With an aim to introduce ‘wetlands as biological supermarkets’ and sensitize school students on the types of wetlands, their functions, values, benefits, and associated threats, a workshop for DPS RK Puram was organized by Wetlands International South Asia in collaboration with India Water Partnership. The workshop was held on January 18, 2024, for class VIII students who saw active participation of 280 students and 14 teachers.
Class VIII students taking the Wetland Mitra Pledge
The workshop session was moderated by a student of the school and began with the auditorium of nearly 300 people taking the Wetland Mitra Pledge. Harsh Ganapathi ( Senior Technical Officer- Ecohydrology) started the session with a brief introduction of Wetlands International South Asia and India Water Partnerships track vision and track record in wetlands and water management. Diana Datta (Programme Associate -IMWBES) and Dayadra Mandal (Junior Technical Officer -Water Management) illustrated several dimensions of wetlands and the need for their conservation. The sessions also emphasized the need for youth involvement in securing these diverse wetlands.
Diana Datta (Left) and Dayadra Mandal (right) educating students on the importance of wetlands
Students reading the comic book on wetlands and exploring a guide on common birds of NCT Delhi
The workshop also included a case study on Hauz Khas Jheel, an urban wetland of significant importance for accommodating treated sewage water and housing diverse species in South Delhi. The workshop concluded with a brief talk by Dr Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary-cum-Country Coordinator, India Water Partnership, about fostering youth engagement for wetland conservation and management as a means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets.
Dr Veena Khanduri concluding the workshop