'Piyesta sa Kakahuyan' focuses on biodiversity

By Ian C. Espada

This year's celebration of 6 th Piyesta sa Kakahuyan slated on Sept. 24, 2005 doesn't only focus on greening and reviving the forest and watershed areas but also the protection and preservation of biodiversity.

This is according to Soledad Sucaldito, Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Officer and chairperson of the Iloilo Watershed Management Council-Technical Working Group.

She said biodiversity refers to the totality of all forms of life, from genes to species, through the broad scale of ecosystems. It is biodiversity that provides humans with food such as foods (fruits, nuts, grains), clothing and shelter from the various natural products of the forests.

The continued protection and preservation of biodiversity in our country also translates to our continued survival and safety as a people. Our forests can purify our air and provide us with clean water.

The venue for this yearly activity is West Visayas State University-College of Agriculture and Forestry, Inca, Lambunao. The tree planting site will be at Mari-it Conservation Park near Montillano Falls.

Lambunao plays host to the largest Hornbill Breeding Facility in the world in its Mariit Conservation Park under the auspices of WVSU and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In its care are 51 of two critically endangered hornbill species: Dolongan (Visayan Writhe Hornbill) and Panay Tariktik Hornbill. The Conservation Center also provides resources for the breeding of white spotted, Native Pikoy, “Dangag” (Racquet Tail Parrot) and wild boar, among other endangered species.

Meanwhile, Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr., chairperson of Iloilo Watershed Management Council, said the activity serves as a reminder to the Ilonggos of the properly managed forest and watersheds.

He said watersheds as the repositories of rich and abundant natural resources have a pivotal and strategic importance in realizing the development objectives, goals and mandate of the Province of Iloilo.

Tupas said it should therefore be managed under the framework that it is environmentally sound, economically viable and socially acceptable with the twin goals of sustainable multiple-use and prevention of further degradation and/or restoration of a productive and protective function of currently degraded watersheds.

This year's Piyesta sa Kakahuyan with theme “Greening Towards Biodiversity” will be participated in by capitol officials and employees, academe and civil society groups. (Capitol News)