Nature walks, bird watching, music, boat rides mark World Wetland Day

Jalandhar, February 3

Four environment organisations — INTACH Punjab, Bhoomitra, Inner Wheel Club (Tarn Taran) and PAC Mattewara collaborated to mark World Wetland Day celebrations at Harike Pattan on Friday. The event featured nature walks, bird watching, music, poetry, dance, and boat rides.

Spread across 86 sq km, Harike Wetland bird sanctuary attracts migratory birds from Siberia and Eurasia, including Eurasian Koot and Little Corant. About 100 individuals of these four groups, including doctors, students, retired nature enthusiasts, army officers, and IT professionals, participated in the event. Niccolo Vacchi, a soprano saxophonist from France, enchanted the audience with his music aboard the boats.

Speakers stressed the urgency of wetland preservation, highlighting concerns about river pollution at the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers. They attributed the pollution to industrial and sewage discharge from the Doaba region. Dr Sunny Sandhu, residing in France, noted the event’s 13-year tradition, emphasising the commitment to wetland conservation.

Led by bird enthusiasts Manish Ahuja and Navdeep Sood, bird watching and nature walks educated visitors about the diverse avifauna. Dr Baljit Kaur and Jaskirat Singh underscored the need for immediate action to address river pollution, urging INTACH to take a leading role.

Retired Major General Balwinder Singh emphasised the need for proactive action, assuring INTACH would play a pivotal role in environmental stewardship. He led participants in the INTACH oath, stressing the importance of tangible efforts to secure a better future for Punjab’s upcoming generations.

NGO educates youth on wetland conservation City-based NGO Pahal organised a visit to Harike Pattan, northern India’s largest wetland, to celebrate World Wetland Day. Students from institutions including Apeejay College, KMV College, Cambridge International School, LPU, and others enthusiastically participated in the expedition, gaining insight into wetland ecosystems’ crucial role in biodiversity conservation.