- Mt. Malindang is a mountain range rising from 600 meters to 2,404
meters above the mean sea level. The range covers 53, 262 hectares of
which about 33,000 hectares is still covered with forest vegetation
while more than 20,000 hectares is cultivated and inhabited by forest
occupants mostly members of the Subanen Tribe. The forest vegetation is
composed of highly diverse species of and plants dominated by
dipterocarps. It is inhabited by diverse species of fauna including the
rare ones such as the Philippine Eagle ( Pithecophaga jefferyi ), Rofous
Hornbill ( Buceros hydrocorax ), Tarsier ( Tarsius philippinensis ) and
Flying Lemur ( Cynocephalus volans )
- The mountain range was believed to be formed through series of
volcanic activities within the historical times but was not well
documented. Several indicators of such activities are found in the
site. These include six hectare of Crater Lake ( Lake Duminagat ) and
two big sunken areas ( more than 20 hectares each ) surrounded by
high rock walls, cinder cones, dome volcanic plugs, amphitheater
structures, extensive distribution of volcanic rocks, carbonized wood
found in pyroclastic deposits and two sulfuric hot springs. The entire
mountain range is dissected by several canyons, gores and ravines
making its terrain very rugged and the forest beautiful scenery. Mt.
Malindang Natural Park lies within the Malindangmountain range in
Mindanao, straddling the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del
Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. It covers over 34,000 hectares.
Its highest peak is at 2,402 meters above sea level. The Park.s allure
comes from its waterfalls, crater lake and dense virgin forests which
host diverse and rare species of flora and fauna. A variety of trees -
large, straight trunked evergreens, igem and almaciga grow in the lower
parts of its forests while dwarf and crooked stem trees crowd the mossy
forest found in the mountains upper parts. The rare and endangered
Philippine Eagle, Flying Lemur, Deer, Tarsier, and Hornbills live in
the Park. Other significant species found there include mammals such as
the Philippine Deer, Wild Pig, Long-tailed Macaque, Palm Civet and
Civet Cat. Moreover, the Park is known to be home of six amphibians,
three reptiles, 67 birds and 25 mammals which are endemic to the place.
- Lake Duminagat. It is named after the crater lake and its clear
waters. It is nested within a dense forest hosting wildlife such as
deer, monkeys and wild boars.
- Mt. Malindang Range was proclaimed as National Park and Watershed
Reserve on June 19, 1971 by Republic Act 6266. Pursuant to the
provisions of Republic Act 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992, the said
range was proclaimed as Natural Park on August 2, 2002 through
Proclamation No. 228 which made the same a protected area. It covers
53,262 hectares but the remaining forest cover is about 33,000
hectares. The remaining portion of more than 20,000 hectares are
already opened and occupied by about 4,000 families who are mostly
indigenous people.
- This rich biological and physical resource is of major ecological
and economic value, and now serves as the site for a biodiversity
research initiative-the Philippines-Netherlands Biodiversity Research
Programme (BRP) for Development in Mindanao: Focus on Mt. Malindang and
its Environs.
- Moreover, Mt. Malindang is known to harbor a rich and unique
biodiversity that is yet to be explored. Besides that, the extensive
and fairly well-defined water catchments emanating from the Mt.
Malindang range to the coastal zones of Misamis Occidental provide
spatial areas for integrating landscape-level analysis. More
importantly, Mt. Malindang provides a prototype of the systemic nature
and elements of the threats and responses to biodiversity in the
Philippines.
- Other similar sites are Mount Guiting-Guiting, Romblon, Because of
its isolated location, this impressive mountain has protected some of
the rarest species of trees and wild animals, such as fruit bats, large
monkeys and a hundred species of birds.
- Mt. Pulag, Mountain Province- because of its easy treks and grass
carpeted slopes, this mountain is a known trekking destination for
mountaineering groups. Mt Pulag, or sometimes called Mt Pulog, is the
second highest peak in the Philippines, where the borders of the
provinces of Ifugao, Benguet and Nueva Viscaya meet at its summits. The
mountain is a natural habitat of endemic species of wild plants, such
as dwarf bamboo and the benguet pine, and wild species of birds, long
haired fruit bats, Philippine deer and giant bushy tailed cloud rats.
- 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 ( 2954 m ). As a known habitat of the
national bird, Philippine Eagle, its forested slopes were protected for
the conservation of this endangered bird.
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