Species
Hornbills
Hornbills are under threat from deforestation and hunting. Find out more about these extraordinary birds and how we can ...
In the mountains of western Myanmar, Fauna & Flora is protecting an endangered ape in collaboration with the local Asho Chin people who share its home through an inspired agroforestry initiative that combines sustainable coffee cultivation with wildlife conservation.
Arakan Mountains in Myanmar. © Aung Lin / Fauna & Flora
Myanmar's Arakan Mountains, home to Indigenous communities and a crucial refuge for western hoolock gibbons, hornbills and other threatened wildlife.
A primate in peril, a forest under threat
The western hoolock gibbon is confined to small forest fragments in Myanmar, Bangladesh and India. Its population has declined by 90% in the past four decades. Fewer than 5,000 western hoolock gibbons are believed to survive in the wild. The last remaining contiguous evergreen forest in the Arakan Mountains is a vital haven for this species.
The forest not only harbours gibbons and other threatened wildlife such as bears and hornbills, but also protects the watershed of the Mann River, which feeds irrigation water to the paddy fields of Myanmar’s dry zone. A string of ethnic Asho Chin villages runs along the forest fringe of Pauk Sa within the Arakan Mountains in Magwe region. Villagers practise traditional shifting cultivation, but this has become less and less sustainable, with farmers forced to shorten rotational cycles and clear new fields in primary forests in order to accommodate a growing population.
Camera-trap footage of a male hornbill feeding his female mate at their tree-hole nest on a sustainable coffee plantation in Myanmar's Arakan Mountains. This camera was set up to help monitor the hornbill population at Fauna & Flora's project site.
Changing the story through agroforestry
In 2012, Fauna & Flora began working with Asho Chin Coffee Association (ACCA) to reverse this trend. We supported local farmers in adopting permanent, more productive agricultural practices, promoting coffee and pepper grown in forest gardens, while encouraging the protection of western hoolock gibbons and their remaining habitat. Together, we have developed sustainable coffee agroforestry as an alternative to shifting cultivation – putting an end to deforestation.
Coffee seedlings being distributed to farmers from Pabe and Sinlan villages in 2024 / Forest plantation monitoring of coffee harvesting techniques.
Gibbon-friendly coffee production
Since we began working with Genius Coffee in 2017 to select a coffee plantation site, we have provided both technical and financial support to ACCA to develop the coffee value chain and improve local livelihoods through establishing stable incomes from coffee production.
In partnership with Genius Coffee, we trained farmers in improved coffee harvesting and processing techniques, creating a unique arabica coffee of excellent quality. This sustainable, ethically sourced coffee commands a premium price, enabling farmers to increase their income. In return, all villagers have signed a community conservation agreement, since when no primary forest has been cleared.
Sustainable coffee agroforestry, Myanmar. © Kyaw Kyaw Naing / Fauna & Flora
20 tons
The amount of sustainable, gibbon-friendly coffee produced each year.
Arakan Mountains in Myanmar. © Aung Lin / Fauna & Flora
Zero forest loss
No primary forest has been cleared since the initiative was launched.
Mai December Ye, Salai Phan Wine, Mai Soe Soe Aye, Salai Yaw Thet, Mai Julia Khin, Mai Diana Tin and Salai Maung Naing, drying harvested coffee beans. © Kyaw Kyaw Naing / Fauna & Flora
5,691
The number of Asho Chin community members whose livelihoods have improved.
Western hoolock gibbon (female) photographed on a sustainable coffee plantation in Pabe village, Myanmar. © Win Naing Oo / Fauna & Flora
2.32 to 3.39 groups
Estimated density of gibbon groups per square kilometre based on annual surveys.
Grounds for optimism
At the start of 2019, national and regional governments both committed to supporting this community-based conservation initiative by designating the remaining primary forest area as a new wildlife sanctuary to be managed in collaboration with the local Asho Chin communities.
With Fauna & Flora support, these communities have made the transition to sustainable shade-grown coffee. In the process, they have addressed deforestation caused by shifting cultivation, restored wildlife corridors, protected western hoolock gibbons, and enhanced local livelihoods in this wildlife-rich landscape. They are now producing around 20 tons of Certified Wildlife Friendly, speciality-grade coffee annually and are seeking partnerships with roasters to bring their outstanding coffee to international markets.
This nature-positive business model in Myanmar is a great example of sustainable finance in action. It demonstrates what can be achieved when communities’ commitment to conservation is reinforced by the knowledge that it will change their lives for the better.
Community patrol members (Yar Zar Kyaw, Maung Kyaw and Tin Soe) in the adjacent area of Mann Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar circling a Dipterocarpace. © Kyaw Kyaw Naing / Fauna & Flora
Community patrol members Yar Zar Kyaw, Maung Kyaw and Tin Soe embracing a huge dipterocarp tree in the protected forest.
Thanks to the project, we are now experiencing increased income from coffee agroforestry and are planning to expand our coffee plantations each year. By following sustainable agricultural practices, we are ensuring long-term environmental and economic sustainability. As local farmers, we recognise the value of our ecosystem and are committed to conservation efforts to enhance natural habitats. In recent years, the significant decline in shifting cultivation has led to an increase in forest cover and the restoration of wildlife habitats.
Aung Zayya
Coffee farmer
Mai December Ye (coffee farmer) and Mai Julia Khin, harvesting coffee, Magwe region, Myanmar. © Kyaw Kyaw Naing / Fauna & Flora
Coffee farmer Mai December Ye and ACCA's Mai Julia Khin harvesting sustainably grown coffee.
Addressing a growing need
We can’t wait around for global leaders to wake up and smell the coffee. Together with our partners around the world, we’re taking action for people, nature and climate. Help us to change the story.
Support us todayA male western hoolock gibbon in protected forest close to a sustainable coffee plantation in Myanmar's Arakan Mountains. © Kyaw Kyaw Naing / Fauna & Flora
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