DANGLAS, Abra – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Penro) is closely monitoring Mt. Sidir in Barangay Nagaparan, an identified critical wildlife habitat and a watershed in this town.
Forester Marcelo Bumidang of Penro-Abra said the DENR has allocated P273,000 for the management and preservation programs, the establishment of critical wildlife habitat, and protection measures against illegal activities in the area.
“Mt. Sidir has an approximate area of 8,000 hectares and we continue to plant various species of trees annually to improve forest health and increase wildlife,” he said.
Mt. Sidir is among the tourist destinations in Abra with high elevation, vast vegetated area, and lush pine forests.
Locals testify to sightings of the Philippine Eagle in the area, which makes the implementation of environmental laws crucial to the overall condition of the watershed.
“We have deployed several bantay gubat to monitor and report illegal activities occurring around the area,” Bumidang said.
He said Penro-Abra will propose for the categorization of Mt. Sidir as a protected area.
In celebration of the Environment Month in June, the DENR led a tree planting in the mountain where 145 bamboos, 125 narra trees, and 100 alibangbang were planted.
The activity was supported by the local government unit of Danglas, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Army, and the barangay officials of Nagaparan.
Hunting and logging activities are prohibited in Mt. Sidir. – Christian Allister Tubadeza
