World Wetlands Day in Nepal
Friends of the Bagmati
Press Release
1 February 2007, Kathmandu.
World Wetlands Day 2007 Celebration
Fish for Tomorrow?
Wetlands support fisheries …. Keep them healthy.
World Wetlands Day takes place on 2nd of February every year and offers governments at all levels, NGOs, schools and citizens alike an opportunity "to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular" (Ramsar Secretariat). To make this exercise more effective and efficient, an informal Consortium (Group of Organizations working in the field of Wetlands Conservation) has been formed in Nepal.
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Nepal is leading the consortium. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal, The World Conservation Union (IUCN Nepal), International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) are sponsoring the programs planned for this year’s celebration. Friends of the Bagmati (FoB) has developed an activity plan in consultations with the consortium members and facilitate the workshop scheduled for February 2, 2007. The "Workshop on Fish for Tomorrow?" will compile findings of issues and actions to be taken as a concrete step towards raising awareness as well as providing an opportunity for stakeholders at local and visitor levels to be active partners in wetlands management and development.
The paper presentations will include results of field level interactions from Taudaha, Nagdaha, the Bagmati River near Kupondole, and Ghodaghodi and will be presented by local level representatives at the workshop. The workshop aims to plant the seed for action by identifying key issues and challenges related to the theme with the objective of recommending solutions required to solve local level issues. eg policy change.
The estimated number of participants is 70 and will represent local representatives from different sites (Taudaha, Nagdaha, the Bagmati River near Kupondole, and Ghodaghodi), universities, government and non governmental agencies related to wetlands, environment, fisheries, agriculture, wildlife, tourism and water resources. The issues and recommendations will be presented to the audience through exhibition and paper presentations. The recommendations made by the workshop shall be presented to policy makers present at the inaugural function. In addition a clear set of actions to be taken as a group and as individual organizations and fact sheets on the different work areas identified within the consortium shall be prepared.
The workshop will be followed by the national level inauguration ceremony of the World Wetlands Day 2007. During this formal ceremony, wetlands related publications (Fact Sheets of 3 High Altitude Wetlands prepared by DNPWC and WWF Nepal; documents on Cultural and Religious Significance of High Altitude Wetlands prepared by DNPWC and WWF Nepal and Wetlands Poster prepared by DNPWC, WWF Nepal, IUCN, ICIMOD and NTNC) will be released by the Chief Guest, Secretary of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation. The celebration begins with the inauguration of Information BillBoard of Wetlands to be installed at Baber Mahal.
We firmly believe that the planned programs (see following page for a list of programs) will raise awareness about the importance and values of wetland resources. Participation of local organizations and clubs will ensure continuing activities and attempts to promote and conserve the value of our wetlands to accrue maximum benefits out of these important resources.
Consortium meeting will finalize and publish report and organize media sensitization interaction program based on the report.
Thank you!
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Programs
Feb. 2, 2007
0930 – 1000 Inauguration of Information Bill Board of Wetlands by Secretary, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC)
1100 – 1400 Workshop on "Fish for Tomorrow?"
1500 – 1630 World Wetlands Day 2007 Inaugural Ceremony
| Date | Organization | Activities |
| Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) | National Focal Point & Coordinator of all activities planned for Wetlands Day 2007 celebration Street Drama at Rani Pokhari | |
| Ministry of Env., Science and Technology | Support Consortium activities | |
| World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal | Field Level interaction at Ghodaghodi Lake Release Fact Sheet release of 3 wetland sites Release Cultural and Religious significance of 3 wetlands Radio awareness programs Information Billboard & Posters Support Consortium activities | |
| The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Nepal | Information Billboard & Posters Support Consortium activities | |
| International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) | Information Billboard & Posters Support Consortium activities | |
| National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) | Information Billboard & Posters Support Consortium activities | |
| Department of Fisheries (Matshya Bikas Nirdeshanalaya) | Support by providing Information about Fish and Fisheries Presentation at the Workshop | |
| Nepal Tourism Board / Sustainable Tourism Network – Nepal | Promoter of all activities | |
| Friends of the Bagmati | Workshop ("Fish for Tomorrow?") Facilitation and developing calendar of activities and reports | |
| 3-Feb | Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) | Birdwatching at Taudaha |
| 10-Feb | BCN | Bird Watching at Pashupati Mrigasthali |
| 11-Feb | BCN | Bird Watching at Bagmati Nature Park |
| 2- Feb | Consortium | Half Day Workshop on ‘Fish for Tomorrow?’ Exhibition, and Inaugural Ceremony |
| 2-Feb onwards | Environmentalists’ Association of Nepal | Different Awareness Programs |
| 1-Feb | Khwopa College | One Day Seminar at Khwopa College |
| 10-Feb | Nepal Cycling Club | Cycle Rally |
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| NGO Forum/Pro Public | Interactions at Ikha Pokhari and Rani Pokhari |
| 2-Feb | Nepal River Conservation Trust and EAN | Workshop on Wetland Conservation in Nepal |
| Feb 2nd Week | Nepal River Conservation Trust | I. Conservation Awareness Campaign School |
| Feb 3rd Week | II. Conservation Awareness Campaign School | |
| Mar 2nd Week | River Guide Training | |
| Feb 11 – Mar 22 | Quiz, Essay & Oratory program for college students | |
| 3-Feb | Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN) / TYC | Mithila Art |
| Nature Hike Race | ||
| Art Competition | ||
| - | Women Environment Preservation Committee (WEPCO) | Talk Program for Students |
| - | Bagmati Clean Up Campaign | |
| Art Competition (with WCN) | ||
| 10-Jan to 23-Jan 23-Jan | YATRA and Nagdaha Sudhar Samiti | Field Based Workshop at Nagdaha |
| On the Spot Painting |
For More Information
Laxmi P. Manandhar, Conservation Education Officer
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) T: 4220850 Mobile: 2324327
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Friends of the Bagmati
P. O. Box 459, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: (977-1) 4470 770
Fax: (977-1) 4471 379
E-mail: info@friendsofthebagmati.org.np
fob@dwarikas.com
URL: www.friendsofthebagmati.org.np
OUR MISSION: TO REVERSE THE DEGRADATION OF THE BAGMATI RIVER
