The Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape is a protected area located in Northern Samar, Philippines, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of Catarman. It protects the Balicuatro Islands, composed of the island municipality of Biri and associated smaller islands, off the northwestern coast of Samar in the San Bernardino Strait. It also includes the coastal areas of the adjacent municipalities from which it derives the second half of its name – a combination of the first two letters of Lavezares, Rosario and San Jose.
The protected area spanned 33,492 hectares (82,760 acres) of land and sea when it was gazetted in 2000.[1] It is famous for its natural rock formations, as well as beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests.[2] The San Bernardino Strait, noted for its strong waves and currents, is also a popular surfing location in Samar.[3]
The Balicuatro Islands are a group of 18 small islands situated about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) northeast of Balicuatro Point, the northwestern tip of Samar island. It is divided into two subgroups by the Biri Channel, with the main island of Biri on the west composed of 7 islands, and the group of Cabauan Grande (Cabaongon) on the east.[4] The islands border the San Bernardino Strait and Philippine Sea and are separated from Samar by the Bani Channel.
Biri is the largest and northernmost of the Balicuatro Islands and is about 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) long northwest and southeast and 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) wide. It is generally high with a 200-foot (61 m) rocky perpendicular bluff on its northwestern side. Its coastline is covered with mangroves and has gravel beaches on its western side. It is surrounded by Macarite, Cagnipa, Talisay, Magesang and other smaller unnamed islands and is protected by fringing reefs. In 2000, the island municipality had a population of 8,700 distributed in 8 barangays.[2][5]
The island's main attraction is its seven gigantic rock formations, namely Magasang, Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Bel-at, Caranas and Pinanahawan. These rock formations are a result of underwater tectonic plate movements and crashing waves over millions of years. Another unique feature of the island are the natural saltwater pools at Bel-at and Caranas where visitors can enjoy swimming in clear water.[3] To the south of Biri Channel along the coast of Lavezares are San Juan, Bani and Maravilla islands where several other white sand beaches can be found. On the coast of San Jose and Rosario are the islands of Cabaongon, Gilbert and the rest of the subgroup.
Biodiversity
Coral reefs comprise 81.53 hectares (201.5 acres) of the Biri Larosa protected area which supports 23 different reef fish species such as the siganid. It also contains 443 hectares (1,090 acres) of mangrove forests with 15 different mangrove species with Rhizophoraceae being dominant. They provide habitat to different local and migratory bird species such as the bridled tern, black-naped tern, greater crested tern and frigatebird, as well as several species of shellfish. Seagrasses cover about 284 hectares (700 acres) consisting of five species, including Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii, and Enhalus acoroides.[2][6]
The protected area faces threats from coral quarrying, blast fishing, and illegal cutting of mangroves.[2]
Biri rock formations
Mag-asang rock
Puhunan and Macadlaw behind it, as viewed from Bel-at
Caranas with tidal pool
Mythology
Biri is a sacred place for the Waray people since ancient times. They believe that Biri is the home of the goddess, Berbinota, who was initially a beautiful mortal woman who ruled the area's vicinity. Stories say that enchanted beings kidnapped the mortal Berbinota in an attempt to make her their ruler, which eventually led to her enthronement as a goddess.[7]
References
^"Proclamation No. 291, s. 2000". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
^ abcdCanoy, Ma. Easterluna S. & Roa-Quiaoit, Hilly Ann. (PDF). Xavier University Press. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
^ abArnaiz, Vicky C. (6 April 2014). "A gem of ages: 7 island rock formations in Northern Samar". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
^"Report of the Philippine commission to the President. : January 31, 1900[-December 20, 1900] [Vol. 1, no. 1]". United States. Philippine Commission (1899-1900). Retrieved 31 March 2016.
^Coast and Geodetic Survey. "Philippine Islands Sailing Direction, Third edition", p.323-4. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1906.
^"Three Surveys of Mangrove Areas". Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
^"A gem of ages: 7 island rock formations in Northern Samar". 5 April 2014.
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biri, larosa, protected, landscape, seascape, protected, area, located, northern, samar, philippines, about, kilometres, west, catarman, protects, balicuatro, islands, composed, island, municipality, biri, associated, smaller, islands, northwestern, coast, sam. The Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape is a protected area located in Northern Samar Philippines about 40 kilometres 25 mi west of Catarman It protects the Balicuatro Islands composed of the island municipality of Biri and associated smaller islands off the northwestern coast of Samar in the San Bernardino Strait It also includes the coastal areas of the adjacent municipalities from which it derives the second half of its name a combination of the first two letters of Lavezares Rosario and San Jose Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and SeascapeBiri Rock FormationsIUCN category V protected landscape seascape Biri Rock FormationsLocation in the PhilippinesLocationNorthern Samar PhilippinesNearest cityCalbayogCoordinates12 36 27 N 124 24 52 56 E 12 60750 N 124 4146000 E 12 60750 124 4146000 Coordinates 12 36 27 N 124 24 52 56 E 12 60750 N 124 4146000 E 12 60750 124 4146000Area33 492 hectares 82 760 acres EstablishedApril 23 2000Governing bodyDepartment of Environment and Natural ResourcesThe protected area spanned 33 492 hectares 82 760 acres of land and sea when it was gazetted in 2000 1 It is famous for its natural rock formations as well as beaches coral reefs seagrass beds and mangrove forests 2 The San Bernardino Strait noted for its strong waves and currents is also a popular surfing location in Samar 3 Contents 1 Description 2 Biodiversity 3 Mythology 4 ReferencesDescription Edit The Magasang and Magsapad rock formations in Biri The Balicuatro Islands are a group of 18 small islands situated about 11 kilometres 6 8 mi northeast of Balicuatro Point the northwestern tip of Samar island It is divided into two subgroups by the Biri Channel with the main island of Biri on the west composed of 7 islands and the group of Cabauan Grande Cabaongon on the east 4 The islands border the San Bernardino Strait and Philippine Sea and are separated from Samar by the Bani Channel Biri is the largest and northernmost of the Balicuatro Islands and is about 6 4 kilometres 4 0 mi long northwest and southeast and 3 2 kilometres 2 0 mi wide It is generally high with a 200 foot 61 m rocky perpendicular bluff on its northwestern side Its coastline is covered with mangroves and has gravel beaches on its western side It is surrounded by Macarite Cagnipa Talisay Magesang and other smaller unnamed islands and is protected by fringing reefs In 2000 the island municipality had a population of 8 700 distributed in 8 barangays 2 5 The island s main attraction is its seven gigantic rock formations namely Magasang Magsapad Macadlaw Puhunan Bel at Caranas and Pinanahawan These rock formations are a result of underwater tectonic plate movements and crashing waves over millions of years Another unique feature of the island are the natural saltwater pools at Bel at and Caranas where visitors can enjoy swimming in clear water 3 To the south of Biri Channel along the coast of Lavezares are San Juan Bani and Maravilla islands where several other white sand beaches can be found On the coast of San Jose and Rosario are the islands of Cabaongon Gilbert and the rest of the subgroup Biodiversity EditCoral reefs comprise 81 53 hectares 201 5 acres of the Biri Larosa protected area which supports 23 different reef fish species such as the siganid It also contains 443 hectares 1 090 acres of mangrove forests with 15 different mangrove species with Rhizophoraceae being dominant They provide habitat to different local and migratory bird species such as the bridled tern black naped tern greater crested tern and frigatebird as well as several species of shellfish Seagrasses cover about 284 hectares 700 acres consisting of five species including Cymodocea rotundata Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides 2 6 The protected area faces threats from coral quarrying blast fishing and illegal cutting of mangroves 2 Biri rock formations Mag asang rock Puhunan and Macadlaw behind it as viewed from Bel at Caranas with tidal poolMythology EditBiri is a sacred place for the Waray people since ancient times They believe that Biri is the home of the goddess Berbinota who was initially a beautiful mortal woman who ruled the area s vicinity Stories say that enchanted beings kidnapped the mortal Berbinota in an attempt to make her their ruler which eventually led to her enthronement as a goddess 7 References Edit Proclamation No 291 s 2000 Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines Retrieved 31 March 2016 a b c d Canoy Ma Easterluna S amp Roa Quiaoit Hilly Ann Ridge to Reef in the Philippines A Showcase of Nine Emerging and Merging Initiatives PDF Xavier University Press Archived from the original PDF on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 31 March 2016 a b Arnaiz Vicky C 6 April 2014 A gem of ages 7 island rock formations in Northern Samar Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved 31 March 2016 Report of the Philippine commission to the President January 31 1900 December 20 1900 Vol 1 no 1 United States Philippine Commission 1899 1900 Retrieved 31 March 2016 Coast and Geodetic Survey Philippine Islands Sailing Direction Third edition p 323 4 Manila Bureau of Printing 1906 Three Surveys of Mangrove Areas Wild Bird Club of the Philippines 20 August 2011 Retrieved 31 March 2016 A gem of ages 7 island rock formations in Northern Samar 5 April 2014 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape amp oldid 1050780622, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
