Leyte Island's massive forest degradation alarms DENR

BURAUEN, Leyte, April 28 (PNA) -– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has expressed concern over massive forest degradation in Leyte Island.

About 15 percent of forest cover in Leyte Island has been damaged between 2007 to 2010 as a result of satellite imagery survey done by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

This forest reduction is alarming considering that 15 percent represent 41,060 hectares, said DENR assistant division chief for conservation and development division Crisostomo Badeo.

Among the dominant species affected by the forest degradation are the red and white lawaan and other members of pterocarpus, a pantropical genus of trees.

Tagged as major culprit is timber poaching and slash-and-burn farming technique. Leyte Island has no reported cases of illegal logging, according to Badeo.

The devastation wrought by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013 was not included in the report.

In Leyte Island, among areas that suffer from forest degradation is the forest that covers the Mahagnao Volcano and National Park in the towns of Burauen and La Paz.

In protected areas, among the interventions to curb timber poaching are the deployment of community-based forest guards to complement DENR efforts.

Eco-tourism will also help in stopping illegal activities in forest as it will provide alternative income to locals.

“Since the main reason why they are involve in timber poaching is for sustenance, for income, we are addressing this by involving them to other sustainable economic activities,” Badeo said. (PNA)
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