REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, GORONTALO -- Gorontalo is celebrating 2016 World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) that is commemorated globally every year on May 10 by organizing several activities, including disseminating information on bird preservation.

Gorontalo Biodiversity Forum (GBF) has initiated several activities to mark 2016 WMBD: bird observation, media trip, and dissemination of information on bird preservation among students of Telaga Jaya District's State Elementary School 3 in Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province.

"WMBD is celebrated across the world, and its celebration in Gorontalo holds significance since one of its areas, such as Limboto Lake, attracts migratory birds," GBF member Danny Rogi stated here on Tuesday.

He said not all areas, such as Limboto Lake, have rich biodiversity and attract migratory birds, so it is necessary to encourage the participation of coastal residents to preserve the region.

"So, the commemoration of WMBD offers another opportunity to conserve the lake as a whole. The presence of migratory birds is just one of the reasons to preserve the lake's existence," he stated.

Apart from observing the birds at several spots in the vicinity of the lake, the members of GBF also visited Telaga Jaya District's State Elementary School 3 to share information on bird preservation with the students.

In Indonesia, there are only three areas that have enrolled to participate in WMBD: Gorontalo Regency, Banyumas Regency in Central Java Province, and Aceh Province.

WMBD was first observed in 2006. It offers a momentum to raise awareness on the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

This event was organized by two institutions that are managed by United Nations Environment Programme: the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds.

This year's campaign was financially supported by the German Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety.

The 2016 WMBD is themed "Stop the Illegal Killing, Taking, and Trade."

On April 2016, GBF, as Indonesia's representative, won the video competition for migratory birds, beating Ireland and Canada, which came second and third.

The two-minute video sheds light on Limboto Lake, the presence of migratory birds, and rampant incidents of bird hunting in the region.

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