The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change in collaboration with Government of Madhya Pradesh, organised a national event at Sirpur Lake, Indore through Indore Municipal Corporation and Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation, Government of Madhya Pradesh to celebrate World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2024.

National

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change in collaboration with Government of Madhya Pradesh, organised a national event at Sirpur Lake, Indore through Indore Municipal Corporation and Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation, Government of Madhya Pradesh to celebrate World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2024. The theme of WWD-2024 is ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ which underscores the critical role wetlands play in enhancing our lives. It highlights how wetlands contribute to flood protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, all of which are essential for human health and prosperity. Three publications were also released during the event including revised guidelines for ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)’, ‘Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool: A Practitioners’ Guide’, and a Compendium on Phyto-diversity of Ramsar Sites in India’. The winners of the National Slogan writing, Painting, and photography competitions on the theme of “Wetlands and Human wellbeing” were also announced. World Wetlands Day is observed on 2nd February every year worldwide to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 1971.


      The event was inaugurated by Dr Mohan Yadav, the Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh and Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, as a Special Guest who is visiting India to participate in the celebration of WWD 2024.

      India is a party to the Convention since 1982 and on the eve of WWD 2024, India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites.

      Three of these sites, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve are located in Karnataka whereas two, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest are in Tamil Nadu.

 

     


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