Converse & Conserve

FROM ISSUE # 159 (March 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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World Wetlands Day was celebrated on 2 February, marking the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971. This year, a group of youth organisations gave focus to Nagdaha, a natural wetland located at the southern part of Lalitpur. Association of Youth Organisation Nepal, Nagdaha Conservation and Reform Committee, Orbit International College, Orbit Youth for Change, Tourism for Development Endeavours, Yatra and Youth in Engagement Sustainability were among the organisers of the event. Activities such as poster presentation and competition, promotion of eco-tourism at Nagdaha (cycling, heritage walk and boating), a quiz contest, visionary paintings and a youth interaction program took place from 1-5 February to create awareness about the need to conserve wetlands.

A wetland is an area where soil is drenched with moisture either permanently or seasonally and is at least six meters deep. Deterioration of wetlands harms the aquatic and animal life dependent on it. The surrounding land also loses its fertility, harming agriculture and destroying a source of fresh water for the locals.