A recent trip to the mountain Barangay of Abaca in Cauayan, my hometown, brought nostalgic moments for a number of reasons.
The trip made me reminisce those days, decades ago, when we went up the hills in boyhood adventures and, in later years, recollect my various trips to upland areas in different parts of the province and other areas of the country.
I may not have joined organized mountain expeditions but I had a number of experiences that led me to areas where I felt I was closer to the Maker of the mountains, hills, plains and seas.
Among these tiring but pleasant experiences were those various nature trips – which also offered doses of history – to Patag in Salay City, the travel with my classes to the monkey sanctuary in Barangay Paitan in Calatrava and that academic expedition to the village of aboriginal Atis in Nagpana, Barotac Viejo in Iloilo.
The trip to Abaca few weeks ago offered splendid panoramic scenes – like the rolling mountains and hills, a perspective of Mt. Kanlaon, which is about 80 kms. straight-line away and the breathtaking view of the fabled Sulu Sea, the body of water that links southern Negros to Western Mindanao.
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My interest in upland areas is once more triggered as the world celebrates International Day of the Mountain on Thursday, Dec. 11.
The observance this year is themed, “Glaciers Matter for Water, Food and Livelihoods in Mountains and Beyond”. The theme highlights the role mountainous regions play as a major source of fresh water. At the same time, according to the United Nations, which initiated the annual observance, the theme calls “for immediate measures to prevent the disappearance if glaciers.”
While we live in a tropical country, where glaciers, or the large accumulation or river of ice in an upland area or valley, still we find the theme relevant as it also covers the importance of adequate water supply derived from upland areas of the tropics.
Sadly, the continued denudation of forests (as revealed in the destructive downflow of newly-cut trees during the Typhoon Tino flooding in various part of Negros Island) is also depleting water resources to the detriment of human lives.
Consequently, as UN has pointed out, the effects of human abuse of upland areas is creating not only an environmental crisis but is also resulting in humanitarian havoc as it affects food sufficiency and water security and billions of people.
The recollection of my early explorations of upland areas stirs a gnawing thought about how the water abundance of yore has been abused, thereby threatening our present-day lives.
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To highlight the value of mountains in human life, UN is sharing these facts and figures:
• Nearly two billion people, including indigenous peoples – depend on water from mountains for their basic daily needs, livelihood and cultural practices.
• In cold areas, most rapid glacier retreat have been recorded in the five of the past six years.
• About 600 glaciers have already disappeared and many more are expected to vanish if temperatures continue to rise.
• More than 15 million people today are highly vulnerable to flooding from glazier lakes.
The threat is here and real – just like as we have experienced inundation in various parts of our city due to continued downpour in the past weeks.
We enjoy the spectacle of mountain ranges and hills – to the extent that they have, like other handiworks of our Creator, inspired the composition of poems, music, arts and other works of creativity.
But they have also wrought untold damage to life and property in our island and neighboring regions.
The Dec. 11 celebration is a reminder for us to remain as vigilant and responsible stewards of our environment.
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I will lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) | NWI
