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A Pledge to Palau

Visitors to the tiny Pacific nation of Palau are being made to sign a promise to respect the environment, an innovative move that authorities hope will curb ecological damage caused by booming numbers of tourists.

Claimed to be a world first, the “Palau Pledge” is stamped onto visitors’ passports and must be signed upon arrival in the country, situated in the western Pacific about halfway between Australia and Japan.

“I take this pledge as your guest, to protect and preserve your beautiful island home,” it reads in part. “I vow to tread lightly, act kindly and explore mindfully.”

With crystal clear waters, pristine reefs and abundant sea life, Palau is regarded as one of the world’s best diving spots and was once a niche tourist destination.

Visitor numbers have exploded in recent years, particularly from China, straining both infrastructure and the environment.

The symbolic pledge was written with the help of Palau’s children, and President Tommy Remengesau said it was about preserving the environment for future generations.

“Conservation is at the heart of our culture,” he said. “We rely on our environment to survive, and if our beautiful country is lost to environmental degradation, we will be the last generation to enjoy both its beauty and life-sustaining biodiversity.”

Palau welcomed almost 150,000 tourists in 2016, up 70 percent from 2010 , and the nation of 20,000 has struggled to cope.  Agence France-Presse

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