How does the increase in the influx of tourists here in Baguio City after

the Pandemic affect their ecosystem?

Even before the pandemic, the City of Pines’ ecosystem has been experiencing
drastic changes. Four of the main environmental issues that have been at play include
but are not limited to poor air quality, polluted rivers, garbage woes, and the dwindling
forest cover due to the ongoing urbanization of Baguio City.

Poor air quality is caused by vehicular emissions. Traffic congestions and narrow
roads contribute to the increasing air pollution. As the city opens its borders to
non-locals during the easing up of restrictions, an influx of tourists with their vehicles
flooded the city, worsening the traffic congestion and air pollution.

Polluted rivers are mainly caused by the wastes and sludges coming from the
public market, slaughterhouses, and unregulated hog-raising operations around these
bodies of water. Tourists and locals alike contribute to this ongoing issue. The higher
the demand for food and services, the higher the production of these establishments.

Garbage woe is a major concern. During the first weeks of opening-up of the
city’s borders to tourists, an increase in garbage has been reported. Public places and
tourist destinations such as Burnham Park suffered from overwhelming trash thrown
everywhere by undisciplined tourists.

The dwindling forest cover has been an issue for the city as pine trees and other
plants are replaced by buildings. A good example of this is the newest extension of SM
Baguio, where 60 pines trees were cut down and unreplaced.

All the aforementioned factors contribute to the imbalance of Baguio City’s

ecosystem as observed in the changes in weather patterns and temperature. There are
now more built environments, outweighing the natural environment in the city, which
imposes environmental threats that contribute to climate change and global warming.