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An analysis of the impacts of users and uses of local resources on the biophysical state of Quezon National Park (QNP) in Quezon province, Philippines
Thesis Abstract:
The study aimed to analyze how the present condition of Quezon National Park (QNP) was brought about by the different users, uses, the patterns of interaction among the users with the interplay of existing policies that govern its use and management. The degradation of the park was evaluated using forest, wildlife, minerals, and water resources as indicators. Primary and secondary data were secured by using a triangulation method which combined personal interviews among key informants, secondary information, and ocular observation in the study area. A semi-structured interview schedule was administered to 60 respondents. Half of the respondents were actual park occupants and were selected through a stratified random sampling. The other half were respondents from nearby communities selected through simple random sampling.
Results of the study revealed a continuous degradation of the park. The remaining forested area was about 68.72 percent. Wildlife diversity had been severely depleted. Mineral resources particularly limestone formations were likewise threatened with degradation due to continuous extraction. Water supply had been greatly reduced. Park occupancy had been on the rise.
Resource use was characterized by individualistic behavior. Users, which included kaingineros, loggers/timber poachers, charcoal makers, fuelwood collectors, and vines, rattan and limestone gatherers referred in this study as illegal users or park violators treated QNP as a huge open-access resource. This resulted to a mutually destructive competition over the resource.
Reciprocity among the different group of users was almost non-existent. Users did not adopt any appropriate technologies to attain a sustainable and successful joint use of the resource.
On the other hand, there existed conflict between violators and law enforcers. Relevant patterns of interaction between them included concealment, deceit, intimidation, threats and violence.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which is mandated to protect and maintain QNP was not able to totally control violators due to some structural/administrative, political, economic, and physical problems.
The existing use of DENR over QNP as site for contract reforestation revealed some inconsistencies against the principle of maintaining a national park. Some of the possible adverse effects of implementing a contract reforestation included the introduction of exotic and commercial species, creation of monoculture plantation, and alteration of natural condition. Likewise, the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) project, which was supposed to improve the natural vegetation of the park, was not realized. On the contrary, the project had disposed the park into further destruction that made it attractive to violators to exploit the remaining resources therein.
Furthermore, the presence of military detachment inside QNP did not totally control illegal activities. Records showed that their participation in protection activities only complicated the problem besetting the park.
The study noted the need for the following measures in order to check the deterioration of QNP and promote sustainable management of its resources:
• Strictly implement the NIPAS law;
• Have enough logistics to strengthen the administrative capability of DENR;
• Establish linkages with LGUs, NGOs, OGAs, private sectors, and all stakeholders;
• Maintain patrol trails, checkpoints together with communication facilities;
• Relocate the QNP boundary;
• Organize communities and park occupants in undertaking social fencing strategy; and
• Formulate and implement a comprehensive fire management plan.
The conduct of an agroecosystem analysis was further suggested to assess and prioritize problems in QNP. This will be helpful in finding appropriate solutions to address these problems.
Finally, the findings of the study showing a strong relationship between policy attributes and the patterns of interaction that affect the present condition of the park could be a subject of future researches to develop a model in analyzing problems specifically on protected areas.