This regional overview report presents an assessment of:
- the importance of the three main priority areas for action (Coastal tourism; mangroves mining/sediment movement; ports and land reclamation and damming of rivers) on the social and economic well-being of the countries of the region;
- national legislation (laws, regulations, decrees, standards, etc.) relevant to the three main priority areas to be addressed in the region as far as the Physical Alteration and Habitat Destruction, is concerned;
- areas that have been severely degraded due to coastal tourism; salt works; mariculture; clear cutting of coastal forests; and mining/ sediment movement, ports and land reclamation and damming of rivers;
- ecosystem restoration initiatives in the WIO region, and carries out detailed case studies of selected projects/initiatives with special emphasis on the lessons learnt; challenges encountered; potential for replicability; and cost-effectiveness
The report describes the regional dimensions of the activities (Coastal tourism; mangroves mining/sediment movement; ports and land reclamation and damming of rivers) that are contributing to the physical alteration and destruction of habitats, and it examines their socio-economic and environmental implications. Some case studies highlighting specific issues of interest also examined. Specific recommendations to deal with the issues and problems identified in the report, are also proposed.
