World Wetland Day 2015

Wetlands are vital for the future of humanity.
On February 2, World Wetland Day was observed to commemorate the adoption of the Convention of Wetlands on February 2, 1971. This year, 44 years later, it is celebrated under the theme “Wetlands for our future”.

Wetlands are important for their rich biodiversity, ability to store carbon, provision of food such as fish and rice. Wetlands also purify and replenish our water, aids in the mitigation of climate change and they act as natural shields to protect coastlines from flooding and drought.

In Guyana, the North Rupununi wetland is the largest covering 22,000 hectares of flooded savannahs and forest. It is known for its high biodiversity with more than 400 species of fish and home to some of the world’s endangered giants such as the giant river otter and the Arapaima. More than 5000 indigenous people of the country depend on this wetland for food, drinking water, transportation route, building materials for homes, tools and for cultural purposes. 
The mangrove swamps along the coast of Guyana help to protect the coast where 90% of the population resides from degradation by wave action.

However, 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900 because many of us are not aware of these benefits.

World Wetland Day 2015 aims to get youths who will be the leaders of tomorrow to participate in spreading the awareness about wetlands and their significance to humanity and help in the revival of degraded wetlands. A number of event including a photo competition were held by RAMSAR in order to get young people more involved.

Saliqa Zaman