Description of the attraction
Lake Danao is one of the most beautiful lakes on the island of Leyte, located 18 km northeast of the city of Ormoc. The violin-shaped lake itself covers an area of 148 hectares and is part of the Lake Danao National Park, which also includes the Amandivin mountain range. The area of the park is 2,193 hectares. The lake lies at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level, which is why the temperature in its vicinity is slightly below the national average.
Initially, the lake was named Imelda in honor of the wife of the President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos. It was taken under state protection in June 1972. And in 1998 it was renamed Danao. Today, the lake serves as a source of drinking water for the population of at least seven cities in East Leyte province, including the island's largest city, Tacloban. In addition, it is also an important source for the irrigation of rice paddies in towns such as Dagami, Burauen, Pastrana and Tabon-tabon.
Danao is of volcanic origin and appeared, most likely, as a result of a major geological shift in the earth's crust, which gave the lake such an interesting shape. In the vicinity of the lake, there are wetlands of great ecological importance. It is believed that once these lands were also part of the lake, but over time, its shores began to recede.
Today, on the territory of the entire national park and the lake in particular, various scientific research works are being carried out. The most serious threat to the lake's avifauna is illegal hunting, which is carried out not only by local residents, but also by visitors. The most common prey for poachers are hornbills, turtle doves and pigeons. Another problem for the lake's ecosystems is slash-and-burn agriculture practiced by local farmers and illegal logging, which leads to the degradation of some parts of the national park.
