Saving the wetlands
February 2, 2003 | 12:00am
Today is World Wetlands Day, and National Wetlands Day for Presidential Proclamation in 1999. The theme of this year’s celebration is "No Wetlands – No Water". DENR-PAWB and other cooperating groups to promote wetland awareness and conservation will undertake varied activities. At 5 to 7 a.m. today, a mini concert will be held in PAWB Amphitheater with Amy Lecciones of the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW) taking the lead.
On Feb. 3, the celebration will continue through a number of activities and exhibits. In PAWB, a film on wetlands will be shown at 9 - 10 a.m. followed by a program with Secretary Elisea G. Gozum as keynote speaker. Six topics on wetlands will be presented during the program. In the afternoon, shoppers in SM North Edsa will be treated with wonderful photos of wetlands. A photo exhibit is also set up at the PAWB Visitors’ Center.
Wetlands are areas of permanent or periodic inundation whether natural or artificial, fresh brackish or saline, flowing or static. It also includes areas of marine water with the depth of six meters at low tide. Generally, they feature plants and animals, which have adapted to living in wet conditions.
Wetlands include the following mangrove and saltmarsh, water, freshwater march swamps, lakes (freshwater and saltwater), rivers and creeks, tidal flats, seagrass beds, underground streams, and overflows from rivers and creeks such as lagoons, which fill after the rain.
They are a rich resource. They are major sources of food, most of which are fishes, seaweeds, shrimps, squids, and sea cucumbers. They are sources of water and water supply of surface water and water supply for surface water and groundwater depend on their continued flow. They are one of the richest repositories of biodiversity, homes to waterfowls and other forms of wildlife, and serves as temporary homes for migrating birds. Their vegetation helps flood control, and soil erosion of lakeshore and riverbanks. They are rich repositories of genetic and for future food, medicines, pesticides and other uses. The algae contribute substantially to their primary productivity.
One of the latest government programs in wetland conservation is the Wetland Conservation Program. Through the Program, PAWB formulated the framework of action stressing the wise use of wetlands. This plan involves the assessment of critical areas nationwide. Four wetland areas were designated as Ramsar site. Ramsar is an International Convention on Biodiversity focused on Wetlands. The sites are Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Santuary and Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park.
On Feb. 3, the celebration will continue through a number of activities and exhibits. In PAWB, a film on wetlands will be shown at 9 - 10 a.m. followed by a program with Secretary Elisea G. Gozum as keynote speaker. Six topics on wetlands will be presented during the program. In the afternoon, shoppers in SM North Edsa will be treated with wonderful photos of wetlands. A photo exhibit is also set up at the PAWB Visitors’ Center.
Wetlands are areas of permanent or periodic inundation whether natural or artificial, fresh brackish or saline, flowing or static. It also includes areas of marine water with the depth of six meters at low tide. Generally, they feature plants and animals, which have adapted to living in wet conditions.
Wetlands include the following mangrove and saltmarsh, water, freshwater march swamps, lakes (freshwater and saltwater), rivers and creeks, tidal flats, seagrass beds, underground streams, and overflows from rivers and creeks such as lagoons, which fill after the rain.
They are a rich resource. They are major sources of food, most of which are fishes, seaweeds, shrimps, squids, and sea cucumbers. They are sources of water and water supply of surface water and water supply for surface water and groundwater depend on their continued flow. They are one of the richest repositories of biodiversity, homes to waterfowls and other forms of wildlife, and serves as temporary homes for migrating birds. Their vegetation helps flood control, and soil erosion of lakeshore and riverbanks. They are rich repositories of genetic and for future food, medicines, pesticides and other uses. The algae contribute substantially to their primary productivity.
One of the latest government programs in wetland conservation is the Wetland Conservation Program. Through the Program, PAWB formulated the framework of action stressing the wise use of wetlands. This plan involves the assessment of critical areas nationwide. Four wetland areas were designated as Ramsar site. Ramsar is an International Convention on Biodiversity focused on Wetlands. The sites are Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Santuary and Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park.
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