Ini po an mga threats sa Kagayunan kan Catanduanes! Saru na an MINING 1. Wildlife Exploitation It was observed that some species which are considered endangered in some areas in Bicol can be considered as abundant in the area like birds but are now the subject of illegal hunting, collection and trading of some residents for daily subsistence. It was also observed in the floral inventory that while some important species of trees are still present in the area like Narra and Molave, substantial quantity were already lost due to timber poaching. These findings command that biodiversity conservation and protection should be considered as major concerns in the management of this area. 2. Habitat occurrence of strong typhoons/natural calamities almost every year greatly affect the natural habitat of wildlife. In 1995, 1998 and 2006, typhoons “Rosing”, “Loleng” and “Meleño”, respectively, hardly hit the island‟ forests that resulted to higher mortality and displacement of birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians. 3. Infrastructure Projects Among these are the construction of the circumferential road that traversed the watershed, telecommunication facilities, electric lines and power plants, mining access roads and public buildings like school. B. Environmental Consideration Issue 1. Timber Poaching Illegal cutting of commercially viable trees like Narra, Molave and Dipterocarps (for housing projects and furniture business) within the critical slopes in the watershed area caused erosion and landslides. These occurrences tend to lessen the soil fertility not only within the forested area but also to the nearby agricultural areas. It also affects some river systems since considerable eroded volume of soil caused siltation in some areas. Water quality is also affected and therefore threatened to dwindle. 2. Kaingin Making and Agricultural Activities (Abaca Farming) Upland dwellers are solely dependent upon forest resources for livelihood. Aside from abaca, there are no other means of livelihoods in the upland areas. They are not aware of the sustainable means of utilizing forest resources. Government programs such as the provision of agricultural technologies (i.e., SALT) for upland farming are not realized in most of the upland communities due to lack of financial support needed by the upland farmers for the adoption of such technologies. Upland farmers and the poorest of the poor, hence they don‟t have the financial means.. 3. Illegal Fishing along Rivers and Creeks Illegal and destructive fishing activities in the form of improvised battery operated gadgets, use of cyanide or pesticide that are poisoning the river and creeks and other forms of non- traditional fishing destroy the natural production cycle of fresh fishes and shrimps throughout the year. 4. MINING Due to the reported presence of significant amount of coal reserves and other important minerals, illegal mining becomes a hot issue inside and outside the watershed area. In 2005, the Department of Energy (DOE) has reportedly issued a Coal Operating Contract (COC) to the Monte Oro Resources and Energy, Incorporated (MOREI) believed to be owned by rich financier from Manila to conduct exploration/production activities covering 7,000 hectares of Catanduanes of which 500 hectares are inside the watershed area. In 2008, the DOE again issued a Small Scale Mining Permit to certain Policarpio Torres to conduct actual coal production in the municipality of Panganiban which was violently opposed by the concerned LGUs, Church Organization and civic groups for lack of consultation or public hearing to view the sentiments of the general stakeholders. With the construction of the circumferential road and construction of houses by migrants, UNREGULATED SAND AND GRAVEL EXTRACTIONS was also observed along rivers and creeks which are not designated or identified as appropriate areas for mining. 5. Pollution Increasing population in the uplands due to migration exposes the watershed area particularly river water pollution. This is being brought by improper sanitation and solid wastes disposal from households or communities that are usually established near rivers and creeks.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 01:20:47 +0000
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