Certification (TFC).

This project is innovative in its use of a local animal with “charismatic” appeal as a conservation symbol to add a premium to sustainably harvested RFE forest products. For communities that meet TFC requirements, which include presence of tigers and anti-poaching activities, it provides a link to Western markets by serving as both an indicator of ecosystem integrity and as a marketing tool. Essentially, TFC transforms live tigers from a threat to an asset for the local communities. For consumers, the certification offers a means to actively participate in tiger conservation. Higher profits from TFC products would increase household incomes by 12 to 25 percent for up to 1,000 people-and have a corresponding conservation impact on approximately 400,000 hectares of land. Once demonstrated as an effective conservation and income generation measure, TFC could be replicated in 10 Southeast Asian countries with endangered animal populations.