KIDAPAWAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII, through its Regional National Greening Program Operation Center, conducted a monitoring and inspection of Mechanized and Modernized Forest Nurseries in the city on April 3 to 4, ensuring the health and readiness of over 64,000 seedlings of indigenous tree species.
The activity forms part of the implementation of the Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP), a flagship initiative aimed at reforesting denuded lands, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change. The DENR team assessed the status and accomplishments of the nurseries, which play a vital role in producing high-quality planting materials for the region’s reforestation activities.
Among the species being cultivated in the nurseries are Balobo (Diplodiscus paniculatus), Molave (Vitex parviflora), Malabayabas (Tristaniopsis decorticata), Narra (Pterocarpus indicus), Lumbayao (Heritiera javanica), and Sagimsim (Syzygium brevistylum), all of which are native to the Philippines and vital to maintaining ecological balance in forest ecosystems.
The Role of Nurseries in Forest Restoration
Forest nurseries are fundamental to any large-scale reforestation or restoration effort. By growing indigenous species that are well-adapted to local climates and soils, nurseries like those in Kidapawan ensure higher survival rates once trees are transplanted to forest areas. These nurseries also serve as biodiversity reservoirs, helping restore native plant populations that have been threatened by decades of deforestation and land degradation.
“Establishing and maintaining quality forest nurseries is the backbone of our forest rehabilitation programs,” a DENR-XII official said. “They allow us to scale up tree planting activities efficiently, while ensuring that we plant the right species in the right places.”
Beyond their ecological value, forest nurseries also contribute to socio-economic development by creating green jobs, empowering local communities, and supporting climate resilience through carbon sequestration.
Looking Forward
The DENR-XII emphasized that continuous monitoring not only ensures compliance with quality standards but also provides crucial insights for improving nursery operations. The data gathered from the inspection will help optimize seedling production, leading to better forest growth outcomes in the long term.
With the ongoing threats of climate change and deforestation, efforts like these remain critical in rebuilding the region’s forest cover, protecting watersheds, and enhancing biodiversity. The DENR’s commitment to sustainable forest management through initiatives like the eNGP demonstrates a long-term vision for a greener and more resilient future.