World Wetland Day 2012 celebrated at Dadara

Each year 2nd February has been celebrated as World Wetland Day around the world. Aaranyak, an organization committed for wetland and biodiversity conservation in Assam celebrated World Wetland Day, 2012 in Dadara of Kamrup District of Assam in collaboration with Sarala Bilra Jyanjyoti School and Sankardev Sisu Niketan, Dadara. This year the theme for World Wetland Day was "Wetlands and Tourism". Keeping this in mind this was celebrated in Dadara and Pacharia village near Guwahati. These two villages have been used by an endangered wetland bird, Greater Adjutant as their nesting ground for last several years and become a wildlife tourist destination. Students of Sarala Birla Gyanjyoti, Amingaon and Sankardev Sisu Niketan, Dadara spread awareness activities for the conservation of wetlands and wetland birds like Greater Adjutant among the villagers.

Paresh Das, a local resident and also the principal of Sankardev Sisu Niketan, Dadara said "such type of activity will definitely bring more importance to wetlands and wetland birds in our area and outside people will know better about the this villages and villagers who are involved for conservation of an endangered bird in its locality". He said highlighting such stories will make this villages as a major tourist destination to see this endanger wetland bird.

Purnima Devi Barman, an environmental educator and wildlife researcher of Aaranyak and a lecturer of Handique Girls college explained the importance of wetlands for biodiversity conservation to the school students and local residence present at the function. She said "efforts of local villagers in Dadara and Pacharia of Kamrum District for conservation of this wetland bird is definitely a destination to see and experience community conservation success stories for conservation of an endangered bird species". Barman who did extensive research work in this area for conservation of this wetland bird played environmental games with the students. She took the students to the houses of villagers to see the nesting colonies of the wetland birds to experienced the efforts of the local residents for conservation and taught them about community conservation works.