Conserve wetlands, Sukhu urges people

Shimla, February 1

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today reiterated the pledge of the state government to conserve the state’s Ramsar sites and other important wetlands and asked the people to be a part of this cause. The World Wetland Day is observed on February 2, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands.

The Chief Minister commended the efforts of Himachal Pradesh State Wetlands Authority (HPSWA) for organising several awareness programmes on this day. The Chief Minister said the government was committed to preserve the Ramsar sites of Himachal, and called upon people to come forward to spread awareness about conserving these sites.

Sukhu added that the state encompasses a wide variety of wetlands, spread in various ecological zones, which are the source of livelihood for the local community and have immense aesthetic and tourism values.

HPSWA spokesperson said that at present the state had three ‘Ramsar sites — Wetlands of International Importance’ namely Pong Dam in Kangra, Renuka in Sirmaur and Chandrataal in Lahaul & Spiti.

“Rewalsar in Mandi and Khajjiar in Chamba have also been included as the wetlands of national importance by the Ministry of Environment & Forest & Climate Change for its conservation and management,” he said.

World Wetland Day

World Wetland Day is observed on February 2, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.