DENR to scour 5 Mindanao mountains for rare plants

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is embarking on a five-year research project to scour five mountain ranges in Mindanao for rare plants which may cure deadly illnesses like cancer, AIDS (Acute Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

The project involves the conservation of endangered and rare plants found in the mountains of Malindang in Misamis Occidental, Kalatungan and Kitanglad in Bukidnon, Matumtum in Cotabato, and Salumay in Davao.

Scientists from the DENR and the Central Mindanao University, led by Prof. Victor Amoroso, will undertake the project, dubbed "Inventory and Conservation Studies of Endemic, Endangered and Economically Important Flora and Fauna in Selected Forests in Mindanao," starting next month.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun said the five mountain ranges were selected because of their high "biodiversity concentration."

The scientists will be on the lookout for still unidentified plant species which may hold cures for dreaded diseases like cancer, AIDS and SARS, which recently broke out in Asia.

They will also look into the effects of human activities like poaching and illegal trading on rare species of flora and fauna.

The project will make use of the "ex situ" conservation method for plant species that are difficult to propagate. The seeds and saplings of these rare plants will be cultured in greenhouses.