Mekong dolphins on the brink of extinction
Pollution in the Mekong River has pushed the local population of Irrawaddy dolphins to the brink of extinction, a new report by WWF has revealed.
More studies needed for Amazon dams
La Paz, Bolivia - An international group of scientists has called for more studies into the impacts of large hydro-energy projects in the Amazon and other tropical regions.
New species of Arabian freshwater fish found in Oman
Emma Smart, a UAE-based PHD student and member of the Emirates Wildlife Society – WWF (EWS-WWF) team has discovered a new species of Arabian freshwater fish - Garra Smarti residing in Southern Oman. To date there were only sixteen recorded species of primary freshwater fish throughout the entire Arabian
Peninsula highlighting the magnitude of the discovery and underpinning the unique and high ecological value of Arabian wadi ecosystems.
‘Mountains of the Moon’ get nod for international wetlands protection
Part of the Rwenzori Mountains – home to some of the last glaciers in Africa and likely Ptolemy’s ‘Lunis Montae’ – received international recognition on Wednesday as a protected wetland site under the international Ramsar convention, a major conservation decision that will help protect the region’s vast ecological riches.
Yangtze estuary gets a welcome focus from river forum
Much more effort needs to be put into keeping the estuary of China’s longest river healthy, according to a declaration made in Shanghai today by the main Yangtze overview body.
Congo spirits get international help to protect wetland
The spirits traditionally associated with a vital rapids and waterfall complex on the mighty Congo River will now have the help of international recognition in protecting the area.
Water declaration vague on main issues
The world will not lessen its mounting worries over water until it is clearly on track to dealing with the twin threats of water mismanagement and climate change, WWF International Director General James Leape said on World Water Day today.
Interest grows in neglected global water treaty
Delegates of 14 countries attending the World Water Forum tonight signed pledges of support to a growing call to bring into force a global water treaty that has languished in limbo for more than a decade as anxiety grows about the increased potential for conflict in a world increasingly short of water.
Modern irrigation techniques could save Turkey's water
With less than one tenth of Turkey’s irrigable land under modern irrigation techniques vast potentials for water saving exist in agriculture, user of nearly three quarters of the nation’s increasingly scarce water.WWF-Turkey CEO Dr. Filiz Demirayak told the World Water Forum, now going on in Istanbul today. that WWF pilot projects spread across Anatolia had shown water savings of up to half in some of the thirstiest crops.
“We have to change our perception of water and water use practices considerably,”
Steal for it, shoot for it or sign for it - Stark choices facing a world running short on water
Bringing into force an existing UN global agreement on sharing and caring for international fresh water resources has been a surprisingly contentious international issue. But in a world running short of water and facing up to the impacts of climate change, an international framework for water management and resolution of water disputes is more and more vital. This article details the evolution of global law on international rivers and why it is taking so long to put in place.