green earth organization- biodiversity conservation activities kwesi anderson 11/05/2009
TRANSCRIPT
GREEN EARTH ORGANIZATION- Biodiversity Conservation Activities
Kwesi Anderson11/05/2009
Profile - GEO
It’s a non-governmental, environment conservation and development organisation
Established in 1989 and its activities cover most regions in Ghana
Vision: to create environmentally conscious society where natural resources are sustainably managed or conserved
Profile - contd
Mission: to assist, encourage and advocate to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature to support lives on earth
Goal: to ensure that people appreciate the value of natural resources as their life support system and manage them for present and future generations.
Thematic areas of work
Forest Climate change Biodiversity conservation Desertification and drylands Water etc
Biodiversity Conservation activities
Boti Falls Biodiversity conservation project Nyanya lagoon rehabilitation and
community improvement project Biodiversity conservation- Bushfire
prevention, education and enrichment planting project
Songor Wetlands conservation and education project
Green Dove publication on biodiversity conservation etc
Songor Wetlands conservation- Ada
Definition:Areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water whether natural orartificial, permanent or temporal, with water that is static
or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine Water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed sixMeters ( Ramsar convention – 1971)A wetland environment A typical marshy wetland
The Songor Wetland, one of the six coastal wetlands (Protected Areas) in Ghana was designated a Ramsar site in 1992.
It is the second largest wetland along the coast of Ghana and covers an area of 51,33.33 hectares
The included Songor lagoon is one of the two lagoon systems associated with the Volta River Estuary
It is located in the Danbge East District of the Greater Accra Region
It is endowed with flora and fauna of global and national significance. E.g. includes manatees, migratory birds, turtles, mangroves, African Python, etc
Some of the animal species found in the area
THREATS TO THE WETLANDIn spite of it importance in water storage, flood mitigation, ground water recharge, pollutants
retention,stabilization of local climate conditions among
others,This biodiversity is under threat from a variety of
mostly human induced pressures. These includes Continuous /over exploitation of mangrove for
domestic and commercial energy use Loss of land and habitat through sea erosion Block moulding at beach Land destruction and reclamation Species destruction
THREATS – Cont’d Blocking of creeks that supply brackish water to the
lagoon Conversion of habitat into farms and salt pans Use of unsafe agrochemicals that pollute underground
water A low level of awareness and appreciation of the value of
wetland ecosystem and how human activities impact its integrity.
Threats to Wetlands
Some Negative Impacts
These threats has led to
Loss of traditional and cultural values and grounds
Loss of social, recreational and aesthetic values
Loss of economic / livelihood activities – fisheries, farming, tourism, reeds, salt…
Loss of ecological habitats – breeding areas of animals
Natural catastrophic – flooding, erosion, strong winds
Species conservation / protection measures
By L.I. 710 of 1971 – creation of reserves, parks and zoos
685 of 1971 – conservation of species, authority to arrest and prosecute
L.I. 1659, 1999 – wetland management (Ramsar site) Regulations
Categorization of species and schedules Research, survey, monitoring etc… Close seasons (1st Aug – 31st Dec.)
Species protection / conservation
Habitat Conservation / Protection Measures
Facilitate the restoration of ecologically degraded areas through,
Mangrove and other tree planting
Clearing of blocked creeks and bank planting
Education on environmentally friendly farming, fishing etc.. Practices
Arrest and prosecution
Habitat Restoration/Improvement
Restoration Activities
COLLABORATIVE PROTECTION
Collaboration between the various stakeholders including, government (Wildlife Division of FC), communities, NGOs (Green Earth) as well as individual is being encouraged and supported
Community conservation volunteers – *turtle conservation task force *Individual volunteers *School clubs
Community investment support fund(divert attention, reduce poverty, create employment)
Thank You