Symposium on World Wetlands Day organised
3 February 2007

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Nepal in conjunction with the Regional Environment Office for South Asia, US Department of State, organised a symposium in Kathmandu on the occasion of the World Wetlands Day, 2007.

During the symposium, various organisations made presentations on the importance of wetlands as they are recognised as the biological supermarkets. Amongst the presenters included Dr. BR Jha, Mr. Jhamak Bahadur Karki and Ms. Neera Shrestha Pradhan, Mr. Deependra Joshi and Mr. Paras Singh, who shed light on the recent trends in fish ecological study, wetland management perspectives in Nepal, Ramsar Convention and its compliance, and birds as an indicator of wetland health, respectively.

Addressing the participants, Mr. John Q. Adams, Director, Regional Environment, Science, Technology and Health Office for South Asia, highlighted the contribution of the United States in promoting environmental conservation globally. Referring to wetlands as the transitional links between water and land, Mr. Prabhu Budhathoki, Country Representative of IUCN Nepal, remarked that wetland is an area where water never dries and where land never hides, and added that wetlands are not wastelands rather they are wealthlands and lands important for our future sustainability.

As a mark of wetlands day commemoration, Mr. Budhathoki also launched a book written by an environmental journalist on the state of biodiversity of Nepal and Paryabaran - an environmental monthly magazine.

Prior to the symposium, about 40 higher secondary students from various colleges of Kathmandu, were taken on an excursion visit to Taudaha wetland, Kathmandu, where, among others, they learnt about the water level measurement techniques using essential sampling gears and protocols.

This year's slogan for the World Wetland Day is "Fish for Tomorrow,"  which emphasises on the crucial connections between wetlands and fisheries.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Nepal in conjunction with the Regional Environment Office for South Asia, US Department of State, organised a symposium in Kathmandu on the occasion of the World Wetlands Day, 2007.

During the symposium, various organisations made presentations on the importance of wetlands as they are recognised as the biological supermarkets. Amongst the presenters included Dr. BR Jha, Mr. Jhamak Bahadur Karki and Ms. Neera Shrestha Pradhan, Mr. Deependra Joshi and Mr. Paras Singh, who shed light on the recent trends in fish ecological study, wetland management perspectives in Nepal, Ramsar Convention and its compliance, and birds as an indicator of wetland health, respectively.

Addressing the participants, Mr. John Q. Adams, Director, Regional Environment, Science, Technology and Health Office for South Asia, highlighted the contribution of the United States in promoting environmental conservation globally. Referring to wetlands as the transitional links between water and land, Mr. Prabhu Budhathoki, Country Representative of IUCN Nepal, remarked that wetland is an area where water never dries and where land never hides, and added that wetlands are not wastelands rather they are wealthlands and lands important for our future sustainability.

As a mark of wetlands day commemoration, Mr. Budhathoki also launched a book written by an environmental journalist on the state of biodiversity of Nepal and Paryabaran - an environmental monthly magazine.

Prior to the symposium, about 40 higher secondary students from various colleges of Kathmandu, were taken on an excursion visit to Taudaha wetland, Kathmandu, where, among others, they learnt about the water level measurement techniques using essential sampling gears and protocols.

This year's slogan for the World Wetland Day is "Fish for Tomorrow,"  which emphasises on the crucial connections between wetlands and fisheries.

For more information, please contact:

• Email: djoshi@iucn.org.np