Commemorating the World Wetlands Day at Bhopal and across the state of Madhya Pradesh, India

Madhya Pradesh State Wetland Authority, Government of Madhya Pradesh Environment Department commemorated World Wetlands Day 2022 at the State Capital, Bhopal and across the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Excerts of the activities conducted are mentioned below : - i. The 2nd meeting of State Wetland Authority was held on 1st February, 2022 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Shri Hardeep Singh Dang, Minister Environment Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The State Wetland Authority is the apex statutory body constituted under Environment Protection Act 1986 for wetland conservation. ii. Aligning with this year's theme "Wetlands Action for People and Nature symposium on Wetland Conservation challenges and opportunities for M.P. was organised by the State Wetland Authority. Hon’ble Minister of Environment, GoMP was the Chief Guest of the event. Academicians, wetland conservation professionals, eminent civil society members, officials from different organizations, added value by sharing their ideas and experiences. iii. On the World Wetlands day a self-guided Wetland Walk was organized under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister of Environment, GoMP. About 100 environmentalist and wetland enthusiast and nature lovers took part in this guided walk in the lush green surrounding of Bhoj-wetland situated in the heart of Bhopal. iv. State Wetland Authority is supporting a group of bird lovers to carry out Winter Bird Count of Bhoj Wetland which is the only Ramsar Site of M.P. This two month long winter bird count event was concluded by organizing a validatory program on the occasion of World Wetlands Day on 2nd Feb 2022. Minister of Environment, GoMP graced the occasion as chief guest. v. An Awareness program was jointly organized with Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the Boat Club, on the shores of Bhoj Wetland a Ramsar site of MP. Cleaning drive and wetland quiz competition were also organized for NCC cadets of Naval wing and NSS volunteers. vi. District Collectors of the 52 districts across the state were also advised to conduct similar walks and awareness programs to encourage local citizens towards Wetland conservation. Many districts organised the event and their event reports are coming in. vii. A week-long public awareness drive had also been conducted by the Municipal Corporations/councils at their respective wetland sites of Amrit Sagar, Ratlam, Bhoj Wetland, Indore, Sirpur Wetland, Indore, Shivpuri lakes, Shivpuri, Sindh Sagar Lake, Isagarh, district Ashoknagar, and Sita Sagar lake, Datia. These are the wetlands which are being jointly conserved under the NPCA program of MoEF&CC, Govt. of India. Substantial financial investments are being made to protect these precious lakes. viii. A week-long public awareness drive had also been conducted by Municipal Corporations/councils of the states at the proposed Ramsar sites of M.P. i.e. Sirpur and Yashwant Sagar at Indore and Sakhya Sagar at Madhav National Park, Shivpuri district of M.P.