DENR-7 encourages protection and preservation of mangrove plantations in Bohol
By Hazel F. Gloria
BOHOL, Oct 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) has called anew for the continued protection and preservation of the mangrove plantations within the Getafe Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve and Wilderness Area (GMSFRWA) in Getafe, Bohol.
GMSFRWA is one of the oldest mangrove areas that straddle seven island barangays of Jandayan Norte, Jandayan Sur, Handumonon, Banacon, Alumar, Mahanay, Getafe and Mahanay, Talibon with 3441.5 hectares.
The mangrove area could be reached through a motorized banca for about 30 to 45 minutes from Getafe port.
DENR-7 Executive Director Isabelo R. Montejo said mangroves offer shelter for local and migratory wildlife and serve as roosting and foraging grounds this is why there is a need to vigorously protect them.
Montejo explained that mangroves provide nursery grounds for fish, prawns and crabs and support fisheries production in coastal waters.
“It also protects the environment by shielding the coastal areas and communities from storm surges, waves, tidal currents and typhoons; produce organic biomass (carbon) and reduce organic pollution in near shore areas by trapping or absorption,” he added.
Mangroves are salt tolerant, woody, seed-bearing plants ranging in size from small shrubs to tall trees. They occur along sheltered intertidal coastlines and in association with estuaries and lagoons.
Studies showed that mangrove areas had reduced from 450,000 hectares in 1918 to 117,700 hectares based in the 1995 statistics. This has been attributed to the conversion to fishponds, prawn farms, salt ponds, reclamation and other forms of industrial development.
“Out of 70 mangrove tree species in the world, 34 occur in the Philippines and one hectare of mangrove trees produces up to 3.6 tons of litter fall annually and one hectare of healthy mangrove ecosystem produces about 1.08 tons of fish per year,” he added.
Meanwhile, GMSFRWA has eight existing mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation projects with a total of 368 hectares covering five barangays.
Mangroves contribute between 1,800 to 4,200 grams of carbon per square meter per year, which is approximately the contribution of the tropical rain forest and 10 times higher than primary production in the open ocean.
It was in December 1981 that GMSFRWA became a protected area through Presidential Proclamation Numbers 2151 and 2152. (HFG/DENR7-PIA 7)