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Mt.
Isarog Natural Park (MINP) in the Bicol Region is one of the
few forests in the country with a rich variety of wildlife
species. However, threats to its biodiversity escalate as
local folks continue to extract resources even from the protected
forests.
This prompted
researchers from the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College
(CSSAC) to study the biodiversity trends of priority faunal
species in the area.
Specifically,
the study was conducted to consolidate, organize and analyze
existing data on biodiversity population; make threat reduction
assessments in MINP; and recommend an effective biodiversity
monitoring system.
Results
revealed that ‘baboy damo’ (Sus scrofa),
‘bayakan’ (Pteropus speciosus), ‘unggoy’
(Macaca fascicularis), and ‘punay’ (Gallicolumba
luzonica) remain the dominant species in the area in
terms of population. On the other hand, ‘sawa’
(Phyton reticulatus), ‘sabit’ (Spizaetus
phillipensis), ‘usa’ (Cervus marianus)
and ‘salibad’ (Microhierax erythrogynys)
were found to have been decreasing.
There
was no significant difference between the data obtained in
2002 and in 2003 in terms of presence, frequency and population
density of the faunal species. This indicates that the biodiversity
population has not improved.
Based
on these findings, institutional interventions and inter-agency
collaborative efforts on reforestation and wildlife conservation
and management in MINP should be further strengthened.
There
were also significant differences in the biodiversity population
of areas covered by community-based conservation efforts.
This suggests that some barangays were actively and properly
implementing reforestation and wildlife protection programs
while others were not.
To
control the situation, the study suggests an active monitoring
system coupled with improved data gathering tools and procedures;
partnership and collaboration among various agencies and institutions;
capability building of community-based organizations; aggressive
information campaign; strict enforcement of policies and laws
particularly on visitor management; and selection of leaders
in the communities and partner agencies. These were some of
the issues monitored and evaluated by PCARRD. (Ma. Rowena
M. Baltazar, S&T Media Service)
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