Thursday, June 28, 2007 Uncontrolled tree-cutting in Mt. Pulag alarms environment dep’t
THE massive tree-cutting and clearing operations being conducted at the country's second highest peak have worried officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who called for the support of the local government units (LGUs) and communities to save the country's remaining forests covers there.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) of Benguet has declared two villages near the Mt. Pulag national park in Kabayan as hot spot areas due to the massive environmental destruction, which is threatening the mossy forest.
Investigating team led by Penro personnel reported that various patches of land, involving a total of 7.648 hectares in Barangays Tawangan and Ballay, were illegally cleared and converted into vegetable gardens.
The team also recovered some 4,057 board feet of illegally cut Benguet pine lumber in these areas.
Benguet Penro chief Manuel Pogeyed said there is a need to intensify the enforcement of forest protection laws to save the mossy forest.
"The rate of destruction within the identified hot spots implies the need for exerted efforts from various offices for intensive law enforcement actions," Pogeyed said.
He said support from the Provincial Government is much needed in order to protect the mountain.
Home to 528 plant species, Mt. Pulag is second to Mt. Apo in Davao which is considered as the country's highest mountain. It has an elevation of 2,922 meters above sea level.
The mountain is also home to 33 bird species and various endangered mammals such as the Philippine deer, the giant bushy-tailed cloud rat, considered the biggest rat specie in the world, and the long-haired fruit bat.
The mountain, which is bounded by the provinces of Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, is considered sacred by indigenous peoples there. (JC)
