Nature Reserve in Mt. Kan-irag

Cebu’s endemic and endangered species will soon regain their home, as the Ayala Land Inc. will convert its 75-hectare property in Mt. Kan-irag into a natural forest park.

The University of San Carlos Botany group will not only restore the native forest that used to exist in the area, but will also make it into a natural habitat for the species, devoid of cages and fences.

There would be no need to fence the area because the food and habitat will provide naturally bind the species to the area. Research and monitoring will be done by USC, while Ayala Land Inc. will fund the project. The project may take three years to put together.

In the meantime, a tree planting activity will be conducted to kick off the project. USC has already done its survey on the existing flora and fauna in the area needed before the unique habitat could be established. After the habitat is prepared, the specimens will then be transferred from their locations and intensive monitoring will be conducted until a new population is established.

Trees to be included in the rebuilding of the forest include rare and endangered species, ecologically valuable species and food trees for birds and bats. Inside the park will also be sanctuaries for birds, bats, forest butterflies, orchids and herbs.

Te project is part of the over-all plan to re-introduce large mammal species and birds, which lived in Cebu before but vanished due to shrinking habitats and hunting pressure.

-JPM