Travel and Tourism students from LPU-Cavite developed an award-winning eco-tourism plan for the Pugad Baboy Mangrove Forest in Kawit, Cavite. The student-led proposal focuses on sustainable bamboo walkways, viewing decks, and boat rides, directly engaging local informal settlers in mangrove maintenance. The proposal was awarded as the regional winner for CALABARZON in the Tourism Start-Up Challenge and was awarded a PHP250,000 grant to kickstart the initiative.
A Student Proposal That Champions Community-Led Conservation
The "Mangrove Magics: Smart, Sustainable and Community-led" project, as the proposal is titled, is designed to transition nearby informal settlers into active stewards of the mangrove ecosystem . Hans Ismael, one of the proponents, explained, "That community is the one directly cleaning the mangroves and the river beside them, as well as planting new mangroves" . The initiative ensures that conservation is not merely an external project but a community-led effort that provides livelihoods while protecting the coastal environment.
The proposed development is located in Barangay Poblacion, Kawit, Cavite, and is backed by local government units ranging from the barangay to the provincial levels . According to Dr. Ivan Bartolata, dean of the LPU-Cavite College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management and the project's coach, the site holds immense potential for eco-tourism development . Currently, visitors must take a boat ride to reach the main mangrove area, but the proposed infrastructure will significantly enhance accessibility while preserving the fragile ecosystem.
Bamboo Walkways and Sustainable Infrastructure
Instead of concrete, the development features eco-friendly bamboo boardwalks designed to protect the fragile environment while enhancing visitor access . The proposed passageway will span a 200-meter stretch of elevated bamboo walkway, serving as what the proponents describe as the "gateway to a mangrove paradise" . The walkway is designed to lift visitors above the mudflats and root systems, allowing people to experience the mangroves without trampling seedlings, compacting soil, or disrupting the delicate intertidal environment .
Beyond the walkway, the proposal includes viewing decks where tourists can observe migratory birds and various fish species that inhabit the area . The tourism students aim to develop the site into a sustainable eco-tourism destination where visitors can enjoy boat rides, traverse the bamboo walkway, and learn about mangrove biodiversity through education and community engagement . The proposal also aligns with broader conservation goals, as mangrove walkways exemplify how infrastructure can coexist with sensitive ecosystems by using durable, corrosion-resistant materials and employing low-impact construction methods .
The project received positive feedback from representatives of the Department of Tourism and the Commission on Higher Education, with several government representatives expressing interest in its possible implementation . The PHP250,000 grant will be allocated for research, development of smart management applications, booth expenses, and other logistical requirements related to the project . With the support of local government units and the student-led vision for sustainable tourism, the Pugad Baboy Mangrove Forest is poised to become a model for community-based, environmentally conscious tourism in Cavite.
