Wetlands International South Asia held an online training programme for the Bachelor’s students of the Department of Botany, Shri Shikshayatan College, University of Calcutta to facilitate career guidelines in the field of wetland conservation and management in India. The students were also briefed about the significance of the wetland conservation and different career prospects in the field. It also aimed at practical knowledge dispersal and spreading awareness on Wetlands conservation.
During the online session, Arghya Chakrabarty (Technical Officer – Biodiversity) Wetlands International South Asia, introduced the students to the concepts of wetlands mapping and delineation, Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017 and the purpose of designating a wetland as wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Site). He actively interacted with the students of all three semesters and spoke briefly about the significance of wetlands, types of wetlands, major threats to wetlands, and what an individual can do to preserve and protect wetlands. The session ended with a case study on the Sundarbans and East Kolkata Wetlands wherein the students directly interacted and exchanged important ideas.
The training programme was also attended by Dr Illora Sen (Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Shri Shikshayatan College) and about 70 students from semesters 1, 3 and 5 respectively.
Dr Illora Sen emphasised on the conservation and management of wetlands and how the present generation of students have a vital role to play in the process.