Tags: Environment, Indigenous Culture, Natural Wonders
By Alexander Villafania
LAGAWE, IFUGAO – The Ifugao province administration, through the Ifugao Culture Heritage Office (ICHO) is conducting a mapping activity to delineate the core and buffer zones of the region’s famed but endangered rice terraces.
The activity is part of conservation efforts to save the national landmarks and delist it from theWorld Heritage Committee’s (WHC) danger status.
During a radio program, ICHO Project Coordinator Renato Patacsil said that the mapping activities are among the more significant projects being implemented to save the rice terraces.
Ongoing projects also include greening and watershed enhancement to strengthen the soil that holds up the rice terraces, as well as better irrigation systems to reduce soil erosion.
Patacsil also identified that the recent onslaught of Typhoon Juaning caused soil erosion, affecting some 25 families who were tilling at least 33 rice paddies. Another cause of concern is the presence of giant earthworms which soften the soil and causing further erosion.
“A total amount of P3 million worth of program fund was allocated to the heritage sites and another P1.5 million had been allotted for the restoration of damaged portions of the rice terraces,” Patacsil said.
The Ifugao or Cordillera Rice Terraces have stood for over 2,000 years and were built by tribal groups. These are also among the oldest rice terraces in Asia. These terraces are actually divided into five municipalities, namely Kiangan, Burnay, Banaue, Hungduan, and Mayoyao.
The WHC inscribed the Ifugao rice terraces in its list of World Heritage sites in 2001. However, it was later put in the danger list due to the effects of soil erosion.
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