DENR Rehabilitates 8,000 hectares in Bicol River Basin

As of December last year, a total of 8,495 hectares of open and denuded forest lands have been rehabilitated within the Bicol River Basin, The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

Aside from this, some 111 kilometers river banks were also rehabilitated, and under a structural measures, 2,738.5 cubic meters gabion/check dams, 2,699 linear meters eco-blocks and nine (9) units small water impounding system were constructed.

All these are contained in the 2009 Annual Report of DENR Bicol, copies of which were earlier sent to its Central Office.

In 2009 alone, around 2,980 hectares of degraded forest lands were restored through upland reforestation, agroforestry development and assisted-natural regeneration measures in the BRB-covered provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, according to the report.

The DENR  is one of the four line agencies implementing the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP). It takes charge of the watershed management and development component of the project.

The BRBWMP is a six-year development initiative started in calendar year 2007 to improve the quality of life of river basin communities. Primarily, it aims to enhance livelihood and improve natural resources management through coordinated and sustainable development activities in a river basin context.

The watershed management and development component is carried out using regular fund under the DENR Upland Development Program (UDP). A total budget of Ph P327 million had already been released to DENR Region 5 for implementation of project activities.

Details of last year's accomplishment regarding the restoration of 2,980 hectares of degraded forest lands are as follows:

Under upland reforestation, a total of 2,012 hectares were planted 100 hectares in Albay, 300 ha. In Camarines Norte, and 1,612 hectares in Camarines Sur.

Under agroforestry, 96 hectares of agroforestry farms were established - 78 hectares in Sipocot, and 18 hectares in Bula town - all in Camarines Sur.

For assisted natural regeneration scheme, a total of 872 hectares were rehabilitated - 250 hectares in Barangay Tuaca, Basud, Camarines Norte; 150 hectares in San Lorenzo Ruiz, CamNorte; 222 hectares in Calabanga, Camarines Sur; and 250 hectares in the Bicol Natural Park, Lupi, Camarines Sur.

The DENR Report also states there are now 1,666 hectares established plantations under protection and maintenance in the BRB-covered provinces.(ASA)