THE highland municipality of Pasil in Kalinga has been chosen as a pilot area for bamboo reforestation under the Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Magdalena Buyugan of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) reported that at least 56 hectares are targeted for the project. Some 11,200 bamboo plants have been propagated and are ready for planting.
As part of the project, forest protection officers will be hired and a ranger station will be provided in the area to ensure sustainability and protect the reforested area.
Bamboo reforestation is included in the government’s enhanced National Greening Program (NGP) because of bamboo's soil-holding capacity.
In a related report, Penro has propagated a total of 50,637 seedlings in the first six months of the year under the NGP. Another 73 hectares are targeted for agro-forestry that promotes planting of fruit trees. (PIA)