Leyte’s Cuatro Islas limits number of tourists

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 8  -- Regulators will only allow 500 tourists a day to visit the Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape and Seascape (CIPLS), which is at risk of being overwhelmed by a growing number of visitors.

The CIPLS Protected Area Management Board headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), adopted the suggested carrying capacity after the four picturesque islands have shown early signs of environmental degradation.

“The board accepted the recommendation of German Development Agency to limit visitors to 500 daily. The study also recommends limiting snorkelers to 200 per day and entry of boat to the island at 20 at most per day,” said DENR regional information officer Maita Reina Sucgang on Wednesday.

Local authorities asked boat operators to strictly use designated docking areas and mooring zones to mitigate reef destruction caused by indiscriminate anchoring.

The restriction is part of the “Protect Cuatro Islas” campaign aimed at improving the environmental condition of the four picturesque small islands of Apid, Mahaba, and Digyo in Inopacan town; and Himokilan in Hindang town.

“Economic improvement through local tourism should not be at the expense of the environment, and one way to lessen the pressure on the fragile ecosystem of CIPLS is strictly imposing a carrying capacity limit. It further emphasized that this shall avoid overcrowding in the area which may cause damage to the island’s healthy reef colonies, marine and other biodiversity resources, and its pristine surroundings,” Sucgang said.

Unlike the tourist haven of Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte, more environmental attention is needed in Cuatro Islas since the destination has existing communities. The 48-hectare Himokilan Island is the most populated with 200 families or 1,110 individuals.

There are about 2,138 people living on the four islands, which were declared as marine protected areas by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 270 dated April 13, 2000.

Among the environmental issues identified by the DENR include the existence of communities in the protected landscape, biodiversity disturbance due to influx of tourists, and poor waste management.

The DENR said the island’s carrying capacity has been breached since early 2015 after the local governments intensified promotion of tourism activities.

Cuatro Islas covers an area of 12,500 hectares known for its white sandy shores surrounded by coral gardens, which are considered as one of the best in Leyte Island. It is home to Tridacna (large saltwater clams) and marine turtles such as Green Sea and Hawkbill turtle.

Experts found 287 species of reef building corals in the island’s waters. It is also a rich fishing ground and a home to countless diverse coastal and marine organisms, wildlife and ecosystems. (SQM/PNA)