Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park in Isabela

NORTHERN SIERRA MADRE NATURAL PARK

Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (Palanan Rainforest) The largest protected area in the country with more than 300,000 hectares of rainforest, and the lowest at 800 feet above sea level. Declared number one in biodiversity and also one of the top 10 biodiversity “hotspots” in the world. Research showed the existence of unknown and unnamed species of flora and fauna. A confirmed habitat of the Philippine Eagle and the Cloud Rat. Its coastal areas host whales and dolphins and other cetaceans. Ideal for scuba diving and other water sports, and a mountaineering/trekking challenge. Accessible by light aircraft from Cauayan Airport (Cyclone Airways), pumpboat from Sta. Ana in Cagayan and Baler in Aurora Province, and trekking from San Mariano, Cauayan and Ilagan in Isabela. Also accessible by air transport from Tuguegarao City Domestic Airport through CHEMTRAD.

“The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) is among the ten main concerns of protected areas in the country. Lies on the eastern region of Central Luzon within the Sierra Madre Biogeographic Zone (SMBGZ).

Believed as one of the most vital of the protected areas system of the Philippines. It is the biggest shielded area in the country and the opulent in terms of genetic species and habitat assortment. Its significance is highlighted by the countless unusual and endangered species of flora and fauna that it supports. These include Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi ), Golden Crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus ), Philippine Eagle-Owl ( Bubo philippensis), Isabela Oriole (Oriolus isabellae ), Green Sea Turtle ( Chelonia mydas), Loggerhead Turtle ( Caretta caretta ), Hawksbill Turtle (Erethmochelys imbricata), Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis ) and Dugong (Dugong dugon ).

The advancement and evolution of its distinctive environment and their associated plants and animals are supported by its mountain ranges, e.g., grasslands to mountain forests, which is among the most exceptional and abundant on a per area basis among the park systems in the Philippines. It is portrayed as long mountain chain offering a dwelling place for the various species of plants and animals tailored to a wide range of ecological functions.

The NSMNP is habitat to many endemic and rare species of plants. Among the endemic plants in the park are the various species of the dipterocarp family such as Shorea spp. and Hopea spp., various orchids such as Dendrobium aclinia, the leguminous tree, Milletia longipes and a member of the citrus family, Swinglea glutinosa.” – taken from www.thebignm.net

Photo from: alindanaw.com