A grounded theory on Mount Napulak as a local natural heritage site of Igbaras

Abstract

In recent years, mountain has gradually increased its position among explorers' preferences at regional and even at international level. The main reason is the strong relationship that man develops with nature and precisely with the mountain. Hence, becoming a heritage site of the municipality from the memories and experiences of the locals introduces development of a sustainable activity, capable of contributing to the improvement of economic conditions, strengthening the laws and ordinances for its conservation and preservation, and continue to celebrate its natural and majestic offering to mountain explorers. This quantitative research studied heritagization and constructed theoretical models on memorializing Mount Napulak. Grounded theory was the methodology in which thematic analysis involving categorizing data in varied forms and coming from different sources were applied. The objective of this research is to memorialize Mount Napulak towards becoming a Local Natural Heritage Site through credible experiences and stories of the locals of 80 years old and above and with connectivity to those memories in the surrounding communities, in order to analyse in depth interview and actual validation of this study. There are thirty-one referred locals aging 80 years old and above and those with connections in their stories participated in the study. They were made to undergo into in-depth interview using the heritagization tool called "remembering memories and experiences*. Mountain hiking for actual validation on some of the features both tangible and intangible are further included. The study revealed that Mount Napulak owned various gems referring to its physical attributes such as the falls, flora, fauna and fungi, the rock formations, and wide pasture areas. Exhibited the one of a kind fulfillment associated with the realities that most mountain explorers are looking for. The directional significance of the mountain in today's time that commends big role in the lives of the locals in the surrounding communities. And the setting of various momentous life-milestones bridging to the events might celebrated to the mountain as venue of various events in the lives of people. Additionally, memorializing Mount Napulak towards becoming a Local Natural Heritage Site is a platform that would encourage and motivate local and higher government and private officials to work for its policy solutions and proper management for development, conservation and preservation.