Central Cebu Protected Landscape, Nature reserve in Cebu, Philippines
Central Cebu Protected Landscape is a nature reserve in the central highlands of Cebu island, covering forests, watersheds, and reservoir zones across several municipalities. It brings together several formerly separate conservation areas into one connected territory.
The area was first set aside as a national park in 1937 to protect the island's forests and water sources. In 2007, it was reclassified as a protected landscape, which brought its various sections under a single management framework.
The landscape integrates multiple former reserves including Central Cebu National Park, Buhisan Dam, Mananga Watershed, Kotkot-Lusuran Watershed, and Sudlon National Park.
The terrain is hilly and uneven in many parts, so sturdy footwear and enough water are important to bring along. A local guide is a good idea for anyone unfamiliar with the area, as trails can be hard to follow without experience.
The Cebu flowerpecker and the Cebu cinnamon tree are two species found only within this territory and nowhere else on Earth. Both are considered critically endangered, which is why protecting this specific patch of forest matters so much.
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