Refrostration in Bohol

Title

Language

English

Year

1952

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

Reforestation in Bohol By FELIX. MACEREN Senior Ranger, Bureau of Forestry The planting of forest trees on denuded mountains containing only brush and shrubs of no value is an economic necessity. Bohol, like Cebu, Siquijor, arid the Ilocos regions is devoid of forest vegetation. Reforestation is keenly needed in such areas. Unfortunate destruction of forests by ruthless cutting and the kaingin system has transformed what was once a 'source of income for the government into a complicated and expensive problem needing immediate attention. The local reforestation project located at Colonia, Malitbog, Kagawasan and Dano, officially named "Bohol Reforestation Project", is a bold attempt to solve this problem. Its office building and central nursery are situated at the base of Mt. Kam-angay, a majestic mountain rich with legends and history. Abandoned for almost four years during the second world war, the plantations have triumphed over their arch-enemy, the kogon. ~· The primary aims of the project are: (a) to prevent landslide and erosion, (b) to control or reduce floods, (c) to conserve water supply for irrigation purposes and domestic use, (d) to produce forest products for the use of the people, ( e) to produce forest cover, and ( f) to provide home for game and to enhance the beauty of the region. The total area of the project is approximately 2,918. 75 hectares including natural growth of forest in patches. The area planted since the establishment of the project in 1937 is 77 hectares. Our plantation consists of different timber species such as molave, narra, eucalyptus, mahogany, camagon, akle, ipil, teak, palms, airplants, begoPage 26 nias and many others. Jestingly, it is or can be considered as man-made forest. Pride of the project are 3,000 teak; 830 pines; 601 eucalyptus; 1,585 mahogany; 1,286 molave, and still other species. There are, in addition, endemic species growing very well. All in all, the future is very promising. Our plantation is becoming a bird sanctuary. The presence of different kinds of birds is evident. The singing of birds accompanying the crowing of wild roosters and the deep murmur of Mas-ing creek greet the coming of day. All these sylvan songs and many more certainly )ull one to deep slumber, especially after a hard day's toil The cool breezes from the slopes of Mt. Kamangay whisper through the thick foliage of pines, eucalyptus and mahogany, leaving the forest heavily laden with such sweet odor as would do wonders for one's health. Before the project was started, the place was a vast waste of cogon land; now it is a land of beauty and artistry, one which we can be proud of. Published in "The Bohol Community and School", official organ of the Bohol Public School Teachers' Association, October - November - December, 1951 issue, p. 5. "It is our loves and desires that determine our ·pains. If our supreme love is the pleasure of the body, then our greatest pein is loss of health; if our supreme love is wealth, then our deepest worry is insecurity; if our supreme love is God, then our greatest fear is sin." -Fulton J. Sheen * * * * Perhaps, God has become a little tired of man and has given him this last alternative: Love or die. -R. McCulloch Dick FORESTRY LEA VBS

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