01/07/09, 23:06:36 UTC

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Volcanoes as attractions are RP’s next pitch for tourism

globalnation.inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines - Environment officials plan to turn volcanoes which are rich in biodiversity, such as Mt. Iraya in Batanes, into “eco-tourism zones” that could benefit the local communities.

Officials of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that aside from their natural features, volcanoes offered other attractions such as endemic flora and fauna to climbers, adventurers and tourists.

“A volcano doesn’t erupt every day. Therefore, we can promote these as tourist attractions. And biodiversity is part of the attraction,” PAWB director Theresa Mundita Lim said at a forum on volcano eco-tourism.

There are 16 volcanoes across the country—active ones, potentially active and inactive—that have been designated as protected areas by the DENR.

Of the protected areas, Iraya, Mayon in Albay, Taal in Batangas, Kanlaon on Negros Island, Matutum in South Cotabato, Bulusan in Sorsogon, Banahaw in Quezon and Hibok-Hibok on Camiguin island are active volcanoes.

Apo in Davao, Isarog in Camarines Sur and Kalatungan in Bukidnon are potentially active, while Kitanglad in Bukidnon, Malindang in Misamis Occidental, Inayawan in Lanao del Norte and two others are inactive.

Endemic flora and fauna thrive in most of these volcanoes like the freshwater snake at Taal, the Waling-Waling orchid on Apo, the hornbill and bleeding heart pigeon on Kanlaon and the cloud rat on Bulusan.

At the forum, Lim admitted there was no government eco-tourism program yet for these volcanoes, but said any “development” would depend on each volcano and its unique topography.

She said that some parts of these protected areas, except for the “strict protection zone,” could be developed into eco-tourism zones, but this would have to be cleared with the management board of each protected area.

“In Taal for example, we were asked about the spa. If it’s near the crater, it lies within a strict protection zone,” she said, referring to the controversial Korean spa project near Taal’s crater that was scuttled following protests by residents.

In her presentation, Perla de los Reyes of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said any developer should consider volcanic hazards before developing any part of a volcano into a tourist spot.

“Make sure that there are no settlements in the permanent danger zone, or in areas identified as prone to volcanic eruptions and its hazards,” she said.

Francois Dominique de Larouziere, scientific director of Vulcania Park, said he would be willing to share the concept behind the museum-cum-leisure park in France with Philippine officials.

De Larouziere, however, said he would not advise Philippine officials to build a replica of the European Park of Volcanism, which cost a whopping 118 million euros, or over P7 billion.

 Printable Version  | published Sep 24, 2007