The efforts of the traditional leaders have, for as long as memory has served, not gone unnoticed. However, due to oversight, some of the on-going conservation efforts throughout Micronesia have neglected to incorporate within their development processes culturally expected traditional protocols; and to some extent have resulted in progress setbacks.This week, nevertheless, the Babeldaob Watershed Alliance, with full support, guidance, and blessings of the traditional leaders of the allied states – Melekeok, Ngaremlengui, and Ngiwal – hosted the Micronesia Watershed Learning Exchange, a workshop on effective conservation management practices of watersheds and other resources.On Tuesday, June 24, Paramount Chief Reklai Raphael Bao Ngirmang, with chief Uongruos Paulus Wong, Speaker Collin Joseph (Melekeok), Speaker Francisco Melaitau (Ngiwal), Speaker Madraisau Sulial (Ngaremlengui) and other members of the allied states, welcomed participants of the workshop – particularly applauding the participation of traditional chief Isonahnken Salvador Iriarte who headed the delegation from Pohnpei and Kosrae – to Melekeok State for a tour visit to Ngardok Lake.Isonahnken Iriarte is attending the workshop on behalf of the traditional leadership of Pohnpei to raise awareness and to support watershed protection efforts in Pohnpei.He said in an interview that watershed protection efforts in Pohnpei officially began in 1987 when the government established and began implementing the Watershed Forest Reserve and Mangrove Act of 1987 – a law that set aside 5,100 hectares (51 million square meters) of central Pohnpei for conservation.The law, according to Isonahnken Iriarte, though worthy of praise, failed to incorporate the pre-existing traditional norms of Pohnpei and in a sense, shown disrespect to the traditional leadership of Pohnpei. He further added that efforts are being undertaken to revisit the law; and to build into it “proper procedures” that would provide for its continued implementation without negative implications and fewer challenges.“I am walking the law,” he said, “to show my support of it. I am making a ‘statement’ visit to learn and meet people with similar efforts and to share and exchange knowledge.”In his welcoming remarks, Reklai recalled the declaration established in Melekeok in July 1999 by the Micronesian traditional leaders, which committed the leaders to a sharing of information, and to actively take lead in support of environmental stewardship activities.Reklai congratulated the young participants of the workshop for “setting new trends” into conservation efforts, yet maintaining their connections to traditions. He cited current conservation initiatives in Palau – BWA’s work and the Northern Reefs marine conservation movement – and similar efforts in various Micronesian entities.“We don’t have anyone just sitting happily in the corner, ready to receive and solve our problem,” Reklai stated. Further, he said, each and everyone must step up to the challenges of the work “after all, the resources are ours, benefits and costs are ours too, and therefore, the responsibility remains ours.”Reklai and Isonahnken Iriarte exchanged gifts and congratulatory remarks on the efforts of the people they represent and the successes of the conservation work in their respective countries. Further, as declared in 1999, they vowed to continue to share “lessons learned” and to meet challenges cooperatively to ensure continued successes.
