The Ramsar Convention (Wetlands Convention) of 1971 aimed to protect the wetlands of the world. Taiwan, with two wetlands of international importance, with many national and regional class wetlands, has introduced several wetlands protection measures.

14 new wetlands have been designated to preserve valuable environmental assets
Study has shown that Taiwan’s wetlands process an average of 240,000 tons of waste water every day. An ecological system such as this plays an indispensable role in our lives. Last year Taiwan ratified the “Taiwan Wetlands Conservation Program”. It is expected that a series of long-term conservation measures will be implemented between the years of 2011 to 2016. After a one-and-a-half year long assessment and study, there have been 14 new wetlands designated to be included among the wetlands family of Nation Importance. Currently, there are a total of 82 wetlands of Nation Importance covering 56,865 hectares.

Environmental Education Act: Strengthen wetlands education. Spreading the seeds of conservation among the next generation
In addition to the Taiwan Wetlands Conservation Program, the Environmental Education Act which will be enacted on June 5th of this year, requires that all staff members of government agencies, public corporations and all students of high school age or younger, receive at least four hours of environmental education each year. The purpose of this Act is to plant the seeds for respecting, caring and protecting nature and especially the wetlands among the vast public over the coming years and generations.

The “Taiwan Wetlands Conservation Program” gives complete mid to long term protection to wetlands all over Taiwan

This Program has clearly identified three overall objectives - to protect the ecological stability and biodiversity of wetlands; wise use wetlands resources; and to restore the cultural interaction between wetlands and the community.” In the future, the government will strengthen communication with the local people and involve them more in wetlands management because protection from the locals is the best protection for wetlands. Also, across-the-board research into wetlands will be carried out, with the aim of acquiring a clear picture of the real value of wetlands and then bringing their advantages more into play in, for example, ecotourism, education and research.

Welcome, “Ramsar citizens”!
To allow people to know up-to-date wetlands information and report illegal behavior, the CPA’s Urban and Rural Development Branch has developed the “Wetlands-Ramsar Citizen” cell phone app. “Ramsar Citizen” integrates wetlands information and has protection, travel, education and latest news functions. If a person sees illegal behavior in a wetland it can be reported immediately using this software. The program allows the user to send the photographs and report suspicious behavior to the related agency immediately. It also instantly creates a file on which the result of the report can be checked on-line later on.

People who want to travel to the wetlands can use the “Ramsar citizen” app to view wetlands related introductions and find out about the local situation. Teachers who want to take their students to a wetland can use the built-in biological database in the software as the basis for an outdoor environmental education class. The aim of “Ramsar Citizen” is, through widely-owned and intelligent cell phones, make protecting and learning about the wetlands easy and a part of people’s lives. You are welcome to become the “Ramsar Citizen” with us!

Many people visit Taiwan from overseas especially to see Taiwan’s beautiful and unique wetlands. Taiwan is small but has many wetlands that, under the desolate surface, are full of life. They preserve Taiwan’s rich bio-diversity and ease the environmental pollution burden Taiwan has to bear. Preserving these wetlands will make a vital contribution to future ecological conservation.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：CPAMI