States

‘World Wetlands Day 2023’ : ‘Start saving our wetlands – before it’s too late’

  • Conservation of wetlands essential for the betterment of ecosystem
  • Mahasamund Forest Division under Department of Forest and Climate Change organizes the public awareness program

Raipur (thestates.news)| Conservation of wetlands is very essential when it comes to maintaining the ecological balance and addressing the problems of climate change. Spreading awareness among the people is the key tool for this. In view of this, Mahasamund Forest Division under Forest and Climate Change Department organized public awareness program at Van Chetna Kendra situated in Patwa of Mahasamund in collaboration with Green Club and Kalinga University, Naya Raipur. On this occasion, the university and school students gave the message of environmental protection to the people by running a cleanliness drive. They collected around 285 kg of garbage and deposited it in the municipality for proper disposal.

It is noteworthy that World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 to create awareness about the need for wetlands conservation. Wetlands include both natural and man-made sites such as lakes, swamps, mangroves, salt pans, tidal flats and reservoirs. This year’s World Wetlands Day theme is ‘Wetland restoration’ to ensure that wetlands function properly and maintain environmental stability. Wetland is considered very suitable for an ecological and healthy environment. Keeping this in mind, an action plan is being prepared in a phased manner for the development of wetlands in Chhattisgarh on the instructions of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel. There are a total of 35 thousand 534 wetlands in Chhattisgarh. The survey is being conducted in 27 wetlands of Chhattisgarh keeping in view the habitat development of migratory and local birds visiting these wetlands under the able guidance of Forest Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar.

Collector Mr. Nileshkumar Mahadev Kshirsagar was the Chief Guest of the program. Vice Chancellor of Kalinga University, Dr. R.K. Sridhar attended the program as the special guest and told the students about the importance of water bodies for a healthy future and inspired them to conserve wetlands. Mr. Nilesh Kumar appreciated the efforts of Mr.Pankaj Rajput, Divisional Forest Officer of Mahasamund for taking such an initiative for the betterment of the society.

In the program, Mr. Dilsher Khan, a vulture expert from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, kept his word through a game among the students. This was followed by an interaction session with the local people and certificates were distributed to the students. A large number of students from the Kalinga University of Nava Raipur, Shyam Vidya Mandir of Mahasamund, Shyam Balaji College, Maa Gayatri Higher Secondary School, Gyananjali Public School and Eklavya Residency School, Bhoring were present on occasion.