Recognizing its outstanding wilderness, naturalness and rich biodiversity, Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park (MIRNP) in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte was declared as the 4 th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Heritage Park in Northern Mindanao. It was declared as ASEAN Heritage Park on October 31, 2022 by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment via ad referendum.
The MIRNP was officially launched as ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP) on June 28, 2023 in line with the Environment Day celebration of the province and Philippine Environment Month. The local government units, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, other government agencies, local communities and other stakeholders witnessed the unveiling of the MIRNP-AHP Landmark. The launching was also graced by Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go and the Committee Chair on Health and Demography.
“Based on the recent Biodiversity Assessment Monitoring System conducted by the DENR 10 and representative of the local government unit of Nunungan, Lanao Del Norte, MIRNP is an important refuge of a great number of diverse endemic fauna and flora species found in the old growth and mossy forest in the higher areas”, said OIC-Assistant Secretary (ASec) for Field Operations-Western Mindanao and Director, Forest Management Bureau in concurrent capacity, Arleigh J. Adorable.
ASec Adorable stressed the MIRNP’s biological importance, which functions as a watershed and life support system for the people depending on the water that emanates from the mountains.
“The ACB recognized the significance of the area as an opportunity for economic growth of the municipality of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte and that economic activities need to be anchored on the concept of nature-based solutions where the ecosystem services provided and intact biodiversity and habitats are sustained by protection and conservation efforts by the authorities and local communities”, said ACB Senior Director for Biodiversity Knowledge Management Arvin C. Diesmos.
Director Diesmos added that the ACB as the secretariat for ASEAN HeritagParks are ready to provide the necessary support for the park’s conservation efforts and ensure the effective management of the newly declared AHP.
Provincial Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte thanked the ASEAN Heritage Park Committee for recognizing MIRNP’s ecological significance and unique biodiversity. Governor Dimaporo added that it is important to foster environmental stewardship and push for sustainable practices that will help protect MIRNP.
MIRNP was legislated on June 22, 2018 as National Park pursuant to Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Law. It covers an area of 4,236 hectares and comprises the 25 barangays of Nunungan, Lanao Del Norte. It is the largest remaining virgin forest of Lanao Del Norte having an elevation of 1,563 masl. with three major lakes known as Malaig; Pantar and Sungod. The Park sustains the economic life of the local populace of the municipality of Nunungan including the municipalities adjacent to it, Sapad, Kapatagan and Lala.
The category of ASEAN Heritage Parks and Reserves (AHPRs) was first conceptualized by the ASEAN experts on the environment during their first Regional Meeting in 1978. The group defined the AHPRs as “a category of protected areas conceived for a select group of national parks and nature reserves that have outstanding wilderness and other value”.
MIRNP is the 53 rd declared AHP of the ASEAN Member States, 11 th in the Philippines and the 4 th in Northern Mindanao along with Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park in Misamis Occidental and Mts. Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument in Camiguin.
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