Protecting Palawan: The Philippines’ Last Ecological Frontier #

Palawan, a cluster of islands in the Philippines, is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. With underground rivers, turquoise coastlines, and lush mountain peaks, it has earned the title of the country’s ’last ecological frontier.'

The entire Palawan area, encompassing over 1,700 islands, has been designated a biosphere reserve, and it hosts two world heritage sites. However, despite these designations, the region faces threats from mining, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, and deforestation. Palawan experienced the most significant tree cover loss in the country between 2001 and 2023.

A small nonprofit organization is on a mission to protect this archipelago. Their goal is to conserve the Philippines’ last remaining 3% of pristine rainforest through the establishment of national parks.

Cleopatra’s Needle: A Success Story #

The team’s first project began in 2014, focusing on Cleopatra’s Needle, a mountain on Palawan’s main island. It is one of the oldest and most diverse forests in the Philippines, providing a safe haven for threatened and endemic species.

Cleopatra’s Needle is also the ancestral domain of the indigenous Batak tribe, who rely on the forest’s natural resources for their livelihoods. The conservation team worked closely with the Batak people to gather data on the area.

In 2017, their efforts paid off when the entire area of Cleopatra’s Needle - over 41,000 hectares - was declared a critical habitat. This designation includes bans on mineral extraction, logging, quarrying, and wildlife trading.

Sultan Peak: The Next Challenge #

The team’s attention has now turned to Sultan Peak, a mountain in southern Palawan with no formal protection. Rich in nickel, an essential component in clean energy technologies, the area is under threat from mining.

The conservation team is documenting the region’s flora and fauna to justify its protection. They have mobilized a network of citizen scientists to take photos of plants and animals, which are uploaded to an open-source database for species identification.

Challenges and Future Goals #

Despite community support and scientific data, challenges remain in protecting these areas. Political support is crucial for enacting protective legislation.

The team emphasizes that protecting these areas is vital not only for biodiversity but also for safeguarding vulnerable communities from climate change. They hope to secure protection for Sultan Peak within three years, continuing their mission to preserve Palawan’s unique ecological heritage.