Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park

Description

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 (6) hectare of Crater Lake (Lake Duminagat) and two (2) 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.

Déclarations d’authenticité et/ou d’intégrité

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.

Comparaison avec d’autres biens similaires

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 (2954m). As a known habitat of the national bird, Philippine Eagle, its forested slopes were protected for the conservation of this endangered bird.