Photo by Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ
Do you believe in the three-month rule?
The Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) will be closed to camping and trekking activities from June 1 to August 31, 2024. This will be done for the recuperation of the ecosystems and wildlife species of the mountain.
On Facebook, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said, “The entire season prohibits all trekking and camping activities at all opened trails in the natural park, giving time for the sacred mountain to recuperate and allow wildlife to roam their natural habitats without anthropogenic intervention.”
It added, “Considering Mt. Apo’s aesthetic, economic, cultural and ecological importance, with the ongoing efforts to declare it as a UNESCO Global Geopark, the off-season ensures protection and conservation for the protected area.”
The three-month closure is an annual occurrence that began in 2022 after concerns about the MANP’s environment.
In 2021, DENR officials discovered during their monitoring and assessment that the Kapatagan Trail was littered with trash, including beverage bottles and face masks, and that boulders were vandalized.
What do you think? Share your thoughts below!
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