The Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras

High in the mountains of Ifugao in northern Luzon lie the famous rice terraces of the Cordilleras. These terraces look like giant green steps carved into the sides of the mountains. They were built by hand centuries ago by the Ifugao people, using simple tools and stone or mud walls to hold the soil. The terraces are watered by a clever irrigation system that brings water from the forests above, letting it flow down from one level to the next. In 1995, several of these terraces were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing them as a treasure for all humanity. However, the terraces face many threats. Some young people leave the farms to work in the cities, so fewer farmers remain to repair the walls. Earthworms, landslides, and changes in weather can also damage the terraces. Local groups and the government now work together to preserve them by training young farmers, promoting tourism carefully, and protecting the forests that supply water.