Kaamulan Park
Located at
the back of the Provincial Capitol, the area is best used for camping
and rodeo activities. It has been the site of provincial fairs,
foremost of which is the KAAMULAN Festival. The park in its natural
setting abounds with pine trees.
The Kaamulan Tree Park, with its vast expanse of green foliage and cool
air, is an ideal place for picnics and quiet moments with family and
friends, or for a good jog in early mornings or a more leisurely walk
in the late afternoon.
Mt. Magantol Reforestation Project
Located at Barangay Sil-ipon, Libona, 17 kms
from the town proper. From the center of Barangay Sil-ipon, it can be
reached crossing the Bobonawan at 1.5 kms. This reforestation project
aims to restore the grandeur of nature in this part of the Province
whilst providing a venue for sightseeing and appreciation of nature’s
beauty. Several varieties of hard wood and fruit trees are planted in
the project site.
Cinchona Reforestation Project
Established in 1929 at Barangay Kaatuan, Lantapan; this forest
plantation is considered as one of the main tourist attractions in
Lantapan, overlooking Simayha Plains of Central Bukidnon. Principally
planted with Cinchona, it is said to be the only plantation of its kind
left in Asia where this medicinal plant is grown. Cinchona (Cinchona
ledgeriana), a source of quinine used for malaria, is a medium-sized
tropical tree which can grow to a diameter of 60 centimeters and a
height of 25 meters or 80 feet. The plantation covers an area of 1,725
hectares where seven (7) Cinchona tree species are found and is planted
mostly with Alvizza Falcataria and other medicinal trees. At an average
elevation of 1,140 meters above sea level, the area is considered as
the coldest place in Bukidnon with temperature varying from 64 to 56°F.
Established in 1936 by a presidential proclamation, the Cinchona Forest
Reserve has been maintaining ecological balance in its surrounding
communities and is protecting the watershed of the locality. It now
forms part of the protected area of the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural
Park.
Site of Rafflesia “World’s biggest flower”
Presumed to have gone extinct, Rafflesia Schadenbergiana Gopp locally
known as Rafflesia is the largest flower in the Philippines, having a
diameter of seventy (70) centimeter. It was first discovered and
collected during the Schadenberg-Koch expedition on Mt. Parag in
Mindanao sometime in 1882. Rafflesia was once again rediscovered in the
foot of Mt. Kitanglad after 125 years; found to exist at a vulnerable
site in Sitio Kalanganan, Barangay San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon. It
is known as “kolon busaw” among the local dwellers and Higaonon tribe
living within the area.
The Rafflesia grows parasitically in a large host liana (Tetrastigma)
in a forest margin. The rediscovery of this plant emphasizes the
significance of the Mt. Kitanglad Range as an important plant site.
Having such high conservation value, R. Schandenbergiana is a key plant
species that could serve as emblem of plant conservation for Mt.
Kitanglad, for the region and for the Municipality of Baungon being an
important plant site where one of the rarest plants in the world
occurs.
R.A. 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resource
and Protection Act prohibits the collection of this rare specie unless
due permission is obtained from the DENR for scientific studies. The
signage for the Rafflesia site states that violation of this law is
punishable with imprisonment for six (6) to twelve (12) years and a
fine of Php 100,000.00 to Php 1,000,000.00.
Would-be visitors to the Rafflesia Site are
cautioned of the unpaved road leading to the site where a kilometer
trek from the barangay proper on to a descent to the area where the
specie is known to grow and flower could be muddy on rainy days.
The discovery of the Rafflesia schadenbergiana on
early September of the year 2007 paved the way for the Municipality of
Baungon to gain a good ground for tourist attraction. The news of its
discovery sparked interest to both foreign and local tourists and
researchers, slowly earning recognition and fame for the municipality.
Some tourists and local onlookers had the occasion to see another
blooming Rafflesia (in the late months of the year 2008) which measures
more than 50cm in diameter and is deemed shorter than the average size
expected from the largest flower among the Rafflesia species known to
thrive in the Philippines.
It was said that the flower get to bloom only once a
year and possess a lifespan of less than one week upon which it soon
withers. Local folks who have witness it bloom opine that the flower
exude a smell akin to the stench of a rotten flesh. Its size and
rarity, nevertheless, and the fact that it is the largest flower in the
Philippines which kind is endemic to the Island of Mindanao is enough
to draw a select crowd of interested tourists and scholars.
CEDAR Eco-Tourism Site
Located at located at Barangay Impalutao, Impasugong; this
reforestation project called The Center for Ecological Development and
Recreation (CEDAR), also dubbed as “An Eco-tourism Site in the Heart of
Bukidnon,” is becoming well-known as a recreation and amusement park in
this side of Mindanao.
Declared a protected area, this reforestation project was managed by
the government since 1912. CEDAR is currently jointly managed and
developed as an eco-tourism site by the Local Government of Impasugong
(LGU-Impasugong) and the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR). CEDAR is approximately 300 meters away from the
national highway of Barangay Impalutao.
CEDAR has a total land area of approximately 1,703 hectares with an
elevation ranging from 600 to 1,200 meters above sea level. Diverse
flora and fauna thrive in the area. Approximately 373 hectares is
covered with a combination of manmade and natural forest while a large
area comprised the Mount Kibuwa which is generally grassland in nature
being highly ultramaphic with chromite mineral deposit underneath the
soil. In the area exists a 100-hectare rattan plantation. Hundreds of
thousands of white lawaan trees and giant bamboos are also contained in
the forest.
Points of Interest at CEDAR:
Waterfalls
Waterfalls: Trekking underneath the forest following an access trail
would lead nature lovers to the beautiful forest and into the five (5)
waterfalls: the major cascades include Gantungan, Natigbasan and Dila
natural waterfalls. Towering trees silently stand guard as one walks on
its serene, unpaved foothpath of a relatively flat terrain. From the
CEDAR center, Gantungan Falls is a walking distance of approximately
720 meters, Natigbasan is 780 meters and Dila at approximately 960
meters. These falls are blessed with pleasantly cool waters and a
breathtaking display of granite rock and boulders.
Swimming Pool
It has pristine, cool and crystal waters free flowing towards a six-foot deep swimming pool.
Camping Site
Underneath the forest is a good venue for camping. The air is fresh and free from pollution, peaceful and relaxing.
Horse Back Riding
Horses for horseback-riding are available in the area on-call at a very reasonable price.
Mountain Climbing
Experience mountain climbing passing through a trail uphill towards
the peak of Mt. Kibuwa with an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters
above sea level. At the peak, one can enjoy the different panoramic
views surrounding the mountain including that of Mt. Kitanglad which is
on the opposite side of Mt. Kibuwa.
Conduct of Research
Students and other researchers can conduct study and research about
the different flora and fauna inside the Center. One of the biggest
Walking Stick (a kind of an insect) can be found inside the project.
