"Bokashi Balls" is an organic solution to improve water quality
Last of two parts
EXAMPLES of wetland centers in Asia are the Diyasaru Park (Sri Lanka), Kota Kinabalu Wetland Center (Malaysia), Miyajimanuma Waterbird and Wetland Center (Japan), Mai Po Nature Reserve (Hong Kong), Ramsar Wetlands Center (Korea) and Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (Philippines). Some were noted to even cater to those whose needs are often overlooked -- the older people and the physically challenged to uphold their fundamental right to healthy life in harmony with nature. Apart from socializing and relaxing, a few centers also offer outdoor wetland-related adventures, e.g., hiking, biking, boating, camping, etc., or sponsor events like live music to bring the community together.
An Asian conference in Manila was hosted by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands Inc. on a theme revolving around wetlands and wetland centers for nature and human well-being. It brought together wetland advocates and practitioners, and celebrated wetlands and wetland centers by bringing people closer to nature, providing a point of close interdependence between people and nature, and experiencing nature at its best. In 2024, in a meeting held in Sri Lanka, the effort at bringing together like-minded groups was extended to countries in Oceania.
Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
A few years back, the Asean Institute of International and Strategic Studies, a consortium of think tanks, concluded that one of the key challenges to Asean is adapting to climate change through greater coordination and pooling of resources.
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In the light of scientific information that natural disasters are projected to intensify in Asia, the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (Admer) calls for adoption of effective regional mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters through concerted national efforts and intensified regional cooperation.
With Admer, much could be done in regard to 1) cooperation in developing and putting into effect solutions to reduce disaster impacts; 2) development of strategies to identify, prevent or reduce disaster risks and losses; 3) prevention and mitigation legislation, regulations, policies, plans, programs and strategies; and 4) raising public awareness about disaster prevention and mitigation.
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In pursuit of the above, Asean countries could very well incorporate wetlands for disaster risk reduction and build resilience in their legal agenda. For instance, the strategy of planting mangrove saplings should be a continuing year-round activity in the long and extensive coastlines of countries comprising Asean. Likewise, massive planting of high-quality and commercially productive varieties of bamboo could be introduced in riverbanks/river basins and lakeshores as a technique not only to withstand environmental disturbances but also to preserve and rehabilitate freshwater sources and lakes, and provide an added source of income to people.
It should be borne in mind, however, that building a disaster-resilient Asean needs partnerships among governments, private sector, nongovernmental organizations, local government units and other institutions with clearly defined roles not only in disaster response but also in disaster prevention and mitigation.
Indeed, Asean-wide advocacy initiatives about wetlands for disaster risk reduction would do well to invigorate efforts in the region to give climate change resilience the priority that the issue deserves.
Begin a journey to heal nature, enhance health and resilience
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The value of open spaces where people can interact with nature, particularly wetlands, has been appreciated lately amid the lockdowns and alert levels that limited the mobility of people and other social interactions. Some takeaways about which one may ponder on to start or continue a journey in wetland conservation include, but is not limited to: 1) wetlands provide important goods and services which contribute to human health and well-being as well as regeneration of wetlands itself; and 2) communication, education, public participation and awareness are tools for placing social, political and economic realities within the context of goods and services provided by wetlands ecosystem.
Pandemics made people engaged or involved in anything and everything, and showed how far we can go when we do what is best to alleviate health-related concerns and heal nature for loss and degradation on account of climate change.
Let us be advocates and practitioners of wetland conservation, and wise use and feel the joy of immediate returns from simple efforts exerted.
Let us take care of our wetlands so it can take care of us.
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In that connection, note should be taken that recently, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first "green" papal mass using a new set of prayers imploring care for God's creation in a sign he intends to emphasize environmental stewardship and climate justice for the world's most vulnerable people. In short, he will be continuing Pope Francis' environmental protection as a hallmark of his pontificate.
Let us support the whole church movement to educate, advocate and sensitize the world to the biblically mandated call to care for nature.