PIA Press Release
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Mangrove tree planting to highlight World Wetlands DaySAN JOSE, Antique, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will spearhead the mangrove tree planting in observance of the World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2012.
Based on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (www.ramsar.org), February 2 each year is World Wetlands Day. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
In Antique, according to Vivian Develos, Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services Coordinator, the DENR has initiated various activities in support to the celebration.
One of these is the scheduled mangrove planting of CENRO-San Jose (Community Environment and Natural Resources Office) at the wetlands of Hamtic, along the national highway. This area is surrounded with fishponds and home of various water creatures.
In addition, CENRO Culasi is also set to conduct community assemblies in their area of jurisdiction to lecture on the importance of wetlands in the sustenance of living organism including human beings.
Develos said wetlands are in various types regulated by water such as ricefields, marshes, deltas, swamps, and lakes.
Wetlands are vital to our existence, Develos explained. They are important sources of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial use, sources of food and above all are vital to regulate ecosystems and maintain biodiversity.
In relation to this, DENR appealed for the protection and conservation of wetlands. A community can do so much in the elimination of pollutants to the wetlands, said Develos.
Proper management and disposal of domestic wastes can save the wetlands and all organisms that depend on it for existence, she concluded. (JSC/MLG/PSM-PIA6 Antique)