The theme for the world wetlands day 2020 is “Wetlands and Biodiversity”

World Wetlands Day is being celebrated internationally on 2^nd February every year; this marks the date of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 1971 in Ramsar. The Convention is the only multilateral environmental agreement to date for conservation and wise use of wetlands. The World Wetlands Day is being organized since 1995 to raise awareness on the values wetlands have for nature and society. Every year, the World Wetlands Day is attached to a specific theme.

Wetlands are rich with biodiversity and are a habitat for a dense variety of plant and animal species. Latest estimates show a global decline of biodiversity, while wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. This year's theme is a unique opportunity to highlight wetland biodiversity and promote actions to reverse its loss of Biodiversity. 

Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. Inland wetlands include marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains, and swamps. Coastal wetlands include saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and even coral reefs. Fish ponds, rice paddies, and saltpans are human-made wetlands.

 Steps to protect wetlands

• Do not throw garbage into wetland
• Do not harm the wetland birds and plants
• Do not clog the wetlands with plastic waste
• Do not pollute the wetland with sewage water
• Do not build houses and other habitation in wetland floodplain

           All communities to join us to achieve this year's theme on “Wetlands and Biodiversity” for conservation of wetlands. Stop dumping rubbish and waste things degrading the natural green spaces. Burning or draining of peatlands as it releases CO₂.Stop clearing mangroves and mining coral reef which will expose the coast line to the storm.                               

On this World Wetland Day, I urge all to take responsibility for joining hands with common people, Government agencies, NGOs, and people of all the community to enhance public awareness towards the significance of wetland. To celebrate this event, variety of programmes  like seminars, lectures, nature walks, poster exhibitions, video films screening, slide shows based on the wetland, art and quiz competitions, painting competition, photography exhibition, community cleanup, interviews on radio and television and etc should be organized in school, colleges and other public spaces/places.

Director of Environment