By Martha Luois – EMTV News, Lae
United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Catherine-Ebert Gray, said PNG needs to protect its bird species.
She said although there is no clear evidence of illegal trading of birds, PNG needs to have laws to protect its bird species.
The US Ambassador made those comments during the celebrations of the world environment day tree planting at the Coca-Cola Amatil headquarters in Lae, last Friday.
World Environment Day is observed on June 5th every year to raise awareness to protect the nature and the planet Earth.
It is celebrated in over 100 countries including Papua New Guinea.
US Ambassador to PNG, Catherine-Ebert Gray, who attended the celebrations in Lae said PNG has more than a thousand different bird species and it needs to protect those birds.
“It’s a great source of tourism and it’s a great interest to people around the world who come to see the birds of PNG”,said Gray.
Another concern is over fishing in areas around PNG and also in the South Pacific.
Illegal and unregulated fishing have triggered a depletion of fish stocks which is causing a loss in revenue for countries that have control over these waters.
“The USA, Australia and other countries have been working together here in the Pacific to come up with ways to monitor the fishing going on in the area”, said Gray.
In Lae, Cola-Cola Amatil, employees took half of the day off to plant trees.
Nine trees were planted in front of the factory as awareness to communities of the importance of protecting the environment.
CCA CEO, Mr Somu Bhattacharya, said they are committed to conducting awareness across the society to create a sustainable future. And it is the moral responsibility for the CCA employees.
