BJGV JATHA observes World Wetland Day

Ludhiana, February 2, 2013: To observe the World Wetland Day a seminar was organised today by Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha of Ludhiana district in coordination with  Punjab State Council for  Science and Technology at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public School, Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana.

Inaugurating the seminar Dr. Arun Mitra, General Secretary, BJGVJ emphasised the need to preserve our wetlands. He said that the human civilisation has developed around the wetlands since ancient times but unfortunately due to unchecked human  activities coupled with greed of a few, the same wetlands have come under threat ultimately adversely affecting the human life itself and the flora and fauna around.

Ranjit Singh, Retired Principal and Vice-President of BJGVJ  gave a detailed lecture on the subject. He informed that there are more than 23,000 wetlands  across the country. Punjab has 14 wetlands like Harike, Kanjli and Nangal. Out of these Harike is the biggest with an area of 41 square Kms. Some types of birds from as far as polar regions come to this place covering a distance of 40,000 Kms in 8 months. MS Bhatia, Organising Secretary of BJGVJ said the Jatha will make it a movement . He said that it is unfortunate that these wetlands are getting polluted by the polluted water of the rivers. This is causing serious threat to the migrant birds in particular. He demanded that  prevention of pollution of the wetlands should be taken seriously by the authorities. He informed that the Jatha will organise a trip of the students to Harike in near future.

Principal of school Rajinder Kaur Bhatia called upon the students to come forward and conserve the wetlands. She lauded the role of Jatha in spreading awareness about the preservation of ecology.

(Students listening the seminar. City Air News photo: AJAY)