JusT a SidEWalK: wetland day celebration

WORLD WETLANDS DAY ,FEBRUARY 2, 2020

A wetland is a place where the land is covered by water, either salt, fresh or somewhere in between. Marshes and ponds, the edge of a lake or ocean, the delta at the mouth of a river, low-lying areas that frequently flood—all of these are wetlands .Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. They provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else.Wetlands provide an important range of environmental, social and economic services.

HISTORY

World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February.It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR CONVESION) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997. Since then government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

REPORT

On 3 February ,2020 we conducted Wetland Conservation and Management Awareness Camaign 2018-19, Organized by WWF -Indian with the support of State Wetlands Authority Kerala , World Wetland Day 2020 @ St. Gregorios College, Kottarakara. The programme was from 9.30 am to 4 pm .The programme was coordinated by Bhumithra Club of St. Gregorios college .The programme started with regestration at 9.30 am . The inagural section was started at 10 am with the prayer by the college choir. Followed by prayer welcome speech by the coordinator of bhumithra club Mrs Lincy Alex welcomed all , the presidential address by the college Princial Dr. Suman Alexander . Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese gave an introduction to the programme and the Inaugural address by Smt. Shyamala Amma ( Chairperson ,Kottarakara Municipality), Message by the manager of St. Gregorios College ,Rev. Fr. Baby Thomas . Then Vote of Thanks by Mr. A. K Sivakumar (Senior Education Officer ,WWF India ). After a tea break @ 11 am Session 1 was started . The technical session was coordinated by Mr. Sujith V Gopalan on WETLAND ECOSYSTEM. He provided an informative class on the ecosystem services , Wetland services and about Ramsar Convention. At 11.45 session 2 was started. It was coordinated by Mr. Rejan Mathew Varghese and the session was on WETLANDS UNDER THREAT. Through this session he went through the threats and conservation issues of wetland ecosystem through certain examples . At 1pm session was dispersed for lunch break.At 2pm session 3 started. This is an individual activity session facilitated by Mr. A K Sivakumar. Session 4 was a documentary screening in wetlands. It was a documentary for KSBB by Sri Suresh Elamon. The session 5 was an activity session depicting different wetlands like rivers, backwaters , freshwaters , marine and costal ,mangrooves, dams and reservoirs. At 3.45 all the sessions were finished . At last the session Vote of Thanks by Poornima and Aby Sleebachen repesented for the students of Baselios Marthoma Mathews II College of Teachers Training ,Kottarakara .and Dr. Jean Jose J (Asst. Prof. Dept of zoology ,SG College , Kottarakara ) .At 4pm the programme was dispersed with the national anthem.

Wetland biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, clean water, water supply, storm protection, carbon storage, health and well-being, tourism and recreation and jobs. Biodiversity is a foundational value of wetlands and an inherent part of the significance of these ecosystems. It is through wetland biodiversity that critical ecological processes are carried out. The contribution that wetland biodiversity has on broader environments, society and economies has also been historically undervalued. This year we celebrate the great value of wetlands and their biodiversity.

#Happy World Wetlands Day. #Save Our Wetlands.