SG Anada Tiéga celebrates Earth Day in Panama Bay Ramsar Site

Panama City, Panama. (22 April, 2012) - Earth Day is celebrated worldwide on 22 April, a day that invites reflection on the importance of our natural resources and particularly on fragile ecosystems such as mangroves.

The National Wetlands Committee of Panama celebrated Earth Day with the visit of the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, Anada Tiéga, to Panama Bay Ramsar Site, a Wetland of International Importance, a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site and a protected area in Panama that is valued for the ecosystem services it provides. This is the first time a Secretary General has visited a Ramsar Site in Panama.

Viewing platform for shorebirds, waterbirds and marine birds. Karl Kaufmann/Audubon Panamá

During the tour, the Secretary General congratulated the National Wetlands Committee for their performance and highlighted the role it has played as a technical advisor on the conservation of wetlands in the country.

The activity included learning about the wastewater treatment plant under construction in Panama City, a few meters from the Ramsar Site which can be, according to Mr. Tiéga, "a case study of wetlands in urban areas, integrating in the planning process urban development and conservation of wetlands". The Panama Bay Wetlands could provide inputs into the study, such as how the application of the guidelines of the Ramsar Convention and the ecosystem services could be viewed in conjunction with a comprehensive approach.

The Panama Bay Ramsar Site is a wetland of hemispheric importance for migratory shorebirds. Each year, 1 to 2 million shorebirds visit its 85 kms of coastline during their migration.

The National Wetlands Committee, created in 2006, consists of the National Environmental Authority, Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama, Panama Audubon, ANCON, CREHO, CEASPA, Fundación Natura and STRI.

Reported by Rosabel Miró R.
National Wetlands Committee Secretary,
Executive Director, Audubon Panama
CEPA NGO Focal Point

Contact details:

Rosabel Miró R.
National Wetlands Committee Secretary (a.i.) 
Executive Director, Audubon Panama
P.O. Box 0843-03076
Panama, Republic of Panama
Phone/Fax: (507) 232-5977
Cell: (507) 6616-8954
Skype: rosabelmiro
www.audubonpanama.org
Facebook: Sociedad Audubon de Panamá