Jammu/Leh/Srinagar, February 02 (Scoop News) – World Wetlands Day is celebrated worldwide on 2 February and every year and it presents us with great opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands in our daily lives. It marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. World Wetlands Day was celebrated for the first time in 1997 and made an encouraging beginning. This year’s World Wetlands day theme was “Wetlands and Tourism” which was used to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands in General and high altitude wetlands in particular. On this eve WWF-India organized awareness programmes at Rajouri , Leh and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir..
A number of students from different educational institutions participated in the programme organized at Rajouri. The programme started with a presentation by Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Zarri, Deputy Registrar, BGSB University, Rajouri. He talked about the wetland tourism with special emphasis on Bird tourism. He also referred to some of the important examples of bird’s conservation at International level and also highlighted the need to adopt similar attitude for making the conservation process fruitful. He said that people should respect wetlands for the services they provide and should work for their protection. Rajeev Khajuria, Chief Functionary, National Development Foundation also interacted with the students and urged them to come forward to contribute towards conservation of wetlands to ensure sustainable development of society and country. Saleem Wani, General Secretary, Himalayan Education Mission Society, also addressed the students and advised them to follow the principles of responsible tourism while hiking in natural areas. Rohit Rattan, Project Officer, WWF-India, talked about the background of World Wetlands Day and also underlined its significance. He urged students to get involved in the conservation initiatives by WWF-India.
After the presentation, students were taken on a nature trail along the Thandikassi Stream. During the nature trail, the students were also educated about various water quality parameters through the water quality testing exercise. They were made aware about the importance of these parameters and their influence on the quality of a stream ecosystem. They also learned about the various life forms that are harboured by the streams/rivers in general and Rajouri River in particular. They could draw a relationship between the various life-forms living in an ecosystem after this nature trail. Students were taken on a birding trip where they were brought face to face with various bird species and they themselves were able to draw the relationship between the various birds and the ecological balance they help in maintaining. Students learned about various scientific techniques to study birds. Among others, who were present at the event were Junaid Jazib, Shafqat Mir and Tanvir Shawl.
Another awareness programme was organized by WWF-India field office at Leh in collaboration with Department of Wildlife Protection, Govt. of J&K. The programme started with a welcome address by Sh. Abdul Rauf, Wildlife warden Leh, who welcomed the various guests and audience. During the address he also highlighted the ecological and socioeconomic importance of wetlands of Ladakh.
Gurmeet Dorjay, Executive Councillor for Tourism & Wildlife highlighted the importance of wetlands & their role in maintaining the ecological balance. He also spoke about the religious significance of the wetlands, especially in case of Buddhasim. Ms. Nisa Khatoon, Sr. Project officer spoke about the Ramsar Convention and its significance in context of Wetland conservation. She also talked about the importance of Tsomoriri Lake, the only Ramsar site in Ladakh, and its biodiversity, socio-cultural, religious values and tourism potential. Sh. Tsering Namgail, President, ALTOA, highlighted the need for regulation of tourism and natural resources of the area. Mr. Phuntsog Tashi, project Officer, WWF-India, underlined the wetlands as an important breeding ground of the birds, especially migratory birds. He pressed upon the need for involvement of the local communities in conservation. The programme culminated with a formal vote of thanks.
In Kashmir The Khushall Valley Educational (KVE) Trust, Upper Ahmad Nagar in collaboration with National Society for Protection of Water Resources, Wetlands and Forests celebrated the World Wetland Day-2012 at KVE Trust, Upper Ahmad Nagar to focus attention on conversation of precious Wetlands in J&K.
The chief guest Divisional Forest Officer Ganderbal, Mir Hafizullah highlighted that the wetlands are among the most productive life support systems in the world and are of immense socio-economic ecological importance to the mankind.
Mir Hafizullah further added that J&K has been gifted with number of wetland sites which harbour a very rich concentration of water fowl, especially the winter migratory species from far flung China, Russia, Northern Europe, Siberia and Central Asia countries. The migratory birds add to the colour and beauty of our Valley. Unfortunately, these wetlands have been subjected to tremendous pressure on account of the human activities like encroachments and number of flood channels was diverted to these wetlands in the past resulting in trapping of huge sediment load and heavy weed infestation.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, National Society for Protection of Water Resources, Wetlands and Forests, Mr. Nazir Benazir appealed to the citizens of the State, especially the youth to join hands with the concerned agencies to protect the wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir.
The DFO, Urban Forestry said that environmental pollution is the highest problem facing the modern man and all achievements will be of no use if water resources are not used and preserved judiciously.
He further added “No wetlands means no water, no water means no life”. The students also participated and highlighted the importance of the wetlands, the principals of Khushall Valley Education Trust conducted the proceeding of the function and thanked the participants.