Sierra Madre Natural Park
Palanan, Isabela
The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, also known as the Palanan Complex, Palanan Rainforest, or Palanan Wilderness Area, is the largest protected area of the Philippines covering the northern range of the Sierra Madre mountains of eastern Luzon. The park is located in the eastern part of the province of Isabela in Cagayan Valley containing a total of 359,486 hectares.
The park is ...
considered the richest in terms of genetic, species and habitat diversity in the Philippines. It is one of the country's ten priority protected areas added to the Philippines' tentative list of potential World Heritage Sites.
Northern Sierra Madre is drained by 14 major river systems, 11 of which empty into the Philippine Sea and 3 flow into the Rio Grande de Cagayan as tributaries of the Ilagan River. Palanan River, with a drainage area of 63,571 hectares or 29% of the park's total area, is the most extensive, followed by Abuan River and Catalangan River.
The park is also a habitat to many endemic species of plants including various species of tall, straight and slender trees of the family Dipterocarpaceae such as Shorea spp. and Hopea spp.; various orchids such as Dendrobium aclinia; the leguminous plant millettia; and citrus plant species Aurantioideae.
Woodlands cover the largest portion of the park followed by agricultural lands and grasslands. In the coastal municipalities of Palanan and Maconacon where agricultural lands are mostly found, the most common crops are palay, coconut, corn, peanuts, pineapple and other vegetable crops. Grasslands and shrublands are found mainly in the park's southwestern portion where cogon grass and talahib grow.
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park or Palanan Rainforest Wilderness Area News
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Meet Pawi: Turtle Mascot Aims To Raise Awareness Of Endangered Species
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) unveiled its brand ambassador that will represent the marine sector in their 12-year flagship project for the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.
"Pawi," a mascot resembling a hawksbill turtle, was introduced on Wednesday in a parade at the coastal town of Dinapigue.
Pawi's presence in various activities will boost communication, education and public awareness on the protection as well as conservation of marine resources, according to Racquel Caldez, DENR Isabela Information Officer.
"The selection of this specific species of ... -
DENR To Restore Sierra Madre Watershed In Isabela
Located within the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, the Divilacan watershed in the forest-rich province of Isabela is one of the 29 priority sites in the national governments Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) program.
Implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), SIAD is a strategy that aims to rehabilitate through enrichment planting and reforestation of idle and open areas and to safeguard and preserve the natural tropical forests of the watershed while improving the quality of life of people in the affected area.
According to the DENR, the ... -
Isabela Watershed Priority Site For Sustainable Development
A watershed in the forest-rich province of Isabela is one of the 29 priority sites in the implementation of the Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) in the country.
Located within the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, the watershed where the "Divilacan Agroforestry and Bamboo Plantation Project" will be implemented consists of several sub-watersheds located at the mid section and upper portion of Divilacan,Isabela, said Atty. Gil A. Aromin regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2.
The site has an aggregate area of 12,045 hectare ... -
Isabela Province An Untouched Beauty Of Nature
If you're constantly looking for new places to explore; if getting lost in a forest is your kind of adventure; if your idea of paradise is to bask in nature's beauty without a crowd of tourists behind you, then Isabela is the destination for you.
The province sits atop picture-perfect Sierra Madre, the longest mountain range in this archipelago of 7, 507 islands. It has the second largest land area in the Philippines, bursting with lush forests, dreamy valleys and pristine beaches. Much of the province's rustic charm is also still there, devoid of unhealthy doses of commercialism and touri ... -
Protection Of NSMNP Biodiversity Sought
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has asked Isabelinos to safeguard the various flora and fauna species within the confines of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.
Robert Rivera, chief of the protected area and park conservation section made the call during the 'Tipon-Tipan Sa PIA' this city, Tuesday.
Forester Mina Labuguen, the park's operation supervisor reiterated that the northern Sierra Madre has been home to the many endangered, threatened and newly-discovered species which needed the best conservation and protection efforts by the government.
Among t ... -
Making Biodiversity Conservation A Breeze
Every day a handful of forest-protection officers and about 100 volunteers take turnsw in manning their posts and conducting routine patrol in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP), a vast forest reserve and wildlife sanctuary in Isabela province.
The Bantay Gubat personnel are always on the lookout for "unwelcomed guests" in the country's largest natural park.
With just a handful of unarmed personnel fitted against illegal loggers and hunters, the task at hand is not a walk in the park.
Equally daunting is the task of Bantay Gubat to record sightings of rare species of flora ...