The Sacred Forest is the last home of the Higa-Onon indigenous peoples, wildlife habitat, the sacred place where the Higa-Onon tribal members exercise their beliefs and cultural connection to the mother earth. We believe that if we lose our nature then we lose our culture.
The Alik Sacred Forest is the last habitat of endangered species, such as the Philippine Eagle, Hornbill, Flying Fox, Bats, Deer, Pythons, Frogs, Wild Cat, Mindanao Bleeding Heart, Raven, Owl and other wildlife. This rainforest is also the living nursery of all native trees, medicinal plants and other wild fruits.
The sacred forest is our blood, the foundation of our survival and the future of the next generation. This is the last watershed near Iligan City, and it is rich in natural mineral resources like gold, ore, copper and bronze. The sacred forest is threatened by the outsiders and profiteering.
There is clear evidence of destruction of the lands around our home, this natural sanctuary of our ancient tribes and all these beautiful and rare creatures all around our lands.
The Importance of the Bioregion in Mindanao Ancestral Lands
The bioregion in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte is significant for the survival of the indigenous peoples and wildlife. Amidst the exploitation and abuse of the indigenous peoples and the ecosystem, there are still untouched areas of rainforest that provide a safe haven for the inhabitants. The presence of the bioregion is of vital importance for the existence of the upland and coastal communities, wildlife, and the ecosystems.
Rainforests
Rainforests host a vast number of wildlife and plant species as this is one of their major uniqueness. Rainforest gives significance and brings about a huge variety of complex ecosystems and biodiversity.
Climate Regulators and Stabilizers
Rainforests act as heat and water pumps. The forests store water and release it in the environment. For this reason, rainforests are major 'reservoirs' for water. Additionally, they are nature's 'air conditioners', as the canopy has a very significant cooling effect, bringing rain and cooler air to other areas. Without them, the bare earth would radiate heat, reduce precious rainfall and worsen climate change.
Flooding, Soil Erosion and Siltation
Rainforests effectively prevent soil erosion, siltation, and flooding. The tree roots bind the soil together while the canopy of the forests protects the soil from the direct impact of heavy rains. This, and the root systems, helps the soil and generally protects it from erosion, land slides and flooding.
Nature's Pharmacy
Rainforests are fundamental source of medicines. Presently, not even more than 1% of the world’s rainforests have been explored and tested for their pharmaceutical or medicinal components, yet more than 25% of all our modern medicines come from the rainforests. So, it means amazing results can be obtained from the yet to be explored rainforests.
The Alik Sacred Forest is the last habitat of endangered species, such as the Philippine Eagle, Hornbill, Flying Fox, Bats, Deer, Pythons, Frogs, Wild Cat, Mindanao Bleeding Heart, Raven, Owl and other wildlife. This rainforest is also the living nursery of all native trees, medicinal plants and other wild fruits.
The sacred forest is our blood, the foundation of our survival and the future of the next generation. This is the last watershed near Iligan City, and it is rich in natural mineral resources like gold, ore, copper and bronze. The sacred forest is threatened by the outsiders and profiteering.
There is clear evidence of destruction of the lands around our home, this natural sanctuary of our ancient tribes and all these beautiful and rare creatures all around our lands.
The Importance of the Bioregion in Mindanao Ancestral Lands
The bioregion in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte is significant for the survival of the indigenous peoples and wildlife. Amidst the exploitation and abuse of the indigenous peoples and the ecosystem, there are still untouched areas of rainforest that provide a safe haven for the inhabitants. The presence of the bioregion is of vital importance for the existence of the upland and coastal communities, wildlife, and the ecosystems.
Rainforests
Rainforests host a vast number of wildlife and plant species as this is one of their major uniqueness. Rainforest gives significance and brings about a huge variety of complex ecosystems and biodiversity.
Climate Regulators and Stabilizers
Rainforests act as heat and water pumps. The forests store water and release it in the environment. For this reason, rainforests are major 'reservoirs' for water. Additionally, they are nature's 'air conditioners', as the canopy has a very significant cooling effect, bringing rain and cooler air to other areas. Without them, the bare earth would radiate heat, reduce precious rainfall and worsen climate change.
Flooding, Soil Erosion and Siltation
Rainforests effectively prevent soil erosion, siltation, and flooding. The tree roots bind the soil together while the canopy of the forests protects the soil from the direct impact of heavy rains. This, and the root systems, helps the soil and generally protects it from erosion, land slides and flooding.
Nature's Pharmacy
Rainforests are fundamental source of medicines. Presently, not even more than 1% of the world’s rainforests have been explored and tested for their pharmaceutical or medicinal components, yet more than 25% of all our modern medicines come from the rainforests. So, it means amazing results can be obtained from the yet to be explored rainforests.