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Slash-and-burn in Adams alarms ENRO

 


Law enforcers witness a "slash-and-burn" site just a kilometer away from one of the town's pristine waterfalls where tourists enjoy trekking and swimming on July 11, 2020. Adams tourism officer Anavic Medrano said the area is covered with cogon grass and it will be planted with banana saplings. (Lei Adriano)

By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)

Adams, Ilocos Norte—The provincial government’s Environment and Natural Resources Office sounded the alarm on the rampant practice of slash-and-burn farming in this eco-tourism destination of the north.

During a tree-planting program on July 11, 2020 with the ENRO and the Philippine National Police and a non-government organization participating, ENRO chief Estrellla “Baby” Sacro expressed her dismay on the rampant practice of slash-and-burn practice in this municipality, which she personally witnessed during the said activity.

Overlooking a lush forest and streams that surround a population of less than 2,000, or a total of 269 households, based on the latest survey, the one-barangay town of Adams located east of Pagudpud has a wildlife-critical habitat, which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources declared in December 2013.

This covers a 3,250-hectare forest described as the “last frontier of dipterocarp forest” in the province and home to several threatened species like the country’s falconet, hanging parakeet, brown deer and warty pig.

As stated in DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-23 signed by then Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, the Adams Wildlife Critical Habitat should be free from destructive activities like dumping of wastes, illegal occupation of parts of the habitat, quarrying, mineral exploration and extraction including burning and logging.

According to Mrs. Sacro, the threat of slash-and-burn technique, or the clearing of forest land for agriculture involving the cutting of vegetation and setting it alight, is “very alarming” as a developing country like the Philippines is currently battling climate change.

“Adams, being one of the most beautiful places in Ilocos Norte blessed with a picturesque scenery should be well taken care of, and protected from damage to landscape and natural aesthetic,” said Ms. Sacro as she wrote a letter  on July 13, 2020 addressed to the governor seeking his intervention to save Adams from further destruction.

According to Mrs. Sacro, Adams residents should refrain from the cheap slash-and-burn practice and adopt some environment-friendly agriculture practices to earn for a living.

The ENRO under the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte is currently on the forefront of leading green revolution program, urging all local residents to make all idle lots in the province to be planted with more fruit bearing trees and indigenous trees as a source of livelihood and at the same time, protect Ilocos Norte’s  remaining forest reserved.

 

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