Aklan boasts of several tourist
spots other than the powdery white sands and nightlife of Boracay (which as of
writing, has been closed for rehabilition for six months). One of these is the
Bakhawan Eco-Park, a 220-hectare mangrove forest in New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.
Bakhawan (“bakawan” in Tagalog)
is the local term for “mangrove”, a shrub and tree species that thrive along shores
and rivers in the tropics and subtropics. Considered as a “tough species” of plants, mangroves can
live in water up to 100 times saltier than most of the plants can tolerate! Mangroves
might look scary because of their wriggling roots that rise from the mud, but mangroves
are “a keystone of coastal ecosystem”. They serve as ideal breeding grounds and
habitat for fish, shrimp, crabs, and other shellfish. They ensure a stable
coastline by holding the soil in place, thus, preventing erosion. They also protect
the lands from wind damage. In fact, the Bakhawan Eco-Park was created in 1990
to prevent floods and storm surges during typhoons in the local community.
Years later, the successful mangrove reforestation has addressed not only the
local community’s flood problem, but it has provided the locals a means of
livelihood, as well. No wonder, the project has been hailed as one of the best
managed forests in the whole Asia and the Pacific.
We went to the Bakhawan Eco-Park
after our family outing in one of the less expensive resorts in New Washington
last May 28. We hired a tricycle from the resort going to the place, but the
tricycle did not initially know where the place was. Good thing, we were able
to ask other drivers on how to get there.
The entrance fee for non-locals
and foreigners was Php 100. But we paid the Aklanons rate of Php 50. My
four-year old niece enjoyed the 1.3-kilometer walk deep down the forest because
she saw little crabs of various colors climbing out of the tiny holes on the soil!
She was also happy to see Christian, a parrot, and John Lloyed, a monkey,
inside the eco-park!
The place is perfect for
photoshoots and select events. It has a camping site, too, where family and
friends can set up tents and stay overnight.
Bamboo benches are available at certain stops, where one can rest before completing the whole trail.
At the end of the trail is a view of the sand bar and the sea, where one can also delight in the scene of a romantic sunset. It’s not surprising that most tourists visit the eco-park late in the afternoon.
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Base camp where tents can be set up |
Bamboo benches are available at certain stops, where one can rest before completing the whole trail.
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Bamboo benches where one can rest. |
At the end of the trail is a view of the sand bar and the sea, where one can also delight in the scene of a romantic sunset. It’s not surprising that most tourists visit the eco-park late in the afternoon.
In the next 6 months or so, Boracay
will still be closed for visitors. But those who want to visit Aklan can still
do so as there are still destinations in the province and the nearby provinces
of Panay that are worth-exploring. The local government, however, needs to
ensure that these places are well-promoted, especially among the locals. Gala
pa more!
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My sister, my brother-in-law, and my niece! |
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