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Young Environmentalists celebrate World Wetlands Day! Caring for wetlands - an answer to climate change! 2010 By Citizen Reporter Powai - 07 February 10 : This year the theme is "Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Climate Change." Why this theme for World Wetlands Day 2010? In fact, 2010 is a big year for biodiversity - that year has been proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Year of Biodiversity. It all began in 2001 when the European Union agreed that "biodiversity decline should be halted with the aim of reaching this objective by 2010". The Chief Guest, Krishna Tiwari from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, chief of city forests commended the awareness programme on wetlands, saying, “Many students and even the common layperson still does not know what are wetlands, they think they are ordinary marshes, small shrubs in between the sea, rivers and land areas around Mumbai, hence to educate the citizens that mangroves are actually buffers and protect the city from flooding as well as breed rich ecological creatures interactive awareness is vital. Mumbai specially has land-sharks and developers gunning for the mangrove areas. It is important to spread awareness.” The environmental awareness movement was well attended by many other dignitaries like Naina Jaswani, V Appukuttan, Rita Chatterjee, Vivienne Choudhury, Vijaya Reddy, Teresa George, Prerna Dubey, Ashley Periera, Priti Nimbruti, Elsie Gabriel, Anusuya Dey, Rajashree Nedungadi, Gracy Peters, Jayalaxmi C, Manohar Lala and S Subramanyan graced the occasion besides many other educationists. Prof KC Sahu, also elucidated the importance of wetlands further, “The theme is timely, and there is much to say at global and national levels about wetland species and ecosystems under continuing threat from unsustainable human practices, about the likely impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems. Thus in teaching the next generation about wetlands it helps protect wetlands not only for them but for planet earth to sustain herself, Environmental curriculums involve the wetlands study and there could not be a better opportunity than to have the next generation get involved in the wetlands celebrations!” Young Environmentalists Programme is a registered trust working together with society in areas of conservation and environment. The trust aims to connect, inspire and empower young change makers to join forces for a thriving, just and sustainable way of life for all. Young Environmentalists Programme is a registered trust working together with society in areas of conservation and environment. The trust aims to connect, inspire and empower young change makers to join forces for a thriving, just and sustainable way of life for all. Young Environmentalists aim at providing support and skills to empower the next generation of leaders through workshops that share methodologies, build community partnership, and provide a forum for learning, healing, and for positive social impact. Come join the environmental movement! |
The Young Environmentalists Programme saw students from all across the city research and participate in the annual inter school essay competition on World Wetlands day which is held every year on Febuary 2nd. Many schools had come from as far as Airoli, Dahisar and Vile Parle to join several Powai and Bhandup schools. This year the interactive awareness event was hosted in association with the SM Shetty School, Powai.