Environmental Issues
Deforestation in the mountains is damaging aquifers' ability to absorb water, which causes water shortages in population centers.

Social Issues
Because of past nationalization of forests and a misguided attempt to protect forests, local people are not allowed, nor have interest in, sustainably managing forests. This causes a spike in the value of forest products, which causes more illegal unmanaged harvesting.

Our Response
We are helping local producers to plant useful products, i.e. fast growing trees that will sustainably provide firewood or stakes for vegetable production, as well as fruit trees and timber species. We are also helping with documentation of these plantings so that in the future these people will be allowed to harvest and manage these plantings.