WV potential for 'birding' trips, says Haribon exec
Western Visayas has "high potential" in bird tourism industry with the presence of its endemic flora and fauna species mostly found in Central Panay and Negros Occidental. The Central Panay Mountain Range is one of the 117 key conservation sites in the country recognized as an Important Bird Areas (IBAs). The region is home to 10 species of endemic birds
Prof. Blas Tabaranza, operations group director of Haribon Foundation, said the region could start its "birding industry" using "flagship species" for eco-tourism promotion and product development. Flagship species are endemic species of flora and fauna found in certain areas. The flagship species is the rally point in drawing tourists. The Central Panay Mountain Range is home to 10 endemic birds species. The Central Panay Mountain Range covers Madjaas-Baloi Complex.
Tabaranza said the Central Panay Mountain Range harbors many threatened birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and trees such as the Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons), Visayan Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi), Panay Bushy-Tailed Cloud Rat (Crateromys heaneyi), Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini) and Walden's Hornbill (Aceros waldeni).
The Negros Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba keayi), Philippine Naked-backed Fruit Bat (Dobsonia chapmani) and Rafflesia preciosa. The region specifically the municipality of Sibalom, in Antique must be proud to have Rafflesia preciosa, a rare giant flower, said Tabaranza.
The flower is named after its European discoverer Thomas Stamford Raffles. The flower was first discovered in Sumatra in 1818. More than twenty Rafflesia species have been found so far in different parts of Southeast Asia. Many of the species are extremely rare.
The presence of birds, endemic or migratory is an indication of a healthy environment and good biodiversity. The Sibalom National Park and Kanlaon Natural Park are very good for bird watching. "Birdwatching or experiencing nature in the wild has good potentials in the Philippines," said Tabaranza.
Bird watching is very popular in certain countries. There are 65 million north American birdwatchers. Of the 65 million birdwatchers, 24 million make at least one birding trip annually. Two million people in the United Kingdom are bird watchers or regularly feed birds in their garden, said Tabaranza.