The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has implemented the LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection system to conserve more than 900,000 hectares forestlands in Central Luzon.
This, as 200 DENR forest officers recently undergone skills enhancement training on forest protection through the application of LAWIN forest and biodiversity protection system.
DENR Regional Director Francisco Milla, Jr. said LAWIN or Landscape and Wildlife Indicators System is coined after the Philippine hawk eagle, which combines science-based planning, user-friendly technology, and indigenous knowledge to protect forests and biodiversity.
Just like the eagle, LAWIN keeps watch over forest ecosystems and helps communities and government focus conservation efforts where they are needed most.
“This technology will allow us to effectively monitor the actual situation on the ground and facilitate timely response to any threats observed by patrollers in our forest ecosystems and wildlife species like forest fire, timber poaching, landslide and charcoal-making,” he explained.
He said the system uses a mobile application called CyberTracker, which enables patrollers to monitor and collect data about forest and biodiversity conditions, including threats and geo-referenced observations by taking photos and videos.
The LAWIN system also uses spatial monitoring and reporting tool for analysis of data, mapping and generation of reports, which provide decision makers with a basis for identifying and implementing adequate responses for addressing threats, including identification of conservation areas.