| La Mesa Watershed Reservation | |
|---|---|
| Novaliches Watershed | |
 The La Mesa Watershed Reservation as viewed from space. 2016 | |
  Location in Metro Manila | |
| Location | Primarily inQuezon City and part ofCaloocan andRizal |
| Coordinates | 14°44′37″N121°6′3″E / 14.74361°N 121.10083°E /14.74361; 121.10083 |
| Area | 2,659 hectares (6,570 acres) |
| Established | July 25, 2007; 18 years ago (2007-07-25) |
| Visitors | 300,000 (in 2015) |
| Governing body | Department of Environment and Natural Resources Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System |
TheLa Mesa Watershed Reservation is aprotected area that preserves the only major watershed inMetro Manila,Philippines. Also known as theNovaliches Watershed, it contains the last remainingrainforest of its size in Metro Manila surrounding theLa Mesa Dam and Reservoir, the primary source of potable drinking water for 12 million residents in the Manila metropolitan area.[1] The area is under jointly controlled and supervised by theDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources and theMetropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. It was established in 2007 through Proclamation No. 1336 issued byPresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo.[2]
(2017-11-19).jpg)
The La Mesa Watershed encompasses an area of 2,659 hectares (6,570 acres) in the northern fringes ofQuezon City,Caloocan andRodriguez,Rizal. It is situated on a flat-topped hill ormesa at the foot of the southernSierra Madre mountain range west of the Marikina Valley. It is about 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) north from the center of Quezon City in Diliman, and some 20 kilometers (12 mi) northeast from the center ofManila inRizal Park.
The highest elevation in Quezon City is in the watershed's northern tip at 250 meters (820 ft) above sea level.[3] It centers on the 700-hectare (1,700-acre)La Mesa Dam and Reservoir in Novaliches, an artificial lake which was created in 1929 as part of Manila'sIpo–Novaliches–San Juan water system under theAmerican colonial government.[4] The surrounding 2,000-hectare (4,900-acre) forest contains more than 50 kilometers (31 mi) of nature trails and serves as the lungs of Metro Manila, providing it with clean air.[5] It also contains the 33-hectare (82-acre) ecological park known as the La Mesa Eco Park. This park located at the southern edges of the watershed in East Fairview is administered by the Quezon City Parks Development and Administration Department and was opened in 2003.[6]
The Tullahan River which passes throughMalabon andNavotas starts from the La Mesa Watershed Reservation. It flows untilManila Bay.[7]
In 2015, it was reported that 300 thousand people visit the La Mesa Watershed Reservation annually according to park officials. The protected area also has 50 kilometers (31 mi) of nature trails.[8]
The La Mesa Watershed comprises a variety of ecosystems that is home to many indigenous and endemic species of flora and fauna. Approximately 1,800 hectares (4,400 acres) are under forest cover and 300 hectares (740 acres) are open areas, pastures and areas under cultivation. Several portions of the La Mesa reservoir are shallow with exposedmudflats, swampforest, reed and other swamp vegetation. Its forest serves as an important breeding area for a variety of wildlife species and birds such as thelittle heron,black-crowned night heron,osprey,Japanese sparrowhawk,plain bush-hen,common moorhen,Eurasian coot,Philippine coucal,Philippine nightjar,island swiftlet,spotted wood kingfisher,common kingfisher,white-collared kingfisher,Philippine pygmy woodpecker,barn swallow,pied triller,ashy minivet,Philippine bulbul,black-naped oriole,Oriental magpie robin,Arctic warbler,grey-streaked flycatcher,pied fantail,yellow-bellied whistler,grey wagtail,brown shrike,olive-backed sunbird, andlowland white-eye.[9]
The most common tree species found in the reservation areMalay beechwood,earleaf acacia,acacia mangium,narra,mahogany,teak,ipil-ipil,alibangbang andbangkal.[10]
 | This section'sfactual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2020) |
Threats to the watershed's biodiversity come fromland conversion anddeforestation from illegal harvesting of forest products.[11] In 2014, the La Mesa park ranger recorded a total of 25 informal settler families living within the reservation who engage inslash-and-burn cultivation orkaingin. A portion of the watershed was also reportedly sold as housing for employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System which was flagged by theCommission on Audit. Former Environment SecretaryGina Lopez cancelled the environmental compliance certificate for the sale in December 2016.[11]
TheManila Seedling Bank conducted a five-year reforestation program at the watershed from 1978 to 1983.[12] In a 2013 vulnerability assessment by scientist Cristino Tiburan, the La Mesa Watershed Reservation was found to be prone to erosion and landslide.[11]
Media related toLa Mesa Watershed Reservation at Wikimedia Commons