ASEAN focuses on conservation of wetlands and protection of migratory waterbirds

ASEAN Flyway Network members and representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, and representatives from the ACB; East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership; Japan Bird Research Association; Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan; and Wetlands International participated in the three-day meeting in Kuching, Malaysia, hosted by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation in collaboration with ACB and Nparks Singapore and supported by JAIF.

 

Improving conservation of wetlands and protection of migratory birds took centre stage during the Second Meeting of the ASEAN Network on Wetlands and Migratory Water Birds Conservation (ASEAN Flyway Network) held from 13 to 15 May 2019 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Wetlands are a critical part of the natural environment. They protect shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants, and improve water quality. They provide habitat for birds, animals and plants and many contain rich biodiversity. For birds, wetlands are sources for drinking water and serve as areas for shelter, breeding, nesting, interaction and rearing their young. Migratory birds are major players in the ecosystem as they pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and consume insects and small mammals.

The ASEAN Flyway Network (AFN), composed of national focal points, flyway site managers, experts, and other key stakeholders, was established by the ASEAN Member States, serving as a virtual network that facilitates regional cooperation to ensure the conservation of the migratory waterbirds and the wetlands that support them along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

The AFN meeting in Kuching provided an opportunity for implementers of the project on Improving Biodiversity Conservation of Wetlands and Migratory Waterbirds in the ASEAN Region, an initiative supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), and led by the National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore.

The opening programme was graced by Tn Haji Zolkipli Mohamad Aton, Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC); and YB Datu Hj Len Talif Salleh, Assistant Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment and Chairman of SFC.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the implementation of surveys and activities conducted during the Phase 1 of the project; and sought recommendations on enhancing the capacity of site managers and other stakeholders in managing wetlands and migratory waterbirds, and on improving the communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) of the values of migratory waterbirds and their habitats for the project’s Phase 2. Countries that presented updates were Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Viet Nam and Thailand.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the participants to share inputs and best practices in the region, which can be useful in designing Phase 2 of the project.

Dr. Sheila Vergara, director of ACB’s Biodiversity Information Management Unit, shared the existing platform and other options on communication and information organisation and management. She also presented the Clearing-House Mechanism platform on the web and introduced the project website of ACB, citing as example, the ASEAN Heritage Parks.

Ms. Vivian Fu of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership’s (EAAFP) Communications Unit presented possible platforms for communication and information and encouraged the ASEAN Member States to contact proactively the EAAFP Secretariat to share local news and exchange pertinent CEPA materials.

Dr. Nozomu Sato of the Japan Bird Research Association and Ms. Tomoko Ichikawa of the Ministry of Environment of Japan shared best practices and challenges on engaging local stakeholders in migratory waterbirds conservation and monitoring. #

Dr. Sheila G. Vergara, Director of ACB’s Biodiversity information Management Unit, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of ACB Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, who said that “as a region, it is our responsibility to protect the flyway sites to ensure that migratory birds have nurturing habitats and safe passage within and beyond national borders. In conserving the migratory species, it is equally crucial to understand their behaviour, especially their distribution and movements.”

 

AFN members and other participants visit the Bako-Buntal Bay and Bako National Park in Kuching, Malaysia to try the survey forms and reporting formats which were recommended by Dr. Taej Arun Mundkur a bird expert from Wetlands International, who is also serving as the lead technical expert of the project.