ISSUES ABOUT BANAUE RICE TERRACES

1 Description

The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2,000-year-old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to by Filipinos as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". [1]

It is an outstanding example of an evolved, living cultural landscape that can be traced

as far back as two millennia ago in the pre-colonial Philippines. [2] As a matter of fact, it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The terraces illustrate a persistence of cultural traditions and remarkable continuity and endurance, since archaeological evidence reveals that this technique has been in use in the region for 2000 years virtually unchanged. They offer many lessons for application in similar environments elsewhere. [2]

2 Issues and Problems:

2.1 Giant earthworms ruin Banaue rice terraces“Giant earthworms burrowing deep into the famous Banaue Rice Terraces have

worsened the already devastating effect of the El Niño phenomenon on the endangered cultural heritage site.

“The provincial agriculture office said at least 25% of the parched terraces have been destroyed by giant earthworms burrowing into the wall of the terraces in search of cooler temperatures.

“Earthworms have plagued the terraces since the 1980s but up to now, experts have not yet discovered a way to contain the infestation without compromising the environment.”

- The Philippine Star

2.2 Illegal Miners Tunnelling Banaue Rice Terraces

“After repeated denials by Ifugao officials, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has discovered illegal mining activities in at least four sites at the Banaue Rice Terraces.

“MGB-Cordillera Supervising Science Research Specialist George Baywong has found that Poblacion, Nompolia, Baang and Wangwang sites at the more than 2,000-year-old heritage sites in Banaue are being mined by locals illegally.

“The poverty situation, Baywong admits, forces miners to persist on their activities even without permits and the government’s current ban in zones identified as perilous and tourist areas.”

- www.philstar.com

2.3 Wakeskating stunt at Banaue Rice Terraces draws ire

“Philippine conservationists hit out Sunday, October 27, at a wakeskating "stunt" that took place at an ancient mountain rice terrace, accusing sponsors of exploiting the UNESCO World Heritage site.

“Professional wakeskaters Brian Grubb of the United States and Dominik Preisner of Germany are shown on a video on YouTube skimming on the waters of the Banaue rice terraces in the Ifugao province.

“Although they said they obtained permission from local tribal leaders, the video quickly spread on social media, drawing mixed reactions from Filipinos.

““Sponsors Red Bull defended the event, saying in a statement attached to the video:

"Respect for the environment was a priority from the beginning of this project!

"The team has assured that the plants and wildlife have neither been damaged nor

disturbed at any time during the project.

"All agreements have been made together with the locals and under respect of their

traditions and culture."“But heritage conservation architect Joycelyn Mananghaya said the terraced paddies

were carved out on the slopes of the Ifugao mountain region by ancient people "for the prime purpose of planting rice".”

- www.rappler.com

3 Conclusion:

The Banaue Rice Terraces is one of the UNESCO world Heritage site. The Ifugao Rice Terraces epitomize the absolute blending of the physical, socio-cultural, economic, religious, and political environment. Indeed, it is a living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty. [2]

Built 2000 years ago, it is, therefore, one of the greatest contributions of Philippine ancestors to the humanity. According to UNESCO, that the Banaue Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that surpassed various challenges and setbacks posed by modernization.

With all the issues that the Banaue Rice Terraces has been through, the natives of Ifugao continues to utilize the rice terraces. Thus, we need to protect and preserve this cultural heritage as this will be our gift for the future generations.