According to Wetlands Ecology and Management Journal (February 2013), Palau?s taro fields and mangroves protect the coral reefs by trapping eroded fine sediment, is a strong research statement, which proves that the health of coral reefs depend on activities on land. Hence quality of land must be monitored, given that much impending development is taking place today in the state.

The women of Ngarchelong have been the caretakers of taro fields for centuries in an effective and sustainable manner. The traditional women's group of this village, Ngaraklidm, their main concern is the proper traditional engineering of waterways, which have not been maintained for decades, and thus have somewhat altered the eco-system and overall biodiversity of the state. In addition, impending soil erosion from ineffectively controlled developments has also affected the waterways and thus degrading the state?s natural environment. Most of all, the livelihood of the community must be self-reliant beginning with locally produced food.

The main objectives of this project are: (1) To ensure capacity-building occurs for state citizens by conducting two, two-day fora in Ngarchelong on environment conservation and preservation, forests, wetlands, mangroves, taro fields traditional practices, economics and health of taro. (2) To ensure clearing and cleaning of taro fields and waterways draining to the mangroves takes place. (3) To ensure that Planting different varieties of taro happens. (4) To conduct inventory and mapping of Ngarchelong taro fields. (5) To ensure sustainability of the Taro Fields is maintained. Ngaraklidm and PRI have solicited technical and scientific assistance from different relevant agencies in Palau to assist in this endeavor (see attached support letters)

By meeting the objectives above, the women will have met their goals of restoring, developing and reviving their taro fields.