Anahawan watershed is one of the remaining forest patches in Southern Leyte that host several indigenous/endemic plant and animal species. This includes dipterocarp forest tree species such as the iron wood.

One of the characteristic indicators of the watershed is the type of forest covers which plays an important role in soil, water and biodiversity conservation and protection. Because of this, the existence of a forest on a watershed, especially in slopping areas, is urgently needed.

Similar to other watersheds, the Anahawan was once endowed with vast tracts of diptero crop forest which were the seat of watershed catchment basins with various resource potential for many years. The municipality has about three major river basins with drainage aggregate area of 75,945 hectares.The Anahawan (Dijo), Mahalo and Lo-ok Rivers with several creeks as tributaries (Kalintaan, Maypili, Hugpa, Amagusan, Kamagong and Kaunajon creeks).

These catchment areas have been subjected to rampant abusive treatment due to various unsustainable land-use practices. As a result most of the affected watersheds became compacted, denuded unproductive and biodiversity loss.

These watersheds are in need to be rehabilitated to minimize if not control the harmful effects of soil erosion and sedimentation. Dipterocarp forest cover in watershed areas is also needed to be enriched and protected in order to ensure sufficient water supply for agriculture, industrial and domestic uses and to maintain ecological balance tantamount to biodiversity restoration to abate the effects of climate change.

General Objectives:
To enrich, rehabilitate and protect the biodiversity of the Anahawan watershed to support the livelihood and water needs of the farmers in the five (5) Anahawan upland barangays.

Specific Objectives:
A. To reforest the degraded watershed and protect at least 25 hectares;
B. To establish community nurseries using indigenous tree species and agro-forest/fruit trees;
C. To develop local capacity for community-based protection and management of the Anahawan watershed.
D. To help the upland barangays develop sustainable enterprises as additional sources of livelihood;

Expected Outputs:
a) At least 25 hectares watershed replanted with indigenous tree species.
b) Establishment of 2 community nurseries producing at least 6500 indigenous forest tree species;
c) At least 6,500 indigenous forest trees and 5,000 assorted of high valued fruit trees and crops will be planted in the vacant spaces;
d) Twenty five (25) local community members trained and deputized as Bantay Gubat;
e) Barangay and municipal ordinances related to environmental protection have been enacted/ passed and implemented;

Planned Actions and Activities:
1. Restoration, rehabilitation of target biodiversity areas
- site mapping, boundary marking, clearing,
- establishment of nurseries
- replanting and maintenance of watershed areas
- watershed characterization

2. Protection of habitats, damaged sites - -
- Building guard houses
- Mobilization and training of patrol guards (Bantay Gubat or Bantay Dagat)
- Provision of patrol equipment
- Legal/ para-legal support

3. Capacity Building and PO strengthening
- Training/ seminars on site-specific biodiversity issue, Management of biodiversity areas
- Cross learning visit will be undertaken where the participants will include the PO members.

4. IEC

5. Livelihood activities
- agro-forestry (jackfruit, rambutan, etc.)