In order to give momentum to the World Wetlands Day (2022), a major virtual event is slated to be organized by the Wetlands International South Asia (WISA) highlighting the need for an ‘all of society’ approach to wetlands conservation.
The organisation is acclaimed for having worked extensively for the sustenance and restoration of wetlands, their resources and biodiversity in the South Asia region. In a similar attempt, four Indian sites were added to Ramsar list as Wetlands of International Importance.
The successful strides towards wetland management by the organization are an outcome of contribution of its multidisciplinary team, strategic collaborations with national and state government and innovation driven approaches. For this year, the theme of the organization is to intensify efforts and scale up investment in restoration of wetlands, and broaden stakeholder engagement.
Humanity and biodiversity survive on water, and wetlands are the natural repositories of water. The United Nations recognized World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 to mark the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in in the Iranian City of Ramsar.
Wetlands, often known as “liquid assets” are the of the most crucial natural resources that help stabilise water supplies, cleanse polluted waters, protect shorelines, and recharge groundwater aquifers. However, we are living in an era wherein the degradation of wetlands is being carried on unabated. The key message of World Wetlands Day is to call for stepping up investment of financial, human and political capital to save the world’s wetlands from disappearing and to restore those we have degraded.
While commenting on the much awaited event, Dr Sidharth Kaul, President very keenly said that “The wetlands are disappearing because of incessant encroachment, conversion to alternate land uses, degradation of natural catchments, fragmentation of water regimes, pollution, spread of invasives and impacts of climate change. The current generation cannot wait any longer to take actions. Sincere efforts towards conserving wetlands and their integration in sectoral programmes such as Jal Jeevan Mission and SMART Cities has become imperative to abate the impending crisis. With this virtual event, our aim is address the urgency and courses of actions of wetlands conservation.”
The event will be graced by the presence of chief guest Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak who was the recipient of Padma Bhushan, 1991 for his extraordinary social work. A renowned sociologist and passionate social entrepreneur, Dr. Pathak is well known for the contributions his social service organization, Sulabh International has made in providing arsenic free and affordable water to the lower rungs of the society. Professor Robert Costanza, currently a professor of Ecological Economics at the Institute for Global Prosperity at University College London, and widely renowned for his work on values of wetlands, will be delivering the keynote address. Dr. Shaliesh Nayak, director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies and a distinguished scientist in the Ministry of Earth Sciences will be providing insights on mobilizing use of space technologies for wetlands conservation.
About Wetlands International South Asia
Wetlands International South Asia is a non-government organization that works for restoring and sustaining wetlands, their resources, and biodiversity in the South Asia region. The organization provides evidence-based scientific and technical advice to central and state governments, wetland authorities, and civil society on various aspects of wetland management. The Wetlands International South Asia office in New Delhi (India) was established in 1996 as part of the Wetlands International network.
During 25 years of work in India, the organization has formulated integrated plans for holistic management of several wetlands, conducted training courses for capacity development of wetland managers, undertaken inventory and assessments of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services, and worked for enhancing awareness of wetland values in society at large. A General Body comprising eminent conservation planners and experts steer the strategic directions of the organisation.
