In an earlier article, I stated that marine protected areas are very important to coastal communities because they supply fish larvae (which later become part of fishery resources) to fishing areas of fishermen through the process of spillover from marine protected areas.
In this present essay, I am affirming that protected forest areas are also important because they provide clean water to communities.
Our people should be aware of the environmental services of marine or terrestrial protected areas and should help their local governments and the Department of Environment & Natural Resources in protecting and maintaining them.
Unlike before in the early decades when water was a free commodity, it is no longer the case today, as shown by the commercial activity of drinking-water providers.
At any rate, this gives us an idea that the water crisis could take place at some time in the future.
The Protected Area Management Boards (PAMBs), which are responsible for the management of forest and nature parks, should support studies on the distribution of freshwater coming from these nature parks that supply adjacent cities and towns with their water needs.
For these studies, geologists are required to determine the quantities of water used by local governments for possible proper billing. In this way, local communities can be made aware of their responsibility for water conservation.
I understand that the PAMBs of other nature parks have started these studies; we cannot afford to be so behind.
In the case of the 8,000+ hectare Twin-Lake Balinsasayao Nature Park in Negros Oriental, it becomes obvious that the freshwater supplies of certain coastal towns and cities come from the Nature Park.
These towns and cities should help protect and maintain the Nature Park by contributing funds to prevent illegal cutting of trees and poaching of wildlife.
A long term research on the wildlife species in the forest should also be continued.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
