The Abatan watershed is the third largest of the 11 major watershed networks that support water needs and other requirements of the island province of Bohol. It covers some 38,628 hectares or close to 9% of the province?s total land area. The watershed has a population of 93,987 inhabitants (2007 census), who are generally agriculture dependent. The watershed consists largely of alienable and disposable land at about 85.5% of total watershed area while only 14.5% is timberland.

The watershed is gifted with several tourist attractions and natural endowments that can be tapped for ecotourism purposes. Nowadays, the Abatan River is being developed as one of the major eco-tourism destinations in the province by a consortium of stakeholders called, the Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC).

The whole watershed is also considered as a potential source of water supply for nearby Metro Tagbilaran (composed of Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Panglao, and Cortes) and the Panglao Island Tourism Estate (PITE) in the next 25 years.

However, based on the recent Abatan Watershed Characterization, the watershed is beset with issues and concerns. It is already degraded due to the following issues and concerns identified as follows: 1) inappropriate farming practices such as kaingin farming system; 2) weak enforcement of environmental laws against illegal sand and gravel extraction, improper waste disposal and rampant timber poaching; and, 3) absence of Watershed Management Plan.

General Objective:
The project aims to increase the biodiversity of the Abatan Watershed while providing supplemental income of the local communities through community-based sustainable tourism.

Specific Objectives:
1. To enhance the upstream, midstream and downstream ecosystems near the Abatan River.
2. To improve the living conditions of at least 100 families through community-based sustainable tourism.
3. To increase awareness and capacity of 6 POs & other stakeholders in managing biodiversity conservation initiatives in support to ecotourism.
4. To strengthen law enforcement along the Abatan River & in biodiversity hotspots inside the Abatan Watershed.
5. To intensify advocacy and lobbying for the integration of the Abatan River Tourism Master Plan & the Abatan Watershed Management Plan, and adoption of the Abatan River Code through ARDMC

Expected Outputs:
1. Upland Reforestation:
? 10 has. forestland enhanced with indigenous species in:
? 20 has. A&D lands reforested with forest & fruit trees

2. Agroforestry (AF) System Development
? 15 AF farms developed with soil & water conservation (SWC) measures in the upland communities of Antequera, Balilihan, Catigbian and San Isidro;
? 8 hungos (mutual help) groups formed/tapped & strengthened

3. Riverbank Stabilization:
? 5 kms. shoreline planted with deep-rooted trees & vetiver grass
? 8 has. riparian zones enhanced

4. Mangrove Management
? 87 hectares mangrove forests managed by ALIMANGO PO, a CBFMA holder and HUKAKASA.DENR to provide support for these activities.
? Assisted the 2 POs in reviewing their policies and plans consistent with the principles of sustainable development
? Mangroves have also been properly labelled and/or tagged, indicating their biodiversity significance and uses.

5. Ecotourism in the area shall have been sustained for the economic benefits of communities taking part on it, to wit:
A. Abatan River Community Life Tour
? 5 POs managing their respective Community Life Tours in partnership with LGUs.
? Selected PO members tour guiding ecotourists using their own paddle boats/kayak
? Selected youths and adults as community tour guides
? Women members providing catering services
? PO members providing livelihood demonstrations
B. Development and Professionalizing Abatan River Cultural Collectives
? Regular cultural collectives performances facilitated on week days and week-ends thereby generating supplemental income
C. Production & marketing of souvenir items & organic farm products
? Souvenir shops maintained at Main Village Center and at Satellite Village Centers
? Market links for organically grown products established

6. Ensure community ownership
A. Education & Trainings
? Five (5) batches of 1-day Environmental Awareness Seminar conducted with 30 pax
? 2-day Basic Para-legal & Deputation Seminar-Training conducted with 25 pax;
? Five (5) batches of 2-day Community-Based Sustainable Tourism Operation and Management Training Production;
? 5-day Basic Local Tour Guiding Course with 30 pax & facilitators;
? 2-day Seminar on Customer Relations and Services;
? 2-day Seminar Food Presentation and Table Preparation
B. Production and Installation of IEC Materials
? Video Production
? 2,000 brochures
? 1,000 stickers
? 10 signages (billboards/markers) installed on strategic conspicuous locations

7. Law enforcement along the Abatan River & in biodiversity hotspots inside the Abatan Watershed shall have been strengthened through:

A. Coordination with law enforcers
C. Composite team formed
B. Deputation of barangay tanods
D. 18 forest guards/ riverwatch volunteers deputized
E. Basic patrol equipment provided to guards & volunteers

8. Policy and Advocacy
A. Abatan River Tourism Master Plan and the Abatan Watershed Management Plan is integrated in the Comprehensive Development Plan of the municipal LGUs.
B. adoption of the Abatan River Code by the Provincial Sanggunian
C. Declaration of portion of the Abatan River as the province?s Ecological Museum through an Executive Order to be issued by the Office of the Governor

Planned Actions and Activities:
1. Agroforestry System Development
2. Upland Reforestation
3. Riverbank stabilization
4. Mangrove Management
5. Abatan River Community Life Tour
6. Development and Strengthening of cultural collectives
7. Production & marketing of souvenir items & organic farm products
8. Production & Installation of IEC Materials
9. Coordination with law enforcers
10. Deputation of barangay tanods
11. Forging partnership with ARDMC
12. Lobbyng for integration of the Abatan River Tourism Master Plan & the Abatan Watershed Management Plan
13. Lobbying for Adoption of the Abatan River Code
14. Facilitate declaration for a portion of Abatan River as ?ecological museum?