causal factors aggravated this debacle, and unless corrected if not halted, the future will suffer more than what is felt today.

Optimistic of what can be acted today, this project on enhancing existing bamboo resources in the area offerred a great deal of advantage both for the conservation and economic generation. Growing bamboo has perennially proven its value for mitigating erosion and source of income to the dwellers.

To address the purposes of sustaining the production of bamboo in the said watershed three important components are considered, namely: a) Nursery establishment b) the planting of bamboo for riverbank stabilization and c) establishment of bamboo production area.

As per board approval the project took off last October 2002. Series of inter-agency meetings has been undertaken in support for the project. The involvement of the different agencies namely: DENR, CENRO, City Agriculturist, Calinan LGU form part in major activities for the project implementation.

Significance of the Project:

Recent study proves that bamboo planted in the watershed managed areas made a significant contribution to the increase and quality of water in the whole watershed. It was also noted that the reforestation effort of the community through planting of bamboo.

Restoration of tree cover around the watershed would significantly check soil erosion and promote soil amelioration. When the agronomic and economic benefits of these become evident, it is highly conceivable that soil conservation technologies will be adopted by the community members on a wide spread basis.

In terms of sustainable development the project contributes tremendously to the local economy if appropriate market will be identified to support the community’s alternative source of livelihood. Further, it will pave a way to encourage the cooperative member to strengthen their organization to promote a cohesive group for marketing activity. Thereby the socio-economic impact of the project will create open employment in the future.