Bulusan Volcano National Park

Bulusan Volcano National Park
BNVP
Bulusan Volcano National Park
Luzon, Philippines
Elevation 1,565 m (5,135 ft)
Location
Geology
Type Stratovolcano

Bulusan Volcano National Park is a 3,673 hectares rain forest surrounding Mt. Bulusan. It has been designated a National Park in 1935 as a wildlife sanctuary or a nature reserve. The area features the volcano itself, the Bulusan Lake, the two other mountains known as the Sharp Peak and Hormahan and Lake Aguingay . The Park is located at the South central part of Sorsogon Province Southern Luzon, Bicol Region, Philippines, bounded by five municipalities such as Bulusan, Barcelona, Irosin, Juban and Casiguran.

Physical Characteristics and Biodiversity

There are three main peaks within the park, the active Bulusan Volcano, the highest of the three, which is characterized by numerous deep ravines and caves, and Sharp Peak and the mountain called Hormahan. The center of the mountain complex forms a vast plain that is occasionally flooded area known as the Lake Aguingay, which dries up during summer. Another lake in the Park is the Lake Bulusan. A substantial area of forest remains in the park, including both forest around the peak, and lowland forest on the slopes. Other habitats include secondary grassland, freshwater lakes and pools, small settlements and rural gardens, abandoned farmland and disturbed ground. The park supports the needs of the nearby communities through its forest products, watershed and recreational values. Local communities utilize the lower slopes as agricultural land. It is the source of water for several communities and for the irrigation of surrounding agricultural land, and it provides natural protection from calamities such as typhoons and flash floods. Some animals are also found in the area, such as the Philippine baboon, hawks, monitor lizards, various endemic frogs, snakes and other reptiles. Deers were also spotted in the area in the late 80's, although there are no evidences of their existence in the park at present.

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