Growing urbanisation and industrialisation are some of the main reasons for gradual degradation of wetlands, which is leading to imbalance in ecological equilibrium. Measures that should be taken to protect wetland ecosystem and contribution by individuals in conservation of resources were highlighted at a workshop here on Monday.
The workshop was organised by Paryavarna Margadarsi Vaisakhi (PMV) and Bapuji Rural Enlightenment and Development Society (BREDS) at Andhra University High School Telugu Medium.
Founder-president of PMV S. Vijaya Kumar and Andhra University Registrar V. Umamaheswara Rao called for a collective effort to safeguard wetlands and urged students to take the lead in conserving natural resources.
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With ‘Wetlands for Disaster Risk Management’ as the current year’s theme, the programme, held as a prelude to the World Wetlands Day celebrated on February 2, included screening of three documentary films on the school campus.
A poster that listed out key points to bring wetlands to life was released by Professor of Department of Zoology, Andhra University Ch. Manjulatha along with other invitees. Volunteers of BREDS and PMV said they plan to screen similar short films in various schools and help students come forward to spread the message.
The recent survey indicates that 64 per cent of world’s wetlands have been wiped out. Former Union Energy Secretary E.A.S. Sarma said previously the area occupied by major industries like HPCL Refinery and Hindustan Shipyard Limited and the airport were once wetland. “These places have now become vulnerable to inundation because the natural course of water has been replaced by buildings,” he said.
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