The Newz Radar
MANDI: The Himachal Pradesh state-level World Wetlands Day is set to be hosted in Mandi district’s Rewalsar on February 2.
Annually observed on February 2, World Wetlands Day for the year 2024 will be orchestrated by Himachal Pradesh’s Wetlands Authority (HIMCOSTE) at various locations across the state, with a particular focus on Gobindsagar Lake, Pong Dam and Renuka Wetland.
Rewalsar in Mandi district will be the epicentre of the state-level event, expecting the participation of over 700 students, attendees and representatives from NGOs. The designated theme for World Wetlands Day 2024 is “Wetlands and Human Well-being”, coinciding with the international observation on February 2 each year, commemorating the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar City, Iran, on February 2, 1971.
Initiated in 1997, World Wetlands Day aims to heighten public awareness regarding wetland values, benefits and the imperative for their conservation and sustainable use. Activities include seminars, nature walks, announcements of new Ramsar sites, newspaper articles, and radio interviews.
Wetlands play a pivotal role in maintaining environmental equilibrium by purifying water, acting as buffers for extreme events, and mitigating the risks of floods and droughts. Furthermore, they serve as sources of livelihood, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Himachal Pradesh boasts diverse wetlands spanning different agro-climatic zones, contributing to livelihoods and offering aesthetic and tourism value. The state currently has three Ramsar sites—Pong Dam (Kangra), Renuka (Sirmour) and Chandratal (Lahaul and Spiti). Rewalsar (Mandi) and Khajjiar (Chamba) have been added by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, for conservation and management.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended his best wishes for the successful execution of World Wetlands Day events across various locations on February 2. He underscored the significance of wetlands in climate change mitigation and the government’s ongoing efforts in Ramsar site conservation.
Prabodh Saxena, Chief Secretary and Chairman of the State Wetlands Authority (HIMCOSTE), expressed gratitude for the invaluable role played by local communities in Ramsar site conservation. He emphasised the need for collective efforts in the conservation, management, security and adherence to wetland rules through Wetland Committees.
DC Rana, Member Secretary (HIMCOSTE), stressed the pivotal role of Wetland Committees in the conservation, management, and security of wetlands. Highlighting HIMCOSTE’s 279 programmes under the Save Wetlands Campaign, engaging 27,458 volunteers, he also mentioned upcoming cleanliness and awareness campaigns at four locations throughout the week.
The program encompasses local communities, students from neighbouring schools, teachers and non-governmental organisations, featuring cleanliness campaigns, painting competitions, discussions and lectures in the vicinity of wetlands.
