Members of the Ngaremlengui State Legislature, Olbiil Ra Ngaremlengui, introduced and passed the Ngermeskang Nature Reserve Act of 2008.
The act seeks to establish the area of Ngermeskang that borders the states of Ngardmau, Ngiwal, and Melekeok as a nature reserve.The purpose of the reserve is to protect the Ngermeskang watershed ridge to ensure that the water sources within and around it are not disturbed. The protection of the watershed ridge also ensures that the people of Ngaremlengui and neighboring states would be able to tap into quality water from undisturbed natural sources.Members of the Olbiil ra Ngaremlengui passed the act and forwarded it to Governor Wilson Ongos for review and approval.Governor Ongos signed the act into law last Wednesday, October 8.The Ngermeskang Nature Reserve Act of 2008 establishes approximately 4,046,860 square meters of forested area of Ngermeskang – roughly at the central part of Babeldaob – for forest conservation, wildlife sanctuary, and watershed protection.According to Joyce Beouch, BWA coordinator, the Olbiil Ra Ngaremlengui has set aside roughly 3.36 square miles of untouched forested area for conservation.“This is probably the largest terrestrial reserve so far,” Beouch said. “Ngaremlengui has put aside much of its land and the resources in it for protection for its people and others.”The act authorizes the governor of the state to manage the established Ngermeskang Nature Reserve.The Ngermeskang Nature Reserve will not be completed closed off to the public. Access to the reserve will be limited – dependent upon the purpose of entry.“A collaborative effort between state officials, BWA, and members of other organization to create feasible management plan for the reserve is on-going,” Beouch said. “All issues relating to the reserve are likely to be addressed as work on the management plan progresses.”
