World Wetlands Day observed at Assam State Zoo in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: ‘Voice of Environment’ organized an event named ‘Wetland Day for Biodiversity’ to commemorate World Wetlands Day 2020 on Sunday. The event was organized at Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati in collaboration with Assam Environment and Forest Department, Royal Global University’s Department of Environmental Science and Colours of North-Eastern India.

The programme commenced with an interactive dialogue on wetlands and biodiversity and thereafter followed by a series of events having a community walk conducted and led by Partha Sarathi Dhar and Bhaskar Hazarika.

Dr. Ritusmita Goswami and Dr. Queen Sarma gave an introductory speech on wetland and biodiversity. A brief discussion with students and locals regarding Deepor Beel’s cleanliness and ecological importance was held. During the event, the student representatives of from TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) Guwahati led a bird watching session.

Environment Officer of United Nations Development Programme, Kumar Deepak in a message stated, “Assam Government should work on strengthening the wetlands. They provide a wide range of natural capital and services for the life and livelihood of people and community. The commitment of parties to the Ramsar Convention designating Ramsar sites, wetlands of International importance to conserve and wisely use all their wetlands is critical in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

During the event Senior Wildlife Warden P.K Saharia, AFS, G.N Borah, AFS Range Forest Officer Deepor Beel under the Guawhati Wildlife Division along with other forest department officials were also present. They discussed about Deepor Beel and its biodiversity aspect and also appreciated the initiative by the team.

The ‘World Wetlands Day’ is celebrated to raise international awareness about the significant role of wetlands for people and our planet. This day earmarks the date of adoption of ‘Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance’ in 1971. Currently, India has 37 Ramsar designated wetlands of international importance. This year’s theme for the World Wetlands Day was ‘Wetlands and Biodiversity’.

Wetlands are the biggest source of fresh water for our consumption. It helps in agriculture and maintaining our ground water table by naturally recharging and filtering it. They act as a natural water sink. They are the biggest terrestrial ecosystem for carbon sequestration and acting as a natural systematic carbon sink system. They act as an ‘Ecosystem System Based Disaster Risk Reduction’ structure protecting shores and providing cities and settlements a safe and climate resilient prospect. They provide sustainable livelihoods for the community welfare in parallel to abundant biodiversity.

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