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The Philippines’ Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park includes not only the underground river but also a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation with important primary forests

Tourism helps finance the running of the park, but it must be managed carefully so that it doesn’t have a negative impact.

PEOPLE | James Albert Mendoza, superintendent of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the Philippines Engaging the local community in protecting the natural environment sachild, James Albert Mendoza would accom- park to the city government of Puerto Princesa. seven local community members, including ‘‘It's a challenge to help people understand that, pany his father to the fields in their native Philip- This was the first time that management of a four that head committees and three indige- while we need development, we still have to protect OFFICE About World Heritage A pines to plant, cultivate and harvest crops. He re- national park in the Philippines had been trans- nous chieftains. what we have,’’ he explains, ‘‘because there would be no The aim of the World Heritage members seeing local wildlife feeding in the surrounding ferred to a local government, Mendoza em- ‘‘My number one challenge is trying to un- tourism without the main attractions.’’ PARK forest, and he became interested in how they behaved phasizes, and many were unsure whether the derstand and work with the local communi- Since the Philippines is adeveloping country where Convention, adopted by Unesco members in 1972, is ‘‘to encourage and, later, how to conserve and protect the wildlife and arrangement would succeed. ty,’’ says Mendoza, ‘‘which is really important the average income is low, no one is surprised that locals the identification, protection and the forest. So when, as an adult, he was appointed su- At the time, the park was not included on for any conservation or World Heritage man- are tempted to cut down trees or kill protected birds. NATIONAL preservation of cultural and natural perintendent of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Na- Unesco’s World Heritage List. Mendoza be- agement site to succeed or be effective.’’ Mendoza and his staff try to counter that by involving local heritage around the world considered RIVER tional Park, aWorld Heritage site since 1999, he was came involved in the qualification process, re- In November 1999, the park expanded its residents in tourism activities offering alternative liveli- to be of outstanding universal value well prepared for the task. He had come to appreciate sponsible for consulting with local communi- size to 22,202 hectares (86 square miles) hoods. The people living within the park’s boundaries are to humanity.’’ the interrelationship between local people and endemic ties and involving them directly in the effort. from 3,901 hectares, encompassing an un- mostly engaged in gathering of non-timber forest ‘‘Tides of Time’’ is a partnership plant and animal species, and credits this appreciation ‘‘It took me a few years to just get everyone James Albert Mendoza. derground river that flows directly into the products, rice farming and hunting. ‘‘As ecotourism grew,’’ among Jaeger-LeCoultre, Unesco’s to his childhood experiences: ‘‘This foundation is funda- concerned to agree to support the progress sea and old-growth forest. Less than a month he says, ‘‘they had alternative income, and they under- SUBTERRANEAN World Heritage Centre and the mental to understanding why the environment is really of the park,’’ recalls Mendoza. ‘‘One of Unesco’s require- after the expansion, on December 4, 1999, Unesco stand that protecting the forest and the wildlife brought in- International Herald Tribune. The important to the people, and vice versa,’’ he says. ments was that the local community agree to the inscrip- inscribed Puerto Princesa on the World Heritage List. come in a sustainable way or a long-term way.’’ PARIS series presents some of the people

In the early 1990s, Mendoza was working for a non- tion. And they had to do so in writing, so I had to talk to all From the beginning, Mendoza has been responsible Mendoza reports proudly that the park has been a PRINCESA who are helping preserve marine governmental organization in Palawan, an island province of them individually.’’ for managing the park. His challenges include not only self-sustaining protected area for the past three years. sites on the World Heritage List. of the Philippines, where what is now known as the Puerto His efforts to engage the local community continue WILLIAM community engagement but also the complexities of ‘‘I think we're one of the first in the Philippines to be fi- To see videos about World Heritage Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located. In today. At present, the park has astaff of 52, and 45 of administering an area of great biodiversity. In addition, nancing our own operations,’’ he says. ‘‘Since the in- PUERTO marine sites, visit the ‘‘Tides of Time’’ December 1992, the national Department of Environment them are drawn from the surrounding communities. The he has to balance the needs of the site with the de- come has also gone to the community, it is now easier to archive at whc.unesco.org/tidesoftime and Natural Resources transferred management of the 17-person management board of the park includes mands of tourism development. convince them of the value of conservation.’’ C . F.

PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK | A complete mountain-to-sea ecosystem Watchmaker supports cultural as well as natural heritage A river that meanders through limestone caves and old-growth forest Jaeger-LeCoultre, a Swiss accordance with the finest watchmaker with a distinguished traditions, depicting the lion symbol nly ahandful of caves have been mangrove forests make up as much as 15 representatives from various community hotels around the park periphery. The evalu- cultural and artistic heritage, works of Venice and bearing the inscription chosen as Unesco World Heritage percent of the mangroves in the Philip- and indigenous organizations. ation of the park by the International Union to preserve not only the world’s ‘‘68. Mostra Internazionale d’Arte O sites, and only one of them is a pines. ‘‘National parks in the Philippines used to for Conservation of Nature and Natural Re- natural heritage, in its partnership Cinematografica.’’ Finally, this year’s coastal cavern rather than an inland wonder The park, created in the early 1970s, have trouble with management, especially sources, an advisory body to World Herit- with the World Heritage Centre, but ‘‘Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the —the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River was inscribed on the World Heritage List for with the community,’’ Mendoza explains. ‘‘We age, noted: ‘‘Tourism in the area, if not care- also the diversity and richness of Filmmaker Award’’ will honor Al National Park in the Philippines. two major reasons, says the park superin- have demonstrated that it could be done at fully planned and implemented, also has cultural expression. A notable Pacino, who is presenting his third That alone is enough to suggest that the tendent, James Albert Mendoza: ‘‘One is the the local level, and effectively. I can’t take great potential to adversely impact on the example is its support for movie as a director. Previous Palawan Island landmark is something spe- underground river. And the other one is the credit for all of it, because Icouldn't have natural values of the core zone.’’ filmmaking, an art that shares with honorees were Takeshi Kitano in cial. Thought to be the world’s longest navig- existence of a complete mountain-to-the- done it without the support of the city govern- There is also aneed to closely monitor fine watchmaking an emphasis on 2007, Agnès Varda and Abbas able underground river, the waterway me- sea ecosystem, which really has remained ment leadership and local people. I’m very upstream agricultural activities in the water beauty, advanced technology and Kirostami in 2008, Sylvester Stallone anders five miles, or 8.2 kilometers, through intact and with primary growth forest.’’ proud of it.’’ All income generated from tour- catchment area that feeds the underground expertise. in 2009 and Mani Ratnam in 2010. porous limestone karst topography. An out- Another thing that makes the park ist user fees goes straight into atrust fund river. Poaching of both forest products and For the seventh consecutive year, Jaeger-LeCoultre is also an official standing feature of the river is that it flows unique is that it’s been managed (since used only for management purposes. Mend- wildlife is another concern. Jaeger-LeCoultre is a sponsor of the partner of the Shanghai International directly into the sea, and the lower portions 1992) by a municipal authority —the city of oza says this system has enabled the park ‘‘The indigenous people really don’t have Venice International Film Festival. Film Festival. The partners are of the river are subject to tidal influence and Puerto Princesa —rather than anational or to fund all of its own operations since 2008. that much income,’’ says Mendoza. ‘‘So The 68th festival opened Aug. 31 cooperating on a three-year project have brackish water. regional government body. That’s not to say that everything is once in a while they try and poach inside the and runs until Sept. 10, and Jaeger- to restore classic Chinese films and While the main focus is on the cave and ‘‘This gives us advantages,’’ says Mend- perfect. More visitors means more income, park boundaries. We try to counter that by LeCoultre will be actively involved in support young and prominent its underground river, the park covers oza. ‘‘Decisions are made faster, unlike be- but it also means greater impact on the en- really trying to get them involved in tourism all the highlights of the event. Three Chinese film directors. Jaeger- 22,202 hectares, or 86 square miles, and ing under the national government. Before it vironment in terms of boats, docks, trails or other activities that offer an alternative unique engraved Reverso watches LeCoultre and SIFF will set up a includes an extremely biodiverse forest was turned over, decisions would have to go and other infrastructure, as well as more livelihood.’’ J.R.Y. will reward the Best Actress and series of film exhibitions called the area. More than 800 plant species and 165 up all the way to the secretariat. Now it’s just Best Actor of the year as well as the ‘‘World Cruise of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s types of bird have been recorded in the park, through the mayor, who is the chairman of winner of the Golden Lion, for the Rehabilitation of Chinese Classic as well as extremely rare mammal species the management board.’’ Tides of Time: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was produced by the like the dugong, the stink badger, the bear- Puerto Princesa manages the park IHT Creative Solutions department and did not involve the newspaper’s reporting or editorial director of the Best Film. The Films,’’ culminating in a gala event to departments. It is the 28th in a series on Unesco’s World Heritage marine sites. The next watches will feature a lacquered be held at the Shanghai Festival in cat and the Palawan porcupine. through a Protected Area Management installment, about the Guanacaste Conservation Area in Costa Rica, will be published Oct. 7. engraving, handcrafted in 2014. C.F. The park also includes part of Ulugan Board comprising 17 members, including Text by CLAUDIA FLISI and JOSEPH R. YOGERST. For information on the IHT Creative Bay, a nationally significant marine area. Its the mayor, members of the city council and Solutions program: www.nytimesglobal.com

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