𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗕𝗨𝗞𝗜𝗗: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗪
Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, our next source of drinking water in Davao City, is also feeling the effects of climate change: the heavy, unpredictable rains have heavily inundated the rivers causing vegetation, along the riverbanks the soil to wash off.
We rely on our BantayBukid volunteers to conduct continuous reforestation efforts to maintain the health of our watersheds so we get a constant water supply. They do this by keeping nurseries of native species, planting trees regularly, replacing seedling mortality, and conducting weeding to help seedlings grow to full maturity.
Our Bantay Bukid volunteers are farmers who patrol the watershed to guard forests, wildlife, and their habitats, and rivers against illegal activities, apprehend violators and report them to government agencies.
They receive minimal financial assistance from the City Government, capacity building from NGOs, and occasional donations from the private sector.
They protect our forests and keep our watersheds healthy, so there is water for their families, for us, and all Dabawenyos. Want to give your share?
You can share through donating tools and other personal protective gear, participate in activities such as planting trees, support the education of our volunteers by donating school supplies, and other small things that would help them be appreciated for the love they give and service they offer for the environment.
𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗼-𝗟𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻-𝗧𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘀
Bagobos believe that alimokun, the white-eared brown Philippine dove, is a spirit messenger, a harbinger of doom or fortune. Thus, alimukon sightings were an omen.
These forest doves are endemic to the Philippines. These birds depend on fruits and seeds and depend on forested areas for food and shelter. The loss of its forest habitat and hunting these species for pets are among its most significant threats.
In 2012, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability, Inc. (IDIS) commissioned wildlife biologists from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) to conduct a biodiversity assessment in the Talomo-Lipadas (TL) and Panigan-Tamugan (PT) watersheds, which are the current and future sources of the city’s drinking water.
Philippine Eagle Foundation Conservation Director Jayson Ibanez and his team found 171 animal species in the lowland dipterocarp forests. Twenty-eight (28) species were categorized as threatened and near-threatened, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The endemic species found in the watersheds include Philippine eagle, Tarictic hornbill, Rare Mindanao montane racquet tail, the Mindanao scops forest owl, Mindanao fruit bat, Philippine flying lemur, and the Philippine pygmy squirrel. A high number of endemic and diverse species in an area indicate how rich and healthy the forest is.
As we celebrate Environment Month, let us continue to support our Bantay Bukid Volunteers and other stakeholders who are our front liners in protecting and restoring our watershed areas, the habitat of several endemic species.
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻-𝗧𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 (𝗣𝗧𝗪)
Panigan-Tamugan Watershed is a 91-hectare forested area, and volunteers of Bantay Bukid and residents in the community are actively monitoring the forests. The Bantay Bukid volunteers spearhead the reforestation efforts and are committed to maintaining healthy watersheds.
Tree planting and maintenance of the trees to ensure their growth are among the priority activities of Bantay Bukid volunteers. The said efforts are meant to rehabilitate the forested areas around the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. Currently, native species of trees are being planted in the region: Narra, Lawaan, Anitap, Malibago, Bakan, Tugas, Anitap, Apitong, etc.
The volunteers conduct various forest rehabilitation activities and multiple forms of campaigns every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the week. A cluster is assigned on duty for each day of the week.
These activities include nursery establishment and bagging of seedlings, river clean-up, community-based water, and biodiversity monitoring, as well as foot patrolling to record species of flora and fauna found in the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. The Bantay Bukid volunteers also implement community development activities like Bayanihan Sa Barangay that encourage a whole community to participate in managing the watershed’s health conditions and reforestation activities.
Some private establishments and groups participate in Bantay Bukid’s reforestation efforts through the adopt-a-riverbank program. Currently, there are more than 20 adopters who planted native trees in PTW. The volunteers are now monitoring these trees to ensure that they grow into maturity, and seedling mortality will be replaced. https://az-kazino.com/vavada-2/
Bantay Bukid aspires that as more people get involved with these greening initiatives, more people will be encouraged to participate in the rehabilitation and protection of the watersheds.
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