Killing a Mountain : A Lesson for Itogon and Trekkers to Mount Ulap
by Michael A. Bengwayan, Ph.D.
Every month, every year, thousands of hikers and trekkers take the
overly-trailblazed path to Mount Ulap, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet,
Philippines contributing to the coffers of the town, pockets of locals
and bringing undescribed human satisfaction by the awesome beauty and
wonder that the experience provides.
Unknown, however, is that humans are impacting negatively not only to the landscape but also to the small wildlife that remain or make Mount Ulap their seasonal stamping grounds, because of the unlimited ecological disturbance taking place.
Bird and insect-life, ground crawlers and creepers ranging from centipedes, woodlouse to moles, cloudrats and civet cats are disturbed away from the sanctuarial habitats in gullies and sheetbanks of Mount Ulap because of heavy human traffic on the trails and at the peak.
The natural pathways of these small mountain denizens are disturbed and destroyed once these are crisscrossed by humans and or disturbed by human activity of more than ten people per hour. As such, these small wildlife are driven out of their habitats and often die trying to seek and establish new homes.
Unlimited and unrestricted human invasion of Mount Ulap also prevent birdlife from making it their temporary refuge and resting place, especially by migratory birds escaping the Siberian cold from November to February annually.
With regards flora, the remaining grass, sedge and weed species are trampled upon by thousands of shoes and boots, making reproduction of these species impossible, thus killing a genetic chain to evolution.
Pollution is also setting in. trash and litter are slowly piling up in many niches, nooks and crevices where tourists irresponsibly leave these.
The challenge now is for the local municipal government and environment and tourism departments of the government to treat Mount Ulap more as a natural reservation rather than just a tourist site. These government instrumentalities must be more ecologically-responsive.
They must find balance between long term ecological integrity and providing visitors with quality experiences and learning opportunities at the same time increase education and understanding of how humans impact on natural landscapes, flora and fauna to better manage sensitive areas such as wildlife corridors and primary habitats of Mount Ulap.
They can start by making a no nonsense sustained reforestation activity of Mount Ulap to stabilize the physical landscape and offer habitat for wildlife.
To treat Mount Ulap as a golden goose is fine. But humans must have that ethical responsibility of not killing it.
Shame.
Unknown, however, is that humans are impacting negatively not only to the landscape but also to the small wildlife that remain or make Mount Ulap their seasonal stamping grounds, because of the unlimited ecological disturbance taking place.
Bird and insect-life, ground crawlers and creepers ranging from centipedes, woodlouse to moles, cloudrats and civet cats are disturbed away from the sanctuarial habitats in gullies and sheetbanks of Mount Ulap because of heavy human traffic on the trails and at the peak.
The natural pathways of these small mountain denizens are disturbed and destroyed once these are crisscrossed by humans and or disturbed by human activity of more than ten people per hour. As such, these small wildlife are driven out of their habitats and often die trying to seek and establish new homes.
Unlimited and unrestricted human invasion of Mount Ulap also prevent birdlife from making it their temporary refuge and resting place, especially by migratory birds escaping the Siberian cold from November to February annually.
With regards flora, the remaining grass, sedge and weed species are trampled upon by thousands of shoes and boots, making reproduction of these species impossible, thus killing a genetic chain to evolution.
Pollution is also setting in. trash and litter are slowly piling up in many niches, nooks and crevices where tourists irresponsibly leave these.
The challenge now is for the local municipal government and environment and tourism departments of the government to treat Mount Ulap more as a natural reservation rather than just a tourist site. These government instrumentalities must be more ecologically-responsive.
They must find balance between long term ecological integrity and providing visitors with quality experiences and learning opportunities at the same time increase education and understanding of how humans impact on natural landscapes, flora and fauna to better manage sensitive areas such as wildlife corridors and primary habitats of Mount Ulap.
They can start by making a no nonsense sustained reforestation activity of Mount Ulap to stabilize the physical landscape and offer habitat for wildlife.
To treat Mount Ulap as a golden goose is fine. But humans must have that ethical responsibility of not killing it.
Shame.
