Gov. Alfredo Marañon yesterday stressed the need for a concerted effort against a seemingly losing battle to save the forests.

A report yesterday showed that the forest cover in the Northern Negros Natural Park is down to 70,000 hectares from 100,000 hectares, but the governor said the figure could even be lower.

The actual forest cover will have to be determined by GPS (Global Positioning System), he added.

Reforestation is a continuing effort being undertaken by the provincial government despite the fact that some reforested areas have been burned, he said.

The governor also said he will also look into reports that a vehicle apprehended while carrying illegal forest products, had been released by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office.

The apprehended vehicle should not have been released because it is part of the crime, he said.

The need to protect the Northern Negros forest is important in order to protect our watershed, he added.*CPG

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