EDITORIAL: Why kill Kandaroma?

Ecotourism in Lingayen is a special project being pushed by the provincial government of Pangasinan.

Ecotourism is defined as a “purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people” (McCormick, 1994).

The controversial area along the Lingayen Gulf is characterized by magnetite sand (black sand) and kandaroma trees, which both protect the shore from erosion.

For eco-tourism, you are not supposed to alter the integrity of the ecosystem by removing magnetite sand and kandaroma trees.

Kandaroma is a tree which was a favorite material of bonsai enthusiasts but is no longer part of new collections because it is now an endangered species.
Kandaroma is a bushy evergreen plant with lots of thorny, intertwining branches which usually grows along the coastline and is very good material for bonsai artists.
Kandaroma was placed by nature along the coastline because they help control erosion.
Kandaroma can be found in many tropical countries for its bark, gum, seed and wood. It is often planted as an ornamental or to check erosion, and is also used in the perfume industry because of its scented flowers.
This thorny, deciduous shrub grows to 4m in height forming impenetrable thickets or sometimes a more open cover and prefers dry habitats between sea level and 1000 m.

In July 20111, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) of Vigan, Ilocos Sur conducted kandaroma planting along the coastline of the city to protect against erosion and the effect of climate change.

While people in Vigan are propagating kandaroma…here in Lingayen, why do we kill the kandaroma?