The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary located in eastern Mindanao, the Philippines, is a natural wetland and a protected biodiversity area. It is certified by the Ramsar Convention as one of the most important wetlands in the Philippines and internationally. Beside its ecological importance, the Agusan Marsh, locally known as Danao, is the home of the approximately 18,000 Manobo indigenous people, who make up 70 per cent of the Marsh’s population. Most Manobo depend on fishing and small-scale farming as a source of subsistence. As their livelihoods are based on natural resources, they are exposed to environmental change. The conservation of the area’s biodiversity is therefore a prerequisite for ensuring resource availability for future generations.
In the management of the protected area, indigenous knowledge systems and practices, particularly those concerning conservation, had not been sufficiently recognized. Therefore, in 2011, the Philippine and German Governments agreed on working together on ‘Indigenous Practices for the Conservation of Biodiversity’ (IP4Biodiv).
The “Promising Practices” series presents development cooperation programs that have implemented elements of a human rights-based approach. The individual publications describe the measures implemented by the project, its impact and lessons learned.
