Significance

“The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone or karst landscape. It contains an 8.2 km long underground river that flows directly to the sea. The lower half of the river is brackish and subject to ocean tide. The associated tidal influence on the river makes this a significant natural phenomenon. The also contains a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem, and protects the most significant forest area within the Palawan Biogeographic Province. The conservation significance of Park’s forest at the international level is heightened when considered in the context of the high levels of past and current deforestation in the Philippines and in the region. The role of the Park takes a special urgency in this perspective. The conservation value of the Park is confirmed by the international recognition it has received.”

Word Heritage Convention

The World Heritage concept was founded on a premise that certain places on earth are of outstanding universal value and as such should form part of a common heritage of human kind. Their splendor enriches our lives and illustrates the diversity of our planet and its inhabitants. The loss through deterioration or disappearance of any of these most prized possessions constitute the impoverishment of the heritage of all peoples in the world.

Biosphere Reserve

The Man and the Biosphere programme was launched in the early 1970s for the improvement of the relationship between people and their environment. Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal marine ecosystems, internationally recognized under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. They are designed to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature.

Ramsar Site

The Ramsar Convention or Convention on Wetlands is an inter-governmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the wise use of wetlands and their resources. Its mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national action plans and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.

Important Bird Area

The PPSRNP is one of the five Important Bird Areas (IBA) of Palawan which has been identified as one of the 7 Endemic Bird Areas (EBA) of the Philippines by Birdlife International. It is inhabited by 5 internationally threatened bird species as well as all 15 endemic birds species of Palawan.

National Geological Site

In recognition of its scientific importance as a permanent laboratory for studies on geological processes, uniqueness and high scenic value, the National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS) declared the St. Paul limestone formation a National Geological Monument on December 11, 2003.

New 7 Wonders of Nature

The Puerto Princesa Underground River was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Last November 11, 2011. Others included the Amazon in South America, Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Argentina and Brazil, Jeju Island in Korea, Komodo in Indonesia, and Table Mountain in South Africa.