World wetlands day celebration

The College of Horticulture, Central Agricultural University (CAU) (Imphal), located in Bermiok, Sikkim, recently celebrated World Wetlands Day with an event focused on the crucial role these ecosystems play. The program included expert talks, student presentations, and an award ceremony for a wetland-themed painting competition. Dr. Nangsol Bhutia, Assistant Professor of Vegetable Science and the event's organizer, opened the proceedings by welcoming the attendees. Dr. A.K. Pandey, Dean of the College of Horticulture, delivered the keynote address. His speech highlighted the significance of the Ramsar Convention and Ramsar sites, emphasizing the importance of World Wetlands Day, particularly in the context of Sikkim. Dr. Pandey differentiated between agricultural and natural ecosystems and discussed the phytoremediation of heavy metals by wetlands and their vegetation, referencing Anupam Mishra's work, "Aaj bhi khara hae Rajasthan ki Talaab." MSc students Subhajit Panigrahi, Thusharreddy J, and Naveen Sankhla gave short presentations on World Wetlands Day, wetland cultivation, and the potential of underutilized vegetables. The presentations provided valuable insights into these diverse topics. A highlight of the event was the prize distribution for the painting competition, which centered on the theme "Protecting Wetlands for our common future." The artistic expressions of the participants underscored the importance of wetland conservation. Dr. John Jo Varghese, Scientist-C and In-charge of the Regional Research Station of the Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Research Division of Spices Board, also addressed the gathering. Speaking on the theme of protecting wetlands for a shared future, Dr. Varghese discussed several important wetlands in Sikkim, including the source of the Teesta River, Chho Lamo, the popular tourist destination Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim, and Khecheopalri Lake in West Sikkim. His enthusiastic presentation added to the event's impact. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and staff members, demonstrating a shared commitment to wetland preservation.