With so many tourism entities intent on implementing new environmentally-friendly programs, procedures and strategies, the destination of Palau needs not enhance what is already an ingrained custom in this North Pacific paradise. It is the culture’s instinct and primary concern to preserve nature’s wondrous resources, which are in abundance in this Micronesian eco-sphere. However, with that said, old customs are merely a springboard for this eco-centric and naturally “green” island nation as several Palauan entities are indeed further enhancing the “cause.”
To begin, Palau’s former President, Tommy E. Remengesau, one of the key supporter of Shark Sanctuary, signed into law on September 05,2003 some of the world toughest shark protection legislation with heavy penalty of not more than $250,000 per incident for violation. This ground breaking legislation remains the law in Palau today, despite recent effort to overturn. In January 2004 Palau received international recognition from Shark Project as a recipient of their first Shark Guardian of the year for passage of such tough shark protection law. On September 25, 2009, President Johnson Toribiong during his address to the United Nation General Assembly, officially declares Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone as the Worlds first officially recognized SHARK SANCTUARY.
Since implementing this program, many other destinations have followed suit, including The Maldives, United States and Guam to name a few.
Additionally, Palau has also declared all the waters within its Exclusive Economic Zone to be a marine mammal sanctuary for the protection of whales, dolphins and dugongs. Palau Minister of Natural Resources Environment and Tourism, Harry R. Fritz, announced the new 600,000 square kilometer (231,660 square mile) last year. "From ancient times to today, we have conserved our biodiversity through the tools of "bul" or moratoria, and protection of critical areas," said Fritz. "Biodiversity has always been integral to the Palauan culture," he said. "Our traditional identity, values, legends and practices are intimately linked to our surroundings and to our relationships with living creatures. Conservation of biodiversity is ingrained in our daily approach to life and inherent in the meaning of our words."
To complement these efforts, the Palau Conservation Society (PCS) has been a leader in conservation of Palau’s environment. Dedicated to the protection of biodiversity, Palau’s natural resources and to local communities that use those resources, PCS supports the establishment and management of conservation areas, the development of sustainable resource use policies and an increase of environmental awareness. For more information, visit http://www.palau-pcs.org.
The Palau-Taiwan Agro tourism Project was recently inspired by the Taiwan Technical Mission with the goal to promote both agriculture and tourism in Palau. The Palau-Taiwan Agrotourism Farm, located in Nekken, Aimeliik State, is now open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. This relatively new site is not only an educational facility but also serves to demonstrate how local plants are grown, harvested and processed and cultivates 21 species of tropical fruits, such as soursop, breadfruit, jackfruit, carambola, mangosteen, jujube, rambutan, wax apple, pili nut, lanzones, noni, pitaya, giant grandadilla and tree cucumber as well as such common fruits as pineapple, papaya, guava, lemon and sour orange. Processed fruit and vegetable products are also available and include taro wine and noni juice. For more information please email: s.p.lin@icdf.org.tw.
Adjacent to a tropical forest, the farm leads to a nature trail with beautifully-colored birds, some of which are endemic to the Palauan islands, including the Biib, Palau’s national bird. Call (680) 544-1616.
In addition to the aforementioned government initiatives, Palau is also home to some of nature’s most spectacular wonders of the world, namely: the plethora and variety of coral, which is featured at the Coral Reef Center; Jellyfish Lake; Micronesian Shark Foundation’s Shark Week; the (new) River Boat Jungle Cruise; and Dolphins Pacific.
