Endemic species unique only to Negros have slowly become extinct. Every year species of birds and mammals disappear in the wild. As the human population in the highlands increase, the threat to the remaining forest increases. The continuing destruction of the forest has left the mountains barren and denuded resulting in soil erosion and the drying up of rivers, thereby making irrigation problematic during the prolonged dry season. The rate of deforestation is as spectacular as it is alarming. Because of this, the Philippine archipelago is now regarded by other environmental organizations’ as a “hotspot” with high priority for protection and conservation.
Human impact is one of the major causes of deforestation in the island. As people move into the mountains to search for productive lands, the resiliency of the land they plowed continues to deteriorate. Every time new tracts of forest are cleared for development, century old forest and wildlife are at risk. The transformation of our forest resources often constitutes an integral part of development. However, we must not forget the villagers who pay the price just to satisfy the needs of the minority. Many of them are forced to leave their lands because of the effects of development, lands that the government gave to them. Poverty is also one of the reasons why people sell their lands. In Patag, Silay City, lands owned by the local villagers are sold to rich people and later converted to mountain resorts and breeding farms for fighting cocks (roosters). These lands were given to the villagers for them to reforest 20 percent of it. Some might say that it will boost the economic status of the village, more visitors will come, more jobs, more revenues, and infrastructures. But, if we look at the long-term situation, we have displaced the original settlers and destroyed the natural structure of the land. We forced these landless villagers to go back to their illegal activities to support their daily needs. “Economic development can and must be supplemented by vigorous action to improve the welfare of village people and to protect the forest resources.”
Negros, like any other islands in the world, has environmental problems too, from illegal quarrying, mining, garbage, soil erosion, water pollution, air pollution and wildlife trade. These are just some of the problems which we encountered everyday. Yet our government does not have the political will to implement the policies. The intrusion of PNOC, a government owned corporation to the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park is an example of how the Philippine government will find ways to manipulate existing laws. Up until now we are not in favor of the continued exploration of PNOC. We need geothermal energy but it must be in a way beneficial to both stakeholders and the long-term sustainability of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. Implementing a sound forest management is crucial in addressing these issues.
There is a need for people to be educated on the consequences humans will be confronted with in response to their actions. The need for environmental education is evident because each new generation needs to learn for itself the importance of conservation. As such, individual campaigns and programs should not be regarded as ends in themselves but as part of a long-term process. To win and retain as such of this attention as much as possible, it is essential for conservation to be seen as central to human interest and aspirations.
We must not forget that decisions we make today will affect generations to come.
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