Dynamics of human- environment relationship in Mananga watershed, Cebu City, Philippines

Date

2001

Abstract

The Mananga River Watershed Forest Reserve is in critical situation despite being protected under the NIPAS Act. This study was conducted to asssess the interaction between human population and the watershed environment mediated by laws and policies. The trend of population growth and movement into the watershed was determined. The extent of environmental change associated with the peoples' activities in the area was assessed, policies implemented were evaluated and the relationships among demographic, socio-economic, knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of people towards selected aspects of the watershed were determined. Secondary as well as primary data were used in assessment. The result show that population growth rate in the watershed is high compared to the national figure. This was largely brought about by in-migration.The activities of the people in the watershed such as slash and burn "kaingin" method of agriculture, sand and gravel extraction in the riverbed, use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizer as agricultural inputs, construction of Ayala Heights subdivision and a golf course near the watershed, and land conversion from forest to agricultural and built-up area all resulted to loss of biodiversity, high risk of ground water contamination, land degradation, impaired hydrology and water shortage. Secondary impacts identified include declining agricultural productivity, loss of potential income and saltwater intrusion. Analysis of the water quality revealed that the BOD and DO of Mananga River falls under Class A of water Classification. The presence of fishes and othe aquatic life in the river may suggest that the water quality is still within tolerable limit for Class A water. People in the watershed have average level of knowledge, have negative perceptions and negative attitude towards selected aspects of the watershed. It is suggested that this might have been due to insufficient information and the way regulatory measures have been implemented.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 995 2001 E8 E86

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