IN PHOTOS: Animal and plant life, environment at risk in Masungi Georeserve's Lot 10—BuCor's planned headquarters
What does Masungi Georeserve's trending "Lot 10" look like? Here are the places and faces affected by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) planned move.
ICYMI, BuCor on Feb. 17 claimed it is the registered owner of a 270-hectare land of Lot 10 within Rizal's Masungi Georeserve, which the government agency said is the site of its planned headquarters. This is on top of the affected lot's 30 hectares being “reportedly titled simultaneously in the name of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources).”
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation has since explained how the corrections bureau is making the wrong move.
For those who don't know, the Masungi Georeserve is a Philippine conservation area and rock garden found in Rizal's rainforests. Ecotourists come here to explore the environment, trek through natural pathways, and encounter wildlife and plant species.
The Masungi Geopark Project even won the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action Award under the Inspire Category in September 2022.
Masungi Georeserve Foundation explained that Lot 10 is home to fragile limestone formations, with the site being "mountainous and geologically unbuildable." Therefore its development will be "financially prohibitive" and will have "expensive consequences" for the environment.
PhilSTAR L!fe requested the following photos from Masungi Georeserve Communications that show those who will face the direct consequences of BuCor's headquarters. Sadly, it's not humans—but animals, plants, and Mother Nature.
These show landscape shots of Masungi and particularly Lot 10. More importantly, these highlight the flora (plant life) and fauna (animal life) found in the georeserve.
Animals
Local wildlife in the area includes the Civet Cat, Emerald Swallowtail, Guaiabero, Indigo-banded Kingfisher, Long-tailed Macaque, Luzon Tarictic Hornbill, Masungi Microsnail, Mottle-winged Flying Fox, Northern Luzon Cloud Rat, Philippine Flying Dragon, Philippine Hanging Parrot, Philippine Hawk Eagle, Philippine Serpent Eagle, Philippine Water Monitor, Scale-feathered Malkoha, and Scarlet Mormon.
Plants
Additionally, identified plant species include the Banaba Tree, Bignay Tree, Ceratostylis Retisquama Orchid, Hoya, JC's Vine, Katmon, Lipay, Malabulak Tree, Pungapong, Saliinggogon, and Wisteria.
Environment
Last, but not least, the Masungi Georeserve itself. Flora and fauna notwithstanding, the mere damage to the biosphere itself is a tragedy.
