Pantaron Mountain Range

Pantaron Mountain Range
Central Cordillera
Highest point
Coordinates7°44′35.02″N 125°25′49.01″E / 7.7430611°N 125.4302806°E / 7.7430611; 125.4302806
Dimensions
Length200 km (120 mi) NS
Area12,600 km2 (4,900 sq mi)[1]
Geography
Pantaron Mountain Range is located in Philippines
Pantaron Mountain Range
Pantaron Mountain Range
CountryPhilippines
ProvincesMisamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur
RegionsNorthern Mindanao, Caraga and Southern Mindanao

The Pantaron Mountain Range, also called the Central Cordillera of Mindanao, Philippines straddles across the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.[1] The range contains one of the last remaining old growth or primary forest blocks in Mindanao.[1][2] Major rivers on the island also have their headwaters on the mountain range, including Mindanao River, Pulangi River, Davao River, Tagoloan River and major tributaries of Agusan River.[3]

The mountain range has been noted for its cultural and biological diversity.[4] Ethnic tribal communities such as the Manobos, Higaonons, and Bukidnons are the inhabitants of the area.[5] Ancestral domain claims within the boundaries of the mountain range have also been identified by the government for these Lumad minorities.[2]

Pantaron Mountain Range is one of the Philippines' few remaining biodiversity corridors with old growth forests.[4] It is home to rare species of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered Philippine eagle and of other endemic and vulnerable fauna such as the Philippine brown deer, the Philippine flying lemur, and a Mindanao-endemic gymnure.[6] The forests are threatened by mining and logging.[7]

  1. ^ a b c Balane, Walter I. (February 16, 2012). "'Pantaron Range, one of PH's largest remaining forest blocks' – MinDA". Bukidnon News. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Poffenberger, Mark. "Communities and Forest Management in Southeast Asia". Asia Forest Network. Working Group on Community Involvement in Forest Management (WG-CIFM). Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  3. ^ Salamat, Marya (March 17, 2018). "'We're all challenged to defend the environment' - Bibiaon Bigkay". Bulatlat. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Ragragio, Andrea Malaya M. (April 14, 2014). "Why We Should Defend Pantaron". Davao Today. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  5. ^ "Updating the north Pantaron forest cover – Institute of Environmental Science for Social Change". Institute of Environmental Science for Social Change. February 28, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "Pantaron Mountain Range". Foundation for the Philippine Environment. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Villanueva, Raymund (June 11, 2018). "Warrior chieftain hostaged and tricked to surrender, Lumad say". Bulatlat. Retrieved June 26, 2020.