ESI is a non-profit, non-government organization that aims to promote the protection and conservation of the environment and the preservation of Palau’s traditional heritage – its cultural practices and historical sites.
The organization’s name is derived from an area of the Northern Reefs, within the jurisdiction of Ngarchelong State, know as “Ebiil” – designated in 2000 as Ebiil Conservation Area, a no-entry and no-take marine protected area. Though many of the members of ESI have participated in the discussions that led the establishment of Ebiil Conservation Area and have diligently pushed for its monitoring and protection, ESI does not dictate nor does it have any control of the area.“Ebiil Conservation Area is looked after by the state government,” said Anne K. Singeo, ESI president. “Ngarchelong State Government has legal control of the area, which we as an organization duly respect and honor.”ESI had designed, organized, implemented, and run youth summer camp programs in Ngarchelong State for the past four years; and during its of the summer camps, ESI has utilized Ebiil Conservation Area – with consent of the state government and traditional leaders – to promote environmental awareness and traditional practices.The success of the summer camps has caught the interests of international conservationists and eco-tourism enthusiasts.“We are very excited about developing our summer camps to include eco-tourism activities,” Singeo said. “Eco-tourism has the potential to provide for economical opportunities for the people of the state and would encourage establishment of networks of relationships that could possibly ensure that our traditions remain in practice and would further encourage the protection and conservation of our environment.”According to Singeo, a group – 12 graduate students and 3 professors – from Tazu Kayama University, a Japanese University, went on an eco-tour of Ngarchelong’s northern coast last month with members of ESI.“We are hoping to establish a sort of an exchange program and possibly scholarships with international entities,” said Singeo. “Hopefully, we would be able to send at leash 1 youth who has attended our camp to further his studies abroad – either through an exchange program or scholarship. On the same token, we would host international students, who would learn of our culture, our way of life, and our environment.” The students from Tazu Kayama University visited Ngarchelong State’s historical sites and went on a kayak eco-tour expedition along the northern coast of the state.Any interested to learn more about Ebiil Society, Inc. or its programs can contact Anne K. Singeo at 488-6276 or Bridgette Adachi at 855-1077.
