Indonesia is rich in waterbirds; it is home to about 380 species of these wetland dependent bird species. Waterbirds are extremely important both from a conservation and recreational point of view. Most of these species have adapted to the drastically changing conditions of wetlands through their migratory behaviour. Wetlands International works in Indonesia to protect waterbird populatons by taking a leading role in conservation work, and by building and sharing knowledge.
Many waterbirds complete annual migrations of several thousands of kilometres between their breeding and non-breeding areas, passing many country borders and even between continents. These migration routes are called flyways. Waterbird conservation and sustainable management requires coordinated actions throughout the length of a flyway. Indonesia belongs to the East Asian – Australasian Flyway.
What we do
We have been working for decades on the conservation of waterbirds in Indonesia and along the East Asian – Australasian Flyway, through conservation work in the field, monitoring populations and their trends, resulting in numerous scientific publications and articles.
What we achieved
- We have worked for a long time to assist the Indonesian government in the conservation of the Pulau Dua Nature Reserve in Banten Bay, which is home to more than ten thousands waterbirds. In addition, we have also conducted restoration work on the habitat of the surrounding aquaculture ponds;
- We coordinate the annual waterbird census activiities in Indonesia where the acquired data can be used in the planning of waterbirds management;
- We contribute data and information on waterbirds through national and international publications on waterbirds;
- We supported the development of Indonesia’s Bird Banding Scheme, and we were involved in its capacity building activities;
- We supported the Indonesian government in numerous international migratory waterbirds conservation activities, including the development of the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership;
- We supported and were actively involved in the establishment of the National Secretariat of Migratory Birds Management;
- We support the Government of Indonesia in dealing with various Avian flu cases.