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A total of 750 high school science clubbers from all
over the country planted mangrove trees in Kalibo, Aklan in a bid to
help expand the remaining mangrove cover in the country.
The mangrove-tree planting was
part of the five-day National Youth Science, Technology and
Environment Summer Camp (NYSTESC) which carried the theme “Ocean
Odyssey: Fathom the Uncharted Waters.”
The NYSTESC aims to impart the
current trends and breakthroughs in the field of marine science
together with its application in industries such as fisheries.
Philippine Society of Youth
Science Clubs President Kristina Paola Frias said the mangrove
planting was done for the first time in the 37 years of the
organization’s existence.
The mangrove-tree planting took
place at the Bakhawan Eco-park in Barangay New Buswang, Kalibo,
Aklan, a multi-awarded 75-hectare mangrove reforestation site
considered the best in Asia and recipient of the Golden Eagle Award
for Excellence in environmental preservation.
Mangroves in the country face
vast degradation and damage over the decades with only 150,000
hectares remaining.
The Bakhawan Eco-Park houses
species of bayabason, miapa, papatgat, bolali, kawilan, bakhaw bato,
bakhaw babae, bakhaw lalaki, busain and buta-buta.
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