By Bettina Faye V. Roc, bworldonline.com – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has declared a 178-hectare area in Northern Luzon a safe haven for the endemic Philippine duck, the department said in a press release.
DENR Administrative Order No. 2012-01 dated Feb. 7, signed by Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, declared the Malasi Tree Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Barangay San Antonio, Cabagan, Isabela as a “critical habitat” for the Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) and other species of water birds.
Malasi is already a known sanctuary for several species of birds. According to the department, the area also supports a “significant population” of the Philippine duck.
A “critical habitat” is an area preserved to ensure the continuous survival of a specific plant or animal specie. Existing ecosystems within a critical habitat must be able to support all threatened native or migratory wildlife species and associated flora and fauna.
Under the order, the local government of Cabagan, Isabela, along with DENR-Region II, was tasked to manage the sanctuary in accordance with a Critical Habitat Management Plan.
The plan focuses on ensuring the preservation of the designated area by the strict monitoring of any developmental activities within and around the sanctuary. Any such activities, according to the order, will need to undergo an assessment process “to safeguard the area’s ecological integrity.”
The the dumping of waste products, human settlements, mineral exploration or extraction, burning, logging, or quarrying, are all prohibited near any critical habitat under the Wildlife Act.
Management of the protected area will also include its rehabilitation, promotion of environmental education and awareness, ecotourism, and community organizing.
“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 [an] adverse impact to the animal,” said Mr. Paje in a statement.
The Philippine duck is classified as “vulnerable” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
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