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| Visit Bakhawan Eco-Park in Kalibo, Aklan. |
There’s more to Kalibo than its world-famous Ati-Atihan
Festival. If you don’t feel like joining the crowd on their sadsad around town, perhaps, you’d want
to escape and give yourself a dose of peace and tranquility at the Bakhawan
Eco-Park.
The eco-park began as a mangrove reforestation project in
1990. This area in New Buswang was then a muddy shoreline, often flooded when
the tide rises and sometimes placing the local residents in danger due to storm
surges. The local government with help from various non-government
organizations decided to act upon this, thus, the reforestation project began.
Dubbed as the most successful mangrove reforestation project
in the Philippines, the eco-park is operated by the Kalibo Save the Mangroves
Association (KASAMA), in partnership with the local government of Kalibo and
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Aside from solving the problems about flood and storm surge
that so often plagued the locals, the eco-park also provided income generating
opportunities to the locals. In fact, the United Nationals Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) praised this project as one of the best forests managed throughout
the Asia-Pacific region.
The onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) damaged several
mangrove trees. Nevertheless, the provincial government of Aklan and the DENR
spearheaded a mangrove planting activity in January 2014 that added around 8,000
new mangrove propagules in an effort to minimize the impact of climate change
and to replace those that have been lost during the typhoon.
When coming to Kalibo, never miss dropping by this wonderful
paradise. Take a trek through the park’s 1.3-kilometer bamboo trail that will
refresh your mind and soul as you walk into the mangrove forest. If you’re an
eco-tourist or an environmentalist, you will be amazed by the different species
of mangrove trees, as well as the birds and marine species that call the park
their home.
The park also has the following amenities: watchtower,
souvenir shop, canteen, massage area, charcoal briquetting, picnic huts and the
Center for International Mangrove Studies.
Reaching Bakhawan eco-park is very easy. From the town
proper, get a tricycle ride that would cost you approximately P20-30 if you’re
traveling alone. Just negotiate wisely and reasonably with the driver. The
ecopark charges P20 entrance fee for regular visitors and P15 for students and
senior citizens. Children five years below can enter for free.
So the next time you visit Kalibo, Aklan, make sure to stop over at Bakhawan Eco-Park.
