Source: Mathrubhoomi, 07-07-2011
Showing posts with label wetland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wetland. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Bharatpur sanctuary's Salim Ali Centre felicitated
NEW DELHI: The Salim Ali Visitor Interpretation Centre at Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan's Bharatpur has been conferred with the Best Asian Wetland Centre Award 2010 by Wetlands Links International (WLI), a global network of wetland education centres.
A team from World Wide Fund for Nature-India, which in joint collaboration with the Rajasthan Forest Department is running the Centre, received the award at the Wetland Link International Symposium held in Malaysia last month.
The aim of the award is to identify and reward the best practice wetland centres in Asia.
Set up in 2006, the Centre has been awarded in recognition of its role played in conserving the KNP, also known as Bharatpur migratory park, and building awareness and stakeholdership among local communities and visitors for its preservation.
The WWF has also initiated a long-term community engagement program 'Water for Life', wherein awareness is created among children in the villages situated around the park on environment especially the judicious use of water resources.
"This program has engaged over 1,800 children in the past two years and is supported by the young environment Leaders program, which hones the skills of those children who show a keen interest in environment conservation," a WWF statement said.
Keoladeo is famous as one of Asia's finest birding areas, with over 380 resident and migrant species, including the Common, Demoiselle and the rare Siberian Cranes.
Source: Times of India, 6-12-2010
A team from World Wide Fund for Nature-India, which in joint collaboration with the Rajasthan Forest Department is running the Centre, received the award at the Wetland Link International Symposium held in Malaysia last month.
The aim of the award is to identify and reward the best practice wetland centres in Asia.
Set up in 2006, the Centre has been awarded in recognition of its role played in conserving the KNP, also known as Bharatpur migratory park, and building awareness and stakeholdership among local communities and visitors for its preservation.
The WWF has also initiated a long-term community engagement program 'Water for Life', wherein awareness is created among children in the villages situated around the park on environment especially the judicious use of water resources.
"This program has engaged over 1,800 children in the past two years and is supported by the young environment Leaders program, which hones the skills of those children who show a keen interest in environment conservation," a WWF statement said.
Keoladeo is famous as one of Asia's finest birding areas, with over 380 resident and migrant species, including the Common, Demoiselle and the rare Siberian Cranes.
Source: Times of India, 6-12-2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
District-level panels for wetland protection soon
Replying to a submission by C.K.P. Padmanabhan (CPI-M), Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran said the panchayat-level committees to monitor unauthorised reclamation of wetlands would come up soon.
The State-level committee had been constituted and the district-level committees were about to be notified, he added.
Earlier, Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran told P.C. George (KC-M) that the government had registered 1,100 cases in connection with unauthorised reclamation of paddy and wetlands and was in the process of preparing the databank on wetlands in the State.
He also assured the member that the government would prevent the allegedly unauthorised reclamation of wetlands at Akkulam here. In Thrissur, the government had reversed the reclamation and the action was ratified by Kerala High Court, he said.
Source:Hindu,29-7-2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Where Are The Wetlands?
Some years ago, this was done under the cover of darkness. Now, brazenly in daylight. Large chunks of the protected wetlands on either side of Eastern Metropolitan Bypass are being filled up and taken over by unscrupulous realtors with Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the administration turning a blind eye.
A year-long effort of locals in Chowbhaga to protect an 18-bigha waterbody has gone in vain. Almost the entire jheel has been filled up, turned it into a marshland. The area is located in Ward 108 of KMC, which was in Left hands till this year (under CPM's Amal Majumdar) and is now with Trinamool Congress' Partha Roy Chowdhury.
Another encroachment has been detected less than a kilometre away. A 30-bigha bheri (waterbody) is being slowly filled up despite protests from local residents. In this case, the needle of suspicion points to an academic institute located close to the jheel. A third of the waterbody has already been filled up.
What makes the encroachments all the more shocking is that the waterbodies lie within the precincts of the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), a protected Ramsar site. According to the rules, no permission is granted for any activities that may endanger the wetland.
In KMC records, the 18-bigha site under Nonadanga Mouza is clearly marked as a wetland. But a spot visit on Friday revealed that the character of the site had been surreptitiously altered beyond recognition. There is no water any more. All that remains is marshes. And the telltale signs of deliberate destruction.
According to locals, over the past 12 months, trucks have made hundreds of trips to the site and dumped earth and fly ash to cover the waterbody, gradually reducing it to marshland. No one knows who is behind the encroachment but attempts to block it by the locals have found no support from the administration.
"Letters and appeals to district administration and civic officials have yielded no response. This is theft in broad daylight," alleged resident Bablu Mondal.
In the complaint sent to KMC a year ago, residents alleged that despite their opposition, a company which has an office in Salt Lake began filling up the waterbody. Locals lodged a complaint with Tiljala police station. But no action was taken to protect it.
Mondal's and scores of other families were dependent on the jheel for pisciculture and fought tooth and nail to protect it, as most the inhabitants of the East Kolkata Wetlands do. Environment activists have acknowledged the contribution of the local community in preserving the fragile ecology, pointing out that each is sustained by the other.
Yet, authorities remain blind to encroachments like the one at Chowbhaga as real estate sharks gobble up wetlands. "We were all dependent on the jheel for livelihood. Since it has been filled up, we have become jobless," rued local resident Sasanka Mondal.
With a new board at the helm in KMC, the civic body has finally responded to the helpless appeals by Sasanka and others. KMC chairman Satchidananda Banerjee visited the spot on Friday with local Trinamool councillor Partha Roychowdhury, KMC director-general (buildings) Debasish Kar and other senior officials.
"We will investigate how a waterbody in EKW was allowed to be filled up without permission. No construction activity will be allowed till the probe is completed and ownership of the land settled," Banerjee said. He has asked the KMC building department not to sanction any building plans on the filled up' site before scrutinizing the validity and authenticity of all documents.
The KMC chairman on Friday assured the locals that they would not allow the 30-bigha bheri to be filled up any further. "We have been told that an academic institution is filling up the bheri to expand its business. We will not allow it," Banerjee said, adding: "I was shocked to see how an 18-bigha jheel could be filled up and converted into land for business purpose. We will take strong action. I have asked KMC officials not to sanction any commercial project in the filled up site."
Source: The Times of India 24 July 2010
A year-long effort of locals in Chowbhaga to protect an 18-bigha waterbody has gone in vain. Almost the entire jheel has been filled up, turned it into a marshland. The area is located in Ward 108 of KMC, which was in Left hands till this year (under CPM's Amal Majumdar) and is now with Trinamool Congress' Partha Roy Chowdhury.
Another encroachment has been detected less than a kilometre away. A 30-bigha bheri (waterbody) is being slowly filled up despite protests from local residents. In this case, the needle of suspicion points to an academic institute located close to the jheel. A third of the waterbody has already been filled up.
What makes the encroachments all the more shocking is that the waterbodies lie within the precincts of the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), a protected Ramsar site. According to the rules, no permission is granted for any activities that may endanger the wetland.
In KMC records, the 18-bigha site under Nonadanga Mouza is clearly marked as a wetland. But a spot visit on Friday revealed that the character of the site had been surreptitiously altered beyond recognition. There is no water any more. All that remains is marshes. And the telltale signs of deliberate destruction.
According to locals, over the past 12 months, trucks have made hundreds of trips to the site and dumped earth and fly ash to cover the waterbody, gradually reducing it to marshland. No one knows who is behind the encroachment but attempts to block it by the locals have found no support from the administration.
"Letters and appeals to district administration and civic officials have yielded no response. This is theft in broad daylight," alleged resident Bablu Mondal.
In the complaint sent to KMC a year ago, residents alleged that despite their opposition, a company which has an office in Salt Lake began filling up the waterbody. Locals lodged a complaint with Tiljala police station. But no action was taken to protect it.
Mondal's and scores of other families were dependent on the jheel for pisciculture and fought tooth and nail to protect it, as most the inhabitants of the East Kolkata Wetlands do. Environment activists have acknowledged the contribution of the local community in preserving the fragile ecology, pointing out that each is sustained by the other.
Yet, authorities remain blind to encroachments like the one at Chowbhaga as real estate sharks gobble up wetlands. "We were all dependent on the jheel for livelihood. Since it has been filled up, we have become jobless," rued local resident Sasanka Mondal.
With a new board at the helm in KMC, the civic body has finally responded to the helpless appeals by Sasanka and others. KMC chairman Satchidananda Banerjee visited the spot on Friday with local Trinamool councillor Partha Roychowdhury, KMC director-general (buildings) Debasish Kar and other senior officials.
"We will investigate how a waterbody in EKW was allowed to be filled up without permission. No construction activity will be allowed till the probe is completed and ownership of the land settled," Banerjee said. He has asked the KMC building department not to sanction any building plans on the filled up' site before scrutinizing the validity and authenticity of all documents.
The KMC chairman on Friday assured the locals that they would not allow the 30-bigha bheri to be filled up any further. "We have been told that an academic institution is filling up the bheri to expand its business. We will not allow it," Banerjee said, adding: "I was shocked to see how an 18-bigha jheel could be filled up and converted into land for business purpose. We will take strong action. I have asked KMC officials not to sanction any commercial project in the filled up site."
Source: The Times of India 24 July 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
ISRO engaged in satellite mapping of wetlands New Delhi, July 22 (IANS)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is engaged in the satellite mapping of the country's wetlands and will complete the project by the end of August, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said Thursday.
"It is for the first time that all wetlands in the country will be mapped. ISRO will provide us with an upto date inventory of wetlands, estimated at around 7-10 million hectares, by the end of August," said Ramesh while speaking at the launch of a course on "Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Wetlands" at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) here.
Stressing on the need to protect aquatic assets, he said: "They are valuable ecological niches and the concept of sustainable development should be for future generations, including today's generations."
He said the ministry will soon formulate a regulation on wetlands to prevent encroachment of precious biodiversity.
Source:Decan Herald 23 July 2010
"It is for the first time that all wetlands in the country will be mapped. ISRO will provide us with an upto date inventory of wetlands, estimated at around 7-10 million hectares, by the end of August," said Ramesh while speaking at the launch of a course on "Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Wetlands" at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) here.
Stressing on the need to protect aquatic assets, he said: "They are valuable ecological niches and the concept of sustainable development should be for future generations, including today's generations."
He said the ministry will soon formulate a regulation on wetlands to prevent encroachment of precious biodiversity.
Source:Decan Herald 23 July 2010
ISRO engaged in satellite mapping of wetlands New Delhi, July 22 (IANS)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is engaged in the satellite mapping of the country's wetlands and will complete the project by the end of August, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said Thursday.
"It is for the first time that all wetlands in the country will be mapped. ISRO will provide us with an upto date inventory of wetlands, estimated at around 7-10 million hectares, by the end of August," said Ramesh while speaking at the launch of a course on "Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Wetlands" at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) here.
Stressing on the need to protect aquatic assets, he said: "They are valuable ecological niches and the concept of sustainable development should be for future generations, including today's generations."
He said the ministry will soon formulate a regulation on wetlands to prevent encroachment of precious biodiversity.
Source:Decan Herald 23 July 2010
"It is for the first time that all wetlands in the country will be mapped. ISRO will provide us with an upto date inventory of wetlands, estimated at around 7-10 million hectares, by the end of August," said Ramesh while speaking at the launch of a course on "Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Wetlands" at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) here.
Stressing on the need to protect aquatic assets, he said: "They are valuable ecological niches and the concept of sustainable development should be for future generations, including today's generations."
He said the ministry will soon formulate a regulation on wetlands to prevent encroachment of precious biodiversity.
Source:Decan Herald 23 July 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Panel visits mangrove park
KANNUR: A team of experts, constituted by the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority, on Tuesday, visited the controversial mangrove theme park on the northern bank of the Valapattanam river to assess the damage caused by the park to the ecologically fragile mangrove plot there.
The expert committee, headed by authority member B. Madhusoodhana Kurup, reached the park in the morning a day after it was closed down. On Monday, the park was served by the district administration a copy of the order of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests that steps be taken to stop all activities at the park which, it found, was established in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.
The seven-member team was constituted by authority chairman C.T. Sivasankaran Nair following a directive from the Union Ministry on July 14 that the authority form a committee to assess the damage caused to the mangrove ecology in the area and submit a report by July 24. The closure of the park run by the Communist Party of India(Marxist)-controlled Pappinissery Eco-Tourism Society on Monday followed the delivery of the instruction to the authority, along with a copy of the Ministry direction to stop the functioning of the park, to the secretary of the society. The team members spoke to the office-bearers of the society inside the park. Society vice-president A.V. Ajayakumar explained the society's side in the issue.
Mr. Kurup told presspersons that the report would be submitted by July 24. The team would examine all aspects of the issue before submitting the report, he said. It would also hear representatives of political parties and environmental groups. The team members also visited a nearby place where mangrove plants were destroyed.
The park, inaugurated by film star Suresh Gopi on April 4 last, was beset by controversies as environmental activists and the Opposition UDF alleged that the park was set up in violation of the CRZ rules. The opposition to the park received an impetus after the Union Ministry ordered that the park be closed as it was established in violation of the CRZ rules.
Source:The Hindu 21 July 2010
The expert committee, headed by authority member B. Madhusoodhana Kurup, reached the park in the morning a day after it was closed down. On Monday, the park was served by the district administration a copy of the order of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests that steps be taken to stop all activities at the park which, it found, was established in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.
The seven-member team was constituted by authority chairman C.T. Sivasankaran Nair following a directive from the Union Ministry on July 14 that the authority form a committee to assess the damage caused to the mangrove ecology in the area and submit a report by July 24. The closure of the park run by the Communist Party of India(Marxist)-controlled Pappinissery Eco-Tourism Society on Monday followed the delivery of the instruction to the authority, along with a copy of the Ministry direction to stop the functioning of the park, to the secretary of the society. The team members spoke to the office-bearers of the society inside the park. Society vice-president A.V. Ajayakumar explained the society's side in the issue.
Mr. Kurup told presspersons that the report would be submitted by July 24. The team would examine all aspects of the issue before submitting the report, he said. It would also hear representatives of political parties and environmental groups. The team members also visited a nearby place where mangrove plants were destroyed.
The park, inaugurated by film star Suresh Gopi on April 4 last, was beset by controversies as environmental activists and the Opposition UDF alleged that the park was set up in violation of the CRZ rules. The opposition to the park received an impetus after the Union Ministry ordered that the park be closed as it was established in violation of the CRZ rules.
Source:The Hindu 21 July 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Mangrove survey spots a centenarian in Kollam
KOLLAM:The sighting of a mangrove tree estimated to be over 100 years old has been projected as one of the most remarkable discoveries of a mangrove survey undertaken by an expert team in Kollam district on Saturday and Sunday. The survey is part of an exercise to prepare a database on the surviving mangrove forests in the State.
Former chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board V.S. Vijayan led the survey conducted by the Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad. Convener of the team V.K. Madhusudanan said the centenarian mangrove tree from the Sonneretia caseolarisspecies was seen surviving in a healthy condition at a private property on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake at Kureepuzha in Kollam city.
The team plans to name it ‘Mother Mangrove' and make recommendations to the city corporation for providing a regular incentive to the property owner for the upkeep of the tree. The tree has a girth of 50 inches and its roots cover an area of more than 50 sq ft.
All known major mangrove pockets in private and public land in the district were surveyed. While government data showed that the district had 58 hectares of true mangrove forests, the two-day survey found that the district had a true mangrove forest coverage of more than 100 hectares and another 20 hectares of mangrove associates.
source: The Hindu 12 July 2010
Former chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board V.S. Vijayan led the survey conducted by the Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad. Convener of the team V.K. Madhusudanan said the centenarian mangrove tree from the Sonneretia caseolarisspecies was seen surviving in a healthy condition at a private property on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake at Kureepuzha in Kollam city.
The team plans to name it ‘Mother Mangrove' and make recommendations to the city corporation for providing a regular incentive to the property owner for the upkeep of the tree. The tree has a girth of 50 inches and its roots cover an area of more than 50 sq ft.
All known major mangrove pockets in private and public land in the district were surveyed. While government data showed that the district had 58 hectares of true mangrove forests, the two-day survey found that the district had a true mangrove forest coverage of more than 100 hectares and another 20 hectares of mangrove associates.
source: The Hindu 12 July 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Salute to the Lake Vembanad Lake salute
Lake salute was a novel event, the first of its kind, organized by CERCATREE in collaboration with the Vembanad Nature Club and Vembanad Lake Protection Forums, to in the banks of the lake Vembanad at Shrayithodu in Muhamma Panchayth , in the evening hours. The fishermen of the Lake Protection forums paid homage to the lake, lighting lamps and floating the same in the lake .praying for the welfare of the lake. They also pledged to protect their lake by all possible means, realizing the significance and need for the same.
The event started at 5:00 pm with a Welcome speech by Krishnakumar, Program Officer, CERC. Sri. K.V. Dayal delivered the wetland message to the participants and urged the need for protecting this magnificent wetland. Sri. Ravindranath, Ward member and Standing Committee Chairman of Muhamma Grama panchayth inaugurated the event. In his inaugural address he specified the need for conserving wetlands in this era of Climate Change. He cherished his past memories and expressed his concern on the present situation of the lake while appreciating the efforts of the lake protection forums.
The participants had a very active discussion on the conservation and management of Lake Vembanad, especially by setting up fish sanctuaries.
At sunset, they gathered on the shore, lighting lamps and floating it on the lake paying homage to the lake. It was a very touching moment, as many of them commented they owe to this lake a lot, as it is the source of their subsistence. The event concluded with a wetland feast in which the fisher community served all with cooked tapioca and clam meat.
The event started at 5:00 pm with a Welcome speech by Krishnakumar, Program Officer, CERC. Sri. K.V. Dayal delivered the wetland message to the participants and urged the need for protecting this magnificent wetland. Sri. Ravindranath, Ward member and Standing Committee Chairman of Muhamma Grama panchayth inaugurated the event. In his inaugural address he specified the need for conserving wetlands in this era of Climate Change. He cherished his past memories and expressed his concern on the present situation of the lake while appreciating the efforts of the lake protection forums.
The participants had a very active discussion on the conservation and management of Lake Vembanad, especially by setting up fish sanctuaries.
At sunset, they gathered on the shore, lighting lamps and floating it on the lake paying homage to the lake. It was a very touching moment, as many of them commented they owe to this lake a lot, as it is the source of their subsistence. The event concluded with a wetland feast in which the fisher community served all with cooked tapioca and clam meat.
Wetland festival 2010
The World Wetland day 2010 was celebrated by CERC-ATREE with a number of programmes. As an Annual event ‘WETLAND FESTIVAL 2010’ involving the students and teachers from the wetland clubs of Jalapadom schools around the Lake, was held at Kalyani auditorium, Aleppey .The event was inaugurated by noted Environmentalist Shri.K.V.Dayal. Shri.Paravur George, famous drama writer and Sahithya academy award winner presided over the function. Dr.Latha Bhaskar, Program Coordinator of ATREE briefed about the significance of the day and tendered welcome and Shri.Jojo.T.D, Programme officer extended vote of thanks. Shri.Sivan Kutty, Teacher, gave the wetland message. And shri.Subrahmaniyam, General manager of the eco-friendly resort in Mararie beach felicitated on the occasion. Followed by these a video documentary film on the Agricultural practices of Kuttanad, produced by Shri Azeem Sait, a student from the Wetland study center of B.Ed college ,Porurkara was screened. Two student teams from Wetland study centers presented their project reports evolved through hypothesis testing methods. The forenoon session concluded with the wetland feast.
Afternoon session was dazzling with the colorful cultural presentations of the students. A variety show with traditional art forms and folklores including ottan thullal, skit, kol kali, solo songs, group music, nadan pattu, street plays, elocution, boat race songs etc made the event memorable. Prizes were distributed to the best high schools and U.P schools for their entries on ‘water album’ and hand written magazine, selected from 32 entries (each) from different schools. The evaluator of these entries (Mr. Joseph, Rtd Asst Director, Agri dept) noted that the entries in general were of high standards and remarked that his task for selecting the best entries was really tough as all of them were of good quality and standards. The amazing works behind these creations were appreciated by all. Wetland fest ended up at 4 pm singing the National Anthem.
Afternoon session was dazzling with the colorful cultural presentations of the students. A variety show with traditional art forms and folklores including ottan thullal, skit, kol kali, solo songs, group music, nadan pattu, street plays, elocution, boat race songs etc made the event memorable. Prizes were distributed to the best high schools and U.P schools for their entries on ‘water album’ and hand written magazine, selected from 32 entries (each) from different schools. The evaluator of these entries (Mr. Joseph, Rtd Asst Director, Agri dept) noted that the entries in general were of high standards and remarked that his task for selecting the best entries was really tough as all of them were of good quality and standards. The amazing works behind these creations were appreciated by all. Wetland fest ended up at 4 pm singing the National Anthem.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Greens call for fencing of Kottuli wetlands
FOR A GREEN EARTH: A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA, inaugurating a discussion organised as part of the World Wetlands Day observance at the Kottuli wetlands in the city on Tuesday.
Kozhikode: A discussion of scientists, environmentalists and social workers organised as part of the World Wetlands Day observance at the Kottuli wetlands here on Tuesday has asked the government to immediately construct a bio-fencing around the Kottuli wetlands to ward off encroachments or land filling.
The discussion organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in association with the National Green Corps (NGC) also asked the authorities to disallow construction works at the Kottuli wetlands. It has called upon the government to amend the present laws so as to guarantee foolproof protection to the wetlands besides initiating exclusive legislations such as a Wetland Conservation Act to ensure their safety since they play a crucial role in maintaining the ground water-level and biodiversity.
The collective, which gathered at the Sarovaram Bio-park at the Kottuli wetlands to participate in the discussion, has also resolved to "oppose any kinds of construction works at the site even if it comes with the consent of the court." The district coordinator of NGC and the moderator of the discussion M.A. Johnson told The Hindu that a meeting of the environmental and social activists at the Aradhana Tourist Home on Wednesday would decide on the ways to implement the suggestions put forward by the discussion.
Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by A. Pradeep Kumar MLA. Noted environmentalist and secretary of the Institution of Engineers India, Kozhikode centre A. Achuthan, scientists Madhavan Komath, K.K. Vijayan and environmentalists Sobhindran and Sivan Madathil presented papers during the programme.
Presenting his paper on the 'Urban development versus wetlands conservation with special reference to Kottuli Wetlands in Kozhikode,' Dr. Achuthan elaborated the prominent roles wetlands play in maintaining the climatic balance, biodiversity and the groundwater levels. He said that several factors such as industrialisation, land filling, pollution and encroachments were contributing to the alarming shrinkage of the limited wetlands of Kerala. "Massive campaign is necessary to make people understand that wetlands are vital part of our life-support system," said Dr. Achuthan.
The Hindu
Kozhikode: A discussion of scientists, environmentalists and social workers organised as part of the World Wetlands Day observance at the Kottuli wetlands here on Tuesday has asked the government to immediately construct a bio-fencing around the Kottuli wetlands to ward off encroachments or land filling.
The discussion organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in association with the National Green Corps (NGC) also asked the authorities to disallow construction works at the Kottuli wetlands. It has called upon the government to amend the present laws so as to guarantee foolproof protection to the wetlands besides initiating exclusive legislations such as a Wetland Conservation Act to ensure their safety since they play a crucial role in maintaining the ground water-level and biodiversity.
The collective, which gathered at the Sarovaram Bio-park at the Kottuli wetlands to participate in the discussion, has also resolved to "oppose any kinds of construction works at the site even if it comes with the consent of the court." The district coordinator of NGC and the moderator of the discussion M.A. Johnson told The Hindu that a meeting of the environmental and social activists at the Aradhana Tourist Home on Wednesday would decide on the ways to implement the suggestions put forward by the discussion.
Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by A. Pradeep Kumar MLA. Noted environmentalist and secretary of the Institution of Engineers India, Kozhikode centre A. Achuthan, scientists Madhavan Komath, K.K. Vijayan and environmentalists Sobhindran and Sivan Madathil presented papers during the programme.
Presenting his paper on the 'Urban development versus wetlands conservation with special reference to Kottuli Wetlands in Kozhikode,' Dr. Achuthan elaborated the prominent roles wetlands play in maintaining the climatic balance, biodiversity and the groundwater levels. He said that several factors such as industrialisation, land filling, pollution and encroachments were contributing to the alarming shrinkage of the limited wetlands of Kerala. "Massive campaign is necessary to make people understand that wetlands are vital part of our life-support system," said Dr. Achuthan.
The Hindu
Call to conserve wetlands to combat climate change
World Wetlands Day event conducted at Mangalavanam
KOCHI: Awareness programmes, discussions and lectures on the role played by wetlands in supporting life and environment marked World Wetland Day celebrations in the city.
The key event of the day was the one organised by the Social Forestry Division of the Kerala Forest Department at Mangalavanam bird sanctuary.
P.S. Shaila, president of the Ernakulam District Panchayat, who inaugurated the meeting, stressed the need for conserving wetlands for mitigating the ill effects of climate change.
It was for the first time that the Forest Department organised a campaign for protecting wetlands.
The division had adopted “wetlands, biodiversity and climate change” as the theme of the campaign.
Wetlands, as defined by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands held in Iran in 1971, include “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is stable or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide do not exceed six metres.”
Besides the definition of wetlands, the division had also listed the 25 Ramsar sites of international importance in India including Ashtamudi wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake and Vembanad-Kol wetland in Kerala in the campaign material that was distributed to the students.
E.M. Sunilkumar, chairman of the Town Planning Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation; U.K. Gopalan and S. Seetharaman, environmentalists; were among those who led the discussion.
Students from Maharaja’s College, Sacred Heart College, Thevara and St. Albert’s College attended the day-long deliberations.
The Hindu
KOCHI: Awareness programmes, discussions and lectures on the role played by wetlands in supporting life and environment marked World Wetland Day celebrations in the city.
The key event of the day was the one organised by the Social Forestry Division of the Kerala Forest Department at Mangalavanam bird sanctuary.
P.S. Shaila, president of the Ernakulam District Panchayat, who inaugurated the meeting, stressed the need for conserving wetlands for mitigating the ill effects of climate change.
It was for the first time that the Forest Department organised a campaign for protecting wetlands.
The division had adopted “wetlands, biodiversity and climate change” as the theme of the campaign.
Wetlands, as defined by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands held in Iran in 1971, include “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is stable or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide do not exceed six metres.”
Besides the definition of wetlands, the division had also listed the 25 Ramsar sites of international importance in India including Ashtamudi wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake and Vembanad-Kol wetland in Kerala in the campaign material that was distributed to the students.
E.M. Sunilkumar, chairman of the Town Planning Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation; U.K. Gopalan and S. Seetharaman, environmentalists; were among those who led the discussion.
Students from Maharaja’s College, Sacred Heart College, Thevara and St. Albert’s College attended the day-long deliberations.
The Hindu
World wetlands day observed
PALAKKAD: The district administration is planning to plant bamboo, vetiver (ramacham) and lagar stroemea (neermarathu) as part of the efforts to protect the river banks, District Collector K V Mohan Kumar said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the seminar to mark the observance of the World Wetlands Day at the Government Victoria College auditorium here on Tuesday. President of the Akkathethara grama panchayat D Sadasivan presided over the meet. The world wetland day was observed by the Wildlife Department and social forestry wing by conducting various programmes and an awareness rally. The themes of the seminars and programmes were the conservation of wetlands, bio diversity and climatic change. The aim was to create public awareness on the need to conserve nature.
Among those who presented papers included the coordinator of the World Wildlife fund for Nature Jain Therattil and lecturer of the NSS college Nemmara Kishore Kumar.
Source: expressbuzz.com
He was speaking after inaugurating the seminar to mark the observance of the World Wetlands Day at the Government Victoria College auditorium here on Tuesday. President of the Akkathethara grama panchayat D Sadasivan presided over the meet. The world wetland day was observed by the Wildlife Department and social forestry wing by conducting various programmes and an awareness rally. The themes of the seminars and programmes were the conservation of wetlands, bio diversity and climatic change. The aim was to create public awareness on the need to conserve nature.
Among those who presented papers included the coordinator of the World Wildlife fund for Nature Jain Therattil and lecturer of the NSS college Nemmara Kishore Kumar.
Source: expressbuzz.com
Monday, January 18, 2010
National Wetland Conservation Programme, Revised Guidelines
Wetlands, natural and manmade, freshwater or brackish, provide numerous ecological services. The density of birds, in particular, is an accurate indication of the ecological health of a particular wetland. However, unsustainable use of wetlands without reckoning of their assimilative capacity constitutes major threat to the conservation and management of these vital biodiversity rich areas. Thus, restricting the prospects of future generation to utilize the benefits of the ecosystem services provided by these wetlands.
See MoEF's National Wetland Conservation Programme, Revised Guidelines
See MoEF's National Wetland Conservation Programme, Revised Guidelines
Hunting of wetland birds on the rise
KOCHI: Hunting of wetland birds, including migratory species, is rampant in many parts of the State. The ‘kole’ wetlands in Thrissur and Vembanad Lake, extending up to Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts, are known to be a favourite hunting spot of poachers. The birds often killed are egrets, herons and spoonbills. Four painted storks, a near-threatened species, were recently found killed in the area between Mannar and Haripad, said B. Sreekumar, president of the Kottayam Nature Society. Bird hunting has been reported from areas around Haripad, Vechoor, Kallara and Perumthuruthu. Until recently, Vechoor was one of the centres of organised poaching. Some poachers have shifted out of the area following increased public vigil, Dr. Sreekumar said. In Alappuzha district, which has large tracts of wetlands, including paddy fields, 540 persons hold licensed guns. Of this, 178 own long-barrelled guns. Besides, there are a large number of people who own air guns for which licence is not required. It is mostly air guns and the long-barrelled ones that are used for hunting, the officials said.
Wildlife Act offence
Hunting of birds is an offence under the Indian Wildlife Act. It entails imprisonment up to seven years. The Act has accorded protection to 474 species, including nearly 100 wetland varieties found in Kerala. Birds such as eagle, Great Indian hornbill, vultures, osprey, peafowl and hill mainah are included in Schedule 1 of the Act along with tigers and elephants. Yet, most incidents go unreported and the law enforcement agencies, including the police, rarely act against such offences, said conservationists. The Forest Department has registered only a few cases of hunting of birds during the last five years. The samples collected in wildlife cases from the State are sent to the wildlife forensic unit of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) for DNA analysis. “The Forest Department has sent four samples of birds killed since 2005,” said P.O. Nameer, Head of the wildlife division of KAU. Officials of the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) of Kerala Police confirmed that no cases for hunting of birds were reported from the State. “If any case is registered, the Bureau would get the information. The police have not registered any case of poaching of birds,” V.K. Girijanathan Nair, Superintendent of Police, SCRB said. The Social Forestry wing of the Forest Department, Alappuzha, held a seminar on the issue on January 15 at its office. The attempt is to create awareness on the conservation and the legal aspects of the issue, said Raju Francis, assistant conservator of forests.
Source: The Hindu, Dated: 18.01.2010
Wildlife Act offence
Hunting of birds is an offence under the Indian Wildlife Act. It entails imprisonment up to seven years. The Act has accorded protection to 474 species, including nearly 100 wetland varieties found in Kerala. Birds such as eagle, Great Indian hornbill, vultures, osprey, peafowl and hill mainah are included in Schedule 1 of the Act along with tigers and elephants. Yet, most incidents go unreported and the law enforcement agencies, including the police, rarely act against such offences, said conservationists. The Forest Department has registered only a few cases of hunting of birds during the last five years. The samples collected in wildlife cases from the State are sent to the wildlife forensic unit of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) for DNA analysis. “The Forest Department has sent four samples of birds killed since 2005,” said P.O. Nameer, Head of the wildlife division of KAU. Officials of the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) of Kerala Police confirmed that no cases for hunting of birds were reported from the State. “If any case is registered, the Bureau would get the information. The police have not registered any case of poaching of birds,” V.K. Girijanathan Nair, Superintendent of Police, SCRB said. The Social Forestry wing of the Forest Department, Alappuzha, held a seminar on the issue on January 15 at its office. The attempt is to create awareness on the conservation and the legal aspects of the issue, said Raju Francis, assistant conservator of forests.
Source: The Hindu, Dated: 18.01.2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
As the glaciers recede...
There' s an old saying in Ladakh that only a dear friend or a serious enemy will reach here; the passes are so high and the land so harsh. Climate change falls in the latter category and is an unwelcome visitor to this remote region which tourists have happily discovered in the last few years or so. Water, or the lack of it, is the main worry for this generation and the next. While the world debates the effects of global warming, Ladakhis who are most vulnerable to the vagaries of nature, are living through it already. The many small glaciers in Ladakh have retreated, natural springs are reducing as also the water flow in the rivers. While there are no scientific studies yet to bear this out, it is the people who are living witnesses to this change.
In the village of Stakmo near Leh, villagers testify to the receding glacier nearby, making agriculture very difficult. Over 80 per cent of the farmers in Ladakh depend on snow melt for their needs and any slight change in temperature is a catastrophe. High altitude wetlands are vulnerable to rising temperatures and Ms. Nisa Khatoon, Project Officer, Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) has led a study since 2000 to assess the impact of climate change on three major lakes in Ladakh, the Tso Moriri, Tso Kar and Pangong Tso. The lakes offer the only breeding grounds for the Black-necked Crane in India and key species found in the region include the snow leopard, Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Antelope, Musk Deer and Hangul. Highly endangered medicinal plants used in the Tibetan system of medicine also grow in the area.
Threat of tourism
The existing threat of climate change is exacerbated by tourism which coincides with the breeding season of the migratory birds, posing a major threat. For the first time, a regular uninterrupted survey on the status of the Black-necked Crane was conducted and during the survey, six new nesting sites were discovered, Ms. Khatoon points out. The study has produced data on the “Status and Breeding Productivity of Black-necked Crane” for more than eight years. Himalayan car rallies in wetland areas have been stopped in cooperation with tour operators too. Instead of this, to boost the local income, home-stays for national and international tourists have become popular.The WWF has also recorded widespread changes as a result of the rise in temperatures and the subsequent snow melt in Ladakh, mainly through oral histories. Eyewitnesses have spoken of glaciers like Siachen, Khardung and Stok in Ladakh, which have either receded or almost disappeared in about a decade. Along with this comes a change in migration routes of nomadic tribes and an increase in the frequency and intensity of pest attacks, particularly the locust, due to rising temperatures.In the Changthang region, where there are 22 wetlands, people of the nomadic tribe, the Changpas, acutely feel climate change. They are dependent on livestock and rear the famous Pashmina goats for their wool. Since about six years, the migration routes of the Changpas have changed due to decrease in pasture land. Untimely snowfall has led to a loss of livestock as well, says Ms. Khatoon. In the Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes, migratory birds are coming earlier than expected and one pair of Black-necked Cranes have not migrated. The wild rose blooms now in May instead of June. The Changpas used to extract salt from the brackish lakes but since the water level has risen over the years, this too has stopped. In the Tso Kar area there are 60 Changpa families which have to frequently migrate, while in Tso Moriri, 22 families have settled down there.The summers are getting warmer and winters too and pests like the coddling moth are now found everywhere, says Tundup Angmo of GERES India, an NGO. Rain and snowfall are showing a decreasing trend, according to a baseline survey in 20 villages in Leh and Kargil areas which was conducted by GERES along with experts. In Kargil, water shortage has hit farmers and two villages were relocated in the Zanskar as a result. The cultivation of wheat is now possible due to the warmer climate and the sowing of barely is now pushed to May instead of June.
Urgent concern
Water shortage has led to hotels in Leh digging borewells, some 100 feet deep for water supply and in the Karzu area in Leh, this has led to the drying up of natural streams, says Ms. Khatoon. Concern about water is uppermost in the minds of every Ladakhi. The Women's Alliance of Ladakh, which spearheaded the successful campaign banning plastic bags in Ladakh, is one of the groups which has members in every village in Ladakh. Fifty-seven-year-old Kunzes Dolma, vice president of the Alliance formed 23 years ago, has been addressing local environmental concerns. Now it has teamed up with the NGO Navdhanya to conduct a survey on climate change in villages, based on a ready questionnaire which asks for information on awareness of climate change, evidence, and environmental changes, apart from changes in agriculture patterns, rainfall and snowfall. The Alliance has initiated several meetings on climate change already.
Lifestyle changes
Kunzes recalls colder winters when she was a child. Now the winters are warmer, she says. The quality of food was tastier then and now vegetables like capsicum, brinjal and cucumber are being grown. There is increased use of pesticides and the Alliance is campaigning against this as well.
There is a huge concern about the melting glaciers, and lack of water and even livestock rearing is reducing now with more and more people preferring to look for jobs. The traditional “goncha” a warm woolen dress is not much preferred now. Traditional homes in Ladakh have been designed using ecological and climatic wisdom. However, those mud houses are being replaced by cement structures. Clearly, there is also a cultural aspect to the climate change here. “Our aim is to promote nature conservation and our culture. The modern generation is dropping all our old ways of life and the explosion of cars is damaging the environment,” says Ms. Dolma.
Local and global links need to be forged to address climate change if regions like Ladakh are to be rescued from their vulnerability. The question is, who is listening?
The Hindu, December 6, 2009
In the village of Stakmo near Leh, villagers testify to the receding glacier nearby, making agriculture very difficult. Over 80 per cent of the farmers in Ladakh depend on snow melt for their needs and any slight change in temperature is a catastrophe. High altitude wetlands are vulnerable to rising temperatures and Ms. Nisa Khatoon, Project Officer, Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) has led a study since 2000 to assess the impact of climate change on three major lakes in Ladakh, the Tso Moriri, Tso Kar and Pangong Tso. The lakes offer the only breeding grounds for the Black-necked Crane in India and key species found in the region include the snow leopard, Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Antelope, Musk Deer and Hangul. Highly endangered medicinal plants used in the Tibetan system of medicine also grow in the area.
Threat of tourism
The existing threat of climate change is exacerbated by tourism which coincides with the breeding season of the migratory birds, posing a major threat. For the first time, a regular uninterrupted survey on the status of the Black-necked Crane was conducted and during the survey, six new nesting sites were discovered, Ms. Khatoon points out. The study has produced data on the “Status and Breeding Productivity of Black-necked Crane” for more than eight years. Himalayan car rallies in wetland areas have been stopped in cooperation with tour operators too. Instead of this, to boost the local income, home-stays for national and international tourists have become popular.The WWF has also recorded widespread changes as a result of the rise in temperatures and the subsequent snow melt in Ladakh, mainly through oral histories. Eyewitnesses have spoken of glaciers like Siachen, Khardung and Stok in Ladakh, which have either receded or almost disappeared in about a decade. Along with this comes a change in migration routes of nomadic tribes and an increase in the frequency and intensity of pest attacks, particularly the locust, due to rising temperatures.In the Changthang region, where there are 22 wetlands, people of the nomadic tribe, the Changpas, acutely feel climate change. They are dependent on livestock and rear the famous Pashmina goats for their wool. Since about six years, the migration routes of the Changpas have changed due to decrease in pasture land. Untimely snowfall has led to a loss of livestock as well, says Ms. Khatoon. In the Tso Moriri and Tso Kar lakes, migratory birds are coming earlier than expected and one pair of Black-necked Cranes have not migrated. The wild rose blooms now in May instead of June. The Changpas used to extract salt from the brackish lakes but since the water level has risen over the years, this too has stopped. In the Tso Kar area there are 60 Changpa families which have to frequently migrate, while in Tso Moriri, 22 families have settled down there.The summers are getting warmer and winters too and pests like the coddling moth are now found everywhere, says Tundup Angmo of GERES India, an NGO. Rain and snowfall are showing a decreasing trend, according to a baseline survey in 20 villages in Leh and Kargil areas which was conducted by GERES along with experts. In Kargil, water shortage has hit farmers and two villages were relocated in the Zanskar as a result. The cultivation of wheat is now possible due to the warmer climate and the sowing of barely is now pushed to May instead of June.
Urgent concern
Water shortage has led to hotels in Leh digging borewells, some 100 feet deep for water supply and in the Karzu area in Leh, this has led to the drying up of natural streams, says Ms. Khatoon. Concern about water is uppermost in the minds of every Ladakhi. The Women's Alliance of Ladakh, which spearheaded the successful campaign banning plastic bags in Ladakh, is one of the groups which has members in every village in Ladakh. Fifty-seven-year-old Kunzes Dolma, vice president of the Alliance formed 23 years ago, has been addressing local environmental concerns. Now it has teamed up with the NGO Navdhanya to conduct a survey on climate change in villages, based on a ready questionnaire which asks for information on awareness of climate change, evidence, and environmental changes, apart from changes in agriculture patterns, rainfall and snowfall. The Alliance has initiated several meetings on climate change already.
Lifestyle changes
Kunzes recalls colder winters when she was a child. Now the winters are warmer, she says. The quality of food was tastier then and now vegetables like capsicum, brinjal and cucumber are being grown. There is increased use of pesticides and the Alliance is campaigning against this as well.
There is a huge concern about the melting glaciers, and lack of water and even livestock rearing is reducing now with more and more people preferring to look for jobs. The traditional “goncha” a warm woolen dress is not much preferred now. Traditional homes in Ladakh have been designed using ecological and climatic wisdom. However, those mud houses are being replaced by cement structures. Clearly, there is also a cultural aspect to the climate change here. “Our aim is to promote nature conservation and our culture. The modern generation is dropping all our old ways of life and the explosion of cars is damaging the environment,” says Ms. Dolma.
Local and global links need to be forged to address climate change if regions like Ladakh are to be rescued from their vulnerability. The question is, who is listening?
The Hindu, December 6, 2009
Buntings sighted at Punchakari
Flocks of birds frolicking in the sprawling Punchakari wetlands abutting the Vellayani lake is not an unfamiliar sight to ornithologists. On Tuesday, however, wildlife photographer P.B. Biju had a suspicion he had seen something unfamiliar among the fluttering flocks of weaver birds feasting on seeds and small plants. Early on Wednesday morning ornithologist C. Susanth who rushed to the spot officially, identified the first-time visitors to Punchakari — the Redheaded Buntings. This is also the first recorded sighting of these ‘passerine’ birds in Kerala. The sighting of the Red-headed Bunting (Emberiza Bruniceps) has sent these ornithologists into a tizzy even though they had sighted some Black-headed Buntings in the same area on Sunday. “The Black-headed Buntings were sighted in 2008 at the Kattampally wetlands in Kannur. This is the second sighting and the first at Punchakari. However, the sighting of the Red bunting was totally unexpected,” Mr. Susanth told The Hindu. Normally these winter visitors are seen in open cultivated areas of western Tamil Nadu and southern Karnataka apart from Haryana, rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhyapradesh, Maharasthra and Andhra Pradesh. The Red-headed Bunting breeds in Central Asia, and in some parts of Britain and Europe. In all likelihood these birds flew over from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Mr. Susanth said. “These birds prefer dry areas. I don’t know whether their arrival signals the coming of a dry spell here. That has to be confirmed after further studies. We saw the birds just after 10 a.m. when the day was beginning to get hot,” he added.
The breeding Red male can be distinguished by its bright yellow underside, green upper parts and a brownish-red face and breast. During winter these colours turn shabby. The female Red has a grey-brown back and a greenish head. The male Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza Melanocephala) has bright yellow under parts, chestnut upper parts and a black hood. It breeds in southeast Europe and in Iran. According to Mr. Susanth, a team of ornithologists would observe the Buntings for a week more, if the birds are here for that long.
The Hindu, November 11, 2009
The breeding Red male can be distinguished by its bright yellow underside, green upper parts and a brownish-red face and breast. During winter these colours turn shabby. The female Red has a grey-brown back and a greenish head. The male Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza Melanocephala) has bright yellow under parts, chestnut upper parts and a black hood. It breeds in southeast Europe and in Iran. According to Mr. Susanth, a team of ornithologists would observe the Buntings for a week more, if the birds are here for that long.
The Hindu, November 11, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Need water? Save wetlands
The State government must make optimal use of funds for wetlands
conservation, if it is serious about saving its wetlands, S. Kaul,
Director of wetlands division of the Union Ministry of Environments
and Forests, has said. Delay in execution of the Management Action
Plan (MAP) for wetlands would harm Kerala, he added. Dr. Kaul, who is
striving to create awareness in the government on the link between
wetlands and water availability, was in Kozhikode recently to attend a
national seminar on "threats to wetlands" organised by the Centre for
Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM).
Ramsar sites
India, which is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, has
25 "Ramsar sites." Three lakes in Kerala, Vembanad, Ashtamudi and
Sasthamcotta have also been adjudged Ramsar sites. Ramsar sites have
to follow strict international guidelines for wetland conservation and
contravention of it places the Ramsar site under the Montreal Protocol
and results in heavy international pressure on the country to put its
act in order. India now has three sites under the Montreal Protocol.
Recognising the need for a strong institutional mechanism to monitor
wetlands, a steering committee was formed in all States. However MAPs
drawn up by some committees were shoddy and the Ministry is allocating
funds for States to take the help of consultancies. In all, 115
wetlands have been categorised into A, B and C. Category-A wetlands
are monitored by the Union government and they are usually
high-altitude wetlands or trans-boundary wetlands. Category-B wetlands
are under the control of the State government while Category-C is
managed by the district administration.
'Public must chip in'
"The involvement of local communities will complete the circle," Dr.
Kaul says. "Most have pressing needs for which they are tempted to
exploit a wetland. But, communities step in whole-heartedly for
conservation efforts when they are convinced of the reason."
The Hindu, July 16
conservation, if it is serious about saving its wetlands, S. Kaul,
Director of wetlands division of the Union Ministry of Environments
and Forests, has said. Delay in execution of the Management Action
Plan (MAP) for wetlands would harm Kerala, he added. Dr. Kaul, who is
striving to create awareness in the government on the link between
wetlands and water availability, was in Kozhikode recently to attend a
national seminar on "threats to wetlands" organised by the Centre for
Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM).
Ramsar sites
India, which is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, has
25 "Ramsar sites." Three lakes in Kerala, Vembanad, Ashtamudi and
Sasthamcotta have also been adjudged Ramsar sites. Ramsar sites have
to follow strict international guidelines for wetland conservation and
contravention of it places the Ramsar site under the Montreal Protocol
and results in heavy international pressure on the country to put its
act in order. India now has three sites under the Montreal Protocol.
Recognising the need for a strong institutional mechanism to monitor
wetlands, a steering committee was formed in all States. However MAPs
drawn up by some committees were shoddy and the Ministry is allocating
funds for States to take the help of consultancies. In all, 115
wetlands have been categorised into A, B and C. Category-A wetlands
are monitored by the Union government and they are usually
high-altitude wetlands or trans-boundary wetlands. Category-B wetlands
are under the control of the State government while Category-C is
managed by the district administration.
'Public must chip in'
"The involvement of local communities will complete the circle," Dr.
Kaul says. "Most have pressing needs for which they are tempted to
exploit a wetland. But, communities step in whole-heartedly for
conservation efforts when they are convinced of the reason."
The Hindu, July 16
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Need to save wetlands stressed
Interests of communities dependent on wetlands should be protected
while implementing wetland-conservation programmes, S. Kaul, Director,
Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, said here on Saturday. He
was inaugurating a seminar on 'Wetlands — a threatened landscape'
organised by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management
(CWRDM) at Kunnamangalam on Saturday. Dr. Kaul said that measures to
protect interests of communities were essential for the success of
wetland conservation programmes. He underlined the need for
capacity-building measures for stakeholders under wetland programmes
as these were necessary to sensitise the people to the values and
functions of wetlands and involve policymakers and planners in the
decision-making process. The Ministry had been doing this by
organising seminars and workshops across the country. He said wetlands
were being threatened by reclamation, drainage, landfills and
overexploitation of nature. Dr. Kaul was critical of research on
wetland conservation that would not supplement action plans and were
repetitive in nature.K.V. Jayakumar, Executive Director, CWRDM, and
other speakers at the seminar spoke of the many activities under way
in the State for conservation and management of wetlands. Such
programmes were being implemented by the CWRDM at Sasthamcotta and
Ashtamudi with the support of the Ministry, the departments of
agriculture, forests, irrigation and soil conservation and the Kerala
Water Authority. A State Wetland Cell headed by the Chief Secretary
had been formed.
The Hindu, July 5
while implementing wetland-conservation programmes, S. Kaul, Director,
Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, said here on Saturday. He
was inaugurating a seminar on 'Wetlands — a threatened landscape'
organised by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management
(CWRDM) at Kunnamangalam on Saturday. Dr. Kaul said that measures to
protect interests of communities were essential for the success of
wetland conservation programmes. He underlined the need for
capacity-building measures for stakeholders under wetland programmes
as these were necessary to sensitise the people to the values and
functions of wetlands and involve policymakers and planners in the
decision-making process. The Ministry had been doing this by
organising seminars and workshops across the country. He said wetlands
were being threatened by reclamation, drainage, landfills and
overexploitation of nature. Dr. Kaul was critical of research on
wetland conservation that would not supplement action plans and were
repetitive in nature.K.V. Jayakumar, Executive Director, CWRDM, and
other speakers at the seminar spoke of the many activities under way
in the State for conservation and management of wetlands. Such
programmes were being implemented by the CWRDM at Sasthamcotta and
Ashtamudi with the support of the Ministry, the departments of
agriculture, forests, irrigation and soil conservation and the Kerala
Water Authority. A State Wetland Cell headed by the Chief Secretary
had been formed.
The Hindu, July 5
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