Khajjiar and Rewalsar also included in Wetlands of National Importance
Punjab Newsline, Shimla, February 1-
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said here today that the wetlands play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance and mitigating the effects of climate change. He reiterated the pledge of the government to conserve the State’s Ramsar Sites & other important wetlands in the State and asked the people to be a part of this cause.
The day is celebrated internationally each year on 2nd February and marks the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. This year's World Wetland Day is based on the theme 'Wetland and Human Wellbeing' and a State Level Function would be organized at Rewalsar Wetland in Mandi district on 2nd Feb.
The Chief Minister commended the efforts of Himachal Pradesh State Wetlands Authority (HPSWA) for organizing several awareness programmes on this day. The Chief Minister stated that the government was committed to preserve the Ramsar sites of Himachal and called people to come forward to spread awareness about the benefits and promote their conservation.
Sukhu added that the state encompasses a wide variety of wetlands, spread in various ecological zones which are the source of livelihood for the local community and have immense aesthetic & tourism values.
The official spokesperson of HPSWA said that at present the State has three 'Ramsar sites- Wetlands of International Importance' namely Pong Dam in Kangra, Renuka in Sirmaur and Chandrataal in Lahaul & Spiti. He added that Rewalsar in Mandi and Khajjiar in Chamba have also been included as National Importance Wetlands by the Ministry of Environment & Forest & Climate Change for its conservation and management.
Wetlands provide enormous benefits to society including freshwater, and purifying and filtering harmful wastes from water. Wetlands are a source of foods, act as buffer for extreme events and help reduce risks from flooding & drought. They also help combat climate change through providing protection from extreme weather events besides being a source of livelihood for countless number of people as well as supporting a vast array of biodiversity, stated the spokesperson.