Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, along with Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB) Water Quality Lab Supervisor, Kimi Ngirchechol, and Persis Omelau, started off PICRC’s water conservation awareness campaign by giving a short talk show on Palau Wave Radio with Salvador Tellames on March 8, 2018,

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Dr. Golbuu emphasized the importance of freshwater in daily lives, the need for everyday conservation in the face of climate change, and the threat of more severe droughts in the near future.

“Water is not only important to us, for our daily survival, but it is also very important for the environment, starting from the tops of the hills down to the ocean,” Golbuu expressed.

Back in 2016, Palau experienced one of the most severe droughts to occur in the region. Since then, it has become a pressing issue to conserve and protect our water sources.

With the collaboration of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industry and Commerce (MPIIC) and Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC), PICRC and other relevant partner agencies are embarking on a project to address the issues of water conservation. With a grant from the Government of Italy, this project is divided into two parts.

MPIIC and PPUC are tasked with identifying new or alternate sources of water in Palau, such as wells or springs, through the project.

Meanwhile, PICRC is also tasked with outreach and awareness activities to promote better conservation of freshwater to students and the greater Palauan community through a unified theme “Melekau ra ralm el uchul a klengar”.

With that task, PICRC’s annual Arts & Tides Calendar contest is themed “Water Connects Ridge to Reef”, emphasizing the importance of water and how it connects all aspects of the environment.

PICRC will also host the “World Water Day Fair” at the Center’s grounds on March 22. Booths from various agencies, including EQPB, Belau Watershed Alliance, Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF), Palau Conservation Society (PCS), and PPUC will be available during the event. [/restrict]