To commemorate World Wetlands Day, a series of events was organised at Lanchuchu Eryu, near NEPCO tourist viewpoint and Doyang Reservoir, Wokha.
The event held under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” was jointly organised by Wokha Forest Division and the Doyang Plantation Division, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Nagaland.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW), and Nodal Officer of the State Wetland Authority, Nagaland Vedpal Singh graced the event as special guest.
He informed that February 2 has been observed as World Wetlands Day, however, due to certain circumstances, the celebration was held on February 4. Speaking about the ecosystem, he emphasized that wetlands are the fastest to disappear, primarily due to human activities. Therefore, Wetlands Day has been observed to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these vital ecosystems and to encourage individuals to contribute to their conservation, he said.
He also issued an important message, urging everyone to take a resolution to not buy mineral water or, if used, to dispose of them properly.
He also stressed the importance of responsible disposal of toxic waste, particularly inverter batteries, which contain hazardous materials.
DFO Wokha, Suman W M Sivachar, in his address spoke on the historical significance of Wetlands Day. He also spoke on the diverse types of wetlands, including coastal wetlands, rivers, paddy fields, aquaculture areas, and swamps, and stressed the invaluable role wetlands play in sustaining livelihoods.
SDO Civil Wokha, Nuhuta Tunyi, emphasised the growing environmental challenges, particularly in light of climate change, and the increasing frequency of natural disasters like landslides and floods. He drew attention to the issue of plastic waste accumulation in the Doyang area, calling for stricter enforcement of plastic ban and encouraged the community to take personal responsibility in reducing non-biodegradable waste.
Rishi from the Wildlife Institute of India discussed ongoing efforts to address the human-elephant conflict in Wokha and Mokokchung districts. Chief Conservator of Forests (STC), Nagaland, Zuthunglo Patton, concluded with a call for collective action, urging the public to take responsibility in safeguarding the environment and sharing knowledge from the event with their respective communities. The event also included the Wetland Mitra pledge, taken by Eco Warriors, and a drawing competition held earlier in the week. Prizes were awarded to students across various categories.