This study was conducted to evaluate the current management regime of burning vis-à-vis burning  with carbon offsets for the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (CHNM) in Bohol, Philippines. The current  scheme of burning to maintain the grass-covered (tree-less) and brown hills to sustain tourist arrivals is seen  as environmentally unsound and inconsistent with existing environmental laws. The study estimated the  carbon loss from burning and compared the carbon loss value with the tourism income of the Chocolate  Hills under the status quo with the end view of evaluating a carbon offset project as an alternative  management scheme. A comparison of the benefits and costs of the status quo and the proposed  management regime was conducted. Based on these assessments, policy recommendations were drawn up  for consideration by the CHNM management.

Historically, the hills of CHNM were burned for the grazing of animals. This made the hills’ landscape  visually appealing and consequently attractive to tourists. However, when it was declared as a protected  area (PA), burning of the hills was discouraged. Tree species, mostly indigenous, were allowed to grow in the  hills characteristic of natural regeneration. This resulted to the loss of the unique hill landscape preferred by  tourists. Such situation created a divide between the tourism office and the Protected Area Management  Board (PAMB). The tourism office, managed by the local government of Carmen, wanted to maintain the hills  bare for tourism, while the PAMB of CHNM is mandated to ensure compliance to environmental laws such as  the ban on burning.

This study evaluated the establishment of a carbon offset project to make up for the carbon loss if a  certain number of hills were burned to maintain their tourism value.

The vegetation and biomass analysis and the carbon study showed that an estimated 153 ha of  forest should be established to offset the carbon emission due to the clearing of such hills. This means that the carbon offset project will require the establishment of one hectare of forest for every two hills cleared.  The cost of forestation could be supported by income from tourism in a form and manner that directly  involve the community.

The study found that the present value of tourism income was very much higher than the cost of  carbon emission due to burning.  The study recommends that the PAMB consider establishing a carbon  offset project to make the current management practice carbon neutral.