USAID Protect Wildlife met local officials and community leaders of selected barangays from the four municipalities that compose the Mount Matutum Protected Landscape in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani for a participatory mapping activity to help identify various uses of land in one of the key terrestrial protected areas in southern Mindanao.
Using current satellite maps, participants pinpointed land uses in their communities based on the actual situation happening in their respective areas. The activity also helped the local residents identify different natural resources available in their communities, as well as the benefits and challenges related to managing and conserving these resources.
The participatory mapping activity formed part of Protect Wildlife’s assistance to environmental managers of Mount Matutum in defining, harmonizing and mapping out land use categories, such as protection and conservation areas and production areas, as stipulated in existing policies. Results of the mapping will be utilized in the development of forestland use plans and will guide future decisions as to what activities will be allowed and prohibited in and around Mount Matutum. (PWP/ Lawrence San Diego)