Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: To mark the signing of Ramsar convention on wetlands on February 2, 1971 and highlight ecological values of lakes and wetlands, Department of Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing (DEERS) in collaboration with Government Gandhi Memorial Science College organized environmental awareness programme at Surinsar.
More than 100 students, forest and wildlife officers as well as media persons participated in the programme to highlight the theme -Wetlands our future and sustainable livelihoods.
The chief guest of the function, Abdul Razak, Chairman, J&K PCB, appealed the students and members of civil society to discourage use of plastics, fertilizers, agrochemicals around wetlands, ponds and other drinking water resources.
Guest of honour, Deepak Khanna, Chief Wildlife Warden, focused on significance of wetlands as waterfowl habitat and pollution of water bodies led to harmful bio-magnification along food chain ultimately affecting the human health.
Chairman, Environment Impact Assessment Authority, SD Swatantra, while sharing his vision on wetlands focused on generation of sustainable livelihoods under ecotourism.
Tawi Bachao Andolan activist, Prof Bholanath, reflected age old tradition of nature worship and community conservation as seen at Bhaid Devta, Mansar & Surinsar and Gangbal lake of Kashmir.
Director, Ecology Environment, OP Sharma, focused on ecosystem services and ecological concerns of J&K wetlands.
On the occasion, chief guest along with guests of honour felicitated contributions of Bird experts— Amit Sharma, Parvez Shagoo and folk singer, Rinku. Besides, certificates of participation were given to students of GGM Science College.
Prominent among others who shared inputs on wetland biodiversity and eco-concerns included GD Chalotra (IFS), Prof Ran Vijay, Zoology expert, Dr Rajinder Singh, Priyanka Sareen, warden Kathua, Shashikant Lakhanpal, Botany expert, Majid Farooq, Co-ordinator Climate change centre & ENVIS project, Irfan Khursheed, PK Wattal, landscapist, Neelima Srivastava and Amit Sharma.
Wetland birding around lake Surinsar followed by wetland talks and display of wetland products were of great attraction for the participants during the green awareness event.
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