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CEE Himalaya celebrates World Wetlands Day

10.02.2017

The Himalayan Initiative of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE Himalaya), with support from Give2Asia, the JSW Foundation, RCE Srinagar, the Mountain Partnership and the Indian Himalaya Climate Adaptation Programme, held several events across the Indian Himalayan Region in celebration of World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2017.

Celebrations in the Western Himalaya

Jammu and Kashmir: CEE observed World Wetlands Day in Hayatpora Village, Manjakote Block, Rajouri District, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. Hayatpora is located 35 km away from Rajouri City and is characterised by dense forests and profound natural resources. CEE Himalaya was the first organization to conduct an event in Hayatpora about the environment, climate change and sustainable mountain development.

Participants included 60 students, ten teachers and Chief Guest Rashid Khan, the Block Development Officer of Manjakote. Riyaz Mir of CEE Himalaya gave a lecture about wetlands and the significance of World Wetlands Day. As the 2017 theme was “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction”, Mir discussed the role of wetlands in mitigating the impacts of disasters. Citing the examples of Dal Lake and Wular Lake in J&K, Mir highlighted the importance of wetlands in sustaining the lives and livelihoods of people in J&K. Furthermore, the students partook in a painting competition on various themes associated with wetlands, such as conservation, livelihoods, disasters and recreation .

Chief Guest Khan appreciated the efforts of CEE Himalaya for organizing such an event in one of the most remote villages where residents had little knowledge about wetlands and conserving them. He extended his thanks to the community members, teachers and students for their participation and concluded the event by distributing prizes to the winners.

Celebrations in the Northern Region

Uttar Pradesh: CEE Himalaya, in association with Divya Memorial Trust, conducted an educational programme on wetlands at Divyashiksha Balika Gyanpeeth, Khargapur Village, Gomti Nagar Extention, Lucknow. Over 100 students and 20 teachers from several local schools participated in the programme. Principal Shri N N Yadav of Divyashiksha Balika Gyanpeeth gave a welcome address, which was followed by an introduction of the programme by Himani Joshi and Sumit Verma of CEE Himalaya.

A drawing and painting competition and a quiz were held for the junior students (classes 1-5). For senior students (classes 6-9), Abdhesh Gangwar, Programme Director of CEE Himalaya, gave a short lecture on wetlands and disaster risk reduction. The senior students also participated in an educational game on developing an inventory of the goods and services provided by wetlands; problems associated with wetlands; wetlands present in nearby areas; birds, animals, and terrestrial and aquatic amphibians found in wetlands; and how wetlands can be conserved and sustainably used.

The programme was successful in teaching students about World Wetlands Day, the threats to wetlands and various mitigation strategies. The drawings made by junior students clearly reflected that clean and healthy wetlands are important for our survival and prosperity, and that our lifestyles impact wetlands.

Celebrations in the Central Himalaya

Uttarakhand: CEE Himalaya celebrated World Wetlands Day in Kuroli Village, Bhatwari Block, Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand. CEE Himalaya has been working in Kuroli and four other villages nearby since 2013 and has been actively engaged in promoting community-based disaster risk reduction in the region.

Around 60 people, including men, women, schoolchildren and youth, from Kuroli and nearby villages learned in-depth about the usefulness of wetlands for environmental protection and income generation, as well as about locally adapted measures for conserving wetlands. In accordance with the 2017 theme, Kushpal Singh of CEE Himalaya highlighted the efforts of village residents in lowering the risks of small and medium disasters in the region by adopting certain local actions, such as planting traditional plants, cleaning local bodies of water and not littering. CEE Himalaya Team appreciated the efforts of the community and encouraged them to continue these local actions for sustainable environment and mountain development.

News and photos by CEE Himalaya 

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Learn more about World Wetlands Day