Join us as we delve into the heart of Masungi Georeserve, a stunning natural sanctuary in the Philippines. We speak with a local park ranger to explore the significance of the reserve, the impact it has on local communities, and the challenges faced in preserving this vital ecosystem. They tell the stories behind the conservation efforts and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to protect such a precious natural resource. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the balance between nature and human activity.
Category
🏖
TravelTranscript
00:00So, the Masungi is an NGO that connects with the government for conservation projects.
00:29How can we restore the forest that has been damaged through the care of trees and planting.
00:38Not just trees, but also our lives that are in our hands here at the Masungi Geo Reserve.
00:46We started in the first area, in Kilametang 47, Discovery Area, in 1996.
00:53That was the start of our conservation project.
00:56We took care of it for more than two decades and it is still a protected area.
01:02We are now in the new area of Masungi, Legacy Trail Area, which started in 2017.
01:12The forest is not yet totally restored.
01:16We need more time to restore the forest that has been damaged by the Legacy Trail.
01:22Why is this type of work important to me?
01:28Especially this type of forest.
01:30I am one of those who know that without a forest, our lives are meaningless.
01:38This is what we are looking for, our habit that we need in the day.
01:43Every day, we can see beautiful forests, big trees, different types of birds and animals.
01:49Those are the sounds, the music that we listen to every day.
01:58Another thing that we are protecting here, like the mongoose.
02:03If we don't have a high place, big trees, they won't be able to graze.
02:10If we don't have fruits, plants, we won't be able to get the animals that are around us,
02:15especially the birds, especially the monkeys.
02:18There are a lot of animals that benefit our forest, especially the benefits that the forest gives.
02:26Not only the animals, but also the people benefit from it.
02:30I think that people come here because, first, they think that the people of Masungi are good friends
02:38with the conservation project that we are doing here.
02:41Also, the people from Metro Manila have an idea on how we can help the people of Masungi
02:51to protect and take care of the forests here in Rizal Province.
03:01Legacy Trail is what we are talking about right now, where we are still ongoing with our reforestation.
03:07We are hoping that in the coming years, decades, we will be able to achieve the same success
03:15that we have achieved in the Discovery Trail area.
03:19The other one is the Garden Picnic.
03:21Right now, it is not totally trailed or climbed by guests.
03:26Because it is only a 15-minute walk, we will reach the picnic area where we can see limestones,
03:33and also big trees that we can easily find in 400 hectares of the Discovery Trail area.
03:45That is one of the reasons, not just one, because there are many.
03:49First, we faced the illegal logging of the land, where they logged a large part of the land here.
03:59They were also the ones who suffered the damage.
04:02That was one of the biggest trials that Masungi faced back then.
04:06Second, for the people who do illegal things in our area,
04:16like cutting down trees, burning forests, and extracting limestones,
04:24especially here in Masungi, where there are a lot of limestones,
04:27those are the main obstacles in our restoration of the forest.
04:39For me, the good news that I see in Masungi is that we can restore a large part of the damaged forest here.
04:48Because if we can restore the forest here, there will be a lot of benefits.
04:51The most important thing here is that we can say that we will be able to restore the forest for a long time
04:59for the young people who will replace us.
05:01Because if there is a forest, the young people who will follow us will be able to move around,
05:07the forest will be beautiful, and they will get a lot of benefits from the forest.
05:12Food, water, clean air, and other things that will benefit them,
05:18compared to what we are currently doing.
05:24What I can say, especially to the visitors who come here,
05:28that's why we have guides like me,
05:32we let you know the story of the history of Masungi,
05:36so that you will be aware of what is currently happening here in Masungi.
05:41If you have acquaintances who can help with projects like this,
05:47not just with projects like this,
05:49but for the most important things that we are asking for support from above,
05:55so that we can continue what we are doing to conserve the forest here in Masungi.