In the Aguan River valley in Honduras communities of about 11,000 people lack sufficient clean drinking water sources. EcoLogic is working to conserve and restore forests in micro watershed areas with the goal of preserving wildlife habitats and protecting water sources. At the same time, we hope to establish a sustainable process, through which these communities can become effective stewards of their natural resources.
In rural Honduras, only a third of water delivery systems provide continual service and less than 14% deliver potable water. Deforestation and the degradation of rivers have caused soil erosion, contamination and water scarcity, compromising the health, food security, and economic opportunity of rural villages.
EcoLogic aims to combat the challenges through the following objectives; 1) Reforestation and Protection of Water Sources- Protect sources of potable water; 2) Construction of Fuel-Efficient Wood-Burning Stoves- Reduce domestic firewood consumption protecting forest sources and reducing incidences of respiratory illnesses and; 3) Institutional Strengthening of AJAASSPIB- Improve its capacity to manage its water-related activities and eventually become self sustaining.
Partnering with the Association of Water Committees of the Southern Buffer Zone (AJAASSPIB), a local alliance of community administrative water boards, EcoLogic aims to continue conservation and restoration of forested microwatersheds, where communities rally around water sources and the forests that sustain them. This type of community building and conservation is an effective catalyst for engaging local people and providing access to water.