Participants with guest and officials during the 23rd International Wetlands Day observed at Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar on February 2. (Photo Courtesy: PCCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden)
23rd World Wetlands Day calls for their conservation & management
Dimapur, February 2 (MExN): Nagaland has 421 wetlands in small, medium and big sizes, spread over 215 sq km across the state.
The need for their judicious conservation and management was stressed as the state observed the 23rd World Wetlands Day on February 2 at the Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP), Rangapahar.
Organised by the Forest Department, Nagaland and sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Government of India, the event saw participation of around 150 people.
In his key note address, Satya Prakash Tripathi, PCCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland, while citing the data on wetlands as per a study of the Indian Space Research Organisation, GoI, informed that the Forest Department is preparing project proposals for conservation and management of these wetlands for funding by the MoEF&CC.
Obed Bohovi Swu, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Officer-In-charge, NZP also informed about the maintenance of wetlands at Xukiye village by the villagers without any support from the Government, which has resulted on the arrival of birds.
Need to protect wetlands
Speaking on the occasion, CM Chang, Nagaland’s MoEF&CC and Parliamentary Affairs, the special invitee of the programme emphasized on the dependency of human beings on forest and wildlife; as all basic needs of man are directly and indirectly met by forests.
He stated that nature, forest and wildlife can exist without human beings but vice versa is not possible. He gave a brief background of wetlands and its importance in addressing the issue of climate change, flood/drought control, rejuvenation of aquifers etc. He appealed to the participants for protection of wetlands, against inflow of pollutants and biotic interference for addressing the issue of climate change.
Need to dispel myth
Toshi Wungtuang, Advisor, Department of Information & Public Relations, SCERT, Village Guards, Government of Nagaland, the guest invitee, while reminiscing about his working days at Nagaland Pollution Control Board, stated that a good number of wetlands have disappeared due to biotic interference.
He stressed on the need of revival and rejuvenation of all such wetlands. He also stated that many wetlands disappeared due to myth that water bodies around the house are not auspicious. People fill these water bodies, near their house, with soil, he said stating that this myth needs to be dispelled.
The children participants were given gifts by the special invitee and the guest invitee. This was followed by a visit to the wetlands (3 no.) in the Zoological Park.
A press release received here stated that the programme began with invocation prayer by Tonivi Awomi, Pastor, Grace Bible Fellowship, Rangapahar. Dr Prabhat Kumar, IFS, Director, Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar chaired the programme. He briefed on the importance of wetlands in our life, with reference to the Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 by the International Community.