Island of Palawan: The Crown Jewel of the Philippines

Palawan Island, known as the Last Frontier of the Philippines is in a way or the other a beautiful unspoiled land situated in the western region of the country. Owing to its beautiful clear water, lots of biodiversity, spectacular landscapes, and rich sea life, Palawan has been voted as one of the top islands in the world time after time. This article attempts to provide the full beauty of Palawan Island by investigating its geography, geologic history, culture as well as factors that necessitate that it is one of the places that every tourist ought to go while on a quest for peace and adventure.

 

 

Geographic Context and Natural Attractions

 

Palawan Island is an initial decision in the Palawan Province, which is connected with spirit by means of a wooden bridge built in the late 18th century. The chain is approximately 450 kilometers long, with the north-eastern tip of the island of Mindoro to the south of the island of Borneo. The island is noted for encompassing a rugged Mountain range that extends over the length of the island with the peak being Mount Mantalingahan at an altitude of 2086 meters above sea level. On the other hand, South China Sea is located to the Northwest while Sulu Sea is located southeast of the latter thus, tremendous coasts and other underwater biological environments are present.

 

To conclude, one of the natural wonders of Palawan archipelago should be recognized and praised – these are the landforms known as limestone karst. These magnificent features are often seen in the town of El Nido and Coron. Still standing limestone cliffs caused by emerald seas has turned Palawan into the as comparative must see tourist attraction in the globe. El Nido Bacuit Archipelago which has many islets and hidden lagoonis very much a.child accomplishment of these geology.

 

A particular point of interest in Palawan is its Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, within the park lies an underground river of 8.2 km that flows directly to the sea. Tourists can explore the caves of the river through boat rides and see beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and large rooms, as well as interesting wildlife that lives in the caves.

 

Palawan has drawn the epithet of the Philippines’ ‘Last Ecological Frontier’, as it has been able to establish a distinct and rich ecosystem due to its separation from the rest of the archipelago. As for its ecology, the island is fascinating because it dazzles with many species of beauty; most of which are localized. Biodiversity conservationists have focused on Palawan’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems owing to high biodiversity that is ranked among the highest in Asia.

 

Several endangered species are found in the forests of the island, such as the Palawan peacock-pheasant, palm cockatoos, and palawan bear cat. In addition, Palawan is rich in extensive mangroves that help shield the shorelines from erosion and act as breeding and nursery grounds for various species of marine life.

 

What lies beneath the waters surrounding Palawan is as striking as the rest of its attractions. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, which is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best dive spots in the world. It is evident that the park, situated in the Sulu Sea, has a very large number of marine species consisting of over 600 fish, 360 corals and an array of sharks, rays and sea turtles. The stunning coral reefs and the clear sea water render it a dream place for divers and marine biologists.

 

Of all measures undertaken in Palawan, conservation measures should be considered as the most important aims towards maintaining its aesthetic appeal and biological diversity. Many local organizations and their international partners are focusing on the prevention of environmental degradation on the island by applying eco-tourism, conducting environmental education programs and engaging in wildlife preservation. Even so, such laudable efforts need to be sustained since Palawan continues to experience other problems like deforestation, destructive fishing practices, and climate change effects.

Within the stunning environment of Palawan, there is also a great deal of cultural wealth. It has a number of indigenous peoples such as the Tagbanua, Palaw’an and Batak who have inhabited the island and its surroundings for centuries. These indigent people are very attached to the land and the sea and engage in practices that are well respectful of them.

 

As an illustration, the Tagbanua ethnolinguistic group is well recognized for its environment-friendly fishing practices and elaborate basket making. They occupy the central and northerly parts of the province of Palawan, especially around Coron and the Calamianes Islands. The Tagbanua encompasses these rights over extensive areas of land as well as marine resources, which they overseer cooperatively in order to maintain their resource when needed.

 

The Palaw’an people, mostly sedentary on the southern part of the island, cultivates swidden – areas cleared by swidden farming also called slash and burn agriculture. This method or farming, although termed barbaric if only to survive, allows the forest to weed itself and the animals to inhabit freely in the country. The souch Palaw_when used to the island’s dens plant life has also other skills herbal medication.

 

Located in the northern interior highlands of palawan Philippines, the Batak are one of the smallest indigenous societies in the country. They are practiced hunter-gatherers and live in the forest solely depending on it for food, healing, construction material for their instruments, and ornaments. Many Batak people hold animistic beliefs, seeing spirits residing in mountains, rivers and trees.

 

These indigenous peoples’ customs and traditions form a significant aspect of the Palawan region identity. Safeguarding such civilizations becomes necessary especially with the ways of life changing due to modernization and travels. Eco-tourism has been adopted by a number of these cultures as an effective method to promote their culture while providing income to sustain their families and preserving their land.

Palawan, which is blessed with many scenic views and cultural richness is one of the most sought out locations for people coming from different parts of the world. There is something for everyone on the island, ranging from snorkeling and diving in turquoise blue commercialized beaches to hiking in crazy overgrown jungles and going spelunking in undiscovered caves. Popular travel sights are El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesa and Port Barton offering slightly varied sights and experiences.

 

El Nido which is situated in the northern part of the island is perhaps one of the most traveled destinations in Palawan. The beautiful scenic beaches, the clear waters as well as the grand limestones makes it a heaven on earth for beachgoers and adventure seekers. Tours to different islands are the most common way of visiting the Bacuit Archipelago that also offers the visitors the chance to enjoy hidden lagoons, secret beaches and colorful coral reefs.

 

Another well-known tourist spot is Coron ranked among the best places to dive in the world, where World War II sunk ships, including several Japanese vessels, can be found. The ships, which are time capsules covered with corals and filled with fishes, are the highlight of diving. Furthermore, Coron features Kayangan Lake which is usually regarded as the cleanest lake in the country of Philippines and where the emerald waters can be enjoyed, painted by intense limestone cliffs, and surrounded with the waters of the said lake.

 

Puerto Princesa serves as the provincial capital and serves as the access to the island’s interior. It contains the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and has varied activities of interest which include eco-tourism, firefly watching, mangrove excursions, and island tours to the Iwahig Penal Colony, a model open prison where rehabilitative ideals have been realised.

 

There have been benefits of tourism in Palawan in terms of economic factors but increased number of visitors has been a point of worry in terms of environmental and cultural aspects. The problem facing Palawan therefore is one of tourism development and the tourism itself. Sustainable tourism practices, such as limiting numbers of tourists to specific sites, encouraging green lodges, and involving local communities in the tourism governance, are most importantly needed.

The future of Palawan depends precisely on how the population’s share of the natural resources conservatively is practiced with its increase in becoming a tourist hub. A natural and cultural endowments of Palawan has a place for the involvement of the local government, non-governmental organizations as well as indigenous people.

 

To enhance support for tourism development in Palawan, tactical measures such as building environmentally friendly lodgings, waste segregation activities, and legislation that would avert any detrimental activities to marine and terrestrial habitats, have been embarked on. Education and information campaigns are postulated to help press tourists towards the responsible way of traveling.

 

Finally, the reason for tourists’ visits and conservation ambitions cannot leave out the participation of native populations. Palawan then becomes the kind of place where such a development of tourism is possible – that is socially responsible and ecologically sound.

 

Climate change is another important factor that will affect the future of the Island of Palawan. The melting of the polar icecaps, increased temperature and yearly change of weather patterns present dangers to the ecosystems within the island and its inhabitants as well. Global collaboration is necessary in solving problems like global warming however an individual region’s activities such as planting trees, rehabilitation of mangroves and practicing organic farming can contribute toward lessening the problems associated with these changes.

Palawan Island is one of the precious islands in the Philippines blessed with scenic beauty, diverse ecosystems and amazing traditions. Beautiful beaches, beautiful underwater corals and the high limestone cliffs have become the dream gets away of travelers from different parts of the globe. But with the increasing fame comes the challenge of preserving this paradise from being spoilt for future generations.

 

The retention of Palawan as the Last Frontier of the Philippines hinges on sustainable tourism, conservation and the participation of the local people. Having these values at its heart, Palawan will continue to amaze and move its guests and at the same time, will keep its natural and ethnographic values for many years.

 

To summarize, Palawan Island cannot be simply viewed as a destination; it has much more significance because it is a beautiful and strong testament of nature and culture. It gives an important reason to the need to protect some of the last remaining frontiers in the world where natural beauty can still coexist with civilization.