World Wetlands Day Celebrations by ATREE CERC at Alappuzha

ATREE CERC celebrated the World Wetland Day 2019 with multiple programs in Alappuzha. A street play titled Tathvamasi was organized at the civil station complex, Alappuzha. The play highlighted the threats and challenges faced by the Vembanad wetland system and the importance of its conservation for future wellbeing. The street play was performed by the Jalapadom students of SKMHSS Kumarakom and was widely appreciated by the vast audience. ATREE CERC also organised a one-day policy workshop on the role of local self governments in the implementation of Wetland legislations. The workshop was attended by more than 115 panchayath representatives from 65 panchayats. The keynote address on the role of panchayaths in environmental protection was delivered by the former chief secretary of Kerala Sri.S.M.Vijayanand, IAS. The meeting was presided by Dr .Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan senior scientist ATREE. Jojo.T.D Project coordinator ATREE CERC delivered the welcome address. The technical session on Coastal Regulation Zone Act was covered by Dr. K.V.Thomas, Retd Scientist NCESS. The second section was led by Mr. Robinson Y.D, ILDM Faculty on the role of LSGs in the implementation of paddy and wetland conservation. The wetland management rules were briefly addressed by Dr. John.C.Mathew, SWAK. The event was supported by the State Wetland Authority of Kerala (SWAK) and ANTRIX Corporation. Apart from this all the Jalapadom students in the 15 schools also celebrated the wetlands day with wide range of programs including rallies and awareness programs. The Ramsar WWD posters on the theme was also distributed to all the schools.