BAGUIO CITY -- Camp John Hay announced it was closing its
hiking trail after visitors destroyed its plants and left countless pieces of
garbage in the area.
In a statement, the John Hay Management Corp. said it condemns what the tourists had done, which it described as a case of “environmental irresponsibility and complete disregard of nature.” It added photos of the destruction left by the irresponsible trekkers, such as an image of a vandalized plant and the heaps of garbage that were left in the visitors’ wake.
In a statement, the John Hay Management Corp. said it condemns what the tourists had done, which it described as a case of “environmental irresponsibility and complete disregard of nature.” It added photos of the destruction left by the irresponsible trekkers, such as an image of a vandalized plant and the heaps of garbage that were left in the visitors’ wake.
“Empty bottled water,
food wraps, cigarette butts, wet wipes, and even diapers are being collected
along the trails. These materials are flammable, more so when added with dried
pine needles that with a single flick of a cigarette butt can cause a massive
forest fire,” the statement said.
The JHMC added that in
order to clean up the area and allow the destroyed plants to recover, the trail
will be closed indefinitely.
The management said it
will evaluate if re-opening the trail was “viable.”
“Significant
consideration shall be given on tourists’/trekkers’ environmental
responsibility to respect the trails otherwise it will be closed permanently,”
the management added.
Formerly a United States
military base, Camp John Hay was first opened in 1900 for American servicemen
who wanted a respite from the Philippines’ punishing tropical heat. It has
since become a popular tourist destination for Filipinos who want to enjoy
Baguio City’s cool weather, especially during the summer months.
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