On the way to Carmen, a few minutes before one reaches the Chocolate Hills Complex, the road cuts through a thick forested area in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns. The area is two-kilometer stretch of mahogany trees planted more than 40 years ago in response to the government’s call for a nationwide reforestation under, then president, Diosdado Macapagal. Today, it is popularly known as the man-made forest of Bohol.
Passing through the road, one would surely be delighted with the scenery. Tall mahogany trees line up on each side, and with their branches interconnected, they form an awesome canopy of green leaves providing shade from the scorching heat of the sun.
Most organized tours stop in this area for picture-taking, but our friends’ tour guide surprised us when he took a portable gas stove out of the van and started cooking tempura on one side of the road. That and daring to pose for pictures in the middle of the road (while carefully watching for approaching vehicles of course) surely made the experience a whole lot of fun!
I really enjoyed our quick stop at the man-made forest and what I found most amazing was knowing that the beautiful scenery is a wondeful result of our previous generations’ hardwork, patience and perseverance to save our dying environment. This serves as an inspiration to all of us. It brings hope to everyone, an actual proof that our present campaigns to save the environment may also bring the same incredible results if we give our full commitment in caring for Mother Nature.
Nice place! Nice shot Sir! Ganda naman… Weather is perfect. I like the photo where you and your friends are cooking. We did the same thing, except that we cooked inside the van. Cool 🙂
Thank you, Bay! Inside the van? Wow! How did you do that?
It was the boy scouts daw who planted these mahogany trees. Would you know why only mahogany? And what was here before this man-made forest was planted?
You’re right AJ, it was the BSP nga daw who did it 50 years ago. It got so deforested and there used to a be a lot of landslides and soil erosion incidents in the area. I don’t know why the gov’t opted for mahogany trees though.
Nice shots! Galing lang kami dito nung March and sobrang namangha talaga ko nung nakita ung forest. Even sa brochure excited na ko makita un. hehe. very quite and nagpicture din kami sa gitna ng daan. 😀
thanks rikki 🙂 oo nga. napakalinis at napakaganda ng scenery. very refreshing.