DENR 8 initiates efforts to protect Lake Danao Natural Park

Steps are being initiated to protect the delicate and uncommon ecosystem of the Lake Danao Natural Park in Ormoc City.

The lake is one of the seven protected areas in the Region, declared under the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

The action of the region’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is a feedback to the report from Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) in Ormoc, showing that the 6.5 quake which shook up some parts of the region caused numerous landslides in Mt. Banao and other areas within the protected area, including Brgy. Lake Danao and Brgy. Milagro and damaged forests in the said areas.

It also disturbed the biodiversity and the natural habitat of wildlife in the area.

Leonardo Sibbaluca, DENR Regional Director, said that the after effects of the quake threaten the rich biodiversity and it put the lives of the residents at risk.

Thus, relocating the people living in said area is advised to lessen the impact of man’s activities on the environment affected by the quake.

Director Sibbaluca pointed out that aside from the danger, occupying any land-protected area is prohibited by the law.

Maita Reina G. Sugcang, Chiecf, DENR Public Affairs Office said that based on lake shore markings, the water level of Lake Danao reduced by one meter.

Lake Danao is one of the major sources of water of Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD), supplying water to Tacloban City and other towns of Leyte.

The Bureau of Mines and Geosciences divulged that the Eastern Visayas is located within the two diastrophisms in the Philippine archipelago – the Philippine fault zone which is located on the mid-portion of Leyte Island and the Philippine trench which is found on the east offshore of Samar.

Source: Philippine Information Agency

Comments

comments