NGO to address threats wetlands are facing

THANE: A city-based NGO along with the Mumbai University plans to bring Thaneites closer to the environment and discuss steps to be taken for its conservation.

In the run up to the World Wetlands Day (February 2), Paryavaran Dakshata Manch, the NGO, has organized a three-day session to bring to light pressing issues regarding wetlands in and around the city.

The NGO has been working towards the Clean Thane Movement for the past 16 years.

Although green cover is essential for the protection of environment, the wetlands provide nurturing to millions of different species of plants and animals, thus increasing the biodiversity in the area, activists said.

"We have organized a conference wherein students are free to present street plays, short films and oral presentations on four themes If wetland are important, Wetlands: Resources and Livelihood, Wetlands in sustaining biodiversity and conservation of wetlands: Public movements," said Prasad Karnik, president of Paryavaran Dakshata Manch.

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide livelihood to millions of people who live around them. They provide habitat to millions of different species of plants and animals. However, over the past few decades, wetlands have been heavily polluted mainly due to human activities.Throughout this conference, the NGO plans to find ways to contribute to the conservation of wetlands and prepare an effective action plan, the organisers said.