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.
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Welcome speech by Mrs. Lincy Alex
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presidential address by college principal
 | Inaguration ceremony
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| Session 1 |
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session 2
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vote of thanks by Dr.Jean Jose J
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