World Wetland Day Celebration at Asan Conservation Reserve
On the occasion of World Wetland Day, 2nd February, students of M.Sc. Environment Management celebrated the event with forest trainees in the Asan Conservation Reserve in Dehradun district, India’s first conservation reserve, established in 2005. The wetland is situated at the confluence of the Asan and Yamuna Rivers covering an area of 4.44 sq km. The wetland is listed as an Important Bird Area and serves as a prominent wintering spot for migrating birds. The birds listed as globally threatened species and in the IUCN Red Data Book have been observed at Asan.
On this occasion forest officials of Asan gave information about the wetland day to the students. Officials told the students that on February 2, 1971, environmentalists of the world gathered in Ramsar city of Iran to establish Ramsar site. The purpose of which is to identify all the wetland areas (wetlands) of the world and aware the people of the world with their identity and importance. Former educationist MP Biswalwan said that in Uttarakhand around 42 percent area is declared as wetland and so far Asan Wetland is the main wetland area. 25 percent of the area under wetlands is now marked in the country. After celebrating the wetland day, students were shown various types of native and foreign birds in Asan Barrage. Bird expert Sh. Sipu Kumar, Wildlife Institute of India, gave information about birds. Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Common coot, Ruddy shelduck, White browed wagtail, Northern shoveler, Mallard, Moorhen, Little grebe, Purple heron, Sandpiper, White capped red start, Dusky crag martin, Swift and Cormorant were few among the many species spotted. On this occasion, Dr. Mridula Negi, Scientist- E & Programme Coordinator, Dr. Meenakshi Sati, Consultant, FRI Deemed to be University, range officer Jawahar Singh, Satendra Gusani, bird experts Sipu Kumar and Pradeep Saxena etc. were present.
