Mt. Pulag National Park which lies on the north and south spine of the
Grand Cordillera Central that stretches from Pasaleng, Ilocos Norte to
the Cordillera Provinces. It falls within the administrative
jurisdiction of two (2) Regions: Cordillera Administrative Region and
Cagayan Valley.
The whole park is located within the Philippine
Cordillera Mountain Range and is very rugged, characterized by steep to
very steep slopes at the mountainsides and generally rolling areas at
the mountain peak. Mt. Pulag National Park is the highest peak in Luzon
and is the second highest mountain in the Philippines with an elevation
of 2,922 m. above sea level.
The summit of Mt. Pulag is covered
with grass and dwarf bamboo plants. At lower elevations, the
mountainside has a mossy forest veiled with fog, and full of ferns,
lichens and moss. Below this is the pine forest growing on barren,
rocky slopes. Falls, rivers and small lakes mark the area.
The
Park has a large diversity of flora and fauna, many of which are
endemic to the mountain. Its wildlife includes threatened mammals such
as the Philippine Brown Deer, Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat and the
Luzon Pygmy Fruit Bat. One can also find several orchid species some
of which are possibly endemic to Mt. Pulag, and other rare flora such
as the pitcher plant.
Mt. Pulag is an important watershed
providing the water necessities of many stakeholders for domestic and
industrial use, irrigation, hydroelectric power production and
aquaculture.
Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:
Mt.
Pulag was proclaimed National Park by virtue of Pres. Proclamation No.
75 on February 20, 1987 covering an area of 11,550 hectares. It was
established to protect and preserve the natural features of the area
such as its outstanding vegetation and wildlife. It belongs to the
Cordillera Biogeographic Zone located in Northern Luzon.
There
are other comparative sites in the country like Mount Kanlaon, Negros-
located in the central highlands of Negros, this mountain is home to
various species of ferns, lichens, and orchids. It is also inhabited by
numerous species of tropical birds. Among them are hundred endemic
species of bleeding heart pigeons and the nearing to extinction, Negros
Fruit Doves. Others are Barblers and Warblers, Doves, Bulbuls,
Flycatchers and woodpeckers.
Mt. Apo National Park, Mindanao- is
a dormant volcano and the Philippines highest mountain (2954m). As a
known habitat of the national bird, Philippine Eagle, its forested
slopes were protected for the conservation of this endangered bird.
Mount
Arayat, Central Luzon- is a sleeping volcano and a mountain that is
sheltering a variety of wild animals. Right at its foot is a picnic
site surrounded by waterfalls and numerous species of plant life.
Mt.
Isarog, located in Camarines Sur, Bicol- is the region's second highest
volcano at about 1,966 meter above sea level. It is a dormant volcano
and home to some of the rarest animal and plant species in the country.
A scattered community of Agta tribe, one of the country's earliest
settlers, have been seen residing the interiors of the mountain.
