Forests and Trees: In My Lens

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Avatar for LykeLyca
3 years ago

By ax, bulldozer, chainsaw and fire, the world trees are falling- much faster than man’s efforts for tree planting. Although government battles to practice and regulate selective logging and reforesting, but still illegal loggers rape the forest and our trees that has been all part of our history and existence.

Pine trees in Dahilayan, Malaybalay, Bukidnon

The Philippines was once covered with tropical rainforests and home of giant trees. In Bukidnon, Mindanao, forests of pine trees make a veritable cathedral of wilderness, where all sounds are muted, where man stands humbly before nature.

Fortunately, whenever I go for vacation in the mountainside, I can still appreciate the mountainous ends of Bukidnon - still with preserved rain forests. I love the vast green landscape of the hills and valleys beside the road, though some have lost the extensive stand of trees – but still a beauty to behold. The blending of the green forests and blue skies displays a wonder on every glimpse of the scenery.

Pine trees above me

In Misamis Oriental, specifically in the district of  Initao, a national park has been protected for centuries at the foot of Kitanglad Mountain Range along the Iligan-Cagayan de Oro road. Recently, this has been preserved still as a forest park, however, with some tourist attractions, thus now named as "Lasang" (a Cebuano word for forest) Adventure Park. Tourist can now enjoy hiking, caving, and zipline adventure. There are also campsites and picnic areas, of course waste disposal is a strict compliance.

National highway passing Initao National Park

This is the national highway of Iligan-Cagayan de Oro, and in both sides are the thick forest of Initao Forest Park extending over to the rocky coastline. Thus, it always captures attention to travelers and locals of the province while traveling.

A photo inside the forest
A beautiful display of sun's rays beaming between the trees

Today, poverty forces some rural people and farmers to cut sections of the forest for agriculture. Land haphazardly cleared for farms and grazing – usually a national excuse for deforestation. Commercial forces are also at work undeniably to sustain livelihood, like planting crops and selling firewood, which is the principal fuel for almost all rural dwellers. The Philippines were blessed with so much dense rainforest before that many Filipinos thought it was inexhaustible. Trees were exploited, forests were depleted and hills went bald after a turn of century on exporting hardwood leading to the corrupt issue of illegal logging.

The challenge, however, is not just to plant trees; but also to stop most causes of deforestation- fuel, farmland and fodder, and the worst of all illegal logging. I think we have enough lands to till for the farmers, for the buildings and residences. We still need wilderness to release our tensions from a busy and stressful life. The kids should have the opportunity to fill their hearts with affection for the mysteries of the forests and nature.


For @JonicaBradley Writing Prompt: Nature


More of the author's Photography Series:

Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk: In My Lens

Diyandi Festival: In My Lens

The Seaside: In My Lens

Sunsets: In My Lens


Photos are all MINE


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Avatar for LykeLyca
3 years ago

Comments

Nalungkot ako while reading. Kaya gusto ko yung mga nagpuputol or yung nag-uutos paputol ng mga puno, gusto ko sila yung makaranas ng mga bagyo at landslide. Bad kung bad pero kasi hindi sila matututo if hindi nila nararanasan yung ganun eh.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Thanks dear for you for upvote on my last Article you i got your attention. And visited your profile. I am glad someone here who os talking about environment and climate change. This is one of biggest problem all over the world so keep writing about it. Awaiting for nest one

$ 0.02
3 years ago

I love writing anything under the sun lol! of course nature and something that concerns the environment will always be a great topic. Thanks for dropping by!

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3 years ago

Gwpoha sa imong mga kuha madam oy 😁

$ 0.02
3 years ago

atik kaau ay... heheh! thank you!

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3 years ago

Ito tlga ang masakit sa realidad.. sa pinas yan problema natin...kya nagkaka landslides kada bagyo dhl sa illegal logging at deforestation..

$ 0.02
3 years ago

totoo yan sis kawawa ung mga taong nkatira sa mga areas na yan na light lang mga bahay

$ 0.00
3 years ago

In my country, farmers also use slash and burn to prepare the land for planting. In many cases the fire escapes from its limits and then very large fires break out. We are destroying our lungs.

$ 0.02
3 years ago

that is really sad and we're destroying earth too..

$ 0.00
3 years ago

It's so sad what human beings do with nature and the resources we have. Here in the Amazon, deforestation is also terrible. Hopefully, it's not too late when man realizes the terrible mistake he makes in destroying nature. You've shared beautiful pics of the forest.

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3 years ago

The Amazon is known in the world for its great rainforest, what a sad news :(

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3 years ago

from my grandmother i heard that in our area there has tree likes where people can sleep in every single wood .. but now? nothing i can see

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3 years ago

You're grandma can only reminisce it now, sad reality :(

$ 0.00
3 years ago

sad people and sad reality ..

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3 years ago

True. I sometimes think of my nieces and nephews whenever I get the chance to go on a vacation and keeping touch with nature. Both for oceans and trees, i keep praying they too will have that chance of experiencing that refreshing and healing nature brings to my soul.

$ 0.02
3 years ago

Indeed, I hope people will have the same realization like ours.

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3 years ago

It's sad how our country's resources are being exploited. Talking about trees, I just learned that lapnisan/agarwood can also be found in our country and it is being poached for it is one of the most expensive trees, if not the most expensive. We should not be complain about how hot our weather is for we brought it to ourselves. What we do to nature, we are reaping the consequences so we should not complain. We blame others, we blame nature, we blame God for our actions? We don't deserve this earth.

$ 0.02
3 years ago

Yes po. Ang sakit talaga ginagawa ng mga taong walang magandang nagagawa para sa kalikasan. Nung Bagyong Sendong grabe epekto dito sa Northern Mindanao, hundreds namatay and thousands nawalang ng tirahan at pangkabuhayan. We blame it to the illegal loggers kc kwento ng mga nabahaan most of the people died because of those huge falcata trees na pinutol at inanud ng tubig, if not for those most people could still swim to safety kaso natatamaan sila ng mga kahoy na malalaki kaya hindi nkaligtas. Illegal logging is really bad and I hope the governmnt should take serious actions.

$ 0.01
3 years ago

Dito nga problema lagi ang landslide kasi sa walang tigil na construction. Un mga watershed dito nae-encroach na. Ancestral claim daw. Papatayuan lang naman ng mga bahay. Problema na nga lang tubig dito e. Parang walang strong law naman kasi regading sa pag putol ng kahoy kahit sa private lands.

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3 years ago

Mahirap makipag debate sa mga land-owners na titled ang lots.. Dapat nmn talaga regulated lalo na sa mga highlands like Baguio kaso wala eh...

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3 years ago

Wilderness is my sanctuary 🌿🌱🌴

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3 years ago

A sanctuary indeed madam, we're lucky that we can still enjoy a bit of it for now.

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3 years ago