Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Forest reserve in Nueva Ecija, Philippines
The Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve is a large protected forest area that surrounds Pantabangan Lake in Nueva Ecija province. The landscape consists of steep hillsides covered in mixed forest, mountain streams, and river valleys that channel water into the lake system.
The forest area was officially protected by government proclamation in 1969, giving it formal conservation status. This designation was tied to broader plans for water management and energy development in the region.
Local communities use the forest for hunting, foraging, and fishing in mountain streams as part of their everyday way of life. These practices remain central to how people connect with the land and its resources today.
The reserve is located in Central Luzon and can be reached by local transport, though the higher elevations are more challenging to access. Visitors should prepare for wet conditions, steep terrain, and primitive trails.
A hidden tunnel system brings water from a neighboring dam into the lake, supplementing natural water supplies. This underground infrastructure remains largely invisible to visitors but significantly shaped how the region manages its water for power generation.
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