Environment survey hails rich biodiversity in Canatuan

The presence of the Queen of Philippine Orchids resting atop a forest tree, and the sighting of Rufous Hornbill and Philippine Flying Lemurmajestically gliding inside TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc.’s (TVIRD) mine area speaks well of the company’s environmental conservation program. This, in essence, highlights the report of the recently concluded terrestrial flora and fauna survey conducted by SGS — an international testing and certification firm — inside the 508.34-hectare Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area of TVIRD’s copper-zinc project in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao.A total of 372 species were identified in this latest study, some of which are endemic only to this southern part of the Philippines and are already considered threatened species.

According to the SGS report, the Canatuan area is still enjoying rich biodiversity, a feat that is worth celebrating especially so that the United Nations General Assembly has declared2010as the International Year of Biodiversity. Environmentalists around the world consider this year as a unique opportunity to understand the vital role that biodiversity plays in sustaining life on earth. TVIRD, through these latest findings, affirms its corporate commitment as a responsible mining company.

“One of the other interesting items of information (in the report)is that more than 10% of all the different bird species found in the Philippines were identified within the small MPSA area. This suggests the available habitat remains intact and supports this large species population,” says Jay Nelson, TVIRD’s Vice President for Environment and Civil Works.

Of the 372 species identified in the study, trees dominate the count at approximately 53% of the total. In the canopy layer, dipterocarpsabound in the area, lead by the White Lauanand followed by the Bagtikan. Some threatened species were also identified in the remaining forest patches within the MPSA.

With reference to the faunal environment, 98 vertebrates (birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals) were encountered in the area. Of these, 14 are considered as Mindanao endemic species and five are threatened or near-threatened species. The Philippine Leafbird and Zamboanga Bulbul are examples of bird species still present in the MPSA. Both are endemic in Mindanao and are also threatened.

While the results may surprise many considering that mining operations in Canatuan has been ongoing since 2004, TVIRD’s adherence to its sustainable environment principles and practices may very well explain the success.

Nelson underscores the importance of the study in the company’s environmental management practices. “Compliance with the provisions of our Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) is one reason we conducted the study but just as important is our desire to continue with our responsible mining practices. To do this we need to monitor all aspects of the environment to see if we are doing what we say and if we need to improve our environmental management practices. TVIRD considers flora and fauna monitoring as an extremely important management activity.”

Rowena Inion, TVIRD Environment Supervisor says that through the years of mining operation in the area, the company was able to sustain the surrounding floral and faunal environment. “Most forest patches are still diverse and dense enough to support the faunal environment. Ongoing reforestation and preservation activities of the company help maintain the ecological diversity of Canatuan. Despite this, however, anthropogenic or man-made factors can still be noted in the area like hunting, timber extraction and kaingin (slash and burn farming),” explains Inion.

Nelson likewise attributes the positive results of the study to the contribution made by TVIRD-initiated activities on environmental protection. “The ability of TVIRD to limit and control the various land uses within the MPSA and the information-education-communication programs within the community have allowed for the retention of some significant forested areas. The monitoring results have shown that these areas still retain the flora and fauna diversity present before the mining operations began as well as the past period when operations were underway. Retention of these areas and the associated diversity will greatly enhance the overall Progressive Rehabilitation program and will greatly assist in a faster and more productive environmental restoration once the mining operations have ended,” he said.

The SGS also underscored the significant contribution of TVIRD’s reforestation efforts in enriching the biodiversity of the area when it reported that “there is an increasing ecological role being played by Mangium (Acacia mangiumWilld), the legume species used by TVIRD as its main reforestation crop in the area. The species has already placed third in the most distributed species in the forest patches. This may speak well on the reforestation/rehabilitation efforts of TVIRD as some of its plantations have already grown to juvenile sizes since their establishment in 2004. Many are even bearing flowers and fruits.”

“We have started with informing and educating our site managers and employees on the results of this monitoring study, and the community will soon follow. We believe that maintaining the rich diversity in Canatuan should not be the effort of the company alone. It is important for the community to be also aware that Canatuan is rich in diverse floral and faunal environment and that we should all put effort in not just preserving but also enriching it,” said Inion.

Nelson, on the other hand, expressed optimism for TVIRD’s continuing and sustaining efforts to win the challenge of environmental protection. “This study supports the need to maintain and increase the diversity of rehabilitation species. This has been given more attention in 2010 and will be further expanded in the coming years.”

Aside from reforestation, the environmental management and protection systems for the Canatuan Project include the implementation of widespread structural erosion control measures, construction of tailings management facilities, water quality monitoring and management. Since 2003, approximately 200,000 trees have been planted within and around the MPSA area. (Ernie Rojo)

Below are some of the significant recommendations submitted by SGS to protect and conserve the floral and faunal environment of the remaining forested patches within the TVIRD’s MPSA area:

• The best way to protect the remaining wildlife species is to set aside the remaining forested patches for them. Conservation should be the key to the management of anthropogenic use of the bioresources. Its concept should be positive, which is embracing preservation; maintenance; sustainable utilization; restoration; and enhancement of the natural environment (Philippine Biodiversity, 1997).

• Reintroduce dipterocarp and other tree species indigenous in the areas planted with Mangium by utilizing the wildlings that were observed widespread in the forest patches. Final plantation must not be a monocrop of introduced species.

• Tree cutting, unless necessary to TVIRD’s operations, must be discouraged. Utilization of timber must be optimized. Kaingin must be discouraged and the growth of Palo Maria must be controlled. Reforestation and weeding activities can aid in controlling the growth of this very invasive introduced species. Utilization of Palo Maria into useful products can be collaborated with the DENR and other research institutions. The species has potential for pulp and paper.

• TVIRD has executed an institutional agreement with the DENR and Subanon tribal council in its biodiversity protection thrust. This should be strengthened because it is a very important feat to earn the support of the local populace in the protection of the general environment.

• TVIRD can adopt a local species to be its conservation symbol. For instance, it can adopt the Grammatophyllum sp., the so-called “Queen of Philippine Orchids,” which is seen resting or lying at the top branches of the Ulayan tree in the forest patch downslope of the “Airstrip.” This orchid, when already blooming, could speak well of TVIRD’s conservation efforts. Also, TVIRD can adopt the Rufous Hornbill (Buceroshydrocorax) or the Philippine Flying Lemur or “Cagwang” (Cynocephalus volans), that while they are seen flying or gliding in the canopies of Malusok Creek and in the downslope of “Airstrip,” the company is succeeding in its conservation efforts.

• Enrich the stand of the forested remnants inside TVIRD’s MPSA. These include assisted natural regeneration (ANR) and timber stand improvement (TSI) which will enhance the dipterocarps population and other favored species. Moreover, there are techniques to transfer endangered species (e.g., Giant tree fern and Sander’s Alocasia) or replace those that will be affected by the on-going mining activities.