On World Mangrove Day July 26, 2025, the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), in collaboration with the Ngiwal State Government, led by Paramount Chief Uongruios Elliot Udui, proudly announced the planting of 50 clams: 25 Duadeb (common name Bear Claw) and 25 Otkang (common name baby Giant Clam). This initiative is a vital step in their ongoing commitment to enhance the mangrove ecotourism program in Ngiwal State.
This commitment stems from the “Enhancement of Integrated Management of Coastal Ecosystem in Palau for Strengthening their Resilience to Climate Change” project, a collaborative effort with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that commenced in February 2022 and concluded in February 2025. The project’s overarching goal was to develop and implement sustainable community-based mangrove ecotourism in Ngiwal State, serving as a model for nationwide expansion.
