Nagaland: World Wetlands Day 2026 observed at Doyang

World Wetlands Day 2026 was observed at the Multipurpose Hall, Tourist Lodge, Doyang, under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage” on February 4. The programme was organised by Wokha Forest Division and Doyang Plantation Division in collaboration with the Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) and the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB).
Delivering the keynote address, Divisional Forest Officer, Wokha Forest Division and Doyang Plantation Division, Suman WM Sivachar, highlighted the global significance of World Wetlands Day, observed annually on February 2 since 1997 and recognised as a United Nations International Day from 2022. He noted that the observance commemorates the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, the oldest modern intergovernmental environmental agreement dedicated to a single ecosystem.
Sivachar informed that the Convention currently has 172 contracting parties, covering nearly 90 percent of UN member states, with 2,546 designated wetlands worldwide, spanning approximately 257.99 million hectares. Stressing the importance of this year’s theme, he underscored the role of indigenous and traditional knowledge systems in conserving and sustainably managing wetlands. Quoting Dr. Musonda Mumba, secretary general of the Convention on Wetlands, he said the 2026 observance highlights the deep connection between wetlands and cultural practices, traditions, and knowledge systems, describing wetlands as living ecosystems that preserve shared cultural and ecological heritage.
He further explained that wetlands include inland, coastal, and human-made ecosystems and are among the most productive globally. They provide essential services such as freshwater supply, biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, climate regulation, and protection against extreme weather events.
Wetlands also support food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity, particularly for indigenous communities. Raising concerns over environmental challenges, Sivachar warned of rapid wetland loss and degradation caused by pollution, urban expansion, industrial development, agricultural intensification, drainage, and invasive species.
He stressed that degradation disrupts climate systems, threatens biodiversity and livelihoods, and affects human well-being, calling for collective conservation efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), M. Senthil Kumar, emphasised the relevance of traditional knowledge in maintaining wetland ecosystems. He stated that wetlands are not merely water bodies but dynamic ecosystems formed through the interaction of land and water, which local communities have managed and protected through generations. He added that conservation also involves recognising community-based practices that support forest health, wildlife conservation, and ecological balance.
The programme was chaired by Range Forest Officer, Baghty Range, H. Olivi Awomi. A cultural performance was presented by VKV, DHEP, NEEPCO. Representatives from the district administration also addressed the gathering, speaking on conservation initiatives, policy measures, and collaborative approaches towards environmental protection.
As part of the observance, winners of the poem competition were felicitated. The event also featured a PowerPoint presentation on Mission LiFE, EIACP, and NPCB.