DENR teams up with wild bird photographers

MANILA, Philippines - The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), formerly Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has teamed up with the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines (WBPP) to promote bird photography in the country. 

“The primary objective of our partnership with the Wild Bird Photographers is not just to take pictures of birds, but to encourage taking photos of birds in their natural habitat, behaving as they behave naturally,”  BMB director Mundita Lim said. 

Lim believes that images of birds taken in their natural habitat not only creates visual impact on people, but also enlightens them -- particularly the youth, on the need to properly manage the environment  to protect and save the birds. 

“This DENR-BMB and WBPP partnership is also part of the over-all strategy of the government to address threats both to the wildlife and their habitats in which they live and thrive,” she said.  

The project, which Lim formalized with WBPP president Rey Sta. Ana in December last year, is aptly called “Partnership on Bird and Nature Photography” and will run for five years.  

The project seeks not only to generate high quality photographs, but also videos of endemic and threatened Philippine species to be used in educating the public on biodiversity conservation. 

Lim said the project would start off with the documentation of the Philippine eagle, being the flagship species for conservation efforts in the country. 

According to the DENR-BMB head, there are more than 500 species of birds that thrive in various parts of the country, of which 116 bird species are included in the national list of threatened fauna. 

Lim expressed appreciation to the  WBPP,  a non-government organization composed mainly of bird and wildlife photography enthusiasts, for  “sharing their expertise, time and passion for bird and nature photography.”