Gulf of Mottama(GoM), one of the six flyway network sites in Myanmar, was also designated as a Ramsar Site since 2017. This area supports a large number of species including marine fish, invertebrates, and up to 150,000 migratory waterbirds especially during the non-breeding season. The migratory waterbirds include 12 globally threatened species including perhaps 60% of the global population of the the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers. GoM also supports various livelihoods for the thousands of people by providing fish for local and regional consumption.
The participation of local communites in conservation is very critilcal for long-term conservation programmes and the sustainability of incredible wetlands and many species relying on it. Raising awareness about conservation of wetlands and migratory waterbirds have been conducted for many years including the establishment of local conservation groups(LCGs), small educational talks and signboard installations. Our young generations will be the main stakeholders when they grow up, and it is very essential that they should get the conservation knowledge when they are in school.
During the first World Migratory Bird Day of 2022, Nature Conservation Society – Myanmar will organize a small educative talk for kids from the primary school and local people in the villages near the GoM according to the guide line of National Health Department for the COVID-19 prevention and measures. We will use the visual presentations for talking about the WMBD, wetlands and migratory birds conservation. Documentary and WMBD song in Burmese will also be displayed during our educative talks. Photos of the threatened migratory birds from GoM will be exhibited. Essay contest will be held during the event and the kids who can write the best essays will be awarded. Our members of LCGs and interested local people will be invited to our event and they can improve their knowledge about educating their kids about wetlands and migratory birds conservation. T-shirts that include the theme of WMBD 2022 will be distributed to all participants during the event. This event will be held with funding support of the WMBD small grant by EAAFP.