Ifugao terraces zones mapped out

Philippine government agencies have mapped out the core and buffer zones for the world-heritage listed Ifugao Rice Terraces which are crucial for its protection against encroachment.

photo credit: Stefan Munder

Rice terraces core, buffer zone map done
Sun Star, 29 February 2012

The National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (Namria) presented recently the map showing the delineation of the core and buffer zones of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras Unesco World Heritage Site.

The map was shown to stakeholders coming from the heritage sites and buffer municipalities at the Banaue Hotel.

Dr. Virginia Miralao, secretary general of Unesco National Commission of the Philippines, said one of the fundamental conservation data needed is the delineation of the core zones, where components of the highest natural and cultural heritage values are found such as the rice terraces, its watershed, and forests.

She said a buffer zone, which is an area normally adjacent to the core zones, is also designated to provide adequate additional protection to the core zone shielding it from negative impacts of external activities.

Full story here.