LU Celebrates World Wetlands Day
By: Grace Libong, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: GPC-ENRO | Date: February 2, 2021
LU Celebrates World Wetlands Day. Over 30 individuals from the Provincial Government of La Union -Environment and Natural Resources Office, Local Government Unit- Bauang, Parian Oeste Barangay Council and Fishermen’s Association participated in the Environmental reconnaissance cum clean-up on February 2, 2021 at Mangrove Eco Park, Parian Oeste, Bauang, La Union. World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on the 2nd day of February which aimed to raise public awareness about wetland importance and benefits promoting its conservation and wise use.
Over 30 individuals from the Provincial Government of La Union -Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGLU-ENRO), LGU Bauang, Parian Oeste Barangay Council and Fishermen’s Association participated in the Environmental Reconnaissance Cum Clean-up on February 2, 2021 at Mangrove Eco Park, Parian Oeste, Bauang, La Union in celebration of the World Wetlands Day 2021.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on the 2nd day of February which aimed to raise public awareness about wetlands importance and benefits and to promote its conservation and wise use.
Wetlands are areas of marsh, peat or water whether natural or temporary, with water that is static, flowing, fresh, brackish, or salt. It is classified into coastal wetlands (tidal flat, reef flat, seagrass bed, saline lagoon and mangrove); inland wetlands (estuary, river, marsh, swamp forest and lake); and, human-made wetlands (irrigated rice field, fishpond and dam).
The celebration marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands called the Ramsar Convention in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997, and since then, government agencies, non-government organizations and community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by undertaking any actions to raise public awareness about wetland importance and benefits.
In connection to this, the PG-ENRO conducted an environmental reconnaissance cum clean-up to one of the most visited Mangrove Eco-Park in the province to document some issues and concerns for possible program intervention. To this effect, PG-ENRO informed the community on the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the mangrove park. Further, they were able to document some Camachille tree or Damortis, a native fruit tree that needs tree surgery. They also noted the need to rehabilitate the dilapidated boardwalk (bamboo foot bridge) within the Mangrove Eco park.
Wetlands are the natural habitat of flora and fauna and to preserve these, there is a need to protect the wetlands.
