Bio-rights is a microcredit finance mechanism that combines
poverty reduction and environmental improvement. We provide
funding to local communities and they undertake nature
conservation activities in return for this support. Bio-rights
adds a market-based incentive to conservation and development
action. Communities that normally have few if any financing
opportunities receive micro-credits for environmentally-friendly
economic development, such as sustainable farming or fishing, or
ecotourism. As a condition for support, these communities also
agree to refrain from activities that damage the environment,
such as logging or poaching. Instead of paying interest, the
communities undertake environmental actions, such as replanting
a degraded flood forest, restoring abandoned shrimp ponds or
patrolling national parks to prevent illegal activities.
Converting microcredit to payment When the conservation action
turns out to be a long-term success, for example if the
replanted trees are in good shape after a year,