Context
Woodlands and tree populations are dwindling in the border area between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. While the degradation of natural ecosystems is increasing, opportunities to earn income from the use of natural resources are decreasing. Poverty worsens among large swaths of the population and the lack of alternative sources of income are putting ever greater pressure on natural resources. Deforestation, erosion and the loss of fertile soils pose an increasing threat to the livelihoods and future prospects for populations living in the transboundary watershed of the Libón River.
The Dominican Republic launched the national reforestation program Quisqueya Verde in 1997 and initiated a binational program with Haiti, Frontera Verde (Green Border), in 2008. The purpose of Frontera Verde is to pursue reforestation and improve living conditions. However, there have been a shortage of approaches and models that take into account sustainability, the targeted population and its needs.
Objective
Deforested areas have been regenerated. Areas threatened by degradation have been stabilized. Forestry methods that conserve resources are being practiced in the transboundary watershed for the Libón River, particularly, in the communities of Restauración, Lamielle, Tilory, Carice and Mont Organisé.
Karibik. Bedeckter Nutzgarten in Lamielle, Haiti. © GIZ
Approach
The project supports the transboundary program Frontera Verde and implements measures to restore ecosystems in the rural area of the watershed for the Libón River. These include:
Trans-boundary reforestation measures,
Development and implementation of sustainable cultivation models for coffee, cocoa, fruit trees, silvopasture systems, firewood and livestock feed production, small greenhouses, water storage and irrigation systems in border communities.
Strengthening of governmental and non-governmental institutional resources and capacity building to enhance trans-boundary cooperation,
Planning individual Interventions due to varying socio-economic conditions, geographical features and different emerging situations in the project area. Production models are adapted according to anticipated changes associated with climate change. The project features a particular involvement of women in the coordination processes and the formation of reforestation teams.
Advising national environment ministries and supporting institutional capacity building. The project strengthens decentralized structures within the national levels and works directly with the rural population at local levels. Non-governmental organizations receive support to improve planning and possible measures for their communities.
Impacts achieved
The threatened by degradation area (300 ha) was stabilized using stabilization and soil conservation practices. This has generated a gradual recovery of water availability and soil fertility. Income and family nutrition have been improved, by promoting sustainable methods of use of the natural resources, which contributes to reducing poverty among the rural population.
Reforestation:
1,205 hectares of deforested land have been regenerated in the transboundary watershed for the Libón River.
Following an ecological assessment, different ecosystems have been identified in the community of Restauración.
Local and endemic seeds are being collected with the intention of being replanted in targeted areas. For instance, the pine monoculture may be counteracted in the region.
The participation of women in the project activities has reached a 42 percent.
Stabilization of lands at risk of degradation:
Water supply and soil fertility are gradually improving due to stabilization and conservation measures.
Natural basis for the people's life in the project area has been recovered. Poverty is decreasing due to the promotion of sustainable agroforestry production and the diversification of income opportunities through higher yields, greenhouses and small animal husbandry.
Intercommunication of experiences through environmental education:
Grassroots groups, students and local authorities in both states are working in an improved conjunction across the border.
Broad sections of the population in Haiti and the Dominican Republic have access to proven sustainable practices to use natural resources.