Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)

The lake at Bulusan Volcano Natural Park
Map showing the location of Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

Location in the Philippines

Location Sorsogon, Philippines
Nearest city Sorsogon City
Coordinates 12°46′12″N 124°03′00″E / 12.77000°N 124.05000°ECoordinates: 12°46′12″N 124°03′00″E / 12.77000°N 124.05000°E
Area 3,672 hectares (9,070 acres)
Established June 7, 1935 (National park)
November 27, 2000 (Natural park)
Governing body Department of Environment and Natural Resources

The Bulusan Volcano Natural Park is a 3,673-hectare (9,080-acre) protected area of rainforest surrounding Mount Bulusan in the Philippines.[1] It was first designated as a National Park[2] by Proclamation no. 811 on June 7, 1935.[3] Under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) of 1992 managed by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, the park was reclassified as a Natural Park by Proc. 421 on November 27, 2000.[4] 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.

Flora

Bulusan alt text
Giant Ferns: the most common vegetation found in the park.

The most common vegetation is the giant ferns and tall trees such as the red lauan (Shorea teysmanniana), molave (Vitex parviflora) and many others. Other plant species including ground orchids and two endemic plant species, Prenephrium bulusantum (a fern) and Schefflera bulusanicum are also found in the area.

Fauna

Some animals are also found in the area, such as the Philippine baboon, Philippine Duck, Philippine Hawk-eagle, Flame-breasted Fruit-dove, Philippine Eagle-owl,[5] monitor lizards, various endemic frogs, snakes and other reptiles.[6] Philippine Brown Deers, warty pigs and rare civets were also spotted in the area in the late 80's, although there are no evidences of their existence in the park at present. The park also supports endangered species of frogs, lizards, bats, snakes and other reptiles.

Management and conservation

As the natural habitats declined over the years as a result of extensive kaingin heavy hunting, and human settling, cooperating municipalities especially Bulusan and Irosin joined hands in responding to conservation efforts.[7] Plans have been drawn with the support from DENR, local communities, local government units, non-government organizations and concerned citizens for the rehabilitation of affected areas and protection of still remaining untouched forests. Eco-tourism has been encouraged to give more job to the locals to limit the use of produce found in the park.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ "Bulusan Volcano National Park". Waypointsdotph. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  2. ↑ "Philippine Fifth Congress Acts". Deogracias Ramos. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  3. ↑ "Initial Components of the NIPAS Act". Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Retrieved on 2012-06-18.
  4. ↑ "Protecgted areas of Region 5". Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Retrieved on 2012-06-18.
  5. ↑ "Birdlife Intl. Bulusan Volcano National Park". Birdlife Intl. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  6. ↑ "Bulusan Volcano National Park philippinen-reisen". philippinen-reisen. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  7. ↑ "Bicol Environmental Management". Bicol Man. Retrieved 2012-04-03.

See also

External links