Mt. Kitanglad Range Tip of the Mountain, Which Was the Size of Natural Park Would Be the Perfect Place a Tanglad Plant (Lemon Grass), Remained
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Photos by George Tapan Mt.Range Kitanglad NATURAL PARK BUKIDNON, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES or anyone wanting to have a ○○○○○○○○○ Mt. Tuminungan, 2,400 m. glimpse of the endangered Philip Legend relates that when the great Fpine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) in flood submerged the native lands, only the its natural habitat, Mt. Kitanglad Range tip of the mountain, which was the size of Natural Park would be the perfect place a tanglad plant (lemon grass), remained to go. Mt. Kitanglad is one of the few ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ visible; thus the name Kitanglad . remaining rainforests in the Philippines, The Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park hosting one of the most important diverse covers 47, 270 hectares (protected area – species of rare and endemic wildlife such 31,236 ha; buffer zone – 16,034 ha) in as the Philippine Eagle, which is now the north central portion of the province of known as the country’s national bird. The Bukidnon, and straddles parts of the Park’s diverse and rich flora and fauna municipalities of Baungon, Talakag, make it one of the last sanctuaries of the Lantapan, Impasugong, Sumilao, Libona country’s natural heritage. and Manolo Fortich and the city of The natural park boasts more than a Malaybalay. dozen mountain peaks, densely forested The Natural Park is the major watershed slopes, a number of caves, several that provides water for irrigation, power waterfalls and a hot spring. Five of its generation and domestic use for Bukidnon peaks have very high elevations: Mt. as well as the province of Misamis Orien- Dulang-Dulang, the highest at 2,938 m; tal, and the catchment area of the Mt. Kitanglad, 2,899 m; Mt. Maagnaw, Cagayan, Tagoloan and Pulangi river 2,742 m; Mt. Lumuluyaw, 2,612 m; and system. It is likewise the ancestral territory A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 43 Profiles ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and have a stunted growth with a more or less uniform height; trunks and branches are festooned and characterised by the presence of numerous species of mosses, lichens and ground epiphytic ferns. The brushland / grassland and cultivations are confined to the central lower portions of the park (CPPAP). These forests and grasslands protect a sizable population of flora and fauna endemic to the Philippines, many of which are endangered like the Philippine eagle. Seventy-four avian species have been recorded, including some species that were found to be common during previous studies but are rarely observed at present. The list includes Phaphitreron amethysina, The Philippine brown deer Macrophygia phasianella tenuirostris, Prioniturus discurus, Trichoglossus of the Talaandig, Higaonon and Bukidnon jhonstoniae, Harpactes ardens, Coracina ethnolinguistic groups that share common mcgregori, Aceros leucocephalus, and historical and cultural ties with Mt. Basilornis miranda. Some species, however, Kitanglad, which they consider the well- appeared more abundant compared to spring of their traditions. earlier observations; these include The establishment of the Mt. Kitanglad Lophozosterops goodfellowi, Ranges as a full-fledged protected area Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus, Leonardina on 9 November 2000 by virtue of Repub- woodi and Erythrura coloria. Another lic Act 8978, strengthens the protection of species, Serinus estherae was recorded for its ecological, biological, scientific and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the first time. Others include the educational features. The peripheral buffer Whitehead’s Swiftlet, Mindanao Lorikeet, zone serves as an extra layer of protection Mindanao Racquet-tail, Mindanao Scops- for the park. The protected area covers owl, Slaty-backed Jungle-flycatcher, Red- portions of the city of Malaybalay and the eared Parrot finch, Apo Myna, Philippine municipalities of Impasugong, Sumilao, Brown Deer and the Mindanao Pygmy Manolo Fortich, Libona, Baungon, Fruit Bat (Alionysteris paucidentata). Talakag and Lantapan. On the other hand, 58 mammalian species are known to exist in Mt. The Plant and Animal Life Kitanglad, compared to 49 in the entire The Natural Park has six major habitat island of Negros. There were 13 species types, ranging from lowland evergreen found to be endemic to the Park in forest, which is the most species-rich forest contrast to only eight such species in Mt. formation; lower montane forest, upper Apo, the highest mountain in the country. montane (mossy) forest, grasslands, The equally diverse amphibians and freshwater wetlands and caves. Every part reptiles represent 26 species and 21 of Mt. Kitanglad’s habitat is considered species respectively, with 50% endemicity. precious not only for harbouring countless Birds have 159 known species and an species but more for serving vital functions exceptional composition of butterflies to its inhabitants. numbering about 131 species. Numerous The lower montane forest is bat species are also plentiful; in fact, the characterised by a two-layered canopy. Mindanao Pygmy Fruit Bat, which is Trees in this habitat type are shorter in abundant and endemic to the park alone, height than those found in lowland is the first fruit bat species known in Asia. residual dipterocarp forest . In the upper Mt. Kitanglad supports the richest montane (mossy) forest, trees are gnarled known vertebrate fauna (mammals and 44 J A N U A R Y - J U N E 2 0 0 3 Profiles birds) in the country (Heaney and Peterson ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ production, and hunting. Though some 1992, Amoroso et al. 1996; L. Heaney, 40% of the occupants engage in fishing in unpublished manuscript, as cited in Garrity, nearby creeks or rivers, their catch contrib- et al. 2002). Heaney and Peterson utes very little to their daily subsistence. (1992), as cited in Garrity, et al. (2002), In December 1998, the three main observed 13 of the 14 species of birds indigenous communities − the Tala-andig, endemic to Mindanao, including the Higa-onon and Bukidnon tribes − living critically endangered Philippine Eagle. within the areas of the Park, asserted their Very few mammalian and herpetological rights of ownership over the plant and species were observed but this could be wildlife resources of Mt. Kitanglad through an artifact rather than a reflection of the a proclamation made during a real conditions in the area. Common programme that included a customary species of the Families Suidae and ritual where a boar and several heads of Cervidae have become rare in the area chicken were slaughtered. Accordingly, they because of the increased demand for hope to put the entire world on notice that meat by the local inhabitants. they have first and prior rights over these The park also has an exceptional resources as they are the ones who nur- conservation value in terms of the high tured and conserved these resources over endemism of the vascular flora (Amoroso several generations. Thus, academic et al. 1996; Pipoly and Madulid, 1995, researchers or scientists who wish to have personal communication, as cited by access to these resources would have to Garrity, et al. 2002)). This includes the deal with the Council of Elders of the three endangered rootless vascular plant tribes and comply with their requirements Tmesipteris lanceolata Dang (Amoroso et (Peria, E. undated). al. 1996, as cited in Garrity, et al. 2002). ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ In addition, the tribal communities, in The park was recently found to have the particular the Tala-andig group, have highest tree density ever reported in a started building cultural monuments within tropical forest (Pipoly and Madulid, 1995, their ancestral domains in the Park to stop pers. comm., as cited by Garrity, et al. bio-piracy in the areas; preserve the 2002). This combination of a small, cultural tradition of the people; and, manageable size and a rich, singular organise and institutionalise indigenous biodiversity conforms to the type of leadership. The tribes themselves have protected ecosystem that, according to become more vigilant against intrusions Sayer (1995), ought to receive the most into their areas especially after they saw determined attention in tropical biodiversity protection (Garrity, et.al. 2002). The Indigenous peoples The indigenous communities consider Mt. Kitanglad as the centre of their well- being; they regard the mountain range as their ancestral domain - their history, myth and tradition revolve around it. Despite the influx of migrants and the impact of inculturation, they still manifest strong cultural traits in their activities and way of life. Their current livelihood practices determine the sustainability of the biodiversity conservation goals instituted in the Park. They grow mostly root crops in the area, but some residents have also ventured into gathering rattan poles, weaving rattan and bamboo strips, abaca A datu of Talaandig tribe patrols the park. A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 45 Profiles researchers gathering herbal plants for ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ (DENR). Its over-all operation is premised medicine research (Vanzi, 2000). on partnership and coordination with the The Tala-andig community plans to Protected Area Staff (PAS) and the PAMB. build some 200 monuments or altars that The Management Project envisions to they call bangkasu, where offerings to their protect and enhance the biodiversity of gods are made. The first monument was Mt. Kitanglad through sustained commu- built in a hidden spring at the foot of Mt. nity-based economic, site stabilization and Apolang; the altar of the gods who keep