Manila Bay Conservation at ABF 2024

Now in its 13th edition, the Asian Bird Fair is returning to the Philippines under the auspices of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP), the country’s premier birdwatching society. With the theme Wetlands We Treasure for the Future, the ABF 2024 will be held on November 21 and 22, 2024, at The Tent in Las Piñas City.

Mike Lu, one of the founders of the ABF and WBCP president, said,

“This year’s bird fair seeks to draw attention to the importance of the now-threatened Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park and Manila Bay to regional avian ecology. The ABF 2024 logo features the endemic Philippine Duck or Papan that used to frequent LPPWP until continuous development and reclamation activities destroyed the ecosystem in this part of Manila Bay.

The Asian Bird Fair aims to spotlight the different bird fairs in the region, promote the protection of birds and habitats, and encourage the bird-watching hobby and the responsible appreciation of nature.”

Below are some key points about the Asian Bird Fair 2024, which has been running for thirteen years all over Asia.

Focus and Importance

• Highlight: The event will spotlight the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) and Manila Bay, both critical to regional avian ecology.
• Logo Significance: The logo features the endemic Philippine Duck (Papan), which once frequented the LPPWP but has been impacted by development and reclamation.

Historical Context

• Origins: Founded by Mike Lu, Victor Yu, and Andre Sebastian in 2010.
• Evolution: The fair has become the largest avitourism event in Asia, travelling to different cities annually.

Participants and Activities

• Exhibitors: 55 organizations from 12 Asian countries and 8 non-Asian countries, including major players from Mongolia, Japan, Malaysia, India, and more.
• Global Representation: Birdwatchers and conservationists from Europe, Africa, Australia, North America, and South America will be present.

Focus Areas

• Environmental Education: Lectures for students at various educational levels.
• Ecotourism: Forums to share best practices and innovations from around the world.

Supporters

• Notable Supporters: Villar Foundation, Team Energy Foundation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-NCR, Tourism Promotions Board, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, and various other partners.

Event Overview

• Dates: November 21-22, 2024
• Location: The Tent, Las Piñas City, Philippines
• Theme: “Wetlands We Treasure for the Future”

Conclusion

This year’s Asian Bird Fair 2024 at Las Pinas aims to raise awareness about the threats facing important wetlands and foster international cooperation and knowledge-sharing among conservationists, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts.

Manila Bay Conservation is a significant environmental initiative to restore and protect Manila Bay in the Philippines. The bay, a critical natural resource and a vital part of the country’s maritime ecosystem, faces challenges such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. This will be highlighted during the ABF 2024 at Las Pinas.