Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — A conservation group called for urgent action on a blaze at the Marikina watershed, which has burned around ten hectares of land over the past month.
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation said several threatened species of trees and wildlife have been identified to be living in the watershed. These include 32 species of trees, 26 species of birds, two species of amphibians, and one volant mammal, or a mammal with land and aerial habitats.
“The Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape has an estimate of around 20% of forest cover left despite its protected status,” Masungi Georeserve Foundation Trustee and Advocacy Officer Billie Dumaliang told CNN Philippines. The watershed is located around the georeserve.
Although Dumaliang’s team had been attempting to contain the blaze through fire lines and fire breaks it had earlier placed near the area, as well as by dispatching park rangers, she said the burning could signal a bigger attack on the protected area.
The group first discovered the fire upon noticing ashfall in April. After some time, it observed that the burning was “consistent” and being done “part by part.”
“Enforcement on the ground is key to protecting our all-important watershed,” Dumaliang said.
CNN Philippines has reached to the DENR office in Rizal and Calabarzon for comment.
This story will be updated.
Some 30 men linked to a private entity have reportedly been seen in the watershed area. Dumaliang’s group said the private entity has been expanding resort development and construction in the reserve despite lack of permits.
Dumaliang added the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has since informed them that it has instructed its provincial officer to file cases against the private entity. However, she raised that ideally, the case should have come with a cease and desist order since construction work is still ongoing.
