Katunggan ecopark boosts mangrove tourism and education

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Located in the barangays of Bugtongbato and Naisud in Ibajay, Aklan, the Katunggan It Ibajay Mangrove Ecopark stands as a model of community engagement and effective local government intervention in environmental conservation.

Spanning 44.22 hectares, this mangrove sanctuary serves as both a haven for biodiversity and a valuable learning site for residents and tourists.

Established in 2009 through Municipal Ordinance 092, the ecopark is jointly managed by the local government unit of Ibajay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Zoological Society of London.

The park hosts 27 of the 30 mangrove species found in the Philippines, including the century-old Avicennia rumphiana — locally known as bungalon and often referred to as the “avatar tree.”

Wildlife found in the park includes birds, mangrove lobsters, fiddler crabs, mudskippers, and other native species.

In September 2021, a 1.6-kilometer boardwalk was constructed through funding from Sen. Loren Legarda to improve access for visitors and mangrove advocates.

The park now features a total of 1.747 kilometers of boardwalk and a 132-square-meter viewing deck, making it a thriving eco-tourism hub.

Educational signages have been installed throughout the area to promote awareness and highlight the vital role of mangroves in climate change mitigation, encouraging responsible tourism.

The park attracts both local and international tourists with activities such as century-old mangrove profiling, mangrove planting, kayaking, and fishing.

These tourism activities help generate income for the community and support livelihood projects, with earnings used to maintain the park’s facilities.

In partnership with local organizations — the Bugtongbato Fisherfolk Association and Naisud Mangrove and Aquatic Organizations — the LGU has also established a mangrove nursery to further enhance species diversity within the ecopark.

The nursery focuses on propagating Camptostemon philippinense, or gapas-gapas, an endangered mangrove species recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The Katunggan It Ibajay Mangrove Ecopark is more than a natural reserve — it is a living classroom, a sanctuary for endangered species, and a growing eco-tourism destination. (DENR)