Pupils of some 20 schools around Buea, were drilled during the celebration of World Migratory Birds Day 2014, May 10 to 11, in the protection of migratory birds and their environment.

This year’s celebration had as theme: “Destination Flyways – Migratory Birds and Tourism.” The activities included educative talks in 20 schools in the Southwest Region, roundtable discussions and sensitisation of local tourism and environmental conservation organisations active on the Mount Cameroon Forest region. Press briefing with The Post newspaper, posting and distribution of posters, stickers, postcards in the University of Buea, essay competition and tree planting in schools.

The Coordinator of the African Initiative of African Eurasia Migratory Waterbird Agreement, AEWA/ENEP, Evelyn Moloko Park, was part of the celebrations in Cameroon. She joined the International Centre for Environmental Education and Development, ICENEDEV, in their activities to mark the celebration.

At the end of the celebrations, ICENEDEV Coordinator, Eric Fongoh, expressed his appreciation on the “constructive and positive relations for the participating schools, P&T Credit Union Buea, administrators, local stakeholders of ecotourism organisations, Regional Delegation of the Environment, Nature protection and Sustainable Development and the Mount Cameroon Park office. Fongoh also appreciated the collaboration of international volunteers; Anna Pericci from Italy, Tessa Wiersum and Anna Neele from the Netherlands.

Anna Pericci, who participated in discussions in primary schools around Buea and in the tree-planting exercise, told The Post that: “The celebration is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the natural environment of birds, to protect the species involved in migration movements, underlining also the strong connection with touristic activities like sightseeing and bird watching.”

Celebrated in over 70 countries, the World Migratory Bird Day 2014 focused on the role sustainable tourism can play in conserving one of the world’s true natural wonders: the spectacular movements of birds along their flyways.

Destination Flyways is also the name of the World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO-led project, which aims to develop sustainable tourism at destinations along the world’s major migratory bird routes.

Focusing on a selection of eight key sites for migratory birds in Africa, Europe and Asia, the project aims to be a vehicle for both environmental and socio-economic sustainability, benefitting wildlife, local communities and tourists alike.

The World Migratory Bird Day was launched in 2006 and is celebrated annually from May 10-11. Every year, more than one billion tourists cross borders. A thriving wildlife is a key tourism asset. Properly managed, popular bird-related tourism activities such as bird watching or bird photography can serve as the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship between people and migratory birds.