DAVAO CITY — Environmental group Integrated Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) has called for the immediate drafting of a Forest Land Use Plan in Davao City to protect watersheds and have a sustainable water supply in this rapidly urbanizing city.

“It is very important because it is the forest that make sure that we are ecologically balanced… If we are to maintain our claim that Davao is a livable city, it should be included in the whole development direction and management plan of Davao,” IDIS Executive Director Chinkie P. Golle told media in a forum last week.

Ms. Golle said while the city’s zoning map identifies forest areas and there are reforestation activities, there is no comprehensive plan “on how to manage and how to reforest.”

She noted that of the 244,000-hectare (ha) area of Davao, geographically one of the biggest cities in the world, the urban area is currently only about 40,000 ha, leaving more than 200,000 ha that needs a protection and development program.

Ms. Golle said the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) and the city government have the responsibility for coming up with a Forest Land Use Plan.

“I think there were attempts and there are initial meetings to develop the Forest Land Plan Use,” she said, adding that the DENR must “facilitate the consultations.”

The IDIS official also stressed the need to manage the urban forest areas, referring to the development and maintenance of green and open spaces. — Maya M. Padillo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR