RRC-EA WEBZINErrcea.org/wp-content/uploads/201803_RRC-EA-Webzine-Issue... · 2020. 12. 15. ·...

RRC-EA

WEBZINE

Issue52018 January - March

02

06

07

09

10

19

27

Contents

Special SectionMangrove Ecotourism in Indonesia

RRC-EA2018 RRC-EA Planning

RRC-EA ActivitiesCEPA

RRC-EA ActivitiesRamsar Convention

RRC-EA ActivitiesWetland Fund

Wetland Experts

Announcements

2

S p e c i a l S e c t i o n o n M a n g r o v e E c o t o u r i s m i n I n d o n e s i a

Mangrove Ecotourism in Pangpang Bay as an Alternative Source of Income for Local Communities in Banyuwangi District, East Java Province, Indonesia

In 2011, the Indonesian Government has established 17 essential ecosystem sites, one of these is the Pangpang Bay Mangrove Area. This area is valuable being part of the remaining wetland/mangrove forest in the East Coast of East Java that serves as habitat for wildlife, especially for waterbirds, and as an area for community livelihood activities (fishing and cultivation of mangrove crab, shrimp).The Pangpang Bay Essential Ecosystem Management Forum has been established to manage the mangrove area based on a Decree endorsed by the Banyuwangi Regent in December 2011. In 2012, a Management Action Plan has been prepared to be implemented for five (5) years (2013-2017). There are six (6) main issues specified in the action plan of the Pangpang Bay essential ecosystem:

Located in Kabatmantren, Wringinputih Village, local people call it Pantai Cemara Cinta Kawangsari. Along the coast grows a large number of Beach She-Oak (Casuarina equisetifolia). This ecotourism area started operations in 2016 and is managed by a Joint Business Group of the Wringinputih community called "Mina Sero Laut" (MSL) which consists of 50 members who mostly work as fishermen. This location has been equipped with trek facilities of three lines along an estimated

environmental sustainability, improving the welfare of the community, regulation and law enforcement, capacity building, human resources, and infrastructure improvement.In 2014, the Management Forum received a small grant from the Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia (RRC-EA) to help the development of Pangpang Bay. Project activities included mangrove education for school children, mangrove ecotourism development training, mangrove product utilization training (syrup and mangrove flour), nursery and mangrove planting, and mangrove ecotourism infrastructure design. The impact of these project activities are now felt and visible as mangrove ecotourism in Wringinputih Village, Pangpang Bay has been fully developed. Three (3) mangrove ecotourism locations were established:

600 meters with gazebos and spots for selfies. This ecotourism management scheme has provided additional income to local communities through visitor tickets, parking services, and food and beverage sales. The price of entry tickets is 4,000 Indonesian Rupiah, whether on holidays or regular days. During holidays (including weekends), the number of visitors can reach up to 5,000. On regular days or weekdays, the ecotourism area receives about 250 to 300 visitors.

1. Konservasi Mangrove - Cemara Kawang

3

This area is located in Tegalpare, Wringinputih Village. It is managed by the Bangkit Remaja Tegalpare (BARET) community consisting of 16 members. The area started operations only about one year ago. It serves as habitat for water birds so visitors can easily find various types of birds perched on mangrove vegetation.

About 250 to 300 people visit the area on weekends, while around 20 to 25 visitors go on weekdays. The price of entry tickets, either on holidays or regular days, is 4,000 Indonesian Rupiah. This ecotourism area prioritizes conservation and environmental education, especially on the protection of the water birds.

2. Konservasi Panorama Kili-Kili, Teluk Pangpang

4

Pangpang Tanjung Pasir is an ecotourism site and mangrove conservation care community established on 18 August 2017 in Krajan, Wringinputih Village. This ecotourism area is managed by a local community named Bahari Setail Sejahtera (BSS). The management has also cooperated with Alas Purwo National Park in making tour packages. The cost for tourism packages range from 400,000 to 1,600,000 Indonesian Rupiah for a maximum of eight (8) persons and for the following activities:

• mangrove trekking in three (3) locations through the coastal side (Cemara Kawang Beach, Papangpang Tanjung Pasir Beach, Kili Kili panorama)

• mangrove tour like in the Amazon through three (3) islands: Blekok Island, Biawak Island, and Mrutu Island

• visit to Blekok Palace and Tongtong Stork Palace (place where you can see many birds of Blekok such as Ardeola speciosa and the Tongtong Stork or Leptoptilos javanicus), Alas Purwo National Park (the real sunrise of Java), Bay Banyubiru, and the Sembulungan Peninsula

• seeing Bagan (traditional fishing gear), Banjang (environment-friendly fishing gear), Eiffel Tower bamboo, Japanese bunker, Dutch Cannon heritage, Gandrung's grave

• seeing evergreen forest and white sand, snorkeling, and witnessing the cultivation of pearl shells

The tour package includes lunch and traditional snacks, mineral water, entry ticket, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, guide, and garbage bag.

3. Pangpang Tanjung Pasir (PTP)

5

Agus Ariyanto

By

Mr. Agus Ariyanto is a Forest Ecosystem Technician of the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia.

S p e c i a l S e c t i o n o n R R C - E A

RRC-EA prepares for 2018 activit ies

For 2018, the Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia (RRC-EA) will embark on a number of activities as specified in its annual work plan and as part of its continuing commitment to serve member countries in the region.

A series of capacity building activities will be organized by the RRC-EA at the regional, subregional and national levels in support of the implementation of the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016-2024 and the Ramsar CEPA Programme.

The regional training regularly brings together wetland managers and stakeholders from East, Southeast and South Asia to share experiences and strengthen the network of wetland conservation practitioners in the region.

The RRC-EA is targeting the Yellow/West Sea as the subject for its subregional training this year in cooperation with the governments of the Republic of Korea, China and the Democratic People's

Republic of Korea, and with other international organizations. The Greater Mekong Subregion and Bay of Bengal are being considered for the subregional training in the subsequent years.

The RRC-EA closely coordinates with countries to determine their priority needs and issues as basis for national trainings that will be jointly designed and organized by the RRC-EA and interested host countries.

The guidebook "Designation and Management of Ramsar Sites” was published by the RRC-EA in 2017. It was developed to provide wetland managers and primary stakeholders with a quick reference that promotes better understanding of the basic process in designating Ramsar Sites in relation to a four-stage management cycle. This year, the RRC-EA will support the translation and dissemination of the guidebook into the national languages of its member countries.

MAY

DECJUL AUG OCT

Inventory Book for Wetland Education Centers in Asia

Regional Training Workshop

Translation of the Guidebook on the designation and management of Ramsar Site into 10 national languages in Asia

Sub-regional Training Workshop (Yellow/West Sea)

COP13 Side Events

National Training Workshop

7

As an annual activity, the Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia (RRC-EA) provides support to countries in the celebration of World Wetlands Day (WWD). This year, the RRC-EA produced two types of CEPA (communication, capacity building, education, participation and awareness) materials: poster and brochure. These were packaged in the Korean language and distributed to selected areas in the

C E P A

RRC-EA promotes World Wetlands Day 2018

Republic of Korea. Recipients of the CEPA materials expressed appreciation for the contribution from the RRC-EA.

In succeeding years, the RRC-EA will continue to assist countries in East, Southeast and South Asia by sharing the costs for the development and dissemination of WWD materials.

Posters and handout translated into Korean

8

Distributed posters and handout on display

9

The Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia (RRC-EA) joined the Ramsar Pre-COP13 Asia Regional Meeting held from 26 February to 2 March 2018 in Chilaw, Sri Lanka. The RRC-EA Executive Director, Mr. Suh Seung Oh, delivered a short presentation about the accomplishments and plans of the RRC-EA as part of Session 1: Draft Resolution on “Regional Initiatives 2019-2021 and Operational Framework”. The RRC-EA also assisted in the documentation of Session 7 “Draft

R a m s a r C o n v e n t i o n

Ramsar Pre-COP13 Asia Regional Meeting

Resolutions on peatlands” and Session 10 “Draft Resolution on the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services” as rapporteur.

Side meetings and dialogues with Contracting Parties and international organizations were organized by the RRC-EA to discuss planned joint activities such as subregional and national trainings, and to explore ways to strengthen the partnership with the RRC-EA.

10

W e t l a n d F u n d

Philippines

Agricultural Wetlands as a Showcasefor Wetlands Conservation

Project objectives

1. To increase the awareness of key stakeholders of this wetland area 2. To characterize and assess the project site so as to provide baseline data and

information for its management and conservation 3. To develop a management plan for the project site 4. To increase the capacity of the Macagatal Irrigators Association on sustainable

farming practices

Duration 12 months (Aug 2017 - Jul 2018)

Status ongoing

Total cost USD 10,000

Implementing organization Society for the Conservation of Philippine

Wetlands, Inc.

Project leader Ms. Amy M. Lecciones Vice President and Executive Officer

Accomplishments

This project is an attempt to conserve a portion of the Candaba Wetlands, particularly to develop a 132-hectare farmland owned and managed by a farmer’s organization called the Macagatal Irrigators Association (MIA), in Paligui,

Candaba, Pampanga. Various activities have been conducted by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) for the past six months of project operation.The SCPW met with wetland stakeholders,

11

the Barangay Chairman (Village Chief) of Paligui and the Municipal Planning and Development Officer of Candaba, to inform and orient them about the project and to subsequently solicit their support. The Project Staff also met with the President of the MIA to also explain the project and discuss the schedule for the Inception Meeting and the Learning Event as part of the consultation process.

The Learning Event/Inception Meeting was held in September 2017 at the Barangay Hall of Paligui with participants from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Paligui, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) of Candaba, and the farmers from MIA. Topics

discussed during the Learning Event include wetlands and its conservation, the work of the SCPW, and the importance of Candaba/Paligui Wetlands. An audio-visual presentation (AVP) on wetlands and the Ramsar Convention was also shown. The Inception Meeting was held in the afternoon where project objectives, expected outputs, workplan, roles of the MIA, and schedule of activities were discussed and agreements were made which will guide the operation of the project.

The wetland walk was carried out last December 2017, at least 90 days after the bird flu outbreak (a bird flu advisory was issued by Department of Agriculture on 12 August 2017). The wetland walk

The Project Team and participants at the Inception Meeting and Learning Event.

12

aimed to familiarize the Project Team with the site which also served as preliminary site characterization activity. Site characterization and assessment activity was continued in early January 2018. Data gathered include noteworthy flora and flora, bird count, wetland benefits, existing pressures and threats, boundary and dimensions, water quality, land use, among others. A socio-economic survey of the MIA members was also administered. Some farmers participated in the activity as well as in the consultation for the crafting

of a management plan for Paligui Wetlands and the capacity building needs of the Association.

The Project Team is now preparing for the World Wetlands Day 2018 celebration together with the MIA, training for bird watching guides and sustainable agricultural practices, and other remaining project activities. The training for bird watching guides has been already arranged with the Department of Tourism and will be held on the third week of February 2018.

Officers of the Macagatal Irrigators Association and the local government of Paligui, Candaba, Pampanga join the wetland walk

13

Field work for the rapid ecological, socio-cultural, and economic assessment of the wetland carried out by the Project Team

The Project Team holds dialogues and consultations with representatives of the Municipal Agricultural Office of Candaba and of the local government of Barangay Paligui, and with members and officials of the MIA.

14

W e t l a n d F u n d

Thailand

Don Hoi Lord: From the Past to the Future

Project objectives

1. Contribute knowledge, rules and procedures for wetland utilization and conservation

2. Raise community awareness on rules and procedures with equitable enforcement 3. Promote understanding and reduce wetland utilization conflicts

Duration 5 months (Oct 2017 - Feb 2018)

Status completed

Total cost USD 5,000

Implementing organization Lawyers Council under the Royal

Patronage

Project leader Ms. Orranut Kongchuay Chairman, Environment Lawyers Council

Accomplishments

More than 124 wetland stakeholders joined the World Wetlands Day 2018 event held on 2 February 2018 at the Don Hoi Lord Wetland, Samut Songkram Province, Thailand. Participants included representatives from the Mae-Klong River Basin Conservation Club and the Club of Don Hoi Lord Wetland local people for environmental conservation; leader and members of the local communities in Don

Hoi Lord Wetland; and students from local primary schools located adjacent to the Don Hoi Lord Wetland such as the Ban Chu Chee School, Wat-Bang Jakreng School, Wat Pak Samut School and Thai Rath Wittaya 70 School (Baan Bang Kaew). School children are in the 5th grade with ages between 10 and 12. Decision and policy makers from the local government were also present at the occasion to show support.

15

The program of the one-day event included messages of support from key local government officials of Samut Songkram Province, orientation about the project delivered by the Lawyers Council of Thailand, forum on the topic “Thai Way of Life: Don Hoi Lord Wetland Style”, and activities for school children. The school children were also given the opportunity to deliver short speeches about the theme “Don Hoi Lord: My Hometown”.

An outdoor exhibition was also setup to provide more information about the project as well as the Don Hoi Lord Wetland and its benefits. Banners were prepared and brochures were distributed to disseminate knowledge about wetlands, the Ramsar Convention, the 14 Ramsar Sites in Thailand – especially Don Hoi Lord Wetlad, and the role of the Lawyers Council under the Royal Patronage in addressing environmental issues.

One of the banners printed and used in the event

Honorable guests of the event, from left to right: Mr. Damrongsak Kruakaew (Lawyers Council Vice President), Mr. Kanchat Tansatien (Samut Songkram Provincial Governor), and Sub. Lt. Dr. Tawan Ruyaporn (Lawyers Council President)

Welcome Speech delivered by Mr. Kanchat Tansatien, Samut Songkram Provincial Governor

16

Welcome Speech by Mr. Banjong Taerunawin, Vice Governor of Bang-Jakreng Sub-District, Samut Songkram Province.

Mr. Damrongsak Kruakaew, LCT Vice President, and Ms. Oranut Kongchuay (right), Chairman of the Environment Lawyers Council, hand over a souvenir to the guest speaker, Mr. Surajit Chirawad

Registration of participants from local schools: Bann Chu Chee School, Wat Bang Ja Kreng School, Thai Rath Wittaya 70 School (Baan Bang Kaew), and Wat Pak Samut School.

Morning Forum on the topic “Thai Way of Life: Don Hoi Lord Style” moderated by Mr. Surajit Chirawad, former National Legislative Assembly Member

Briefing on the use of unmanned aerial vehicle technology or drones for environmental protection

Participants during the morning activities

17

Photo of one of the drones used during the demonstration

A photo of Don Hoi Lord Wetland taken by the drone

The youth enjoying the afternoon activities with LCT staff

School children showed interest and fascination on the use of drones

Ms. Orranut Kongchuay presents a souvenir to one of the youth speakers on the topic “Don Hoi Lord: My Hometown”

18

Outdoor exhibition for World Wetlands Day at Don Hoi Lord

A local fishing tool displayed at the outdoor exhibit

Participating school children at the outdoor exhibition

Wall and roof made from Nipa Palm (Nypa fruticans), a local plant of Don Hoi Lord

Event organizers collect waste materials from the participants using garbage bags

19

W e t l a n d E x p e r t s

Robert McInnesRM Wetlands & Environment

My original academic area of expertise was in understanding the hydro-geomorphology and classification of wetlands. However, with the passing of the years my area of expertise has evolved towards the social

I have been involved in over 500 wetland projects across more than 35 countries over the last 25 years. Recent major projects include undertaking Ramsar Advisory Missions to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2017) and to the Kilombero Valley Ramsar Site in Tanzania (2016). In 2015-16, I led a team of experts to produce a Wetland Management Strategy for the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This has resulted in the production of ministerial papers that advocate the future protection of all wetlands in the city. Through funding from the Norwegian Environment Agency, between 2015 and 2018, I have been leading a Ramsar-related expert team to build capacity in Myanmar for the improved management and wise use of wetlands. The work is generating a range of outputs

sciences and particularly understanding and communicating the multiple benefits that wetlands provide human societies and developing policies and plans that genuinely deliver the wise use of wetlands.

including inter alia site management plans, a national wetland policy, a national wetland inventory, guidance on future Ramsar Site designation and enhanced capacity for the delivery of the wise use of wetlands at government and site levels. With a colleague, Dr. Mark Everard from the University of the West of England, I have been developing an approach for the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES). The approach responds directly to the needs of the Ramsar Convention, has been extensively field-tested in the UK, Ireland, India, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar and the Republic of Korea, and will be submitted as part of a Draft Resolution for consideration and adoption by the next meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Ramsar Convention in October 2018.

Please briefly introduce your area of specialization.

What are the major wetland projects and activities that you have undertaken?

20

My involvement in wetlands is driven by the desire to deliver wise use that benefits society and by doing so, either directly or serendipitously, delivers the protection and enhancement of nature for future generations. However, the two most challenging issues I routinely encounter are, firstly, the repeated failure of stakeholders, be they national governments, the private sector, site managers or conservation NGOs, to recognise the genuine multiple value of wetlands and, secondly, the need to understand that it is essential to use the appropriate language to communicate the importance of wetlands to different audiences. There is still a tacit expectation in many quarters that all stakeholders and audiences care about a few rare,

Wetlands in the region, and worldwide, are facing a bleak future. As citizens and their governments continue to undervalue

To remember that the promotion of wetland conservation based on protecting a few iconic, or threatened species of bird, mammal or other species, is both only of interest to the minority and a tactic that has demonstrably failed to arrest the decline in wetlands and their biodiversity. Whilst these might be legitimate arguments for wetland conservation and efforts are required to protect the rare and the

threatened or protected wetland species and that the promotion of these limited values will resonate with all audiences and miraculously catalyse action to protect wetlands. However, a glance at any indicator of the status or trend of wetlands would suggest that this historical approach is failing. Therefore, the need to recognise wetland values, link these with the beneficiaries of those values and to use language that relates to the appropriate audience in order to clearly articulate how different sectors of society benefit from wetlands and how these values can be delivered through wise use forms a significant part of my involvement in wetlands today.

wetlands they will continue to be degraded and lost.

threatened, promotion of the iconic alone will not convince the majority of society that wetlands need to be conserved. Young wetland advocates need to be better at selecting the appropriate message and language for communicating with the targeted audience and not expect everyone to share their passion for protecting the wetlands and their wildlife.

What are the most important issues that you have encountered and how were you able to address these?

What is your outlook on wetlands in the region?

What advice can you give to young advocates of wetland conservation in the region?

21


Yus Rusila NoorWetlands International- Indonesia

Yus started his personal career as an ornithologist some 30 years ago. His undergraduate thesis was about waterbird hunting in the North Coast of Java, Indonesia, which then brought him into the passion of waterbird conservation. He joined the Asian Wetland Bureau (now Wetlands International) since 1989 as Coordinator of Ornithology Unit, which gave him tons of opportunity to work on waterbirds conservation, especially migratory shorebirds, and also provided him the opportunity to be engaged in a global network that spans over five continents. He was actively engaged in the earlier development of the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership, way back in the late 1990s as well as taking a leadership role in the development of citizen science’s Asian Waterbird Census in 1990.Yus broadened his role in wetlands conservation by being assigned to a community development programme in relation to poverty reduction and climate change, including natural resource use in and around wetlands. Still bringing biodiversity issue as an important aspect to be noticed and considered, the new assignment forced him to strategically integrate the local community livelihood (i.e. poverty reduction) and biodiversity into the context of climate

change adaptation. Yus has brought these integration issues into the negotiation table of about seven UNFCCC meetings as well as in CBD and Ramsar Convention meetings as a member of the Indonesia delegation, bringing local knowledge and perspective of local communities to the national and global stages.In accordance with more complex management of wetlands globally, Yus was appointed a management role to supervise Wetlands International’s work, especially in the field of mangrove and peatlands restoration in relation to the Integrated Risk Management context, which shape the triangulation of Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Ecosystem Management and Restoration. These various assignments have broadened Yus’ perspective to also contribute into the development of national, regional and international policy frameworks on broader sustainable wetlands management. He actively engaged in the development of national wetlands committee, national mangrove and peatlands management initiatives, national and international migratory waterbirds network, and Ramsar-related works at the national, regional and international levels.


22

• Waterbird hunting management in north coast of Java. Project Coordinator.

• Wetlands Poverty Reduction Project (WPRP). Project Coordinator. Working with local community to develop sustainable livelihood and at the same time working to conserve wetlands

• Climate Change, Forest and Peatlands in Indonesia (CCFPI). Project Coordinator. A pioneer project working on the integrated management and restoration of Peatlands in Indonesia, in the context of climate change adaptation. The output of the project has significantly influenced the global awareness on the importance of peatlands as a major carbon sequester

as well as emitter.• Partners for Resilience (PfR). Project

Manager - Supervisor. This is among the first initiatives by a consortium of humanitarian and development organizations to work on the integration of DRR, Climate Change Adaptation and Ecosystem Management and Restoration in the context of Integrated Risk Management.

• Building with Nature (BwN). Project Manager - Supervisor. An innovative initiative of Indonesia - Dutch consortium on using nature as the solution to nature destruction problem in coastal wetland areas.


The poverty of local communities living in and around wetland areas is one of the main important issues encountered. There was an urgent need to find solutions which provide an opportunity for local communities to find sustainable livelihood, and at the same time engaging local communities to be actively engaged in integrated wetlands restoration. We developed an approach called “Bio-Rights”, in short, combining the provision of conditional loans for livelihood development,

and as a condition, local communities have to engage in conservation actions agreed by community as a means to improve their resilience. Depending on the success level of their engagement, the loan could be transferred to become a full grant. Ideally, this will allow local communities to improve their lives through livelihood programs, but also improving their environment and providing opportunity to work closely with government initiatives and programs.


I think wetlands in our region have common challenges to face with the development of countries. Wetlands are threatened to become the later priority as impact of the need for land to be developed for other human-need purposes. The drainage of peatlands for plantation, cutting of mangroves for fish pond, and reclamation of coastal wetlands for human settlement and industrial estates are some of the most

common threats experienced by the region. On the other hand, the growing awareness on the importance of healthy wetlands to support human life is a promising development to utilize our wetlands in a sustainable manner. The battle for a better and healthier wetlands ecosystem is far from over, and alliance is urgently required to overcome the problem on win-win condition.


23

My own experience shows that a specific knowledge (zoology, botany, anthropology, law, arts and others) is required as a basic capital to be engaged in wetlands conservation. This will guide you to walk on the pathway more confidently. When your professional career is grown up and your responsibility is broadened, new additional knowledge and capacity should

be selected to broaden your perspective to overcome the more complex challenges. In addition, broadened network will grow naturally, and it has to be used positively to make a strategic alliance. You should not forget your own personal passion in life: get a hobby, go for adventurous travel, take fun photos and videos, and share it to inspire others.


24


Chris RostronWetland Link International

I started my wetland career with a Masters in Environment Management, focussing on River Basin Management, and then went into the area of environmental education and engagement / participation. Working with local communities in and around South London was a great opportunity to raise awareness of environmental issues amongst a highly urban population. After that, I worked on a project called Water for Wildlife, a network of wildlife NGOs, water companies and the UK Environmental Regulator, finding common solutions to water quality and biodiversity. Here is when I started to learn about how networks

function, and supporting multi-stakeholder cooperation and dialogue, an essential skill in discovering mutually beneficial sustainable solutions.For the last ten years, I have been working at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), working mainly on the Wetland Link International network, a support network for those delivering CEPA (Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness) activities. Again, this is a lot of work around keeping a network active and relevant, and finding ways to practically help the delivery of one main theme (CEPA) of multilateral environmental agreements.


As above, the key projects have been all about facilitating and encouraging partners in delivering projects on the ground. During my time at the Wildlife Trusts of the UK, I worked with partners in the private sector water industry to encourage them to take a more ‘catchment based’ approach, looking at opportunities to harness the properties of land management and wetland management to strip out water pollution before it is taken from groundwater and

rivers for drinking water, so that it requires less treatment later (saving energy and chemicals). We also highlighted the importance of wetlands in storing water, to reduce water shortages during the summer months. Now, the UK water industry uses this catchment based approach itself and with partners, reducing costs and improving the wider environment at the same time.At WWT, I have seen many wetland centres being created across the globe, and have


25

A regular issue that many of us face is the lack of funding for our wetland centres. A wetland centre can be very basic, but many have high maintenance and staff costs, and these are sometimes difficult to meet. Even if a group gets enough money to build the centre, the ongoing costs can be a major problem. A solution is to do good planning, identifying the capacity of the site, the likely numbers of visitors and sources of revenue, and being realistic about ongoing costs. It can be helpful to start off with a small development, and build on it depending on your success and numbers of visitors (which

can be difficult to predict).The second issue around protection of wetlands is that often people will only value what they understand, and only understand what they have experienced. Wetland centres offer a safe and inspiring environment to give people messages about wildlife and habitats, and to leave them with not only an understanding but also an affection for wetlands. For me, giving people the chance get up close to wetlands, and to experience them positively is the main value of a wetland centre.


Despite the huge loss and degradation of many wetlands, overall I am positive about their future in the region. Recent decisions by the Chinese government, for examples, how made commitments to halting reclamation of tidal mudflats, and being more aware of the importance of the environment more generally. Environmental issues are becoming critical for many of us, and we are starting to understand that without a healthy environment, we ourselves cannot

survive. We also understand better how the environment supports us, through concepts such as ecosystem services. I hope that it will not take an environmental disaster (like climate change) to really get a change in behaviour. I do not think that this is all due to Ramsar or wetland centres, but they have definitely played a role in changing policy and practice in China, and can do the same in other countries across the region too.


had input to many of these, giving them examples of other centres that have done similar things and advising on designs and activities. We also helped to produce the Manual on the Planning, Design and Operation of wetland centres, which gives detailed guidance on wetland centres and is available freely to anyone at any stage of their wetland centre journey.Ensuring that wetland centres form a key

part of the CEPA programme of Ramsar was also a core part of my work, and I have been part of their oversight panel for several years, as well as attending the last three Conference of the Parties. Working with the Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia (RRC-EA) on WLI Asia is also a great activity to be involved in, and reflects my work on similar networks in the East Atlantic and across the Americas.

26

The future of our wetlands relies on young people getting active and involved. Although we are keen to see global changes for the positive, these all have to start at a local site. The advice to ‘think global act local’ is a sound one, and we can all play our part. Small changes in behaviour or little projects will all add up to a massive change if we all do them – telling people how they

can help is much better than telling them how bad they are. Young advocates should remember that the environment links us all, and brings a positive reaction from nearly everyone. We have a lot of challenges ahead of us, but the more that we work together, learn from each other and get active in our local areas, the better, so go out and get involved!


The Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia (RRC-EA) is currently preparing for the “10th Regional Training Workshop for Wetland Managers in East, Southeast and South Asia” scheduled on 7-11 May 2018 at the Suncheon Bay International Wetland Center, Suncheon City, Republic of Korea. This annual event demonstrates the RRC-EA’s ongoing commitment to develop the capacities of key stakeholders of Ramsar Sites and wetlands on priority issues in the region. The regional training workshop will feature topics in line with the 2018 World Wetlands Day theme “Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future”, and will bring together and enable Ramsar Site Managers and wetland managers from East, Southeast and South Asia to:1. share new information and experiences

in wetland management,2. learn from good practices that may be

applicable to wetlands in other countries,3. identify site-specific and common wetland

issues in the region, and recommend solutions to address these issues,

4. understand better the Ramsar Convention and its tools, and

5. strengthen the network of wetland managers in the region.

Invited speakers to the event include technical experts from the International Water Management Institute, National Wetland Center of the Republic of Korea, National Geographic Foundation for Science and Exploration - Asia, RM Wetlands and Environment Ltd, and IUCN Asia Regional Office.

10th Regional Training Workshop for Wetland Managers slated in May 2018

Announcements

Published by Ramsar Regional Center - East AsiaCopyright 2018. Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia. All rights reserved.

Edited by Suh, Seung Oh / Norman Emmanuel C. RamirezDesigned by Kim, Hang Ah

2nd FL. Suncheon Bay International Wetland Center 47, Gukgajeongwon 1ho-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea

■ Tel +82-61-746-1160~4■ Fax +82-61-746-1165■ Website www.rrcea.org

Ramsar Regional Center - East AsiaRRC-EA

RRC-EA WEBZINErrcea.org/wp-content/uploads/201803_RRC-EA-Webzine-Issue... · 2020. 12. 15. ·...

Documents

Transcript of RRC-EA WEBZINErrcea.org/wp-content/uploads/201803_RRC-EA-Webzine-Issue... · 2020. 12. 15. ·...