Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Banaue Rice Terraces


The famous Banaue Rice terraces, considered as the eighth wonder of the world, is found in Ifugao. Constructed by sturdy Ifugaos, these famed mud-walled rice terraces has been visited a thousand times by many a traveler from all over the world. In 1995, UNESCO considered Banaue rice Terraces as a World Heritage Site.

Banaue Rice Terraces traces its construction 2000 to 6000 years ago. These majestic man-made creations are located 1500 meters above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers of mountainside.

How to go to Banaue? Read Waypoints'.

The century old- tourist drawing rice terraces however are now endangered.

Lack of maintenance is one reason why some of the rice terraces are eroding. Residents are now venturing into small scale industries where income comes in faster rather than waiting for cash during harvest time.

Due to non-maintenance, giant earthworms crawl into these structures, competing with much needed water, thus eroding the structures. Deforestation in the upper slopes is also a culprit to the eroding rice terraces. Read more of Maurice Malanes' article and here.

Other century old rice terraces as well are found in nearby provinces of Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Apayao, and Benguet. Although, these are stone-walled rather than mud-walled terraces.


RELATED LINKS

Tourism killing world's eighth wonder

Pests, migration threaten 2000 year old Philippine terraces

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