The philippines' mount balatukan range natural park in mindanao is close to becoming the 70th association of southeast asian nations (asean) heritage park. the asean centre for biodiversity (acb) on thursday said the nature park:he Philippines' Mount Balatukan Range Natural Park in Mindanao is close to becoming the 70th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Heritage Park. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) on Thursday said the nature park, alongside Cambodia's Prek Toal Ramsar Site, had been endorsed for the designation and is now for "ad referendum approval" of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment.
According to Philippines News Agency, this development signifies the region's commitment to preserving and restoring its natural wealth by enhancing connectivity, improving management, sharing best practices, building capacity, and developing innovative awareness-raising activities. Mount Balatukan Range Natural Park, situated in the eastern part of Misamis Oriental, is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area and an Important Bird Area.
The park is noted for its high endemicity across various taxonomic groups and is home to critically endangered species, including the Philippine Eagle and Rafflesia. It also holds cultural significance, serving as a sacred site for the Higaonon tribe.
Cambodia's Prek Toal Ramsar Site, also endorsed for ASEAN Heritage Park status, is one of the region's largest waterbird breeding areas and the largest core area of UNESCO's Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. It is supported by the Mekong flood-pulse system, which influences seasonal hydrological dynamics.
As part of the ASEAN Heritage Park nomination review process, the ACB coordinated with technical evaluators and relevant environmental departments from the Philippines and Cambodia to conduct field evaluations at both sites earlier this year. The ACB has also received three additional nominations from Lao PDR and Thailand and is currently evaluating these submissions.
Southeast Asia currently boasts 69 declared ASEAN Heritage Parks, comprising 47 terrestrial, 12 marine, and 10 wetland areas, covering approximately 11.9 million hectares of protected regions.
