Indore, the cleanest city in the country, will soon get the tag of Ramsar Wetlands City. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said this during World Wetlands Day 2024 programme held at Indore's Sirpur Lake.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in collaboration with Government of Madhya Pradesh, organised a national event at Sirpur Lake, Indore through Indore Municipal Corporation and Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation (EPCO), Government of Madhya Pradesh to celebrate World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2024.
The theme of WWD-2024 is ‘Wetlands and Human Well-being’ which underscores the critical role wetlands play in enhancing our lives. It highlights how wetlands contribute to flood protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, all of which are essential for human health and prosperity.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Mohan Yadav and Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, as a Special Guest who is visiting India to participate in the celebration of WWD 2024.
The event kicked-off with the inauguration of an exhibition by CM Dr Mohan Yadav and Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Ramsar Convention. The exhibition saw participation from over 25 exhibitors representing different States, technical organisations, Government departments.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Dr. Mohan Yadav said a campaign will be launched enlisting greater public participation for the conservation of ponds and water resources across the state. He said that efforts will be made to get ponds of Indore and other wetland areas of MP designated as Ramsar sites.
To showcase the efforts of young minds as part of the Save Wetlands Campaign, two selfie walls were also erected displaying the paintings and photographs from country-wide Painting and Photography competitions organised in a run up to the WWD 2024.
CM Dr. Yadav inaugurated an exhibition of various materials and products obtained from the wetlands and appreciated outstanding work in the field. He said that conservation of water resources will improve the ponds in and around Indore and also improve water quality of Kshipra river.
Two brochures were also released that included a brochure titled ‘Wetlands Conservation: Approach and Initiatives’ that highlights Government of India initiatives on wetlands conservation since its inception. The second brochure, ‘People's Documentation of Biodiversity of 75 Ramsar Sites’ gives an overview of the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) situated around Ramsar Sites.
Further, a series of educational videos developed jointly by MoEF&CC and Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT were also launched for sensitising primary, middle and senior level school students on the importance of wetlands conservation and management. A film festival series titled ‘Wetlands for LiFE Forums & Film Festivals’ was also launched during the event.
A Nukkad Natak (Street Play) was also enacted by students of Ambuja Vidya Peeth, Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh, the winning team of the country-wide Nukkad Natak competition organised by MoEF&CC and National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) during December to sensitize the participants about the importance of wetlands.
India has done commendable job in biodiversity: Dr. Mumba
Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of Ramsar Secretariat, said that there were only two Ramsar sites in India in 1982, but the number has increased to 80. The ongoing work to conserve water and save biodiversity in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is commendable and inspiring. Soon Indore will be known as Ramsar City.
More than 200 experts, Environment and Forest Minister Nagar Singh Chauhan, Minister of State for Environment and Forest Dilip Ahirwar, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, local MLA Smt. Malini Gaur and officials of all the state wetland authorities of the country, scientists and managers of Ramsar sites across the country were present.
Winners of National Painting competition
1. First Prize: Bibhuti Bhushan Biswas, Class Viii, Chandanagore Banga Vidyalaya, West Bengal
2. Second Prize: Pinjala Akriti, Class Viii, St. John's Public School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
3. Third Prize: Dishank Chakraborty, Class Viii, Anand Academy, Guwahati, Assam
Winners of National Slogan writing competition
1. First Prize: Devashish
2. Second Prize: Tanmay Kumar
3. Third Prize: Manish Joshi
Winners of National Photography competition
1. First Prize: Sirsendu Gayen, West Bengal
2. Second Prize: Sanjeevkumar Mathpati, Maharashtra
3. Third Prize: Dipabrata Sur
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