Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: World Wetlands Day was celebrated with fervor and zeal.
Department of Wildlife Protection in collaboration with University of Jammu organized a programme to mark celebration of World Wetland Day at Mansar. The programme started with nature walk around the Mansar Lake which was participated by officers of various wings of Forest Department, Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority, faculty members, scholars and students from University of Jammu, Sarpanchs and Panchs of local panchayats, representatives from NGOs, prominent citizens and students. Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Board, Suresh Chugh, who was chief guest on the occasion, led the nature walk.
Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority presented the “Surinsar-Mansar Tourism Master Plan” for knowledge of general public. Besides, the bird biodiversity was also showcased in the stalls established by University of Jammu and Himalayan Avian (NGO). Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and HoFF, Dr. Mohit Gera, Experts from University of Jammu, Anil Raina, Professor Raj Kumar Rampal, Professor Piyush, Dr Deepika Salathia and Dr Neeraj Sharma, Sarpanchs, Panchs and prominent citizens including women also spoke on the occasion. Later, “Water Birds of J&K- an e-Guide” prepared by Dr. Neeraj Sharma and his colleagues was released. Further, to prevent plastic pollution, biodiversity loss and choking of wetlands, the Department of Wildlife Protection under eco-development initiatives distributed cloth bags among the public of Surinsar-Mansar panchyats through their Sarpanchs.
Science Club in collaboration with Department of Botany and Environmental Science of Government PG College Rajouri celebrated World Wetlands Day. On this occasion, an intra-college symposium on the theme “Wetlands and Water” was organized in which students of various semesters in the college participated. The speakers detailed the audience about various aspects of Wetlands and their conservation. Sana Wani won first position whereas Afiya Tabassum stood second. Principal of College, Prof (Dr) Shakeel Ahmed Raina who was chief guest on the occasion, underlined the importance of Wetlands and their conservation for safeguarding life connected with them.
GDC Ramnagar celebrated anniversary of World Wetlands Day with the theme “Wetlands and Water” under the Ramsar Convention. To mark this event, the College organised two days long convention. The event was organized under the supervision of Dr Udhey Bhanu, Principal of the college. Online lecture was delivered by resource person Shuchi Vora, Freshwater Consultant, The Nature Conservancy, USA.
NSS unit of GDC RS Pura organized slogan writing/poster making competition on the theme “Wetlands Conservation” to commemorate Wetlands Day under the guidance of Principal of the institution Dr Sunita Sudan and supervision of Prof Bindu Kumari, NSS programme officer. The best three slogans/posters were selected by the jury comprising of Prof Rajni Bala and Prof Sukhwinder Kour. On the occasion, volunteers also took out a rally.
On the occasion of World Wetlands Day, National Development Foundation (NDF) J&K, Jammu organized a special awareness programme on the bank of a pond at Barui village in Akhnoor Sub Division of Jammu district. On this occasion Dr Pankaj Chandan, a renowned wetland expert and Director Nature, Wildlife and Climate Change (NWCC) Division of National Development Foundation, NDF was the main resource person. Rajiv Khajuria Founder Emeritus National Development Foundation was also present on the occasion. Later all the participants of the programme launched a cleanliness campaign in the area. A bird watching session of the local youth and students was also organized.
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