| BRIDGING
TWO WORLDS: Developing Natural and Cultural Awareness Between
Spreewald and Palawan, Philippines Biosphere Reserve |
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| With
7,101 islands and islets, the Philippines belong to one of
the coastal nations of the world where mother nature herself
finds refuge. To this date one can still enjoy and see the
intact rain forest, rich biodiversity and untouched coral
reefs, but these habitats are being threatened by man's wanton
destruction. The island province of Palawan which is composed
of 1,700 island has been called the Philippines' Last Frontier.
It harbours a vast tract of tropical rain forest and a huge
expanse of marine ecosystem. It is also home to a wealth of
flora and fauna which is unique to this country. The province
has a high number endemic species (232) and has more total
protected area than the other provinces. |
| In
April 1991, a group called 'Brandenburgische Initiative zum
Schutz des philippinischen Regenwaldes', later renamed Carpus
e.V., was founded. These Filipino-German students had the
idea of protecting one of the world's last rain forests and
eventually found a way to help in preservation and conservation
efforts. From then on the group has embarked on environmental
projects such as adopting an endangered species of the Philippine
monkey-eating eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), through donations
and through disseminating information promoting environmental
awareness, and assisting the delineation and demarcation of
the ancestral domain of Kayasan which is home to about 100
Bataks and Tagbanua indigenous people and as well as co-operation
with the Palawan Biosphere Reserve. This co-operative effort
with the Carpus e.V. paved the way to signing the formal agreement
of partnership in 1997 between the Palawan Biosphere Reserve
through the Provincial Government of Palawan and the Federal
State of Brandenburg. |
| These
efforts have borne fruit. Both biosphere reserves continuously
exchange staff to learn and work at different levels of environmental
protection, education, practical training and intercultural
immersion. Both are working towards a meaningful partnership.
Future projects and co-operation are still in progress as negotiations
continue. The future lies in the hand of committed and reliable
people working towards bridging the gap between both worlds.Leoward
Cabangbang, Philippines |
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