Forest fire awareness campaign organised on World Wetlands Day at Chandel

The Divisional Forest Officer, Chandel organised the observance of World Wetlands Day at the premises of St Paul Higher Secondary School, Liwa Changningda, Chandel. Along with the observance, an awareness campaign on forest fires was also conducted.
Around one thousand two hundred students, teachers and staff members took part in the programme. Officials of the Forest Department, including Divisional Forest Officer Chandel Dr N Munal Meitei, and Vice Principal of St Paul Higher Secondary School Albert Kom, were present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, Dr N Munal Meitei said wetlands are essential for the survival of all life forms and described them as one of the most vital components of the natural ecosystem. He stated that forests are regarded as the heart of the world, the earth as its skin and rivers as veins, while wetlands are considered the kidneys of the world due to their role in maintaining ecological balance.
He informed that World Wetlands Day is observed on February 2 each year to mark the signing of the Ramsar Convention in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Referring to this year’s theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” he said Loktak Lake supports the livelihood of around fourteen per cent of Manipur’s population and holds deep cultural significance for the people of the state.
Dr Munal said wetlands help control floods, supply nearly ninety per cent of water for human use and support about forty per cent of living organisms. He added that wetlands absorb pollutants, industrial waste and carbon dioxide, which explains their description as the kidneys of the world.
He also stated that nearly ninety per cent of wetlands worldwide have disappeared over time. India has ninety eight Ramsar sites, with wetlands covering about eleven point four per cent of the country’s area, while Manipur accounts for about two point three per cent. Although Manipur constitutes only zero point seven per cent of India’s geographical area, its wetlands support over ten per cent of the country’s aquatic biodiversity. However, nearly sixty four per cent of Manipur’s wetlands have been lost, including Loktak and several other major pats.
Dr N Munal Meitei appealed to students, the public and the media to protect wetlands and forests, prevent forest fires, avoid indiscriminate burning, and work collectively to conserve natural resources for future generations.