The Beauty of Biodiversity in Palawan

The Palawan province, located in the western part of the Philippines, is considered one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. It is home to various terrestrial and marine ecosystems that host a vast array of species.

In the southern tip of the island of Palawan lies the Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, which covers 120,457 hectares and is a vital habitat for more than 1,000 plant and animal species, of which 10 percent are threatened, including the Palawan pangolin and the Philippine cockatoo. The landscape's unique biodiversity is crucial for its intrinsic value and its role in sustaining the livelihoods of the 12,000 Indigenous peoples living there. Unfortunately, these communities are among the most climate vulnerable.

Despite its protected status, the Mantalingahan Landscape continues to be threatened by deforestation and forest degradation. In the past two decades, its upland and mangrove forests have decreased by more than 20 percent due to illegal forest clearing.

Conservation International has partnered with Procter & Gamble (P&G) to protect this environment by helping secure local community land rights and increasing patrolling. These efforts also support building the local communities' resilience by improving small-holder farming practices and developing community-based enterprises based on non-timber forest products.

Travel to Mount Matalingahan and be awed by its incredible beauty through this photo essay.