Kitanglad and Kalatungan Mountain Ranges: Sacred Sites of Bukidnon

Description

Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park: N8 8 34 E124 54 45

Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park: N7 57 18 E124 48 09

Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP) and Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park (MKaRNP) are legislated protected areas located in the Province of Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Both are cultural and biodiversity important areas with unique landscapes and processes. MKRNP has a total land area of 47, 270 embraced by the municipalities of Baungon, Talakag, Lantapan, Impasugong, Sumilao, Libona, and Manolo Fortich, and the City of Malaybalay while MKaRNP has a total land area of 22,225.11 hectares straddling the municipalities of Maramag, Pangantucan, Talakag, and the City of Valencia.

Both protected areas are significantly important. It serves as a watershed supplying water not only to Bukidnon province but also to its adjacent provinces and plays a crucial role in the hydrological balance of the surrounding areas. It is a habitat of diverse flora and fauna species, and home of the Philippine national bird, the majestic Philippine eagle. Moreover, it is also home to Indigenous Peoples (IP), the Bukidnon tribe lives in MKRNP and the Manobo (Menuvu) tribe in MKaRNP but both share the Talaandig and Higaonon tribes. These protected areas also have high ecotourism potentials, having several peaks with MKRNP having the 2nd, 4th, and 8th highest in the Philippines while MKaRNP has the 5th highest peak.

Long before the declaration of these mountain ranges as a natural park, it was already the sacred abode of indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) – who are living harmoniously not only with its flora and fauna but also with the dwelling spirits. Both areas are their ancestral domain – their homeland, a haven where they practice and adhere to their tradition, customary laws, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and Practices (IKSPs) – for their subsistence and sufficiency (food gathering/hunting), their healing system (herbal plants), their connectedness to their ancestors (significant landmarks and burial grounds), and their belief system (prayers/rituals). They are protecting this ancestral domain through their respective Indigenous Political Structure (IPS), the highest tribal governing body headed by their Council of Elders (COE), and leaders who closely coordinate with the Protected Area Management Boards (PAMB) of both MKRNP and MKaRNP in protecting, conserving and sustaining its natural resources. Their visions of these mountain ranges are reflected in their respective Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPPs), which are also considered in the preparation of the Protected Area Management Plans (PAMP). In MKRNP, the profile and IKSPs of the Talaandig and Bukidnon elders and leaders were incorporated in the book they produced entitled, Wisdom Keepers of Kitanglad. This book serves as a guidebook not only to present and future generations but also to PAMB in formulating culture-sensitive policies for the protection and management of this sacred mountain. As such, this mountain is culturally and biologically important for the surrounding communities in Mindanao, the Philippines as well as for global communities.

Justification of Outstanding Universal Value

The Nominated Areas, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP) and Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park (MKaRNP) are recognized as Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and Important Bird Areas. Both sites are home to diverse flora and fauna with MKRNP harboring the critically endangered and largest Rafflesia species in the Philippines, the Rafflesia schadenbergiana and both include country-endemics such as the Bukidnon Woodcock Scolopax bukidnonensis, Mindanao-Hawk Eagle or Pinsker’s Hawk Eagle Nisaetus pinskeri, Mindanao pygmy fruit bat Alionysteris paucidentata and the Philippines’ national bird, the Philippine eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi. The ecological role of these species is irreplaceable and therefore afforded conservation. The economic value of some of these species is important to the livelihood of the people residing in these sites. Therefore, these protected areas offer refuge for these species.

With the rich natural resources and vast forest cover of these two mountain ranges, it is considered one of the country's priority protected areas and a prime spot for ecotourism like trekking, camping, and birdwatching. It has four vegetation types (agroecosystem, montane, mossy, and pygmy forest) which is a significant home for threatened, endemic, vulnerable, and ecologically and economically important species.

These two sites are also headwaters of major river basins in Mindanao: Tagoloan River Basin, Cagayan de Oro River, and Rio Grande de Mindanao (Pulangi) which supplies waters only to Bukidnon Province but also to its adjoining provinces like Misamis Oriental and Cotabato for power generation, irrigation and domestic use for the locals. The hydrological features of these parks also play a crucial role in supporting diverse ecosystems, providing water sources for plant and animal life.

MKRNP and MKaRNP are also the sacred domains of the Bukidnon, Talaandig, Higaonon, and Manobo tribes. These tribes performed sacred ceremonial rites in select mountain peaks where forests are largely undisturbed by human activities. If the protected area system has zoning classification around the park based on its land use and natural features, the tribes too, have various categories of cultural zones in these protected areas. The indigenous people’s perspectives and values on the importance of these two sites to their survival and identity can very well qualify the area not only as natural parks but also as cultural heritage sites. A rich cultural tradition is still preserved in the area even to this day (Canoy and Sumingit, 2001).

Criterion (iii): Out of the seven (7) tribes of Bukidnon, four (4) are living in both MKRNP and MKaRNP. Beneath the canopy of MKRNP’s lush forest cover is a thriving cultural tradition anchored on the sacred customs of the Talaandig, Higaonon, and Bukidnon ICCs, while nestled amidst the majestic landscapes of Mt. Kalatungan lie the ancestral roots of twelve vibrant communities, representing the rich tapestry of three distinct ethnic groups: the Talaandig, Bukidnon, and Manobo (Menuvu). MKaRNP has been recognized as an Indigenous Community Conserved Area (ICCA) since 2012, for its historical significance of the tribes that have become guardians of tradition and bearers of a unique identity in the park.

MKRNP is a prominent landmark in the cultural history of the indigenous peoples of Bukidnon – it is a sacred land carved as the “first cathedral of humanity”. The book Wisdom Keepers of Mt. Kitanglad (2017), 2017, and the Socio-Cultural Mapping and Documentation (2021) identified cultural areas in Kitanglad that include prohibited areas, sacred or worship spaces, livelihood zones, resource use areas, dangerous areas believed to be the sanctuary of bad spirits, special areas for tribal guards and natural areas and documented cultural altars or bangkasu in the sacred zones that were established by cultural experts around the site like a belt (Annex 5). The altars are either constructed that are made of wood, concrete table structures, or natural like big trees and rocks (Annex 6).

Both MKRNP and MKaRNP ICCs have altars where the tribes offer things, animals, drinks, and food and perform sacred rituals with specific names that identify the proper rites for each classification and occasion. The highest and biggest form of ritual in MKRNP is called Kaliga, a prayer for the benefit of humanity, while in MKaRNP, two significant rituals are Layenen or thanksgiving for the gift of water and recognizing its importance, and Sinebegan, an annual tradition expressing gratitude and respect to the Tree of Life – a symbol of nature’s generosity. These rituals are led by the Baylan or ritualists to seek forgiveness, and give honor to the Supreme Being Magbabaya. Other rituals are dedicated to the following:

• Health and Family
• Farming and Livelihood
• Protection of the Environment (Forests and Mountains) and Communities
• Resource Utilization and Thanksgiving
• Leadership and Justice

Aside from the altars, culturally significant plants and animals are also found in these sites. More than 150 species of plants including trees, vines, flowers, shrubs, and ferns, and 100 species of animals including birds, mammals, reptiles, and fishes were identified. They serve as food, medicine, and raw materials. Further, significant animals earned merits from the tribes for their ability to give warnings related to nature that are unknown to humans.

These communities stand as pillars of cultural heritage, each holding ancestral domain claims that are deeply intertwined with the sacred grounds of these protected areas. These ICCs consider MKRNP and MKaRNP as the epicenter of their well-being, the chronicler of their history, and the compass of their way of life. In the heart of these mountainous sanctuaries, the stories of these communities unfold, echoing the harmonious coexistence of nature and culture. These two sites stand not only as a geographical landmark but as a living testament to the enduring spirit of these ethnic groups, whose ancestral ties have shaped the very fabric of the mountain's identity. Despite the influx of migrants and the influence of inculturation, the ICCs still manifest strong cultural traits in their daily living and practices (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, 2010). For several years, their IKSP steered the sustainability of the biodiversity conservation goals instituted in these parks.

Interfacing Customary Laws in Sustaining Biodiversity Conservation

The success of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in a protected area is hinged upon community participation, among other crucial factors (Mirasol et al, 2013). One of the steps to ensure ground-based protected area management, especially in protected areas with IP communities was the creation of the Council of Elders (COE) (Mirasol, 2001) and the Kitanglad Guard Volunteers (KGV) for MKRNP and Bantay Lasang Volunteers (BLV) for MKaRNP. The COE is composed of cultural experts who safeguard the practice of indigenous culture and envisions the enforcement of customs laws (Saway, 2017). While the volunteers are IP members who are the eyes and ears of the PAMB in the community and help in the protection and conservation of these sites. It is through the Council of Elders who has a sit in the PAMB, that indigenous people take a proactive role in the management of these parks. Since the forebears of the people of MKRNP and MKaRNP practiced forest conservation and management long before it was classified as a natural park (Suminguit & Burton, 2001), firm indigenous structures were in place. Cultural protocols were institutionalized to preserve the sanctity and integrity of both parks. This includes tribal norms and policies to guide the process of cultural compliance by all those who venture into the tribe’s holy land, as well as to rectify acts of bypassing cultural norms (Saway, 2017). All visitors who enter these sites should undergo a spiritual cleansing called Panlugbak duun hu batala isip panghawan daw Pabugwas. In addition, due to the pressing need to strengthen forest protection, the ICCs revived their tribe’s defense system and the community leaders selected the tribal guards who had undergone a cultural reorientation under the tutelage of the cultural experts (Canoy et al., 2001). To acknowledge and honor the invaluable contribution of the COEs, volunteers, and ICCs, both MKRNP and MkaRNP celebrate the annual Aldaw ta Kitanglad and Anlaw ta Kalatungan respectively. This celebration honors the ICCs by promoting IP talents, skills, and sports.

Criterion (ix): Ecological and biological processes MKRNP and MKaRNP are intricate and dynamic, contributing to the overall health and sustainability of this unique ecosystem. These park's topographies influence rainfall patterns, leading to the formation of streams and rivers that play a crucial role in sustaining aquatic life and providing water sources for flora and fauna.

The landscape of MKRNP is serrate which is unique while MKaRNP also has exceptional landscape and waterscapes. These mountain ranges have almost similar but unique flora and fauna composition. Both are home to the Philippine Eagle, with MKRNP having three known nesting sites which also defy the claim that the Phil. Eagles have a territory of 7,000 to 13,000 hectares because, in MKRNP, the distance between nesting is closer, roughly 9-10 kilometers away compared to other sites. Having an indicator species like the Philippine Eagle only proves that both MKRNP and MKaRNP have healthy and functional ecosystems abundant with other wildlife species. The different ecosystems (agroecosystem, montane, mossy, and pygmy forest) also provided suitable habitats for diverse flora and fauna.

Bird life is perhaps the most remarkable biodiversity feature in both sites. There are 168 known species of birds found in MKRNP while 57 species are found in MKaRNP with more than 50% endemicity. Based on the Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System conducted by the Protected Area Management Office showed very high species diversity for avifauna.

Criterion (x): As one of the remaining rainforest areas in the country, both MKRNP and MKaRNP are remarkable biodiversity showcases. In terms of flora, the Rafflesia schadenbergiana which was thought to be extinct was rediscovered in MKRNP by Dr. Julie Barcelona in 2008 and since then many buds and flowers have been observed in different sites within the park. Further, it is the habitat of 661 species of plants (Amoroso et al, 2010) many are endangered, endemic, rare, and economically important floral species (Amoroso et 2015). At least 58 families and 185 species of trees and other woody vegetation species have been recorded in the park. Gingers are abundant also (9 species) with 94% endemism (Mendez et al, 2019), nine (9) species of Rhododendrons (Amoroso et al, 2011), and the Balanophora vast community of four (4) species. As to its fauna resources, the park is endowed with a variety of rare and endemic species. Mohagan et al 2015 recorded a total of 45 species of vertebrates in the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site broken down into 7 mammals, 27 birds, 2 reptiles, and 9 anurans. Out of 45, 21 were endemic and another study on the western slope recorded 87 species of vertebrates, of these 63 species of mammals recorded here, about 27 (43%) are endemic (Heaney et al, 2006). A total of 421 species of arthropods are recorded, 148 are butterflies, 9 species of earthworms, 17 species of mollusk, and one (1) flatworm with a total richness of 1.773 in a hectare plot only.

On the other hand, MKaRNP is part of the classified Mindanao Montane Rainforests Ecoregion, which covers rainforests above the 1000-m elevation. The vegetation is characterized as hill dipterocarp forests with stunted woodlands on the summits. The hill forests have several canopy layers. The upper canopy trees are tall and big-buttressed, comprised of the genera Shorea and Ficus; the endemic Almaciga replaces Shorea in the higher elevations. Other genera in this forest community include Agathis, Cinnamomum, Astronia, Ziziphus, Lithocarpus, and Mastixia. The diversity is not merely limited to traditional taxa but extends to encompass distinctive habits such as trees (53 species), shrubs (83 species), herbs (105 species), pteridophytes (204 species) (including ferns and other seedless vascular plants), vascular epiphytes (125 species), bryophytes (65 species), and lichens (71 species). The faunal species are also diverse and are identified are categorized as follows; amphibians (7 species), aves (birds - 57 species), Chiroptera (bats - 7 species), reptiles (11 species), Rodentia (rodents - 8 species), and Soricidae (shrews - 3 species).

The presence of threatened species, notably the critically endangered Rafflesia and Philippine eagle, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the natural habitat of both MKRNP and MKaRNP. Moreover, several current studies have gathered species that are believed to be new to Science but are yet to be confirmed.

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity

The nominated areas, Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP) and Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park (MKaRNP) are adequately protected through legislation - RA 8978, also known as the Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area Act of 2000, and Republic Act (RA) 11038, specifically as a component of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018; respectively. Both share a common approach to collaborative park management through the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) – the policy-making body of the parks and the ICCs through the COE, KGV and BLV. The collaborative management of both protected areas is carried out by the members of both PAMBs.

The MKRNP encompasses a vast land area of 47,270 hectares, while the MKaRNP sprawls across 22,225.11 hectares. Situated in the northern part of Mindanao within the province of Bukidnon in Region 10, both parks share this picturesque locale. Earning distinction among the Philippines' highest peaks, MKRNP and MKaRNP hold positions in the top 2 and 5; respectively. Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park’s highest peak reaches a soaring elevation of 2,938 meters above sea level, while Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park stands impressively with the highest peak of 2,854 meters above sea level. This elevates them to the ranks of the country's most prominent and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Moreover, MKRNP is embraced by seven municipalities, namely: Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Impasugong, Lantapan, and the solitary city of Malaybalay. Nonetheless, the MKaRNP is surrounded by four municipalities, namely: Maramag, Pangantucan, Talakag, and Valencia City. These distinct geographical units converge at their summits, creating interconnected boundaries that highlight the unique natural features of the region.

Comparison with other similar properties

MKRNP, MKaRNP, and Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary collectively represent invaluable natural assets, each possessing distinctive features, ecological importance, and cultural significance that contribute to the rich biodiversity and heritage of the Philippines.

The commitment to preserving the ecological and cultural significance of MKaRNP and MKRNP is exemplified by their nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Sites status. Beginning with MKRNP, its serrated peaks, formed through volcanic activity, create a landscape that is not only visually unique but also ecologically vital. The park serves as a crucial habitat for various species, playing a significant role in maintaining biodiversity. Furthermore, it holds cultural importance as a sacred site for indigenous communities. Notably, the park is a habitat of the critically endangered and thought to be extinct Rafflesia and has played a pivotal role in influencing the nesting behavior of the Philippine eagle, also an iconic and critically endangered species. Despite its ecological and cultural significance, the park faces challenges such as environmental degradation and habitat destruction, necessitating urgent conservation efforts.

On the other hand, the MKaRNP stands out as a biodiversity hotspot with a diverse range of elevations. Beyond its role as a vital habitat, it functions as a watershed, regulating water supply for the region. The park's diverse ecosystems not only provide a sanctuary for various species but also offer opportunities for scientific research, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity.

The presence of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples adds a unique cultural dimension, making MKaRNP including MKRNP not just a natural reserve but also a site of cultural importance. The protection of the sites is undertaken by both the government and the Indigenous Peoples. The World Heritage nomination underscores the commitment to preserving both the ecological and cultural values of this remarkable natural area.

In contrast, the Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary, already designated as a World Heritage site in 2014, possesses a conical shape, a warmer climate, and a unique soil composition. This sanctuary's emphasis on biodiversity as its outstanding universal value is reflected in its support for diverse reptile life. The contrast between Mt. Kitanglad-Kalatungan and Mt. Hamiguitan lies in their climatic and soil characteristics, yet both play crucial roles in the conservation of Philippine wildlife, showcasing the country's remarkable biodiversity.

In summary, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Kalatungan, and Mt. Hamiguitan embody natural treasures with ecological, cultural, and recreational significance. Their global recognition through UNESCO designations underscores the importance of preserving these unique environments and fostering sustainable tourism practices. This recognition emphasizes the ongoing need for concerted efforts to protect these areas from environmental threats and to promote a harmonious balance between conservation and responsible tourism for the benefit of current and future generations.