Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: Commissioner Secretary Forests, Sanjeev Verma, today inaugurated World Wetlands Day celebration at Wildlife Complex Manda here.
While addressing a group of 21 bird watchers before flag off, Verma highlighted the importance of World Wetlands Day giving historic perspective and significance at present times. He called upon the young bird watchers to be ambassadors of nature conservation.
Commissioner Secretary mentioned that different wings of the Government are working for conservation and restoration of wetlands in coordination with other concerned agencies. He complimented department of Wildlife Protection for taking various initiatives in Wetland Conservation Reserves including preparation of their Management Plans for the first time.
Verma also mentioned about unique feature of J&K with regard to having three Ramsar sites i.e., Wullar, Hokersar and Mansar-Surinsar. Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance, he added.
Dr. Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, emphasized upon involvement of locals especially Panchayat Raj Institutions in conservation and restoration of wetlands. He mentioned that department is taking number of measures for restoration of wetlands in forest areas and a directory in this regard is also being prepared.
Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chief Wildlife Warden, listed various initiatives being taken up by the department for conservation of Wetland Conservation Reserves in the UT. He mentioned that the department has organised similar programmes at other parts of Union Territory like Surinsar-Mansar, Gharana, Hokersar, Chatlum, Shallabugh, Hygam etc. The programmes included walks, bird watching, cleanliness drives, stakeholders meetings etc.
At Hokersar, a wall of pledge has been raised for taking pledge to save wetlands and this programme was chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. Wetland mitras attended the programme at all the Ramsar sites.
During the event, Commissioner Secretary Forest honoured B.L.Parimoo, noted environmentalist, Guldev Raj, noted bird photographer and Ashish Mahajan, Range Officer Wetlands Jammu for their contribution.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Kumar M.K. Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu and attended by Anil Atri, Amit Sharma, Dr. Arun Gupta Wildlife Wardens, Wildlife staff and nature enthusiasts amid observance of all Covid protocols.
The programme culminated with Commissioner Secretary flagging off a group of bird watchers to Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve.
Meanwhile, different educational institutions today celebrated World Wetlands and organized many programmes in this regard.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University organized a programme at Mansar Lake, a world renowned Ramsar Site, to mark the celebration of World Wetlands Day. The programme started with nature walk around Mansar Lake by faculty members, research scholars and students. In a special lecture by Padma Shri Prof. R.K Sinha, Vice Chancellor SMVDU importance of Mansar and Surinsar lakes in providing assured drinking water supply, ground water recharging besides providing refuge to flora and fauna were highlighted.
World Wetlands Day was celebrated at Centre for Biodiversity Studies, BGSB University, Rajouri, in which the faculty, research scholars and students of the Environmental Sciences, participated. This year’s theme of World Wetlands Day 2022 is Wetlands Action for People and Nature. Prof. Akbar Masood, Vice Chancellor BGSBU highlighted that lack of conservation of wetlands can have harmful consequences on aspects like climate change mitigation, water-food security, disaster management etc.
NSS Unit and Nature Club of Government College of Education under the guidance of Principal Dr Kulvinder Kour celebrated World Wetland Day in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife.
As part of the celebration, green walk, cleanliness drive and bird watching activities were conducted in the Surinsar lake area in which NSS volunteers of the college participated enthusiastically. NSS Nodal Officer, Dr Shubhra Jamwal conducted the programme along with Dr Shalini Sharma, Convener of Nature Club. Prof Seema Kumari, Prof Sarita Dogra and Prof Shapia Shameem Bhatti were also present at the event.
The participants were provided with jute bags and gloves and they collected non-biodegradable waste lying around the Surinsar lake and the waste thus collected was disposed of in proper manner.
NSS Unit of GCW Parade Ground Jammu in collaboration with Department of Environmental Sciences of the College, organized an online event to commemorate World Wetlands Day under the patronage of Dr. S.P Sarswat, Principal GCW Parade. NSS volunteers and students body of the College participated in activities like essay writing competition, plantation drive and awareness programme via poster and slogan making activity.
Department of Botany, Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Govt. P.G College for Women, Gandhi Nagar Jammu celebrated ‘World Wetlands Day’ under the patronage of Principal, Dr. Sangita Nagari. An online poster making competition on theme ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’ was organized. Principal of the College emphasized on the importance of wetland ecosystems in supporting variety of life forms besides an important source of fresh water and also advised the students to make action plans for the conservation and restoration of wetlands.
Department of Zoology, Govt. Degree College Ramnagar celebrated World Wetlands Day to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention for conservation of wetlands and raising global awareness on importance of wetlands for both humans and the environment. An online quiz and debate competition on the theme ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’ was organized through online mode.
NSS unit GDC Kathua celebrated World Wetlands Day and organized an online poster making competition on the theme ‘Importance of Wetlands and their protection’.
GDC Basohli organized an online poster making competition to commemorate ‘World Wetlands Day’ on the theme ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’. The event was organized under the patronage of College Principal, Dr. Nidhi Kotwal who talked about the importance of wetlands in sustaining biodiversity and preservation of nature.
Department of Botany, Govt. PG College Rajouri organized a webinar on ‘Wetland Action for People and Nature’ to mark World Wetland Day. Prof. Prem Lal Uniyal from Department of Botany, University of Delhi spoke at length about the wetlands, their importance, targets and individual as well as societal efforts to conserve the wetlands by citing examples from across the country.
On ‘World Wetlands Day’, Department of Environmental Sciences, Govt. Degree College Nowshera organized a webinar on ‘Significance of Wetlands for the People and Our Planet.’ The resource person, Dr. Arti Sharma, Assistant Prof. GGM Science College, Jammu gave deep insights about the concept of wetlands, history behind the celebration of Wetlands Day etc.
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