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FSM is Hosting SPREP's 6^th Conference

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 24, 1997 - The South Pacific Regional Environmental Program (SPREP) based in Apia, Western Samoa, is holding its 6^th Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from September 29^th to October 3^rd, at the FSM Capital in Palikir, according to SPREP and FSM officials who are making arrangements for the conference.

In an interview conducted on September 16, 1997 which was recorded and broadcasted over the radio station V6AH and Island Cable TV, SPREP's Biodiversity Officer Sue Miller, Wetland and Mangrove Officer Lucille Apis Overhoff, Senior Administrative Officer Ruda Cuper, and FSM Administrator for the Division of Maritime Resources Moses Nelson estimated that more than 160 participants representing SPREP member countries, territories, regional and international non-governmental organizations in the Pacific Region, International Funding Organizations, donor countries and non-governmental organizations dealing with Nature Conservation activities will be in Pohnpei for the conference.

SPREP's Biodiversity Officer Sue Miller said that during the conference participants and local officials and people will find time to exchange information and views on the modern and scientific as well as the traditional ways of conservation. Here in the FSM several programs are on-going including the watershed catchment conservation, reef and coral conservation efforts and programs restraining logging and clearing of the remaining forest. Miller stated that the landslides in Pohnpei were partly results of random clearing especially of the hills and mountain slopes which became prone to landslide during rainy and stormy weather.

Some participants, Miller said, are planning to take the opportunity of being in the FSM, to visit other FSM States and to see for themselves such community based conservation projects as the one in Utwa-Walung, Kosrae.

The conference's Micronesian Celebration will be open to the public on Friday, October 10, 1997, from 1 p.m.

SPREP holds this conference every four years, the last one was held in the Kingdom of Tonga in 1993. In each conference, SPREP reviews its accomplishments and recommends new programs and strategies.