Our evidence for the effectiveness of the PES in
supporting livelihoods is based on a combination of
household perceptions of the benefits of forest conservation,
reported changes in resource use behaviour, and expected
livelihood impacts. All respondents in the livelihoods survey
indicated that the Park is worth protecting, with the
main reasons being the benefits to local climate (64% of
respondents mentioned rainfall effects) and benefits for
biodiversity and tourism income (23% mentioned both).
Households reported several behavioural changes as a result
of the PES scheme, including tree or bamboo planting,
grass planting to reduce the need for forest collection, the
formation of cooperatives to guard against crop-raiding,
purchase of plantation firewood instead of collecting it from
the Park or buffer zone, and informing other villagers about
the scheme. A few households reported that actions have
caused some difficulties because of the increased effort
needed for firewood collection or absence of alternative
sources. Reports of tree planting was corroborated through
examination of communitymonitoring log book entries and
selective verification.