Philippines

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area

WHS Score 0.77
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Votes 11 Average 0.91
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Votes for El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area

0

  • Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero

1

  • Carlo Sarion
  • GabLabCebu
  • Jon Opol
  • Kevin McFarland
  • Kim, Soo-youn
  • Kyle Magnuson
  • NoahFranc
  • Riccardo Quaranta
  • Shandos Cleaver
  • Thomas van der Walt
El Nido-Taytay Manage Resource Protected Areas covers 3 marine habitats (seagrass, coral reefs, estuarine) and 5 forest ecosystems (lowland evergreen, semi-deciduous forest, limestone forest, beach forest and mangrove forest) of the islands of Bacuit Bay and north-western tip of Palawan island. The towering karst islands are dotted with beaches, surrounded by clear waters and diverse variety of fish, marine mammals, turtles and corals. The forested areas are home to endemic and threatened bird species, with the cliffs cradling swiftlet’s nest prized for the famed soup.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (ID: 5034)
Country
Philippines
Status
On tentative list 2006 Site history
History of El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area
2006: Added to Tentative List
Added to tentative list
Criteria
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org

Community Reviews

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First published: 24/01/20.

Gablabcebu

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (On tentative list)

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area by GabLabCebu

If you've read my review on the T-list site Coron, the stunningly pristine karst landscapes and seascapes, and abode of the native Tagbanwa in northern Palawan, you might've noticed that I recommended an inscription together with fellow T-list site El Nido without having gone there. Well, now I have! I just came from El Nido a few days ago (probably over a week ago by the time this is published), and it's been an epic adventure. And I think I confirmed the recommendation I made prior to the visit. The stunningly pristine karst landscapes and seascapes, and abode of the native Tagbanwa in northern Palawan, that is El Nido too. Even the name "El Nido" derives from the birds' nests used to make soup. This, too, is a cultural landscape of sorts, and while not a declared and protected ancestral land like Coron, still contains the heritage value of the native Tagbanwa, their birds' nest culture, and as Boj says, the addition of archaeological heritage in Dewil Valley. That's not all that's lacking in the nominations: they fail to cite and defend the OUV of the karst landscapes! Once again referring to sites I haven't been to yet (as of 2020), it seems to be generally believed that El Nido and Coron are of comparable value of places like Ha Long Bay or Guilin in terms of karst formations. And I'll personally testify both have been kept quite pristine, unlike many reports of Ha Long Bay that I've heard. Unlike …

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First published: 07/12/15.

Boj

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (On tentative list)

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area by Boj

The property is one of the largest marine protected area in the Philippines. In terms of World Heritage inscription "dreams," it is nominated under (ix) and (x), but I feel the inclusion of El Nido's cultural assets will further enhance its heritage values. 1) Archaeological diggings in Ille Cave, Dewil Valley (eastern portion of El Nido) reveals first report of human cremation burial ritual in Southeast Asia; 2) within the many limestone formations are home to balinsasayaw (Palawan swiftlets), whose nests are highly valued for medicine and culinary arts; and 3) some of El Nido is home to the Tagbanwa indigenous tribe.

While I am on the subject matter of "enhancement," the inscription of El Nido-Taytay MRPA should also go hand in hand with the (possible) inclusion of a nearby key biodiversity area - the Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape, home of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin.

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First published: 12/06/11.

Kyle Magnuson

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (On tentative list)

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area by Kyle Magnuson

The archipalego's around El Nido and Taytay are certainly of "outstanding universal value." Bacuit bay is an incredible panorama of pristine islands, teeming with biodiversity. Snorkeling anywhere in Bacuit bay and its countless islands is a rewarding experience. The islands around Taytay are also exquisite, though far less developed than El Nido, this is both a positive and negative. I loved every second I spent in the El Nido - Taytay area. Palawan is truly a paradise. The only factor that may or may not prevent this site from being inscribed is the Resorts. They certainly boast of their "green" credentials, but it is difficult to know how much is fact and fiction. Incredible place, at least the equavilant of Ha Long Bay, and from what I have heard far better preserved. Hopefully, it will not suffer the same fate.

I imagine the creation of a nomination dossier would take an enormous amount of effort and would be quite expensive. The research involved, categorizing the various islands, the creation of buffer zones and appropriate boundaries, while navigating around or cooperating with certain resorts might prevent this tentative site from reaching inscription.

I hope one day to return, Palawan is special. The landscapes of Palawan are very much like those surreal travel magazine cover photos that look too perfect for real life. In Palawan, the coastal areas are stunning and the people kind.

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