5) Socio-eeonomic development in the buffer zones
The programs offered by the FD are only temporary measures
to mitigate forest exploitation. Socio-economic development
with income generating, sustainable resource use is
essential to avoid further encroachment in the long run. With
the significant level of dependence on forest resources by
local villagers, optimal conservation is realized only by optimal
production and vice versa. The potential for income generation
is searched for by three ways, namely, direct income
generation by resin tapping, improvement of productivity by
agroforestry techniques and nature-based tourism development.
In order to support small community activities, a
Community Trust Fund (CTF) is proposed as a revolving
fund in the management plan. The fund can be used as collateral
to secure group credit.