Lake Balinsasayao
| Lake Balinsasayao | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Sibulan, Negros Oriental |
| Coordinates | 9°21′11″N 123°10′45″E / 9.35306°N 123.17917°ECoordinates: 9°21′11″N 123°10′45″E / 9.35306°N 123.17917°E |
| Type | crater lake |
| Basin countries | Philippines |
| Surface area | 76 hectares (190 acres) |
| Surface elevation | 1,000 feet (300 m) |
Lake Balinsasayao is one of two small but deep crater lakes rising 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level located 12 km (7.5 mi) west of the town of Sibulan in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. It lies northwest of a narrow mountain ridge, situated in a caldera between four mountains, Mount Mahungot to the south, Mount Kalbasan to the north, Mount Balinsasayao to the east and Guintabon Dome to the west. The other lake, Lake Danao, is situated on the southeast.[1]
Protected area
Lake Balinsasayao and the adjoining Lake Danao, including Lake Kabalin-an and the surrounding areas totaling 8,016 hectares (19,810 acres) became a protected area on November 21, 2000, with Proclamation No. 414 and is now designated as Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.[2]
Flora and fauna
One of the major tourist attractions in the province, Lake Balinsasayao is a protected natural park, home to an expansive ecosystem and biodiversity.[3] The lake has a rich fish fauna, including a number of introduced species, and the surrounding dipterocarp forests are rich in bird life.
Fish species such as Tilapia mossambica, Cyprinus carpio, Ophiocephalus striatus, Anquilla sp, Macrobrachium sp, Viruna literata, Fabricus sp and Chanos chanos are found in the lake. Forest cover is predominantly dipterocarps. No information is available on the aquatic vegetation in the area.[4]
Conservation measures
Conserving the flora and fauna continues to be a struggle as surrounding forests are exploited for timber and charcoal production. The uncontrolled cutting of timber by the slash-and-burn farmers (kaingineros), is reducing the inflow of water to the lakes and causing a fall in water levels.[4]
See also
- Lakes of the Philippines
- List of protected areas of the Philippines
References
- ↑ Dumagueteinfo.com - Twin Lakes
- ↑ "Protected Areas in Region 7". Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Retrieved on 2011-08-13.
- ↑ Dumagueteinfo.com
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao". ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation. 2010.
External links
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