Manila, Sept. 9 -- A large-scale forest restoration initiative is seeking to rehabilitate and protect 120,000 hectares of degraded rainforest within the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP).

Dubbed as Green Samar Project, the initiative aims to restore degraded forests, conserve biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable management of natural resources in the SINP, the country's largest terrestrial protected area.

The privately-backed project is a collaboration among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, French nature restoration firm aDryada, and local partner Samar Bamboo Corporation under a 25-year agreement, with an option to extend the partnership for another 25 years.

The project is expected to m...