Tags: Environment, Government Policies
By Alexander Villafania
CABAGAN, ISABELA – The Malasi Tree Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Cabagan, Isabela has recently been declared as a critical habitat for the Philippine wild duck (Anas luzonica) and other aquatic migratory bird species.
Under Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No: 2012-01, the Malasi Tree Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, a 178-hectare land in Barangay San Antonio, will be among the areas protected by government against man-made degradation, including dumping of waste products, building human settlements, squatting, mineral exploration, quarrying, farming, among others.
The declaration is based on Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
The Philippine wild duck is known as “the tropical version of the mallard” and is endemic only to the Philippines.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Philippine wild duck as vulnerable with only around 4,400 individual animals counted in the last Asian Waterbird Census in 2005.
Its population continues to decline mainly because of hunting and destruction of its natural habitats. Development of its former habitats into fishponds and farms has further pushed it to near-extinction.
Conservation efforts, mainly through private organizations such as Haribon Foundation have somewhat stemmed the bird’s push towards extinction.
The bird is currently protected in several locations such as Lake Naujan National Park in Mindoro, Maria Aurora Memorial Natural Park and Bataan Natural Park/Subic Bay Forest Reserve.
Just recently, the DENR also declared a 27-hectare land in Cabusao, Camarines Sur as a critical area.
DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said that the declaration of these areas as critical habitats should also encourage nearby communities to provide protection to the country’s endangered species, especially those that are endemic only to the Philippines.
“This is a major step to conserve and protect the Philippine duck as the area becomes now a protected area, which means that the communities around it should make an effort to minimize human activities that will have adverse impact to the animal,” he said.
(Photo taken from Wikipedia)
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A call to save our very own bird paradise
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