Palau’s PAN Act which was passed in 2003 aims to establish a nationwide network of terrestrial and marine protected areas. Its goal is to protect Palau’s biodiversity while assisting local Marine Protected Areas, which are administered and managed at the state level.
If approved, Ngardmau will be joining the five other existing PAN member States, namely, Ngarchelong (Ebiil Channel), Ngiwal (Olsokesol to Ngemai), Melekeok (Ngardok Nature Reserve), Ngchesar (Mesekelat) and Hatohobei (Helen Reef).
Ngardmau’s Ongedechuul Conservation Area System consists of the four linked terrestrial and marine conservation areas, which are Ngermasech, Ileyaklbeluu, Ngerchelchuus and Taki Waterfall.
According to Palau Conservation Society, Ngardmau was the first State to nominate a new Conservation Area to the PAN. It is also the first state to follow the nomination procedures. “As such, Ngardmau ensured that the PAN application had wide support and was signed by representatives of the State government, traditional leadership and community.”
During the signing ceremony on June 4, which Ngardmau hosted at the Ministry of State Conference Room in Ngerulmuud, Melekeok, Ngardmau’s Governor Akiko Sugiyama expressed her State’s commitment to conservation of Palau’s biodiversity.
Since establishing Ngermasech Channel in 1998 – the State’s marine and land conservation area — Ngardmau has actively enforced and monitored its conservation sites.
Also present during the signing ceremony were Beouch Sakaziro Demk; Ngirkebai Aichi Kumangai; Andres Thing, Chairman of the Ngardmau State Public Lands Authority; Ananias Ngiraiwet, Speaker of the Ngardmau Legislature; and Victor Masahiro, Chairman of the State Conservation Board. Minister Harry Fritz of the Ministry of Natural Resources Environment and Tourism accepted the nomination.
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