Ms. Shivani Negi, representing Wetlands International South Asia, won the Best Presenter Award at the prestigious 10th Asian Wetland Symposium, Manila, Philippines
Peatlands, a unique type of wetland characterized by accumulated peat layers, play a critical role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. These systems, whether actively forming or degraded, influence greenhouse gas dynamics by either storing carbon or emitting it. India places a high priority on conserving and enhancing carbon stocks and initiated a project on inventory and assessment of peatlands in India to support climate mitigation and wetland conservation efforts.
Ms. Shivani Negi of Wetlands International South Asia delivered a presentation titled “Inventory and Assessment of Peatlands in India” in the session on carbon-rich wetlands at the 10th Asian Wetland Symposium in Manila, Philippines.
Ms. Negi presented a framework for peatland mapping in India and shared key findings from the Himalayan and Northeast biogeographic zones. She demonstrated how mapping approaches can identify peatland-supporting landscapes and carbon-rich wetlands, facilitating their integration into national climate strategies. She highlighted the limitations of global datasets for the Asian context and underscored the need for advanced technologies and region-specific indicators.
Her presentation was highly acclaimed, earning her the Best Presenter Award for the session.
The symposium, themed “Wetland-Based Solutions”, was organized by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands Inc. (SCPW), the Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia (RRC-EA), and the Ramsar Center Japan (RCJ), in partnership with the Japan Wetland Society and Wetlands International – Japan. It aimed to raise awareness about nature-based solutions for wetlands, share innovative strategies, foster stakeholder networks, engage youth, and identify key elements for a Strategic Plan on Wetland-Based Solutions in Asia.