Conservation center in Mindoro aims to protect island鈥檚 biodiversity
A biodiversity conservation center being constructed in Puerto Galera听aims to promote Mindoro鈥檚 unique flora and fauna听and educate people on climate change.听听
A project of the Mindoro Biodiversity Foundation, Inc. (MBCFI), which undertakes the protection and preservation of Mindoro Island, the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Center in Barangay听Dulangan, Puerto Galera, is composed of听a听Mangyan听heritage听hall, where the Mangyans can showcase their cultural heritage and sell their handicrafts; a听greenhouse, where visitors can听try their hand at听bio-intensive gardening and nursery landscaping; and a听research听laboratory, where scientists and researchers can process specimens from key biodiversity areas in the island.听听
鈥淲e have constructed 40% of buildings 1 and 2,鈥 said Grace C. Diamante, executive director of MBCFI, at a May 27 virtual event.听The first phase of听construction is expected to finish before the year ends, she听added, although there have been delays due听to听bad weather.听听
Sponsorship opportunities听鈥听including those that fund the non-profit organization鈥檚 programs on scientific research, community-related activities, and information campaigns听鈥听are available, Ms. Diamante added.听Individuals or groups that donate P5鈥15 million will have spaces named after them.听
Located in the southwestern coast of Luzon and northeast of Palawan, Mindoro Island is recognized as one of the world鈥檚 biodiversity conservation priority areas, specifically in terms of the number of endemic (or native) species, diversity of habitats, and degrees of threats.听听
The MBCFI and the Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) have been undertaking the protection and preservation of the island, as well as the other key biodiversity areas of north Palawan and the Verde Island Passage.听听听
Among the various flora and fauna found in the island are the tamaraw or dwarf water buffalo, the Philippine warty pig, the golden-crowned fruit bat, as well as various pine and rattan species. In her presentation, Ms. Diamante shared that Mindoro has more bird species than Madagascar (285 versus 258), known as a globally-recognized megadiversity country. It also has more reptile and amphibian species (70 versus 27) than the United Kingdom, a country with a land area 23 times that of the island.听听
鈥淐entral Philippines has听the most听number of marine species per unit area, with particular emphasis on the Verde Island Passage,鈥 said Karen听Agabin, executive director of Malampaya Foundation, the social arm of Malampaya Joint Venture partners. The Verde Island Passage is located between the islands of Mindoro and Luzon, and is recognized as the center of global shore-fish biodiversity.听听听
A February 2013 study by Jonnell C.听Sanciangco, et al., however, noted the evidence of exploitation-related biodiversity loss in central Philippines.听听听
There has been a 90% decline in fish-catch rates since the 1950s to the year 2000, said Ms.听Agabin. 鈥淢arine protected areas (MPAs) are effective solutions. They can accelerate restoration and [promote the] sustainable use of resources听鈥听but only if they are effectively managed,鈥 she added.听听
MPAs are established to help protect marine ecosystems that are threatened by human activity, such as overfishing or petroleum drilling. They also provide living laboratories for oceanographers and marine biologists to conduct research, according to听National Geographic.听听
鈥淭he prosperity of humans is dependent on biodiversity,鈥 Ms.听Agabin听said. 鈥淚nvesting in biodiversity means investing in our future.鈥澨鈥斕Patricia B. Mirasol听
