Puerto Princesa Subterranean in Palawan (22,202 ha) is unique in the biogeographic region because it connects a range of important ecosystems from the mountain-to-the-sea, including a limestone karst landscape with a complex cave system, mangrove forests, lowland evergreen tropical rainforests, and freshwater swamps. It is home to about 800 plant and 233 animal species, including the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), as well as the endangered Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Nordmann’s greenshank (Tringa guttifer).
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most distinguished protected areas of the Philippines. It is located some 360 miles southwest of Manila, the country’s political and economic capital. It was established as a National Park in 1971primarily to protect and preserve the intact old growth forest, interesting wildlife, pristine white sand beaches, unspoiled natural beauty and one of the most impressive caves systems in the world.
The Park features a spectacular limestone or karst mountain landscape. It contains an 8.2 km long underground river that flows directly to the sea. The lower half of the river is brackish and subject to the oceans tide. A subterranean river flowing directly into the sea and the associated tidal influence makes it the most unique natural phenomenon of its type to exist. The presence of 11 minerals, scientifically and aesthetically unique speleothems, and a 20 million year old Serenia fossil embedded in the walls of the cave justifies the declaration of the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The Park also contains a full mountain to sea ecosystems and protects forests that are important for biodiversity conservation. It is a representative of Palawan Moist Forests, which are among the most significant in Asia, and is noted for high levels of regional and local endemism. The Site serves as habitat to numerous endangered, rare and endemic wildlife species. In the coastal area, mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs are found.
The global significance of the Park is recognized by its designation as a World Heritage Site, a Biosphere Reserve, a Ramsar Site, and an Important Bird Area. Inclusion to these prestigious lists confirms the outstanding universal value of the Park that deserves to be conserved for the benefit of the present and future generations. The Park managed by the City Government of Puerto Princesa thru a multi sector Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). It has the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit. Under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, the Site has become a model for effective protected area management and sustainable tourism in the Philippines.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a source of pride and a key element in the identity of the people of Puerto Princesa in particular and of the Philippines as a whole. It is a symbol of commitment by the Filipino people in the global efforts to conserve our natural heritage.
LAW
“To conserve the Park and the Underground River in its natural state through community participation in biodiversity conservation and sustainable
development”.
To realize the Vision and achieve its mission, 8 Management Programs were identified. They are Habitat and Ecosystems Management, Protection and Law Enforcement, Research and Monitoring, Information and Public Awareness, Development and Community Participation, Tourism and Visitor Management, Regional Significance, Institutional Organization, Development and Administration.
Application & Conclusion
Wetlands are a very special type of ecosystem, because they literally are not aquatic or dryland, but both. Wetlands are characterized by soil that is saturated with water, which means it is the home of aquatic flora and fauna and terrestrial flora and fauna. It is an area of transition, which means that animals that live there, and vegetation that flourishes there, can only live there and nowhere else. As a result of this reality, many nations are now doing everything they can to promote wetland preservation, which includes stopping developers from draining the area and drying it out to make it useful for building. In some areas, wetlands work as very much required breakers. It’s been said that Hurricane Katrina would not have been so absolutely devastating if the city was still surrounded and protected by wetland. There is still plenty of wetland across the nation, but it is absolute critical to promote wetland preservation so it will not be completely lost to future generations. But the reality is that by 1993, a full half of the world’s wetlands had been drained and were completely lost.
There are many aspects of wetland preservation, but the three most important elements are protection, exclusion, and education. The government can declare areas of wetland to be protected, and thus, cannot be drained or flooded. Exclusion keeps a small section of the wetlands available for public enjoyment, but the rest is left outside of human reach. And finally, education is key in wetland preservation because for many years, people thought wetlands were merely wastelands
| Type of Wetland : Inland Wetland |
| Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines |
| Plant Species: mangroves, sea grass beds |
Animal Species: Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), as well as the endangered Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Nordmann’s greenshank (Tringa guttifer).
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| Strategy for Preservation: There are many aspects of wetland preservation, but the three most important elements are protection, exclusion, and education. The government can declare areas of wetland to be protected, and thus, cannot be drained or flooded. Exclusion keeps a small section of the wetlands available for public enjoyment, but the rest is left outside of human reach. And finally, education is key in wetland preservation because for many years, people thought wetlands were merely wastelands |
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