Forestry

In 1995, the Local Government of Koronadal delineated 1,137.99 hectares of forest land as watershed reserved area under Presidential Proclamation No. 607. This watershed area of Koronadal includes parcels of Barangay Saravia, Assumption, San Isidro, Carpenter Hill, Mambucal, Sta.Cruz, Morales and Paraiso in the Roxas Mountain Range and parcels of Barangay Cacub, Topland, Esperanza, Mabini,and San Jose in the Quezon Mountain Range. Some portions, however, are already denuded due to the slash and burn practice of some upland dwellers in the area.

The forest development activities in the city through the community based Reforestation Program was started in 1975. Believing that ???no economy can survive without ecology???, the City Government of Koronadal placed strong emphasis on programs protecting and rehabilitating its natural resources. This program tapped forest dwellers as partners in forest development through its Agro- Forestry Program. Integrated Social Forestry Program began sometime in 1982. In the last quarter of 2004, the city designated the City Environment and Natural Resources Office(City ENRO) to spearhead the implementation of environmental programs and further enhance the protection of forest resources.

The Oplan Balik Luntian and Oplan Bantay Gubat Program of the City Government under the City ENRO addressed the rampant degradation of the forest, particularly in the city???s watershed areas. There are 5 checkpoints within the 27 barangays with forest guards assigned to protect forest resources against illegal logging, cutting, transport or unbridled utilization. The joint forces of Barangay Officials, PNP, DENR and forest guards apprehended truckloads of illegally-transported charcoal, bamboo and lumber.

To minimize forest degradation, the City Government also provided alternative livelihood in 2005 for the affected families. Trainings on Contour Farming or Sloping Agricultural Land Technology ( SALT)benefited upland farmers including the Indigenous People. This Upland Development Program purposely aims for the slope protection of upland areas through soil and water conservation practices and provide additional income to dwellers through cash crops.

There are various kinds of fruit trees and forest tree seeds and seedlings being developed as planting materials at the City ENRO nursery in Dumpsite, Barangay Sta. Cruz.