SouthCot boosts eco-tourism, aquaculture Average reader rating: 0
Source: Minda News	World News    2/10/2003 23:40:08
SouthCot boosts eco-tourism, aquaculture By Allen Estabillo - MindaNews LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato -­ Determined to restore this town as the region’s aquaculture and eco-tourism hub, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the provincial government of South Cotabato have launched a comprehensive conservation and development plan for the area’s three lakes. Sani Macabalang, BFAR Central Mindanao regional director, said they are aiming to re-establish Lakes Sebu, Seloton and Lahit as the region’s primary source of various aquaculture products and primary tourism destination over the next three years. “We intend to replicate the conservation program of the Kapatagan Lake in Palawan,” Macabalang said. Kapatagan Lake was earlier declared a “hall of famer” in the annual nationwide search for the cleanest inland bodies of water. Under the plan, he said they would introduce community-based projects focusing on agro-forestry and eco-tourism. Macabalang said they would sustain efforts to control the growth of water lilies which earlier threatened the existence of the three lakes, especially Lake Lahit. Known as the "Pride of South Cotabato" for its delicious tilapia, the famed crystal-clear lakes Lahit, Seloton and Sebu were declared to be dying last year due to the degradation of water quality and the rapid growth of water lilies that eventually resulted to declining fish supply. The 24-heactare Lake Lahit actually almost became extinct after its waters were covered by water hyacinths. The provincial government immediately responded to the problem by allocating some P3.3 million for the rehabilitation of the three lakes through the Lake Sebu Rehabilitation, Conservation and Development Council. South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes announced Wednesday the successful rehabilitation of Lake Lahit. Macabalang said they would also set a uniform depth of the fish cages along the lake and propagate stocks of carp, a deep-water fish, to help clean-up the water of feed excess. For eco-tourism, among the initial plans was to install floating rafts and movable restaurants along the lake. Fuentes earlier committed that the provincial government will appropriate funds to set up a floating restaurant and a trading center for products of the area’s native T’bolis. Meantime, Macabalang emphasized that the conservation and development program will depend much on the cooperation of the local residents. “We will mobilize the communities as stakeholders of these resources. We need to make the people recognize ownership of these lakes so we could sustain our efforts,” she said. A significant amount have been allocated by the provincial government and other concerned agencies to rehabilitate the lakes but most of them went to waste as the efforts eventually failed due to lack of involvement by the concerned communities.
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