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Meranti logs resulting from illegal logging in Central Kalimantan Province. Credit: JPIK</figcaption></figure>



JPIK has grown into a national network, comprising 26 regional offices, over 614 individual members and 68 institutional members. As Ichwan explains, JPIK's mandate now goes beyond monitoring logging; it combines community engagement with policy advocacy to create long-lasting solutions to prevent forest loss and degradation.



This expansion required a strategic rethinking of the monitoring framework used by independent monitors to enable them to advocate for legal and policy reforms to better address illegal logging and protect Indonesia's forests.



The adoption of satellite technology, particularly GFW data, has improved JPIK's forest monitoring capabilities significantly in recent years.



"The use of satellite technology today is quite helpful in JPIK’s work," said Ichwan. “We use this technology as our basis for conducting field monitoring, and for evidence of complaints — to law enforcement, to certification agencies, government.”



For example, in a pivotal case in December 2022, JPIK used GFW data to uncover illegal logging activities in Central Kalimantan. The investigation revealed the illegal harvesting of ramin wood, a species <a href="https://wri-indonesia.org/id/wawasan/mengenal-cites-dan-perannya-mengatasi-perdagangan-kayu-ilegal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species</a> (CITES). “Through the GFW app we can track illegal logging sites in protected forests, the flow of wood into rivers, until it enters the company,” said Ichwan. By tracking the wood’s journey, JPIK exposed an operation aiming to disguise the illegally logged timber as legitimate. The findings were submitted to Indonesian authorities, leading to legal actions against the perpetrators.



The involvement of local communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, is key to JPIK’s success. Indonesia’s forests are critical to the livelihoods of Indigenous and local communities, who often bear the brunt of effects of deforestation and poor forest management, facing increased risks of flooding, landslides and other environmental disasters. “If the forests are damaged or the governance of these forests is damaged, [Indigenous or local communities] will be most affected,” said Ichwan.



JPIK provides training to communities on independent forest monitoring and the use of GFW tools. According to Ichwan, empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities to independently lead forest monitoring has been one of JPIK’s most effective strategies. “Indigenous or local communities are the primary independent monitoring actors because they are the closest party to forests, the closest to forests as their life support,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JPIK-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18196"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Training on GFW with WRI Indonesia. Credit: JPIK</figcaption></figure>



In another case in Central Kalimantan, a group of Indigenous people trained by JPIK helped stop illegal logging in protected areas. Their efforts, which included reporting the violations to law enforcement, resulted in significant legal actions: criminal sanctions, withdrawal of SVLK certifications and fines for the perpetrators and others.



Looking to the future, JPIK recognizes the importance of involving Indonesia's youth in forest monitoring. They plan to recruit and train hundreds of young people — aged 17 to 29 — on the principles of sustainable forestry, using GFW and forest advocacy. The goal is to equip this new generation with the skills needed to document, report and campaign against illegal logging and deforestation, while also using social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube to raise awareness.



This next generation of independent forest monitors will continue JPIK's legacy of community-driven, technology-enhanced forest protection. According to Ichwan, continuing to use GFW in this work is key: “GFW, for us, is very important to support our work on forest monitoring, to counter the threat of deforestation and illegal logging in Indonesia.”



<hr> 

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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

</div>



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Voices of Global Forest Watch: Muhammad Ichwan, Indonesia's Forestry Independent Monitoring Network

Satu dekade yang lalu, peluncuran Global Forest Watch (GFW) mengantarkan era baru akuntabilitas dan transparansi dalam pemantauan dan perlindungan hutan dunia. Untuk merayakan 10 tahun dampaknya, seri Kisah Pemantauan dengan GFW (Voices of Global Forest Watch) akan menyoroti keberhasilan para pengguna, mitra, dan anggota komunitas GFW sepanjang tahun. Kami mengundang Anda untuk membaca, menonton, dan berbagi kisah-kisah para pemimpin luar biasa dalam pemantauan hutan yang memiliki peran penting dalam melindungi hutan di mana pun.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6pfTvH6_520?si=NSmHYOeS_YIpeBBy" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Hutan telah melindungi iklim planet kita, termasuk melindungi dari ancaman banjir dan erosi tanah. Hutan menyediakan sumber air untuk kebutuhan pokok, berbagai jenis makanan, dan oksigen. Pada intinya, [hutan] telah menyediakan segalanya untuk kita semua.” - Muhammad Ichwan, Direktur Eksekutif Nasional Jaringan Pemantau Independen Kehutanan (JPIK)



Indonesia adalah rumah bagi kawasan hutan terbesar ketiga di dunia. Didirikan pada tahun 2010, JPIK merupakan organisasi terdepan dalam perjuangan melawan dan mengatasi deforestasi dan pembalakan liar di Indonesia, salah satunya dengan menggunakan perangkat GFW. Upaya mereka ini telah berlangsung selama bertahun-tahun dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat, pemanfaatan teknologi pendukung pemantauan, serta mengadvokasi pengelolaan hutan yang berkelanjutan. JPIK adalah jaringan organisasi masyarakat sipil di seluruh Indonesia, dari Papua hingga Aceh, yang pada awalnya merupakan perkumpulan untuk bersama-sama mengawasi penerapan Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu (SVLK) di Indonesia.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JPIK-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18195"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kayu bulat Meranti hasil pembalakan liar di Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah. Kredit: JPIK</figcaption></figure>



JPIK telah berkembang menjadi jaringan nasional yang terdiri dari 26 kantor regional tersebar di seluruh Indonesia, dengan lebih dari 614 anggota individu dan 68 anggota lembaga. Seperti yang dijelaskan oleh Ichwan, mandat JPIK kini lebih dari sekedar memantau penebangan kayu; JPIK menggabungkan pelibatan masyarakat dengan advokasi kebijakan untuk menciptakan solusi jangka panjang guna mencegah hilangnya hutan dan degradasi lahan.



Perluasan ini membutuhkan peninjauan strategis terhadap kerangka kerja pemantauan yang digunakan oleh para pemantau independen, sehingga memungkinkan mereka untuk mendorong reformasi hukum dan kebijakan yang lebih efektif untuk menangani pembalakan liar dan melindungi hutan di Indonesia dengan lebih baik.



Penggunaan teknologi satelit, khususnya data GFW, telah meningkatkan kemampuan pemantauan hutan JPIK secara signifikan dalam beberapa tahun terakhir.&nbsp;



“Penggunaan teknologi satelit saat ini cukup membantu kerja-kerja JPIK,” kata Ichwan. “Kami menggunakan teknologi ini sebagai dasar untuk melakukan pemantauan lapangan, dan sebagai data pendukung pengaduan - kepada penegak hukum, lembaga sertifikasi, dan pemerintah.”



Sebagai contoh, dalam sebuah kasus penting pada bulan Desember 2022, JPIK menggunakan data GFW untuk mengungkap kegiatan penebangan hutan ilegal di Kalimantan Tengah. Investigasi tersebut mengungkap adanya pemanenan kayu ramin – spesies yang tergolong Apendiks II atau sebagai spesies yang dilindungi <a href="https://wri-indonesia.org/id/wawasan/mengenal-cites-dan-perannya-mengatasi-perdagangan-kayu-ilegal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dalam sistem CITES</a> (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) – secara ilegal. “Melalui aplikasi GFW, kami dapat melacak lokasi pembalakan liar dalam kawasan hutan lindung, distribusi kayu melalui sungai, hingga masuk ke perusahaan,” kata Ichwan. Dengan melacak perjalanan kayu tersebut, JPIK berhasil membongkar sebuah operasi yang bertujuan untuk menyamarkan kayu yang ditebang secara ilegal menjadi kayu legal. Temuan ini kemudian disampaikan kepada pihak berwenang di Indonesia, yang kemudian berujung pada tindakan hukum kepada para pelaku.



Keterlibatan masyarakat lokal, khususnya Masyarakat Adat, merupakan kunci keberhasilan JPIK. Hutan Indonesia sangat penting bagi mata pencaharian Masyarakat Adat dan masyarakat lokal, yang sering kali menanggung beban terbesar dari dampak deforestasi dan pengelolaan hutan yang buruk, menghadapi peningkatan resiko banjir, tanah longsor, dan bencana lingkungan lainnya. “Jika hutan rusak atau tata kelola hutan buruk, [masyarakat adat atau lokal] akan menjadi pihak yang paling terkena dampaknya,” kata Ichwan.



JPIK memberikan pelatihan kepada masyarakat mengenai pemantauan hutan secara mandiri dan penggunaan perangkat GFW. Menurut Ichwan, memberdayakan masyarakat adat dan komunitas lokal untuk memimpin pemantauan hutan secara mandiri merupakan salah satu strategi JPIK yang paling efektif. “Masyarakat adat atau masyarakat lokal adalah pelaku utama pemantauan independen karena mereka adalah pihak yang paling dekat dengan hutan sebagai penopang kehidupan mereka,” katanya.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JPIK-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18196"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pelatihan tentang GFW dengan WRI Indonesia. Kredit: JPIK</figcaption></figure>



Dalam kasus lain di Kalimantan Tengah, sekelompok masyarakat adat yang dilatih oleh JPIK membantu menghentikan pembalakan liar dalam kawasan lindung. Upaya mereka, termasuk melaporkan pelanggaran kepada penegak hukum, menghasilkan tindakan hukum yang signifikan: sanksi pidana, pencabutan sertifikasi SVLK dan denda bagi para pelaku, dan lain-lain.



Kedepannya, JPIK menyadari pentingnya melibatkan kaum muda Indonesia dalam pemantauan hutan. JPIK berencana untuk merekrut dan melatih ratusan anak muda - berusia 17 hingga 29 tahun - tentang prinsip-prinsip pengelolaan kehutanan berkelanjutan, serta menggunakan GFW dan advokasi hutan. Tujuannya untuk membekali generasi baru ini dengan keterampilan yang dibutuhkan untuk mendokumentasikan, melaporkan, dan mengkampanyekan perlawanan terhadap pembalakan liar dan deforestasi, serta menggunakan platform media sosial seperti TikTok dan YouTube untuk meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat.



Generasi pemantau hutan independen berikutnya akan melanjutkan warisan JPIK dalam hal perlindungan hutan yang berbasis masyarakat dan didukung oleh teknologi. Menurut Ichwan, melanjutkan penggunaan GFW dalam pekerjaan ini adalah kuncinya: “GFW, bagi kami, sangat penting untuk mendukung pekerjaan kami dalam pemantauan hutan, untuk melawan ancaman deforestasi dan pembalakan liar di Indonesia.”



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Kisah Pemantauan dengan Global Forest Watch: Muhammad Ichwan, Jaringan Pemantau Independen Kehutanan Indonesia

As part of our Voices of GFW series, learn about Muhammad Ichwan's work with Indonesia's Forestry Independent Monitoring Network (JPIK).

Voices of GFW: Muhammad Ichwan, JPIK

Voices of Global Forest Watch: Muhammad Ichwan, Indonesia&#8217;s Forestry Independent Monitoring Network

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Women are Leading the Way to Protect Some of the World’s Most Important Forests

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Para Wanita Memimpin Upaya Perlindungan Hutan-Hutan Terpenting Di Dunia

Les femmes montrent la voie de la protection de certaines des forêts les plus importantes au monde

This blog spotlights stories of women leaders using GFW tools and data to protecting some of the world’s most important forests.

Women are Protecting Some of the World’s Most Important Forests

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9q_I9KHLzU?si=KZVxl0wS0mpzEMi5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forests are important as they play several roles. I consider forests to be the factor that allows us to stay alive.” – Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière



Serge Bondo Kayembe, born in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), developed a passion for forest conservation at a young age. Growing up, he worked alongside his family in a forested area, where he became deeply aware of the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Protecting forests is not only beneficial for us living in forests and around forests,” said Serge, “but also for others beyond our countries where wood is produced, where logging is done in tropical areas.”&nbsp;



Serge works with the Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière (OGF), a nonprofit working to protect DRC’s forests through resource monitoring, legislation and governance oversight using tools like GFW to detect and report illegal activities, which are further investigated in field missions. This monitoring is essential to ensure that forest laws are respected and that forests are protected.&nbsp;



Serge is proud of the work OGF has achieved so far,&nbsp;including receiving&nbsp;government support through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that enables OGF to act as an independent third party monitoring government forest-related activities. Thanks to this MoU, OGF’s work has gained acceptance from DRC’s Ministry of Forestry. This collaboration and tools like GFW have enabled OGF to&nbsp;secure&nbsp;more responsible and transparent management of forest resources by making information on forest exploitation accessible and governance processes clear and open. In a major achievement, this independent monitoring has led to proposed alternatives to protect critical areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;



For example, a DRC provincial government gathered key stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the Luki Biosphere Reserve, a protected area in Central Congo Province. The area faces significant threats of deforestation due to charcoal production, agriculture and illegal logging, both from forestry companies and from local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18043" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg 1200w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



OGF used GFW’s deforestation alerts to identify the different causes of deforested activities, and used this information to prepare proposals for alternative activities that allow communities to sustainably meet their economic needs without causing deforestation and biodiversity loss in the reserve. This led to meetings between authorities and local stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the reserve, introduce alternative economic activities for local communities and strengthen monitoring measures.&nbsp;



OGF actively involves local communities in this kind of work by raising awareness of the negative impacts of deforestation and providing trainings on how to protect natural resources. Through these trainings, OGF supported communities to monitor forests and report any suspicious activity. This participatory approach has strengthened the role of communities in conserving the reserve, making them more vigilant and proactive in protecting their environment.&nbsp;



In 2023 and 2024, with support from GFW’s Small Grants Fund (SGF), OGF worked on building the skills of a network of independent forest monitors, which currently consists of 25 organizations, to improve environmental monitoring and make conservation initiatives in the reserve more sustainable. OGF organized training courses for local forest monitors, government officials in charge of forest control and other civil society actors, resulting in more sustainable and participatory forest management.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1536" height="2048" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18044" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



“These tools allow us to access documentation, i.e. all logging titles, cutting permits, concession contracts,” Serge said, explaining how they use WRI’s Open Timber Portal and Forest Atlas for planning, while GFW’s near-real-time deforestation alerts are crucial for execution, helping forest monitors in the field identify and investigate the causes, such as bushfires or large-scale logging.&nbsp;&nbsp;



These tools also provide detailed, reliable, publicly available evidence that they can submit to authorities. This information has helped authorities to better understand the scale of the problem and take appropriate action.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1536" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18069" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



In the Luki region, use of deforestation alerts has contributed to rapid detection and response to illegal activities, leading to a positive impact to protect forests and biodiversity. As a result, OGF has been able to not only improve monitoring and documentation of illegal activities, but fostered collaborations with local authorities for better law enforcement.&nbsp;



In addition to their work in Luki, OGF has made significant impacts in other regions. They contributed to a significant reduction in deforestation in several critical areas of the DRC through collaborations with various NGOs and the government. They have worked to ensure that local communities in many areas of the DRC have access to equitable benefits from forest resources, including the creation of social infrastructure. And their efforts have led to important legislative reforms aimed at strengthening forest protection and improving governance of natural resources.&nbsp;



The challenges for protecting DRC’s critical forests remain significant, and Serge recognizes that he, OGF, and the communities they work with have a long way to go in this ongoing fight for forest conservation and the rights of forest communities.&nbsp;



“At the beginning of my career, I thought it was going to be easy. But over the years, I’ve been doing this job for 12 years, I feel like I just started.”&nbsp;



<a href="https://ogfrdc.cd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about OGF here.</a>



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voices of Global Forest Watch: Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9q_I9KHLzU?si=KZVxl0wS0mpzEMi5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forests are important as they play several roles. I consider forests to be the factor that allows us to stay alive.” - Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière



Serge Bondo Kayembe, born in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), developed a passion for forest conservation at a young age. Growing up, he worked alongside his family in a forested area, where he became deeply aware of the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Protecting forests is not only beneficial for us living in forests and around forests,” said Serge, “but also for others beyond our countries where wood is produced, where logging is done in tropical areas.”&nbsp;



Serge works with the Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière (OGF), a nonprofit working to protect DRC’s forests through resource monitoring, legislation and governance oversight using tools like GFW to detect and report illegal activities, which are further investigated in field missions. This monitoring is essential to ensure that forest laws are respected and that forests are protected.&nbsp;



Serge is proud of the work OGF has achieved so far,&nbsp;including receiving&nbsp;government support through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that enables OGF to act as an independent third party monitoring government forest-related activities. Thanks to this MoU, OGF’s work has gained acceptance from DRC's Ministry of Forestry. This collaboration and tools like GFW have enabled OGF to&nbsp;secure&nbsp;more responsible and transparent management of forest resources by making information on forest exploitation accessible and governance processes clear and open. In a major achievement, this independent monitoring has led to proposed alternatives to protect critical areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;



For example, a DRC provincial government gathered key stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the Luki Biosphere Reserve, a protected area in Central Congo Province. The area faces significant threats of deforestation due to charcoal production, agriculture and illegal logging, both from forestry companies and from local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18043"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



OGF used GFW’s deforestation alerts to identify the different causes of deforested activities, and used this information to prepare proposals for alternative activities that allow communities to sustainably meet their economic needs without causing deforestation and biodiversity loss in the reserve. This led to meetings between authorities and local stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the reserve, introduce alternative economic activities for local communities and strengthen monitoring measures.&nbsp;



OGF actively involves local communities in this kind of work by raising awareness of the negative impacts of deforestation and providing trainings on how to protect natural resources. Through these trainings, OGF supported communities to monitor forests and report any suspicious activity. This participatory approach has strengthened the role of communities in conserving the reserve, making them more vigilant and proactive in protecting their environment.&nbsp;



In 2023 and 2024, with support from GFW’s Small Grants Fund (SGF), OGF worked on building the skills of a network of independent forest monitors, which currently consists of 25 organizations, to improve environmental monitoring and make conservation initiatives in the reserve more sustainable. OGF organized training courses for local forest monitors, government officials in charge of forest control and other civil society actors, resulting in more sustainable and participatory forest management.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18044"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



“These tools allow us to access documentation, i.e. all logging titles, cutting permits, concession contracts,” Serge said, explaining how they use WRI’s Open Timber Portal and Forest Atlas for planning, while GFW’s near-real-time deforestation alerts are crucial for execution, helping forest monitors in the field identify and investigate the causes, such as bushfires or large-scale logging.&nbsp;&nbsp;



These tools also provide detailed, reliable, publicly available evidence that they can submit to authorities. This information has helped authorities to better understand the scale of the problem and take appropriate action.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18069"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



In the Luki region, use of deforestation alerts has contributed to rapid detection and response to illegal activities, leading to a positive impact to protect forests and biodiversity. As a result, OGF has been able to not only improve monitoring and documentation of illegal activities, but fostered collaborations with local authorities for better law enforcement.&nbsp;



In addition to their work in Luki, OGF has made significant impacts in other regions. They contributed to a significant reduction in deforestation in several critical areas of the DRC through collaborations with various NGOs and the government. They have worked to ensure that local communities in many areas of the DRC have access to equitable benefits from forest resources, including the creation of social infrastructure. And their efforts have led to important legislative reforms aimed at strengthening forest protection and improving governance of natural resources.&nbsp;



The challenges for protecting DRC’s critical forests remain significant, and Serge recognizes that he, OGF, and the communities they work with have a long way to go in this ongoing fight for forest conservation and the rights of forest communities.&nbsp;



“At the beginning of my career, I thought it was going to be easy. But over the years, I’ve been doing this job for 12 years, I feel like I just started.”&nbsp;



<a href="https://ogfrdc.cd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about OGF here.</a>



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Il y a dix ans, le lancement de Global Forest Watch (GFW) a marqué le début d'une nouvelle ère de responsabilité et de transparence en ce qui concerne la surveillance et la protection des forêts du monde. Pour célébrer ces dix années d'impact, notre série Voix of Global Forest Watch mettra en lumière les réussites des utilisateurs, des partenaires et des membres de la communauté de GFW tout au long de l'année. Nous vous invitons à lire, regarder et partager les histoires de leaders exceptionnels dans le domaine de la surveillance des forêts qui ont joué un rôle essentiel dans la protection des forêts partout dans le monde.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9q_I9KHLzU?si=KZVxl0wS0mpzEMi5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







« Les forêts sont importantes car elles jouent plusieurs rôles. Je considère que les forêts sont le facteur qui nous permet de rester vivant. »  - Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière 



Serge Bondo, né à Kinshasa, en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), s'est passionné dès son plus jeune âge pour la conservation des forêts. En grandissant, il a travaillé avec sa famille dans une zone forestière, où il a pris profondément conscience de l'importance de la protection de ces écosystèmes vitaux.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



« La protection des forêts n'est pas seulement bénéfique pour nous qui vivons dans les forêts et autour des forêts », a déclaré Serge. « Mais aussi pour d'autres, au-delà de nos pays, où le bois est produit, où l'exploitation forestière se fait dans les zones tropicales. »&nbsp;&nbsp;



Serge travaille avec l'Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière (OGF), une organisation à but non lucratif qui s'efforce de protéger les forêts de la RDC en surveillant les ressources, la législation et la gouvernance à l'aide d'outils tels que le GFW pour détecter et signaler les activités illégales, qui sont ensuite examinées plus en détail dans le cadre de missions sur le terrain. Cette surveillance est essentielle pour garantir le respect des lois forestières et la protection des forêts.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Serge est fier du travail accompli par l'OGF jusqu'à présent, notamment en recevant le soutien du gouvernement par le biais d'un protocole d'accord qui permet à l'OGF d'agir en tant que tierce partie indépendante chargée de surveiller les activités forestières du gouvernement. Grâce à ce protocole d'accord, le travail d'OGF a gagné l'acceptation du ministère des forêts de la RDC. Cette collaboration et des outils tels que le GFW ont permis à OGF de garantir une gestion plus responsable et plus transparente des ressources forestières en rendant les informations sur l'exploitation forestière accessibles et les processus de gouvernance clairs et ouverts. Une réalisation majeure est que ce suivi indépendant a permis de proposer des alternatives pour protéger les zones vulnérables.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



Par exemple, un gouvernement provincial de la RDC a réuni les principales parties prenantes pour élaborer des stratégies de protection de la réserve de biosphère de Luki, une zone protégée dans la province du Congo central. Cette zone est fortement menacée par la déforestation due à la production de charbon de bois, à l'agriculture et à l'exploitation forestière illégale, tant par les entreprises forestières que par les communautés locales.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18043"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



OGF a utilisé les alertes de déforestation de GFW pour identifier les différentes causes des activités de déforestation, et a utilisé ces informations pour préparer des propositions d'activités alternatives qui permettent aux communautés de répondre durablement à leurs besoins économiques sans causer de déforestation et de perte de biodiversité dans la réserve. Cette démarche a mené à des réunions entre les autorités et les parties prenantes locales afin d'élaborer des stratégies de protection de la réserve, d'introduire des activités économiques alternatives pour les communautés locales et de renforcer les mesures de surveillance. &nbsp;



OGF implique activement les communautés locales dans ce type de travail en les sensibilisant aux effets négatifs de la déforestation et en leur proposant des formations sur la manière de protéger les ressources naturelles. Par ces formations, OGF a soutenu les communautés à surveiller les forêts et à signaler toute activité suspecte. Cette approche participative a renforcé le rôle des communautés dans la conservation de la réserve, les rendant plus vigilantes et proactives dans la protection de leur environnement. &nbsp;



En 2023 et 2024, avec le soutien du Fonds de petites subventions de GFW, OGF a travaillé sur le renforcement des compétences d'un réseau d'observateurs forestiers indépendants, qui comprend actuellement 25 organisations, afin d'améliorer la surveillance de l'environnement et de rendre les initiatives de conservation dans la réserve plus durables. OGF a organisé des formations pour les observateurs forestiers locaux, les fonctionnaires chargés du contrôle des forêts et d'autres acteurs de la société civile, ce qui a permis une gestion plus durable et plus participative des forêts.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18044"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



« Ces outils nous permettent d'accéder à la documentation, c'est-à-dire à tous les titres d'exploitation forestière, aux permis de coupe et aux contrats de concession », explique Serge, qui précise qu'ils utilisent le portail Open Timber et Forest Atlas de WRI pour la planification, tandis que les alertes de déforestation en temps quasi réel de GFW sont cruciales pour l'exécution, aidant les surveillants forestiers sur le terrain à identifier et à enquêter sur les causes, telles que les feux de brousse ou l'exploitation forestière à grande échelle.&nbsp; &nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18069"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



Ces outils fournissent également des preuves détaillées, fiables et accessibles au public qu'ils peuvent soumettre aux autorités. Ces informations ont aidé les autorités à mieux comprendre l'ampleur du problème et à prendre les mesures appropriées.&nbsp; &nbsp;



Dans la région de Luki, l'utilisation des alertes à la déforestation a contribué à la détection et à la réponse rapides aux activités illégales, ce qui a eu un impact positif sur la protection des forêts et de la biodiversité. En conséquence, OGF a pu non seulement améliorer la surveillance et la documentation des activités illégales, mais aussi favoriser la collaboration avec les autorités locales pour une meilleure application de la loi. &nbsp;



En plus de son travail à Luki, OGF a eu un impact significatif dans d'autres régions. Elle a contribué à une réduction significative de la déforestation dans plusieurs zones critiques de la RDC grâce à des collaborations avec diverses ONG et le gouvernement. Elle a veillé à ce que les communautés locales dans de nombreuses régions de la RDC aient accès à des bénéfices équitables des ressources forestières, y compris la création d'infrastructures sociales. Leurs efforts ont conduit à d'importantes réformes législatives visant à renforcer la protection des forêts et à améliorer la gouvernance des ressources naturelles. &nbsp;



Les défis pour la protection des forêts critiques de la RDC restent considérables, et Serge reconnaît que lui-même, OGF et les communautés avec lesquelles ils travaillent ont un long chemin à parcourir dans cette lutte continuelle pour la conservation des forêts et les droits des communautés forestières. &nbsp;



« Au début de ma carrière, je pensais que ce serait facile. Mais au fil des ans, cela fait 12 ans que je fais ce métier, j'ai l'impression que je viens de commencer. » &nbsp;



<a href="https://ogfrdc.cd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pour en savoir plus sur l'OGF, cliquez ici.</a>



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voix de Global Forest Watch : Serge Bondo, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière  

As part of our Voices of Global Forest Watch series, learn about Serge Bondo Kayembe's work with Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière.

Voices of GFW: Serge Bondo, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière

Peru

Peru | Global Forest Watch Blog

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/81QXh8wJwno?si=qw9WDO8r0RXmgfy0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“[Indigenous Communities] say they once hunted the animals, the fish; now they say they hunt deforestation through integrated deforestation alerts.” – Wendy Pineda, General Project Manager for Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) in Peru. 







This sentiment captures the essence of how Indigenous Peoples in the Peruvian Amazon are using advanced tools to fight deforestation.



RFUS, a partner with Global Forest Watch since 2016, has been pivotal in training and building the capacity of forest monitors, particularly in Peru’s Loreto region. Their work supports Indigenous Peoples in defending their rights and territories, and their collaboration with GFW has led to significant strides in forest conservation in the region. For example, a 2021 study looking at results from two years of monitoring found that communities using GFW data and tools were able to reduce deforestation in their territories by <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2015171118" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">52% within the first year alone.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-uses-GFW-2048x1365.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17848" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-uses-GFW-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-uses-GFW-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-uses-GFW-768x512.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-uses-GFW-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Since 2016, Rainforest Foundation US has been using Global Forest Watch tools with significant results in the fight against deforestation in Indigenous peoples’ territories.</figcaption></figure>



Wendy Pineda, a specialist in geospatial technology and engineering and project management techniques, has been instrumental in creating participatory tools and training methodologies for these communities.



Wendy supports RFUS’s activities such as a training in 2017 for community monitors on how to use the Forest Watcher app for monitoring and verifying deforestation in the Ucayali region. This pilot led to scaling of programs from Ucayali to Loreto, which were the activities evaluated in the 2021 study.



Together with Peru’s National Protected Area Service (SERNANP), RFUS and local communities were able to use GLAD alerts to identify and halt illegal logging operations and coca cultivation in the buffer zone of the Sierra Divisor National Park. RFUS later extended field training using GLAD alerts and Forest Watcher to Loreto. In both Ucayali and Loreto, the field data collected through the community monitoring served as the basis for prosecution of those implicated in illegal deforestation by Peruvian government agencies.



RFUS currently works with approximately 200 Indigenous men and women using tools like GFW to improve monitoring of their territories and prevent the loss of forests and critical resources. This has led some communities to develop their own land management plans. RFUS has also made efforts to increase women’s access to technology by implementing a gender and social inclusion program, enabling more women to become monitors and trainers.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1086" height="724" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mirian-Sanchez-San-Jose-de-Pacache-community-Peru.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17849" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mirian-Sanchez-San-Jose-de-Pacache-community-Peru.jpg 1086w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mirian-Sanchez-San-Jose-de-Pacache-community-Peru-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mirian-Sanchez-San-Jose-de-Pacache-community-Peru-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1086px) 100vw, 1086px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest monitor Mirian Sánchez trains women from the San José de Pacache community, Peru, in using technology for forest protection.</figcaption></figure>



Some communities’ demonstrated capacity to manage their territory has led to their inclusion in Peru’s <a href="https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minam/noticias/23055-comunidades-indigenas-usan-herramientas-tecnologicas-para-el-control-de-las-actividades-ilegales-que-impactan-en-el-bosque" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conditional Payment for Ecosystem Services program</a>, providing financial support for ongoing monitoring efforts.



Wendy underscores the importance democratizing technology has played: “Now that [GFW has] been able to democratize information — satellite images, data — this information can be [used] by any Indigenous man or woman.” This shift enables Indigenous communities to independently manage their territories and understand their forests’ contributions to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.



This has been a <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/forest-watcher/webinars/beyond-satellite-monitoring-impacts-on-the-lives-of-indigenous-communities-in-the-peruvian-amazon/">game-changer</a> for helping more community members become expert technology users. “There are many iconic cases of Indigenous Peoples’ success using GFW tools,” said Wendy. For example, installing technology information hubs that provide access to early deforestation and wildfire alerts, helping communities produce research to support legal and judicial claims.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-Peru-Alto-Napo-2048x1365.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17850" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-Peru-Alto-Napo-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-Peru-Alto-Napo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-Peru-Alto-Napo-768x512.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-Peru-Alto-Napo-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Rainforest Foundation US Peru team, led by Wendy Pineda, arriving at a partner Indigenous community in the Alto Napo region of the Peruvian Amazon.</figcaption></figure>



However, forest monitoring does not come without risks and challenges. While the rise in data information available to Indigenous Peoples strengthens their ability to secure their rights, the increased visibility also exposes environmental advocates. “In that sense, we need to start thinking about how these technologies can also protect environmental defenders,” said Wendy.



RFUS continues to expand their reach. They are now working with 59 Indigenous communities across the Napo, Lower Amazon and Ucayali River Basins to create new satellite information hubs. RFUS also continues to strengthen existing forest monitoring systems, improving access to satellite information, internet and necessary equipment. These hubs enhance Indigenous trainers’ capacities to train forest patrollers and replicate trainings across other communities.



Reflecting on the impact of RFUS’s work, Wendy emphasized the importance of continued support and technological advancements: “Our efforts show that when Indigenous communities are equipped with the right tools, they become formidable defenders of their forests.” As RFUS and its partners push forward, they remain dedicated to empowering more communities and ensuring that the voices and expertise of Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of forest conservation efforts.



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voices of Global Forest Watch: Wendy Pineda, Rainforest Foundation US

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.



<iframe width="560" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/81QXh8wJwno?si=qw9WDO8r0RXmgfy0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







"[Indigenous Communities] say they once hunted the animals, the fish; now they say they hunt deforestation through integrated deforestation alerts." – Wendy Pineda, General Project Manager for Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) in Peru. 







This sentiment captures the essence of how Indigenous Peoples in the Peruvian Amazon are using advanced tools to fight deforestation.



RFUS, a partner with Global Forest Watch since 2016, has been pivotal in training and building the capacity of forest monitors, particularly in Peru's Loreto region. Their work supports Indigenous Peoples in defending their rights and territories, and their collaboration with GFW has led to significant strides in forest conservation in the region. For example, a 2021 study looking at results from two years of monitoring found that communities using GFW data and tools were able to reduce deforestation in their territories by <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2015171118" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">52% within the first year alone.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-uses-GFW-2048x1365.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17848"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Since 2016, Rainforest Foundation US has been using Global Forest Watch tools with significant results in the fight against deforestation in Indigenous peoples' territories.</figcaption></figure>



Wendy Pineda, a specialist in geospatial technology and engineering and project management techniques, has been instrumental in creating participatory tools and training methodologies for these communities.



Wendy supports RFUS’s activities such as a training in 2017 for community monitors on how to use the Forest Watcher app for monitoring and verifying deforestation in the Ucayali region. This pilot led to scaling of programs from Ucayali to Loreto, which were the activities evaluated in the 2021 study.



Together with Peru's National Protected Area Service (SERNANP), RFUS and local communities were able to use GLAD alerts to identify and halt illegal logging operations and coca cultivation in the buffer zone of the Sierra Divisor National Park. RFUS later extended field training using GLAD alerts and Forest Watcher to Loreto. In both Ucayali and Loreto, the field data collected through the community monitoring served as the basis for prosecution of those implicated in illegal deforestation by Peruvian government agencies.



RFUS currently works with approximately 200 Indigenous men and women using tools like GFW to improve monitoring of their territories and prevent the loss of forests and critical resources. This has led some communities to develop their own land management plans. RFUS has also made efforts to increase women’s access to technology by implementing a gender and social inclusion program, enabling more women to become monitors and trainers.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mirian-Sanchez-San-Jose-de-Pacache-community-Peru.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17849"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest monitor Mirian Sánchez trains women from the San José de Pacache community, Peru, in using technology for forest protection.</figcaption></figure>



Some communities' demonstrated capacity to manage their territory has led to their inclusion in Peru's <a href="https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minam/noticias/23055-comunidades-indigenas-usan-herramientas-tecnologicas-para-el-control-de-las-actividades-ilegales-que-impactan-en-el-bosque" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conditional Payment for Ecosystem Services program</a>, providing financial support for ongoing monitoring efforts.



Wendy underscores the importance democratizing technology has played: "Now that [GFW has] been able to democratize information — satellite images, data — this information can be [used] by any Indigenous man or woman." This shift enables Indigenous communities to independently manage their territories and understand their forests' contributions to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.



This has been a <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/forest-watcher/webinars/beyond-satellite-monitoring-impacts-on-the-lives-of-indigenous-communities-in-the-peruvian-amazon/">game-changer</a> for helping more community members become expert technology users. "There are many iconic cases of Indigenous Peoples’ success using GFW tools,” said Wendy. For example, installing technology information hubs that provide access to early deforestation and wildfire alerts, helping communities produce research to support legal and judicial claims.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-Peru-Alto-Napo-2048x1365.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17850"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Rainforest Foundation US Peru team, led by Wendy Pineda, arriving at a partner Indigenous community in the Alto Napo region of the Peruvian Amazon.</figcaption></figure>



However, forest monitoring does not come without risks and challenges. While the rise in data information available to Indigenous Peoples strengthens their ability to secure their rights, the increased visibility also exposes environmental advocates. “In that sense, we need to start thinking about how these technologies can also protect environmental defenders,” said Wendy.



RFUS continues to expand their reach. They are now working with 59 Indigenous communities across the Napo, Lower Amazon and Ucayali River Basins to create new satellite information hubs. RFUS also continues to strengthen existing forest monitoring systems, improving access to satellite information, internet and necessary equipment. These hubs enhance Indigenous trainers' capacities to train forest patrollers and replicate trainings across other communities.



Reflecting on the impact of RFUS’s work, Wendy emphasized the importance of continued support and technological advancements: "Our efforts show that when Indigenous communities are equipped with the right tools, they become formidable defenders of their forests." As RFUS and its partners push forward, they remain dedicated to empowering more communities and ensuring that the voices and expertise of Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of forest conservation efforts.



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Hace una década, el lanzamiento de Global Forest Watch (GFW) marcó un hito de responsabilidad y transparencia en el monitoreo y protección de nuestros bosques a nivel mundial. Para celebrar estos 10 años de impacto, nuestra serie "Voces de Global Forest Watch" destacará los logros de quienes han sido parte de esta gran iniciativa. Te invitamos a leer, ver y compartir las historias de líderes excepcionales que han jugado un rol fundamental en la protección de nuestros bosques.&nbsp;



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"[Las comunidades indígenas] dicen que antes cazaban animales y peces, ahora dicen que “cazan” la deforestación a través de alertas integradas de deforestación." - Wendy Pineda, Gerente General de Proyectos de Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) en Perú. 



Este sentimiento capta la esencia de cómo los pueblos indígenas de la Amazonía peruana están utilizando tecnología de punta para defender su territorio.&nbsp;



RFUS, socio de Global Forest Watch desde 2016, ha sido fundamental en la capacitación de monitores forestales, particularmente en la región peruana de Loreto.&nbsp;Su trabajo apoya a los pueblos indígenas en la defensa de sus derechos y territorios, y su alianza con GFW ha generado resultados sorprendentes&nbsp;en la conservación de los bosques en la región. Por ejemplo, un estudio de 2021&nbsp;reveló que las comunidades que utilizaron las herramientas de GFW lograron reducir la deforestación en un&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2015171118" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">un 52% en el primer año.</a>&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-uses-GFW-2048x1365.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17848"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Desdeel 2016, Rainforest Foundation US utiliza herramientas de Global Forest Watch con resultados significativos en la lucha contra la deforestación en los territorios de los pueblos indígenas.</figcaption></figure>



Wendy Pineda, especialista en tecnología geoespacial, técnicas de ingeniería y gestión de proyectos, ha sido fundamental en la creación de metodologías participativas de capacitación&nbsp;para estas comunidades. Gracias a su trabajo, monitores comunitarios han aprendido a usar la aplicación Forest Watcher para identificar y verificar la deforestación, cuyos resultados positivos iniciales como piloto en Ucayali impulsaron la expansión del proyecto a Loreto, como se detalla en el estudio de 2021. &nbsp;



Junto con el Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas del Perú (SERNANP), la RFUS y las comunidades locales&nbsp;utilizaron las alertas GLAD para detectar y detener la tala ilegal y el cultivo de coca en la zona de amortiguamiento&nbsp;el Parque Nacional Sierra Divisor. Posteriormente, RFUS extendió el entrenamiento de campo utilizando alertas GLAD y Forest Watcher a Loreto. Los datos recopilados en Ucayali en Loreto por el monitoreo comunitario sirvieron de base para procesar a los responsables antes las agencias gubernamentales peruanas.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Actualmente, RFUS trabaja con cerca de 200 hombres y mujeres indígenas que utilizan GFW para monitorear sus territorios y prevenir la pérdida de bosques&nbsp;y recursos críticos.&nbsp;Muchas comunidades ahora cuentan con sus propios planes de manejo&nbsp;territorial.&nbsp;Además, RFUS ha promovido la participación de las mujeres&nbsp;en la tecnología mediante la implementación de un programa de género e inclusión social, lo que permite que más mujeres se conviertan en monitores y capacitadoras.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mirian-Sanchez-San-Jose-de-Pacache-community-Peru.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17849"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">La monitora forestal Mirian Sánchez capacita a mujeres de la comunidad San José de Pacache, Perú, en el uso de tecnología para la protección del bosque.</figcaption></figure>



El éxito de estas comunidades para gestionar su territorio les ha permitido acceder a programas como el <a href="https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minam/noticias/23055-comunidades-indigenas-usan-herramientas-tecnologicas-para-el-control-de-las-actividades-ilegales-que-impactan-en-el-bosque" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pago Condicional por Servicios Ecosistémicos de Perú</a>, lo que les brinda un apoyo económico adicional para continuar con sus esfuerzos de monitoreo.&nbsp;



Wendy destaca la importancia que ha tenido la democratización de la tecnología: "Ahora que [GFW] ha sido capaz de democratizar la información (imágenes satelitales, datos), esta información puede ser [utilizada] por cualquier hombre o mujer indígena". Este cambio permite a las comunidades indígenas gestionar de forma independiente sus territorios y comprender mejor el valor de sus bosques en la lucha contra el cambio climático y la conservación de la biodiversidad.&nbsp;



Con este <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/forest-watcher/webinars/beyond-satellite-monitoring-impacts-on-the-lives-of-indigenous-communities-in-the-peruvian-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">punto de inflexión</a>&nbsp;más miembros de las comunidades se han convertido en expertos en tecnología. "Hay muchos casos icónicos de éxito de los pueblos indígenas utilizando las herramientas de GFW", dijo Wendy. Por ejemplo, la instalación de centros de información tecnológica que brindan acceso a alertas tempranas de deforestación e incendios forestales, ayudando a las comunidades a&nbsp;respaldar reclamos legales y judiciales con investigaciones sólidas.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RFUS-Peru-Alto-Napo-2048x1365.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17850"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">El equipo de Rainforest Foundation US Perú, dirigido por Wendy Pineda, llega a una comunidad indígena asociada en la región del Alto Napo de la Amazonía peruana.</figcaption></figure>



Sin embargo, el monitoreo forestal también presenta riesgos y desafíos. Si bien la tecnología brinda más herramientas e información para garantizar sus derechos, esta visibilidad también expone a los defensores ambientales a mayores riesgos. "En ese sentido, tenemos que empezar a pensar en cómo estas tecnologías también pueden proteger a los defensores del medio ambiente", dijo Wendy.&nbsp;



RFUS sigue ampliando su alcance y actualmente trabaja con 59 comunidades en las cuencas de los ríos Napo, Bajo Amazonas y Ucayali para establecer nuevos centros de información satelital. Asimismo, la organización continúa fortaleciendo los sistemas de monitoreo forestal existentes, mejorando el acceso a información satelital, internet y equipos especializados. Estos centros permiten que los instructores indígenas desarrollen sus capacidades para capacitar a los guardianes forestales y replicar estas capacitaciones en otras comunidades.&nbsp;



Al reflexionar sobre los logros de RFUS, Wendy destaca la importancia de un apoyo constante y de la innovación tecnológica. "Nuestros esfuerzos muestran que cuando las comunidades indígenas están equipadas con las herramientas adecuadas, se convierten en formidables defensoras de sus bosques", afirma. Orientados hacia nuevos logros, RFUS&nbsp;y sus aliados seguirán trabajando para empoderar a más comunidades y garantizar que las voces y conocimientos de los pueblos indígenas estén a la vanguardia en la conservación forestal.&nbsp;



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Voces de Global Forest Watch: Wendy Pineda, Rainforest Foundation US 

As part of our Voices of Global Forest Watch series, learn about Wendy Pineda's work in Peru with Rainforest Foundation US

Voices of GFW: Wendy Pineda, Rainforest Foundation US

Biodiversity

Biodiversity | Global Forest Watch Blog

Deforestation Alerts

Deforestation Alerts | Global Forest Watch Blog

guest post

guest post | Global Forest Watch Blog

Geneviève Ndjiki, Action for Sustainable Development

Data is Helping Protect Threatened Forests and Biodiversity in Cameroon’s Mengamé Gorilla Sanctuary

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Cameroon has very rich biological diversity, housed within several ecosystems that are representative of the ecosystems of Africa — the reason Cameroon is often described as “Africa in miniature.” The nation's biological diversity underpins its economy and has scientific and medicinal importance for Cameroon’s people.



In order to meet its commitments to protect the environment after the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/conferences/environment/rio1992" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development</a>, and consequently its commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity, objective 11 of Cameroon’s <a href="https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/cm/cm-nbsap-v2-en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan</a> calls for at least 30% of the national territory to be designated as protected areas, which aim to protect nature and biodiversity from human activities and pressures.



To this end, several protected areas (national parks, reserves, etc.) were established, including the Mengamé Gorilla Sanctuary. This sanctuary faces several threats including the loss of forest cover, which leads to fragmentation of the habitat found there.



Our organization, Action for Sustainable Development, works to respond to the increasing threat of deforestation in Mengamé. In 2023, we received a Global Forest Watch (GFW) Small Grants Fund (SGF) grant to help us monitor forests in the sanctuary. We found that forest loss over the last three years is increasing, and that a new management plan for the sanctuary based on better data is needed to protect the sanctuary’s forests and the biodiversity that depends on them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Mengamé Gorilla Sanctuary</h2>



The Mengamé Gorilla Sanctuary (MGS) belongs to the Tri-national Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM) complex, a cross-border area encompassing 10% of the Congo Basin’s rainforests and 11 protected areas across Cameroon, Congo and Gabon. TRIDOM is a key area for the conservation of the biodiversity of the Congo Basin, including iconic large mammals such as elephants, chimpanzees and gorillas. The MGS is located in the equatorial forest zone in the southern part of Cameroon on the border with Gabon. It covers 26,780 hectares and straddles the districts of Mvangan in Mvila subdivision and Oveng district in Dja-et Lobo subdivision. The MGS is home to a diversity of wildlife including primates like the Western Lowland Gorilla, which is critically endangered due to human activities that have intensified over the years, such as deforestation leading to loss of habitat as well as poaching.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mengame-2048x1448.png" alt="" class="wp-image-17782"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The area occupied by the MGS in the two districts (Mvangan and Oveng). Both these districts have several small villages surrounding the sanctuary.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Satellite data reveals increasing loss of the sanctuary's forest cover</h2>



Action for Sustainable Development (ASD), a Cameroonian civil society organization, has been able to use the tools available from GFW to conduct satellite monitoring of forest cover change in protected areas. As part of our SGF project “Participatory monitoring of forest cover in and around the MGS,” we used GFW’s near-real-time integrated deforestation alerts to identify areas of forest loss, and supported park agents and others in the community to use GFW tools to investigate the alerts.



We analyzed alerts for two time periods over three years (2021-2023) and found that for the first period, from January 1, 2021 to July 20, 2022, more than 937 deforestation alerts were recorded totaling eight hectares of forest loss. The map below shows the distribution of these alerts in the two districts (896 alerts in the part of the sanctuary located in the Mvangan district and 41 alerts in the part of the sanctuary located in the Oveng district).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mengame-final1-2048x1448.png" alt="" class="wp-image-17784"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Map showing deforestation alerts in the MGS between January 1, 2021 and July 20, 2022.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MGS-field-deployment-ASD.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17751"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Field deployment of a mixed team (ecoguards and community) to identify the causes of deforestation alerts. Credit: ASD</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MGS-field-deployment-2-ASD.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17752"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Field deployment of a mixed team (ecoguards and ASD) to identify the causes of deforestation alerts. Credit: ASD</figcaption></figure>



Likewise, for the second period between July 21, 2022 and December 31, 2023, more than 1,436 deforestation alerts were recorded, including 1,292 in the part of the sanctuary located in the Mvangan district and 144 in the part of the sanctuary located in the Oveng district. The total of these deforestation alerts represents a loss of 17 hectares of forest.



The Mengamé gorilla sanctuary has therefore already lost nearly 25 hectares of forest in just three years from 2021 to 2023. These findings indicate that, over time, anthropogenic activity is increasing in the sanctuary. Investigations carried out to determine the main causes of this loss of forest cover showed that this has been caused by the establishment or extension of agricultural plots (cocoa and banana plantations). This pressure is growing due to the increase in the price of cocoa on the international market — and cocoa is the main cash crop in this area. If nothing is done, the sanctuary will be severely depleted and degraded the next several years.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mengame-final2-2048x1448.png" alt="" class="wp-image-17785"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deforestation alerts in the Mengamé gorilla sanctuary between July 21, 2022 and December 31, 2023.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">To protect the sanctuary, a new management plan is needed</h2>



To understand the motivations or reasons that lead local communities to set up their cocoa plantations and others in the sanctuary, our team conducted a survey as part of our project.



Two major reasons were mentioned by local communities to justify their actions:



The first reason is the lack of collaboration between local communities and conservation services. Indeed, 38% of the population thinks that they are not involved in the management of the sanctuary. There is almost no conservation activity within the sanctuary or ecotourism, appearing to local communities to have been abandoned for several years. Thus, they thought that the sanctuary was no longer a priority for the State. Our project has since succeeded in bringing together local communities, the conservation service and civil society organizations as part of a more participatory monitoring of the sanctuary.



The second reason is the fact that the space dedicated to the communities' rural activities is becoming insufficient. 22% of local communities believe that the area dedicated to their activities is becoming insufficient given the rapid population growth. Yet despite these changes, the development and management plan for the sanctuary, which should be renewed every five years to better take into account the realities of all stakeholders, has not been updated since 2007. This plan provides information about the sanctuary based on uses, priorities, threats and more, but not only is it out of date, it is also based partially on data from the neighboring Kom National Park as there is insufficient data on the sanctuary itself. Furthermore, the demarcation of the boundaries of the sanctuary had not been effective in all the riverside villages, and currently the boundaries that had been demarcated are no longer visible.



Therefore, development of a new management plan for the sanctuary is needed. This plan should:



<ul>
<li>Take into account the increase in population and suggest effective ways for the development of alternative income-generating activities for local communities</li>



<li>Place emphasis on promoting ecotourism by developing infrastructure for this purpose</li>



<li>Involve local communities in the participatory management of the sanctuary</li>



<li>Provide updated data on biodiversity (fauna and flora species present and their densities, etc.)</li>



<li>Place emphasis on transboundary management of the sanctuary</li>
</ul>



The MGS’s forests and the valuable biodiversity that depends on them can still be protected if the sanctuary implements a plan and manages the sanctuary based on recent, accurate data. The data collected by ASD using GFW tools is an important part of this and can help us preserve Mengamé Gorilla Sanctuary for years to come.







Learn more about ASD: Visit <a href="https://www.asd.contact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their website</a> and follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ASDCameroun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/asdcameroun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter/X</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-for-sustainable-development-asd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>.&nbsp;



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Le Cameroun possède une diversité biologique très riche, hébergée dans plusieurs écosystèmes représentatifs des écosystèmes africains – raison pour laquelle le Cameroun est souvent décrit comme « l’Afrique en miniature ». La diversité biologique du pays soutient son économie et revêt une importance scientifique et médicinale pour la population camerounaise.



Afin de respecter ses engagements en matière de protection de l’environnement après la <a href="mailto:https://www.un.org/fr/conferences/environment/rio1992" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conférence des Nations Unies sur l’environnement et le développement en 1992</a>, et par conséquent son engagement envers la Convention sur la diversité biologique, l’objectif 11 de la <a href="https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/cm/cm-nbsap-v2-en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stratégie nationale et du plan d’action pour la biodiversité</a> du Cameroun prévoit qu’au moins 30% du territoire national soient désignés comme aires protégées, destinées à protéger la nature et la biodiversité des activités et pressions humaines.



À cet effet, plusieurs aires protégées (parcs nationaux, réserves, etc.) ont été créées, parmi lesquels le Sanctuaire à gorilles de Mengamé. Ce sanctuaire fait face à plusieurs menaces dont la perte du couvert forestier, qui entraîne une fragmentation de l’habitat qui s’y trouve.



Notre organisation, Action for Sustainable Development, s’efforce de répondre à la menace croissante de déforestation à Mengamé. En 2023, nous avons reçu une subvention du Fonds de petites subventions (SGF) de Global Forest Watch (GFW) pour nous aider à surveiller les forêts du sanctuaire. Nous avons constaté que la perte de forêt au cours des trois dernières années est en augmentation et qu’un nouveau plan de gestion du sanctuaire basé sur de meilleures données est nécessaire pour protéger les forêts du sanctuaire et la biodiversité qui en dépend.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Le sanctuaire à gorilles de Mengamé </h2>



Le Sanctuaire à Gorilles de Mengamé (SGM) fait partie du complexe trinational Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM), une zone transfrontalière englobant 10 % des forêts tropicales du bassin du Congo et 11 aires protégées au Cameroun, au Congo et au Gabon. Le TRIDOM est une zone clé pour la conservation de la biodiversité du bassin du Congo, notamment des grands mammifères emblématiques tels que les éléphants, les chimpanzés et les gorilles. Le SGM est situé dans la zone de forêt équatoriale dans la partie Sud du Cameroun à la frontière avec le Gabon. Il couvre 26 780 ha et chevauche les districts de Mvangan dans l'arrondissement de la Mvila et le district d'Oveng dans l'arrondissement du Dja-et Lobo. Le SGM abrite une faune diversifiée, notamment des primates comme le gorille des plaines de l'Ouest, qui est en danger critique d'extinction en raison des activités humaines qui se sont intensifiées au fil des ans, telles que la déforestation entraînant la perte de l’habitat, ainsi que le braconnage.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mengame-2048x1448.png" alt="" class="wp-image-17782"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">La zone occupée par le SGM dans les deux districts (Mvangan et Oveng). Ces deux districts comptent plusieurs petits villages entourant le sanctuaire.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Les données satellitaires révèlent une perte croissante du couvert forestier du sanctuaire</h2>



Action for Sustainable Development (ASD), une organisation de la société civile camerounaise, a pu utiliser les outils mis à disposition par GFW pour effectuer un suivi satellitaire de l’évolution du couvert forestier dans les aires protégées. Dans le cadre de notre projet SGF « Suivi participatif du couvert forestier dans et autour du SGM », nous avons utilisé les alertes de déforestation intégrées en temps quasi réel de GFW pour identifier les zones de perte de forêt, et avons aidé les écogardes du parc et d’autres membres de la communauté à utiliser les outils du GFW pour enquêter sur les alertes.



Nous avons analysé les alertes sur deux périodes pendant trois ans (2021-2023) et constaté que pour la première période, du 1er janvier 2021 au 20 juillet 2022, plus de 937 alertes de déforestation ont été enregistrées totalisant huit hectares de perte du couvert forestier. La carte ci-dessous montre la répartition de ces alertes dans les deux districts (896 alertes dans la partie du sanctuaire située dans le district de Mvangan et 41 alertes dans la partie du sanctuaire située dans le district d'Oveng).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mengame-final1-2048x1448.png" alt="" class="wp-image-17784"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carte montrant les alertes de déforestation dans le SGM entre le 1er janvier 2021 et le 20 juillet 2022.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MGS-field-deployment-ASD.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17751"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Déploiement sur le terrain d'une équipe mixte (écogardes et communauté) pour identifier les causes des alertes de déforestation.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MGS-field-deployment-2-ASD.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17752"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Déploiement sur le terrain d'une équipe mixte (écogardes et ASD) pour identifier les causes des alertes de déforestation.</figcaption></figure>



De même, pour la deuxième période entre le 21 juillet 2022 et le 31 décembre 2023, plus de 1 436 alertes de déforestation ont été enregistrées, dont 1 292 dans la partie du sanctuaire située dans le district de Mvangan et 144 dans la partie du sanctuaire située dans le district d’Oveng. Le total de ces alertes de déforestation représente une perte de 17 hectares de forêt.



Le sanctuaire à gorilles de Mengamé a donc déjà perdu près de 25 hectares de forêt en seulement trois ans, de 2021 à 2023. Ces résultats indiquent qu’au fil du temps, l’activité anthropique augmente dans le sanctuaire. Les investigations menées pour déterminer les principales causes de cette perte du couvert forestier ont montré que celle-ci est due à l’implantation ou à l’extension des parcelles agricoles (cacaoyères et bananeraies). Cette pression s’accroît en raison de l’augmentation du prix du cacao sur le marché international – et le cacao est la principale culture de rente dans cette zone. Si rien n’est fait, le sanctuaire sera gravement appauvri et dégradé dans les prochaines années.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mengame-final2-2048x1448.png" alt="" class="wp-image-17785"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alertes de déforestation dans le sanctuaire à gorilles de Mengamé entre le 21 juillet 2022 et le 31 décembre 2023.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pour protéger le sanctuaire, un nouveau plan d’aménagement est nécessaire</h2>



Pour comprendre les motivations ou les raisons qui poussent les communautés locales à installer leurs plantations de cacao et d'autres dans le sanctuaire, notre équipe a mené une enquête dans le cadre de notre projet.



Deux raisons majeures ont été évoquées par les communautés locales pour justifier leurs actions :



La première raison est le manque de collaboration entre les communautés locales et les services de la conservation. En effet, 38% de la population pense ne pas être impliquée dans la gestion du sanctuaire. Il n’y a quasiment aucune activité de conservation au sein du sanctuaire ni d’écotourisme, ce qui donne aux communautés locales l’impression d’être abandonnées depuis plusieurs années. Ainsi, elles pensaient que le sanctuaire n’était plus une priorité pour l’État. Notre projet a ainsi réussi à réunir les communautés locales, le service de la conservation et les organisations de la société civile dans le cadre d’un suivi plus participatif du sanctuaire.



La deuxième raison est le fait que l’espace dédié aux activités rurales des communautés devient insuffisant. 22 % des communautés locales estiment que la surface dédiée à leurs activités devient insuffisante compte tenu de la croissance rapide de la population. Pourtant, malgré ces changements, le plan d’aménagement et de gestion du sanctuaire, qui devrait être renouvelé tous les 5 ans pour mieux prendre en compte les réalités de toutes les parties prenantes, n’a pas été mis à jour depuis 2007. Ce plan fournit des informations sur le sanctuaire en fonction des usages, des priorités, des menaces, etc., non seulement il est obsolète, mais il se base également en partie sur les données du parc national voisin de Kom, car il n’existe pas suffisamment de données sur le sanctuaire lui-même. De plus, la délimitation des limites du sanctuaire n’a pas été effective dans tous les villages riverains, et actuellement les limites qui avaient été matérialisées ne sont plus visibles.



Il est donc nécessaire d'élaborer un nouveau plan de gestion pour le sanctuaire. Ce plan devrait :



<ul>
<li>Prendre en compte l’augmentation de la population et proposer des moyens efficaces pour le développement d’activités alternatives génératrices de revenus pour les communautés locales</li>



<li>Mettre l’accent sur la promotion de l’écotourisme en développant des infrastructures à cet effet</li>



<li>Impliquer les communautés locales dans la gestion participative du sanctuaire</li>



<li>Fournir des données actualisées sur la biodiversité (espèces de faune et de flore présentes et leurs densités, etc.)</li>



<li>Mettre l’accent sur la gestion transfrontalière du sanctuaire</li>
</ul>



Les forêts du SGM et la précieuse biodiversité qui en dépend peuvent encore être protégées si le sanctuaire met en œuvre un plan et gère le sanctuaire sur la base de données récentes et précises. Les données collectées par ASD à l’aide des outils du GFW constituent une partie importante de cette démarche et peuvent nous aider à préserver le sanctuaire à gorilles de Mengamé pour les années à venir.







Apprenez-en davantage sur ASD : <a href="https://www.asd.contact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visitez leur site Web</a> et suivez-les sur <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ASDCameroun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/asdcameroun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter/X</a> et <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-for-sustainable-development-asd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>.



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Les données aident à protéger les forêts menacées et la biodiversité dans le sanctuaire à gorilles de Mengamé au Cameroun

Action for Sustainable Development is using GFW tools to respond to increasing deforestation in Cameroon's Mengamé Gorilla Sanctuary.

Data is Helping Protect Cameroon’s Mengamé Gorilla Sanctuary

Stephanie Borcea

Small Grants, Big Impact: Meet the 2024 Recipients Driving Change with Global Forest Watch