The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

World Wetlands Day 2004 -- India -- Mumbai

WORLD WETLAND DAY 2004

The School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India is actively engaged in Wetland studies in the Country. The University Grants Commission is sponsoring the studies. The World Wetland Day 2004 was celebrated in the National Chambal Sanctuary, Morena, Madhya Pradesh, India. The Sanctuary is declared on the Chambal River a home for large number of crocodiles, dolphins, otters, turtles and migratory birds.

The Vice Chancellor of the Jiwaji University, teaching faculty, students and research scholars, Forest Department personnel, Irrigation Department officials have participated in the day long seminar. In the seminar value of Wetlands and the need for conservation has been discussed and measures for protection of local wetlands were suggested.

A field trip to Chambal River was made. Water analysis, census of aquatic animals and identifying the threats to habitats were done.Large number of migratory birds were present including gharial and mugger crocdile and dolphins in a stretch of 6 kms of the Chambal River.

Submitted by:

Dr. R J Rao
IUCN/SSC Member of various specialist groups
Conservation Biology Unit
School of Studies in Zoology
Jiwaji University
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India 474011
Email: soszool@rediffmail.com

For further information about World Wetlands Day or the Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 8 March 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.