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2th Febru

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uary 2012

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N 2012

Background:

World Wetlands Day (WWD) is celebrated internationally on 2nd February each year.

It marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands, also called the Ramsar

Convention, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since

1997, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all

levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at

raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention

in particular. From 1997 to 2007, the Convention’s Web site has posted reports from more

than 95 countries of WWD activities of all sizes and shapes, from lectures and seminars,

nature walks, children’s art contests, sampan races, and community clean-up days, to radio

and television interviews and letters to newspapers, to the launch of new wetland policies, new

Ramsar sites, and new programmes at the national level.

Every year, there is a special theme for the WWD. The theme of WWD 2012 is

Wetlands and Tourism, with the slogan Wetland Tourism: A Great Experience. Apparently,

the purpose is to promote tourism in wetlands where the nature and wildlife are main

attraction. As a vulnerable ecosystem, the wetland will be exposed to all kinds of threats while

developing tourism. In view of that, it is vital to encourage the sustainable development of

wetland tourism. Two useful approaches: sustainable tourism and ecotourism are highlighted

to minimise the adverse impacts of tourism on wetlands. With the responsible way of

travelling, it will definitely help supports the ecosystems as well as local communities.

References: 1) http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-activities-/main/ramsar/1-63-78_4000_0__ 2) http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-activities-wwds-wwd2012index/main/ramsar/1-63-

78%5E25324_4000_0__

Objective:

1) Increase environmental awareness particularly the importance of wetland forests among

teachers, students and parents.

2) Promote conservation of wetland forests through field learning of nature and wildlife

3) Response to the theme of World Wetlands Day 2012 – Wetlands and Tourism.

4) Encourage field education which is an effective learning process that receives far less

attention compare to classroom lecture.

Organizer: Water Watch Penang

- Wong Yun Yun (instructor)

- Ng Hong Jing (volunteer and photographer)

Co-Organizer: 1) Eco- Peace Leadership Centre

2) Yuhan-Kimberly

Participant: SJK(C) True Light

- Ong Saw Hoon (group leader)

Supporting organization: 1) Ramsar Secretariat

2) Mangroves for the Future (MFF)

3) SJK(C) True Light

4) KDU College

Programme Schedule:

8.00 am – registration and briefing

8.30 am – departure to Kuala Sg. Pulau Betong

9.00 am – visiting mangrove wetland

- introduction of mangroves

- exploration of flora and fauna

- beach cleanup

11.00 am – visiting fishing village

11.30 am – lunch

1.00 pm – departure to Kampung Ku Art Gallery and Guesthouse

1.30 pm – indoor activities

- sharing session

- artwork session

3.00 pm – closing ceremony

3.30 pm – group photo and dismiss

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uld be very

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of the activ

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book “Man

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couraging!

ebration wh

Ramsar Secr

WWD 2011)

masks in a

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d good inte

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onfly mask

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ngroves: So

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retariat’s

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creative

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Both the

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library of S

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these beauti

family, frien

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pecial thankhotos

pared by:

Wong Yun Yroject Mana

Water Watch

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a token of

by KDU C

their handic

materials an

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er taking g

masks on fac

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ks to Mdm.

:

Yun ager of “Nath Penang

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e students o

of mangrove

f appreciatio

College. In r

crafts to “N

nd it would

group phot

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ture Classro

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on, all the

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participant

m. Ong rep

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ningful gift t

rticipants le

ed into real

message o

Mr. Tung Him

er, Forest an

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have the ch

ts were giv

presented he

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to other par

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dragonflies

of caring ou

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contributio

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orrow the

gifts that

o make a

stly made

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ir lovely

ping that

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n of their