Subic authorities address forest reserve threats
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The Subic Watershed Forest Reserve (SWFR) in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) was classified as a Global Key Biodiversity Area (Global KBA) in the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas developed by the Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership last 2020.
As a Global KBA, it is considered as one of the most ecologically important places in the world for various animal and plant species and their habitats. Not much is known about the SWFR, it has a total area of 6,261 hectares, spanning the northwestern slopes of Mt. Natib to Subic Bay, and houses evergreen lowland rainforests with agricultural land alternating with built-up areas.
Forest reserve, its biological and cultural features
In 1992, late President Corazon C. Aquino signed Proclamation No. 926, establishing the Subic Watershed and forested portions of the SBFZ as a forest reserve, to protect and maintain its waterfield, and to provide restraining mechanisms for inappropriate forest exploitation and disruptive land use.
The nature reserve is located in the northwest of the Bataan province and the south of Zambales, bordering the SBFZ to the northwest. On the 25th of June 2022, the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve (SWFR) will mark its 30th year.
In a study conducted by the University of the Philippines Diliman, a total of 169 wildlife species were recorded. Among these species, nine were amphibians, 13 were reptiles, 123 were birds, and 24 were mammals. Some of these notable animals are the Philippine deer (Cervus mariannus), Philippine pustel pig (Sus philippensis), giant bark rats (Phloeomys pallidus), and the Philippine hooded eagle (Nisaetus philippensis). In terms of plant life, the forested areas of the nature reserve are home to 745 different plant species.
There are Indigenous People (IP) communities that share a unique culture and respect for the forests in SBFZ. Some of which are the Aetas of the Pastolan tribe who also work as guides to those who would like to trek hiking trails. The members of the IP communities also teach survival skills such as drinking from forest water vines and using leaves as camouflage. Aside from that, the Aetas also teach how to carve utensils and cookware with bamboo and start a fire outdoors only with stalks and wood dust.
Threats to the reserve
Because SWFR is home to numerous tree species of high commercial value, it is very vulnerable to exploitation. As more settlers migrate to unguarded forestland, more forested areas are converted into agricultural land through slash-and-burn methods.
The lowland tropical rainforest is also vulnerable to exploitation because it harbors tree species of high commercial value. The migration of settlers into the unguarded forestland is leading to the conversion of forests into agricultural land and kaingin. The forests and their wildlife are being degraded by firewood gathering, charcoal making, illegal logging, illegal grazing, hunting and gathering, and natural threats like typhoons, fires and volcanic eruptions. A lot of deforestation is still happening where an excessive number of trees are being cleared in the forest to sell and turn into furniture that is being used in exportation.
A new road was recently constructed eastward from Morong, Bataan. Further development of this road could lead to the destruction of the closed-canopy forest. Both sides of the piloted road have already been logged. Earth-moving work has caused tremendous erosion, silting the rivers and rice lands below.
Wildlife is also greatly affected as illegal logging and grazing lead to the degradation of forests which are habitats for various animal species in the area. IP communities are under threat of displacement as they depend on the forest’s resources in sustaining their tribes.
Conservation efforts
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Center addresses these threats through the reforestation of large areas inside the free port and conducting awareness programs among locals, most especially when it comes to poaching.
Last 2019, the SBMA Ecology Center, together with SUBICWATER, and members of IP communities, conducted tree planting activities through its Adopt-A-Forest Program in support of maintaining a healthy watershed.
The Subic Watershed Forest Reserve provides great potential for sustainable tourism within the area. With companies such as MAD Travel’s Tribes & Treks advocating for environmental and cultural preservation and sustainability, the nature reserve becomes ideal for educational field trips, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, and company team-building trips.
This article was written by Christian King Condez from Zambales as a final requirement of AYEJ.org and the US Embassy’s “Green Beat Islas: An Online Environmental Journalism Training.“
Featured photo from subicwater.com.ph