Present State of Conservation

It is likewise significant to note that the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental as well as
the Municipal Governments of San Isidro, General Generoso and Mati have aligned their
tourism and development plans to the Management Plan of MHRWS. This move will ensure
that the protection of the MHRWS will be given adequate importance and consideration and
that development in the next few years will not hamper nor detract from the conservation
of the biodiversity of MHRWS.
To date, the core zone of the MHRWS remains well preserved and intact as evidenced by
the results of studies conducted recently (Mohagan & Treadaway, 2010; Villanueva &
Mohagan, 2010; Ponce, 2011). The present vegetative cover (Figure 4.1) of MHRWS is
composed of 4,668.94 hectares closed canopy forest which includes the 1,234-pygmy forest,
1,139.67 hectares open canopy forest and 540.39 hectares brushland (Table 4.1). The
closed canopy forest represents the habitats of 1,379 known plant and animal species, of
which 246 are endemic, 45 threatened, 59 rare and 204 of economic importance. Hence,
except for 474 hectares, the core zone is classified as Strict Protection Zone (SPZ) wherein
human activity is limited to scientific studies while visitor entries are under the strict
guidance of the PA rangers. The open canopy forest as well as the brushland will be subject
to future rehabilitation to ensure the stability of the habitat of the MHRWS fauna.
Threats to MHRWS such as bio-prospecting, illegal collection of non-timber forest products and
unauthorized entry of visitors to the pygmy forest continue to exist. These illegal activities have
been considered in the recent formulation of the Management Plan wherein mitigating
measures have been likewise identified and are now being implemented by the PAMO and its
partners. The PAMO and its partner stakeholders also conduct the Biodiversity Monitoring
System (BMS) every quarter of the year. Data gathered from these activities are presented to
the PAMB for translation to policy developments and/or actions.
As an additional layer of threat, mining operations continue just outside of the nominated area
buffer zone which will also have some negative implications on MHRWS however indirectly.
The MHRWS PAMB is studying possible measures to mitigate this. Thus far, one of the possible
options they have considered is the promotion of ecotourism activities in the area to compete
with the mining lure for a stable source of income. The LGUs are likewise encouraging
ecotourism developments to this end.

In 2017, the Protected Area Management Board of MHRWS passed Resolution No. 2017-12 or
the Guidelines for Trekking, Mountaineering and Other Activities in MHRWS which led to the
re-opening of MHRWS to regular trekkers in 2018. The said policy is in compliance with the
seven-point agenda of MHRWS pursuant to Resolution No. 2010-03 which aims to ensure that
there is a responsive visitor management system in the protected area before its re-opening to
the general public. The guidelines set the carrying capacity of campsites in MHRWS to 30
visitors in every three days. Also, the management and the local communities who serve as
porters and guides are firm in ensuring that visitors will always adhere to the rules and
regulations prescribed in the guidelines while they are on trails and campsites. The
implementation of trekking and mountaineering in MHRWS provides an opportunity for the
local communities to earn income from porterage and tour guiding which eventually minimizes
their dependence on direct utilization of natural resources inside the protected area. At the
same time, local communities benefiting from the program act as partners of the
management in the monitoring and patrolling inside the protected area to deter illegal
activities.