Opinion: Paradise Lost?

They say a picture is a thousand words. If that is true, then the once beautiful, enchanting and be-witching water falls, thick forest, tall trees, abundance of wild life and the feel of the mist from falling water above the tree canopy of Abaga falls appear to be no more …. It really irks me to look at what appear to be the most recent satellite images on Google Earth. It is all gone? My boyhood paradise? Back before WWII the road (although I do not know the condition of the road today) allowed complete access along the rim of the crater and visitors were able to see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat. To me, it was a display of the Earth’s primeval and natural beauty, an amazing “fenceless zoo.” While I do not blame humans for the apparent condition of the falls today (after all people in this region need to provide food, shelter and heat for their families… especially in the period of expanding world population).

I think it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and change the “NO PLAN” attitude, get together and correct our mistakes. Again, I may be wrong in what I see in the latest Google Earth satellite imagery but if I’m not, the Abaga Falls area has lost its ecosystem. We need to think about re-foresting the area, re-introducing native wildlife and elevating the falls and the surrounding area back to National Park status. I urge my readers to take a moment and contact the Philippine Government to inquire as to the current status of Abaga Falls...

Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau- Philippines
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center
Mindanao Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
http://www.pawb.gov.ph/
Voice:+(63 2) 9246031-35
Fax:+(63 2) 9240109
planning@pawb.gov.ph

I would appreciate a copy of any responses you may receive as I am in the process of compiling all of the necessary information to continue my investigation into the current status of the Abaga Falls region.