World Wetlands day celebrated at Hokersar-Srinagar

Srinagar, Feb 03 (Only Kashmir): In a bid to create mass awareness campaign to educate people from all walks of society on the value of wetland ecosystems the Department of Wildlife Protection and School for Rural Development and Environment (SRDE) celebrated World Wetlands Day at world-famous site Hokersar Wetland Reserve, Srinagar.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2nd February to mark the date of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of “Ramsar” on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The standing committee of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands approved “Wetlands for Sustainable Urban Future” as a theme for World Wetlands day 2018 during its 53rd meeting.



With Rashid Yahya Naqash (Conservator of Forests Wildlife)/Regional Wildlife Kashmir and Head-Metrological Department Kashmir Region, Sonam Lotus as chief guests the function saw the participation of large number of people including Zareef Ahamed Zareef, Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Prof Naseem Geelani, Shameem Ahamed Shah (Co-Convener J&K RTI Movement), Mushtaq Ahamed Bhat (President Pir Panjal Adventures), Wildlife Warden wetlands Abul Rouf Zarger besides students, Scholars, and volunteers from NGO’s various dignitaries and local people.
On the occasion intra and inter school debate competitions were organized apart from sight seen in boats inside wetland Hokersar. An interaction session between students and bird experts and Wildlife photographers was also held.



The speakers on the occasion threw light on the theme of the Wetlands and stressed for the measures to be adopted for the welfare of the Wetlands which are under tremendous pressure through anthropogenic and from natural vagaries. They reflected the role of the Wetlands as a most productive life support system in the World and of immense socioeconomics, ecological importance to the mankind.
At the end of the function, a ceremony was held where students from various schools and several dignitaries were felicitated for their contribution in wetland ecosystems. (OK)