Objectives of Buffer Zones
- Serve as a protective belt for natural forests (virgin, residual, second growth) against encroachment and destruction.
- Provide livelihood opportunities to rural communities.
- Establish natural landmarks within forest lands.
Definition of Buffer Zones
- Strips of land with natural or established vegetation.
- Provide added protection to forests.
- Allow restricted use for local production benefiting rural communities.
Areas Identified as Buffer Zones
- Priority to forestlands and critical mangrove areas near population centers or where legitimate Tenured Land Arrangement (TLA) holders or permittees exist.
- Specific areas include:
- 20-meter strips along normal high waterline of rivers/streams with channels at least 5 meters wide.
- 50-meter strips fronting seas, oceans, or other water bodies; 20 meters on both sides of river channels to enhance mangrove protection.
- 100-meter mangrove strips in storm-prone areas along shorelines; 50-meter strips along riverbanks.
- 20-meter strips immediately adjacent to protected areas.
Identification, Delineation, and Establishment Procedures
- DENR through PENRO and CENRO to identify potential buffer zones using Forest Resources Condition Maps, aerial photos, and other technical references.
- Ground validation and demarcation required.
- Mapping at scale 1:20,000 required.
- CENRO issues administrative orders declaring buffer zones.
- Submission to DENR Secretary for approval along with maps and development plans.
Development and Maintenance of Buffer Zones
- No lease or permit applications allowed on buffer zones.
- Strict regulation of forest product gathering in river bank and mangrove buffer zones; encourage tree planting.
- Utilization of forest products in residual/protected area buffer zones allowed if it does not defeat buffer zone purposes.
- Encourage planting of forest tree species, firewood species, and fruit trees with appropriate spacing.
- Accessibility features like pathways allowed; occupancy prohibited.
- Joint management and protection by DENR, local government units, and communities.
- Products derived accrue to local communities.
- Mangrove buffer zones converted to fishponds via Fishpond Lease Agreements not covered, but lessees must reforest tidal flats with at least 50-meter strips when practicable.
Penal Provisions
- Violations penalized pursuant to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Effectivity
- Order takes effect immediately upon promulgation.
Manual Procedures for Establishment and Management - Social Forestry Projects
- Locate and mark boundaries of social forestry projects.
- Establish 20-meter wide buffer zones outside project boundaries.
- Mark existing trees within buffer zones.
- Community-assisted development plans for buffer zones required; submitted for CENRO approval.
Manual Procedures - Reforestation Projects
- Locate and mark project boundaries.
- Establish 20-meter wide buffer zones inside project boundaries.
- Reforestation manager to prepare development plan involving local communities.
- Plan submitted to CENRO for approval.
Manual Procedures - Mangrove Forests
- Identify buffer zone strips along seashores and water bodies; 50 meters wide, 20 meters on river banks.
- For storm-prone areas: 100 meters along shoreline and 50 meters on riverbanks.
- Properly mark boundaries for reference.
- Development plans prepared by CENRO in coordination with adjacent communities.
- Recommended species for planting include various mangrove species (Rhizophora, Api-api, Pagatpat, etc.), river/stream species (Narra, Teak, Mahogany, etc.), and fruit trees suitable for lowlands and higher elevations.
This comprehensive summary covers the law's key provisions concerning the policy, scope, definitions, identification, establishment, development, penalties, and procedural guidelines for buffer zones in forest lands as mandated by the referenced DENR Administrative Order.