World Migratory Bird Day 2023: Promoting Conservation Efforts and Local Engagement in Myanmar

The Nature Conservation Society-Myanmar (NCS-Myanmar) successfully organized the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) event for 2023 on 18th May. The event took place in Koe Tae Su Village near the Gulf of Mottama (GoM) in Myanmar, with a total of 77 participants, including school students, villagers, and local communities. Supported by the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), this event aimed to raise awareness about the significance of migratory birds and their habitats, while actively involving the local population in conservation efforts. © Nature Conservation Society-Myanmar The event commenced with an engaging opening ceremony, featuring a speech by the Head of the Local Community, who warmly welcomed the participants to WMBD 2023. The NCS-Myanmar team provided an insightful presentation on the formation of WMBD and its yearly themes, emphasizing the importance of water in sustaining bird life. The audience was captivated by the "Migratory Bird" song in Burmese, created specifically for WMBD 2020, along with other videos highlighting the journey and challenges faced by migratory birds. Following the opening ceremony, the workshop focused on the conservation of migratory birds in the GoM. NCS-Myanmar experts delivered presentations on various topics, including animal migration, the importance of wetlands and water for migratory birds, and the threats they face in the GoM. Participants were educated about the socio-ecological justice required for environmental conservation. They also explored the correlation between their livelihoods and migratory birds through group discussions, covering subjects such as bird hunting, attitudes towards migratory birds, traditional knowledge, local organization activities, and livelihoods and poverty reduction. © Nature Conservation Society-Myanmar One remarkable aspect of the event was the active participation of women, who contributed their valuable perspectives and visions. The attendees already had some knowledge of bird migration in their area from previous events, but this occasion provided them with a deeper understanding of the benefits of establishing conservation zones for birds. They expressed their desire for more conservation zones in the region to mitigate habitat loss and threats to migratory birds. Throughout the event, attendees enjoyed educational presentations, engaging discussions, and inspiring videos on migratory birds. The NCS-Myanmar effectively fostered an atmosphere of learning and enjoyment, ensuring that participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the importance of environmental conservation and habitat preservation for migratory birds. © Nature Conservation Society-Myanmar The World Migratory Bird Day 2023 event in Myanmar, organized by NCS-Myanmar, proved to be a resounding success, as it helped to raise awareness about migratory birds and their habitats among local communities, students, and villagers. By actively involving participants in workshops and discussions, NCS-Myanmar empowered the local population to contribute to the conservation of migratory birds in the GoM. The event highlighted the need for socio-ecological justice and emphasized the crucial role of water in sustaining bird life. It is hoped that such initiatives will continue to be organized, promoting environmental conservation and habitat preservation for migratory birds in their flyways. The project was funded through the 2023 EAAFP WMBD Small Grant Fund. View the report, Click here. Article prepared by Nature Conservation Society-Myanmar

Continue reading