World Wetlands Day 2019 – Discussing wetlands and climate change mitigation policies
2 February of each year is celebrated as World Wetlands Day to mark the date of adoption of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The Convention is the only multilateral environmental agreement to date for conservation and wise use of wetlands.
The World Wetlands Day is being organized since 1995 to raise awareness on the values wetlands have for nature and society. The 2019 theme for World Wetlands Day – Wetlands and Climate Change brings to fore the essential role wetlands play in mitigating climate change as well as assisting humanity to adapt to the climate change impacts.
Despite nearly 35 years of signing the Ramsar Convention and committing to its wise use principles, wetlands conservation in India is yet to receive the required level of policy and programming support. As per our conservative estimates, as much as 30% of natural wetlands have been lost in the last three decades alone.
We are organizing a half-day event and a seminar on wetlands and climate change to mark the World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2019 at India International Center, New Delhi. The seminar aims to discuss pathways and policy directions for mainstreaming diverse wetlands ecosystem services and biodiversity values in climate policy.