Rainforest

The picture above is what the Philippines call 'protected rainforest'. When I first saw this kind of landscape, I was unaware that it used to be fully covered with trees. I kind of liked the soft rolling hills, the different shades of green. Now, I cannot look at it without feeling sad about what happens to the earth's natural heritage when governments fail to protect it. In fact, Mount Apo has nominally been protected area since 1936. Subsequent governments, however, have failed to adequately manage it and throughout the 20th century, roughly 70% of the forest cover was cut clear. Whenever I visit Mount Apo, the sight of the denuded slopes always leaves me speechless...