Panuba-Suba 2013

Panuba-Suba 2013

Panuba-Suba 2013 – Imbang River

Green Alert Negros

October 11-12, 2013

Introduction:

The Green Alert Negros has always been promoting many green and sustainable initiatives in Negros Island to promote the well being of the environment, which in turn would reflect to the people living in it. These initiatives, together with partner groups, have brought awareness to the host community and to the people of the island as well. The awareness brought many results, one of which is the establishment of many Marine Sanctuaries and Reserves.

Green Alert Negros

Green Alert Negros is born through the effort of different concerned groups, who is one in principle, and that is to protect the Negros Island Ecosystem. What was only a set of discussions held in Mambukal Resort twenty four years ago, has been the fuel of each members desire to seek solutions and innovations that threatens the Negros Island fragile Ecosystem. That is why, Green Alert is not just an organization. It is more than a lifestyle. Members of Green Alert came from almost all walks of life and orientation; living within the principles and conviction of Eco-friendly Lifestyle. This remains true up to this day.

Northern Negros Natural Preserve

Northern Negros Forest Reserve (NNFR) is a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 or Republic Act 7586. Presidential Proclamation 895 issued on 15 August 2005 declared the Northern Negros Natural Park, which legally and technically amended the declaration of the NNFR, as contained in Proclamation No. 7 dated 7 August 1946.

The Park is one of the biggest Water Shed Area that supports primarily the main rivers located in Northern Negros Island.

Imbang River

Imbang River is one of main waterways that is connected from the Mount Mandalagan Watershed. Mount Mandalagan is part of Northern Negros Natural Park(NNNP). The river will highlight a sampled area that represents much of the NNNP. Imbang River traverses from the caldera of Mount Mandalagan; then sloping down to the plains of Talisay City and Bacolod City. The river contributes much to the vast network of naturally irrigated plains. The River features a soft sloping trail. The river boasts few patches of shrub and forested areas, on both shores of the river.

Panuba-Suba:

Panuba-Suba is Green Alert Negros annual river camp event for more than 10 years now. This event became the venue for initiatives and discussions that involves specific concerns about the river, the watershed, and its domain. This is an event that serves as a catalyst in promoting a better understanding of the importance of our rivers which serves as the “blood vessel” that connects other ecosystems. This is an event that serves the much needed education that helps in understanding the value of preserving, maintaining, rehabilitating, protecting the source of our common property which is Water. The event will also showcase a reflection not only about the life of the community near the venue, but also highlights the current state and what will be the future of the Provinces Rivers and Watersheds.

Objective:

This year the PANUBA-SUBA will be held in Imbang River, Talisay City, Negros Occidental. This is to highlight the success of the combined effort of the Local Government Unit/s, the people around NNNP, the Green Alert Negros, the  affiliated Organizations, the National Government Agencies involve, and WEPA. This event will focus on environmental education, which leads to environmental awareness, which then leads to environmental commitments. Imbang River is one of the rivers found all over NNNP. The potential of our river systems as a tourism site, source of water, and the livelihood of upland agricultural based population, is very important to the people of Negros. The experience will hopefully define the understanding of importance of rivers and other fresh water sources. Why the Forest-Cover that make up the Watershed in the mountains needs to be protected in relation to other ecosystems. Why the people who is entrusted with these bountiful natural resources needs to be involved in protecting the very source of man’s basic needs. 

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The trail was cut short – from The Over Flow up to The Hanging Bridge approximately 10 kms; due to the changing weather and to ensure safety for the whole trip. We named the trail as Cawel’s Trail. The trail is an easy to moderate difficulty river trail. The features of the river trail can be set as a good venue to educate people about watershed. The river has several waterfalls, curves, rock formations, walls with lush vegetation, and communities.

The main concern of the trail is primarily the presence of charcoal production, solid waste management, and other unsustainable riverside activities (eg. Quarrying) which can hamper and further degrade the slopes and the landscape of the watershed.

Creating a sustainable system is needed to ensure the sustainability of the watershed. This is brought upon the urgency of preserving of the ecosystem, ensuring that this will be enjoyed by the locals and the tourist alike. This mitigating and preventive system is a must to ensure that the tourism activity will not destroy the already unbalanced situation of Imbang River.

We found a Leopard Cat feces in one part of the trail, this is a good indicator that at least the Fauna is trying to adjust, however this should raise the attention of everyone considering that these fauna is an endangered species.

The situation of Imbang represents much of the Rivers and Watershed of Negros Island. Hopefully, the Sustainable Tourism that is being pushed will entice the lucrative market from all over the world. The proper management, cooperation of Private and Public, the application of Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction, the proper designation of what kind of development is needed, and all best practices, will be a legacy of Negros Occidental that can be showcased to the world.

Water is a Common Property together with AIR and LAND; this should be made clear to everybody. As a common Property, we should learn to be sensitive on how to properly use this water so everybody can enjoy it. We owe much to our environment all the things that we have. So it is a must that we should do our share to protect it.

Charcoal Making is One of Many activities that threats the condition of the Watershed together with the Flora and Fauna that exist within the area.

This leads to the next picture.

Hidden from the trail itself, we were told not to take a dip, because a large eel called this a home. A Must SEE part of the trail.

The Hanging Bridge!!!

Green Alert Negros Environmental Network Inc. would like to thank Provincial Tourism Office, Talisay City LGU, Negros Occidental LGU, WEPA, DENR, PEMO, and SKATECAMP for the support.