1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The Mangrove Eco-Park has the following objectives:
-To prevent floods and storm surges in the local community during severe weather conditions;
-To provide livelihood and income generation opportunities for the locals residing in the area;
-To mitigate the impacts of climate change;
-To promote ecotourism;
-To serve as a habitat for diverse species of mangrove trees, birds, and marine life;
-To serve as a symbol of hope in a country striving to restore its mangroves;
-To serve as a research center for coastal studies
-To replace the mangrove trees that were destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan;
[1,2,3].
-To prevent floods and storm surges in the local community during severe weather conditions;
-To provide livelihood and income generation opportunities for the locals residing in the area;
-To mitigate the impacts of climate change;
-To promote ecotourism;
-To serve as a habitat for diverse species of mangrove trees, birds, and marine life;
-To serve as a symbol of hope in a country striving to restore its mangroves;
-To serve as a research center for coastal studies
-To replace the mangrove trees that were destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan;
[1,2,3].
Quantitative targets
First round of reforestation in 1990 - 50 has of mangrove area
Second round of reforestation in 2014 - planting 8,000 new propagules
Second round of reforestation in 2014 - planting 8,000 new propagules
Monitoring indicators defined
Area of mangrove (ha)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The reforestation project of the Bakhawan Eco-Park started in 1990 with the creation of 50 hectares (120 acres) of reclaimed land in Barangay New Buswang by the Kalibo Save The Mangroves Association (KASAMA), a non-governmental organization. The local government of Kalibo, Aklan, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provided assistance [1,2]. The DENR engaged local families to plant mangroves and KASAMA also removed the fish pens from the mangrove area to facilitate reforestation [2]. In 1990, 250 000 mangroves were planted and since then, mangroves have continuously been planted. To augment the mangrove population, the Economic Enterprise Development Department of the Provincial Capitol of Aklan planted 8,000 new mangrove propagules over 2 hectares (4.9 acres) of the Eco-park in 2014 [1]. Over the years, the mangrove site has expanded to cover 220 hectares [2]. An ecotourism destination was also established in the area, featuring a 1.3-kilometer bamboo trail leading visitors deep into the mangrove forest. Additionally, various amenities were constructed, including a watchtower, souvenir shop, canteen, massage area, charcoal briquetting area, picnic huts, and a Center for International Mangrove Studies [1]. KASAMA also cultivates and sells mangrove seedlings to visitors [2]. There is also a research center inside the park, which conducts soil assessments to determine suitable mangrove species for planting and researches soil erosion and its effects on the mangroves. [2] The regenerated mangrove forest is also attributed to protecting nearby villages from the severe impact of Typhoon Fengshen in 2008 and Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. It also offers a means of income and livelihood for the local families and helped locals to access fish and seashell during the COVID-19 pandemic have [2,3]
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
In Kalibo, the locals has converted a mudflat into a mangrove forest, as the town’s first line of defense against strong surges. The forest is shielding the community from the extreme impacts of the typhoons that routinely tear through the Philippines. [2] In 2013, another typhoon, Haiyan, also battered Aklan province. By then, the mangrove had expanded to 200 hectares (494 acres), and it cushioned the threat of floods and storm surges in Aklan’s coastal areas.[2,3]
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The mangrove reforestation project was the brainchild of Allen Quimpo, the mayor of Kalibo at the time, who negotiated with the DENR for the mangrove plantation. Quimpo, who later became a congressman representing Aklan province, reportedly decided to reforest the area after learning from local historians that the area was once full of mangroves that were cleared for illegal fishing activities. [2]
If there is one thing Aklan can be proud of and contribute to the rest of the Philippine islands, is its highly successful eco-tourism project. As huge bodies of water surround the country’s 7,107 islands and leave coastal residences vulnerable during natural calamities such as typhoons and tsunamis, a joint group of Kalibonhons in Kalibo, Aklan, has devised a solution which could withstand Mother Nature’s destructive forces. The Kalibonhons has converted a mudflat into a mangrove forest, as the town’s first line of defense against strong surges, and it has become a tourist attraction known as Bakhawan Eco-Park & Research Centre. The word "bakhawan", in the local dialect, means "mangrove". [3]
It has also been awarded as the Golden Eagle award for excellence in Environment Preservation. [3]
If there is one thing Aklan can be proud of and contribute to the rest of the Philippine islands, is its highly successful eco-tourism project. As huge bodies of water surround the country’s 7,107 islands and leave coastal residences vulnerable during natural calamities such as typhoons and tsunamis, a joint group of Kalibonhons in Kalibo, Aklan, has devised a solution which could withstand Mother Nature’s destructive forces. The Kalibonhons has converted a mudflat into a mangrove forest, as the town’s first line of defense against strong surges, and it has become a tourist attraction known as Bakhawan Eco-Park & Research Centre. The word "bakhawan", in the local dialect, means "mangrove". [3]
It has also been awarded as the Golden Eagle award for excellence in Environment Preservation. [3]
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The project inspired other similar initiatives in the region [6].
