PICRC-JICA project team and Ngiwal State Government sign MOU on mangrove ecotourism

The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and Ngiwal State Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on mangrove ecotourism promotion in Ngiwal State on September 1, 2023. This one-year commitment will run until September 30, 2024.

This mangrove ecotourism promotion is part of a three-year joint coastal ecosystem management project of PICRC and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The PICRC-JICA project team and Ngiwal State Government are implementing a pilot activity to promote mangrove ecotours Under Ngiwal State’s Sustainable Ecotourism Management Plan.

The components of the ecotourism promotion include developing an ecotourism guide manual, improving facilities, capacity building, designing the ecotour, community awareness, and environmental education for students.

The PICRC-JICA project team has been carrying out monitoring of mangrove ecosystem and sedimentation at Taiyo Bay and Ngerbekuu River in Ngiwal State with support from Ngiwal State Government since 2022. Significant progress has been made in developing an understanding of the importance of mangrove ecosystem and sedimentation and their monitoring for sustainable management of coastal ecosystem.

The MOU ceremony was held at Labek in Ngiwal State. After Mr. Asap Bukurrou, aquarium supervisor of PICRC, explained the plan, Honorable Francisco Melaitau, Governor of Ngiwal State, and Ms. Caryn Lkong Koshiba, Interim Chief Executive Officer of PICRC, signed the MOU.