DENR partners with WBPP to boost bird, nature photography

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Feb. 4 (PNA) -–The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), formerly the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has teamed up with the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines (WBPP) in a bid to promote bird photography in the country.

DENR Regional Public Affairs Officer-in-Charge Rosevirico Tan said Tuesday the primary objective of the partnership is not just to take photographs of the birds but to encourage taking pictures of birds in their natural habitat and “behaving as they naturally behave.”

Tan said the project known as “Partnership on Bird and Nature Photography” was forged by BMB Director Mundita Lim and WBPP president Rey Sta. Ana. The project will run for five years.

“This DENR-BMB and WBPP partnership is also part of the over-all strategy of the government to address threats both on the wildlife and their habitats in which they live and thrive,” Tan explained.

He said the partnership project does not only seek to generate high quality photographs but also videos of endemic and threatened Philippine species to be used in educating the public on biodiversity conservation.

He said the project will start with the documentation of the Philippine eagle, being the flagship species for conservation efforts in the country.

He said that BMB records showed that there are more than 500 species of birds that thrive in various parts of the country, of which 116 bird species are included in the national list of endangered fauna.

Meanwhile, he said Lim appreciates the WBPP, a non-government organization compose mainly if bird and wildlife photography enthusiasts for “sharing their expertise, time and passion for bird and nature photography.” (PNA)
PDS/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/UTB