Sign of Life: Beautiful common kingfisher spotted at Balili River

Photo Courtesy || Ronald Zambrano

Cordillera - There are signs of life to the infamous dead Balili River in La Trinidad, Benguet after some birds have been spotted playing and breeding in the river. 

Photo Courtesy || Ronald Zambrano

Photographer Ronald Zambrano shared on social media some photos he captured at the river during his visit on January 2021. 

"It took me only about 15 minutes to document signs of life, there are birds.. 7 breeding pairs of egrets, Moorhen (Tukling), yellow wagtail (kinnud kinud), and yellow vented bulbul. Except for the Bulbul, all observed birds, depend on fish as the main source of food. Meaning there is life or fishes literally in the waters that sustain these birds." Zambrano wrote.

The presence of these flying creatures indicates Balili river has hope of life. The Moorhen is found in fresh water environment. This species of bird feed on seeds, leaves and roots from aquatic plants, algae, small fish, tadpole, insects, berries and worms. 

In 2014, the river was declared as biologically dead by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) due to overpopulation and chemical spill coming from the big establishments in the municipality. 

Knowing the severity of the situation, the Barangay and its community acted fast to save the river. With the partnership of different institutions such as the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), DENR, and the Benguet State University, they passed an ordinance mandating all officials and residents to conduct a clean-up drive every first Saturday of the month.

Now, we are seeing the result of this initiative as the river is slowly showing signs of life. 

May the residents of Balili river continue their effort on keeping up their campaign in cleaning the river.