Case Study

Ponds and Wetlands are important ecosystems teeming with a variety of plant and animal life,
But now they are currently experiencing enormous problems as a result of the world's
accelerating change.

Example of which is the Visakhapatnam Pond. According to the Express News Service. (2021,
September 14) "A large number of dead fish found floating in a pond at Parawada in
Visakhapatnam created a flutter on Monday, September 13, 2021Farmers, who farmed fish in
the water body, locally known as Pedda Cheruvu, alleged that industrial units in the area had
polluted it. They said they recently staged a week-long protest demanding immediate steps be
taken to check the pollution of groundwater due to pollutants from the industries.

Another example is about what happen to the wetland in the Philippines named Las Piñas-
Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA). LPPCHEA is located in Metro Manila
and is home to various bird species and marine life. But now it faces challenges such as habitat
destruction due to reclamation projects, pollution from nearby urban areas, and illegal fishing
activities, which threaten the delicate ecosystem and biodiversity of the wetland.

On 15 April 2023 at Manila The Regional Knowledge Centre of Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD)
team of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) visited Las Piñas-
Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) in Metro Manila, The Philippines to study the degree of
plastic pollution observed in the area. Plastic pollution in particular, is visibly present inside the
LPPWP. The ERIA team observed layers of plastic waste trapped and accumulated in the
mangrove area during the visit. The officers of the wetland park explained that despite their
efforts to clean it regularly, plastic waste keeps coming back.

As according to Ms.Janina from DENR “The plastics come from the oceans. The consumption is
very high in this country".

These delicate settings are in danger as a result of human activities like urbanisation and
agriculture that have caused habitat loss and pollution. These problems are made worse by
climate change, which results in changes in temperature and water supply. So what can we do
to reduce and prevent this kind of problems and how can we restore and support the habitat of
other living organisms? There are a lot of ways on how we can help to solve this current issues
although it is hard to implement but it is the best solution that we can do reduce environmental
problems.

1. Collaboration

We should work together and cooperate to prevent water pollution like organizing community
clean-ups, raising public awareness, advocating for stronger regulations, reporting pollution
incidents, sharing best practices for pollution reduction, promoting green infrastructure,
engaging with local businesses for eco-friendly practices, participating in monitoring programs,
conducting educational workshops, and actively engaging with governments to prioritize
pollution prevention measures. Such collaborative efforts can lead to effective pollution
prevention and the protection of local water resources.

2. Obey Laws and Regulations

According to the Republic Act No. 9275, also known as the "Philippine Clean Water Act of
2004," We must to protect water in our surroundings. Minimize the use of chemicals,
pesticides, and fertilizers in your yard or garden. Their are some restrictions to or when to use
that kind of chemicals but if it is not that necessary it is always the right decision not to use it.

3. Recycling and Reusing

We must adopt a comprehensive approach starting by reducing single-use plastic consumption

in daily life, opting for reusable products whenever possible. Sort and segregate recyclable
materials correctly and participate actively in local recycling programs. Encourage the use of
recycled plastics in manufacturing processes and support industries that prioritize
sustainability. Collaborate with organizations working on river and ocean cleanup initiatives,
and advocate for policies that promote responsible waste management and recycling practices.
By incorporating these steps into our lifestyles and communities, we can significantly reduce
plastic pollution and its harmful impact on our water sources.
4. Proper disposal of hazardous materials.

Proper disposal of hazardous materials involves identifying, storing, and handling them safely.
Lets start to practice recognizing the materials and understanding their hazards through labels
and safety information. Store them in secure, well-ventilated areas while keeping incompatible
substances separate. If you are an individual working in a hospital or anywhere that uses
hazardous material be responsible of your waste and dipose your waste properly and also as a
concern citizen if ever that you can see some waste report it to the authorities so that it can be
solved quickly.

5. Practice Sustainable Agriculture

We should prioritize practices like crop rotation, organic farming, and reduced chemical use to
protect soil health, conserve water, and promote biodiversity. Implement precision farming
techniques to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and employ eco-friendly irrigation systems.
Encourage sustainable land management, including the creation of riparian buffers and erosion
control measures. Promote sustainable consumption by reducing food waste and supporting
local, eco-friendly agriculture. Lastly, invest in research and education to continually improve
and adapt agricultural practices for long-term environmental and societal benefits.

All organism depend on the environment for survival that's why it is so Important to protect our
environment just like how we protect our own.

References:

Express News Service. (2021, September 14). Farmers irked over mass fish death in
Visakhapatnam. The New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-
pradesh/2021/sep/14/farmers-irked-over-mass-fish-death-in-visakhapatnam-2358410.amp
Edita, E.P. (2023) Philippine Wetland Park facing threat of plastic pollution, RKC. Available at:
https://rkcmpd-eria.org/wetland-park-in-the-philippines-facing-threat-of-plastic-pollution/
(Accessed: 03 October 2023).

Aquino, A. P. (2020, June 29). Republic Act No. 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. FFTC
Agricultural Policy Platform (FFTC-AP). https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/715#:~:text=It%20took%20effect
%20on%20May,2005%2D10.&text=The%20law%20applies%20to%20water%20quality%20management
%20in%20all%20water%20bodies