Socio-Cultural, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism in Birilarosa Protected Landscape and Seascape (BLPLS)
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Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology 15(3): 27-37, 2021; Article no.AJEE.69460 ISSN: 2456-690X Socio-Cultural, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism in Birilarosa Protected Landscape and Seascape (BLPLS) Myrna Nicol Ogoc1* 1Department of Environmental Science, College of Science University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar, Philippines. Author’s contribution The sole author designed, analyzed, interpreted and prepared the manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/AJEE/2021/v15i330229 Editor(s): (1) Dr. Ravi Kant Chaturvedi, Chinese Academy of Sciences,P.R. China. Reviewers: (1) Mesele Admassu Mersha, Adama Science and Technology University, Ethiopia. (2) Mohammed Seid, Mettu University, Ethiopia. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/69460 Received 10 April 2021 Accepted 16 June 2021 Review Article Published 24 June 2021 ABSTRACT Ecotourism is a melting pot of cultures and people. It is said that national and local pride can be created through the cultural appreciation of ecotourists, and local knowledge and the standard of living can be enhanced. The folklore or story about “Berbenota” the enchanted lady of Rock Formations have resulted to the protection and conservation who is believed to be the protector of the area. These activities provide special opportunities to understand the history and traditions of the community and to witness their cultural practices and daily living, including traditional rituals, rites and dances. For the positive side of ecotourism, it can generate environmental rehabilitation and natural or local tourism development by promoting environmental protection and the improvement of a specific tourist destination. The greatest contribution of ecotourism is the protection of biodiversity and a sustainable development plan is necessary. In terms of the negative side, when ecotourism is improperly managed, environmental degradation follows. These invasions often include deforestation, disruption of ecological lifestyle systems and various styles of pollutants, all of which make a contribution to environmental degradation. It is important to note that majority of the respondents were farmers which at the same time fishermen. It is also interesting that many of the employed people were also patronizing the local tourist’s destination. It seems that common people were benefitted so much of the booming local ecotourism industry in the BLPLS areas as _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]; Ogoc; AJEE, 15(3): 27-37, 2021; Article no.AJEE.69460 represented by the various stakeholders and key players in the tourism industry. At least One hundred respondents were interviewed using the systematic sampling approach. The results indicate that both the mainland and island communities benefits ecotourism in various ways but not to their level of satisfaction. Members of the community are allowed access to resources such as fish, food crops, firewood and water. Additionally, a range of job opportunities includes tour guiding; rendering service mobility vehicles for the tourists, and accommodations. Another key tourism related benefits include interaction with the tourists, sale of local crafts, fish processing, food vending and opportunities to profile cultural activities. However, there remains the need to improve beneficiation given the high poverty and unemployment rates in the locality. Keywords: Biri-Larosa; ecotourism; socio-economic; cultural; environmental impact. 1. INTRODUCTION identified threats are now being felt by the people in the community and the protected area The Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and stakeholders as well. Seascape (BLPLS) is a protected area located in Northern Samar, Philippines, 40 kilometers It is on this context that environmental protection (25 mi) west of the provincial capital, Catarman. and biodiversity conservation of the It is in the Balicuatro Islands, composed of the BIRILAROSA protected seascape/landscape island municipality of Biri and associated smaller must be given foremost attention. Furthermore, islands, off the northwestern coast of Samar in the area is now the center of eco-tourism in the the San Bernardino Strait. It also includes the province and among the tourist attraction in the coastal areas of the adjacent municipalities from Philippines. Thus, the need to assess economic which it derives the second half of its name – a value of the BLPLS environmental services with combination of the first two letters of the names its corresponding impacts/ importance to the of the municipalities of Lavezares, Rosario and people in the community and to all stakeholders. San Jose [1,2]. Biri–LAROSA as the center now of Ecotourism in The protected area spans 33,492 hectares of the Philippines is in need of conservation efforts land and sea when it was gazetted in 2000 particularly in the implementation of a holistic through Presidential Proclamation No. 291. It is approach since Protected Area stakeholders famous for its natural rock formations, as well as especially the Protected Area Management beaches, coral reefs, sea grass beds and Board (PAMB) are required to sustain the BLPLS mangrove forests. The San Bernardino Strait, to a well-balanced ecosystem. noted for its strong waves and currents, is also a popular surfing location in Samar [1,2]. Community involvement is increasing in importance in relation to nature conservation and Based on the Protected Area Management ecotourism which includes public participation in enhancement, Management Enhancement decision-making, access to biological resources Tracking Tool (PAME-METT), 2013 survey, [3] and communities receipt of benefits from the highest identified ecosystem services threats ecotourism. There is also an increasing attention are: illegal fishing activities, urbanization, climate on community involvement in relation to nature change, unregulated recreational and tourism conservation and ecotourism in developing activities, change in political leadership, gravel contexts, especially in the preservation of natural and sand extractions, improper waste heritage and historical landmarks of the management, land conversion, and lack of community. support fund for resource management program. Lack of awareness on the BLPLS protected area Yet, research indicates that neighboring was also observed to contribute to these threats. historically disadvantaged communities remain impoverished and have limited access to All these identified problems, issues and resources and benefits from conservation areas. concerns which, directly and indirectly, contribute BIRILAROSA Protected Landscape and to the potential deterioration of these Seascapes are some of the key conservation seascape/landscape ecosystem resources can area and ecotourism destination in Northern no longer be ignored as the associated socio- Samar. This study examines the socio-economic economic setbacks brought about by these impacts of ecotourism in the community. At least 28 Ogoc; AJEE, 15(3): 27-37, 2021; Article no.AJEE.69460 One hundred respondents were interviewed Pangilala, Puropangdan, Matungko and using the systematic sampling approach. The Maghungaw, and others, as well as parts of the results indicate that both the mainland and island northern coast of the island of Samar (Fig. 1). communities benefits in various ways but not to their level of satisfaction. Members of the The Balicuatro Islands are a group of 18 small community are allowed access to resources such islands situated about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) as fish, food crops, firewood and water. northeast of Balicuatro Point, the northwestern Additionally, a range of job opportunities includes tip of Samar Island. It is divided into two tour guiding; rendering service mobility vehicles subgroups by the Biri Channel, with the main for the tourists, and accommodations. Another island of Biri on the west composed of 7 islands, key tourism related benefits include interaction and the group of Cabauan Grande (Cabaongon) with the tourists, sale of local crafts, fish on the east. The islands border the San processing, food vending and opportunities to Bernardino Strait and Philippine Sea and are profile cultural activities. However, there remains separated from Samar by the Bani Channel. the need to improve beneficiation given the high poverty and unemployment rates in the locality. Biri is the largest and northernmost of the Balicuatro Islands and is about 6.4 kilometres 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY (4.0 mi) long northwest and southeast and 3.2 AREA kilometres (2.0 mi) wide. It is generally high with a 200-foot (61 m) rocky perpendicular bluff on its The Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and northwestern side. Its coastline is covered with Seascape is located in the province of Northern mangroves and has gravel beaches on its Samar, Philippines. The combined land and western side. It is surrounded by Macarite, marine reserve was established on 23 April Cagnipa, Talisay, Magasang and other smaller 2000. It includes 18 islands, which Cabaungon unnamed islands and is protected by fringing Grande, Cabaungon Pequino, Tandang, reefs [2,4]. Fig. 1. Map showing the Biri-larosa protected landscape/seascape 29 Ogoc; AJEE, 15(3): 27-37, 2021; Article no.AJEE.69460 As a typical laid back Philippine island, Biri is The municipality is facing Pacific Ocean to the rural and quaint. It’s homed to not more than east and San Bernardino Strait