The role of traditional knowledge in wetland conservation was highlighted during the observation of World Wetlands Day 2026 at the Multipurpose Hall, Tourist Lodge, Doyang, on February 3.
The programme was organised by the Wokha Forest Division and Doyang Plantation Division in collaboration with the Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) and the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB), under the theme “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage.”
Speaking on the occasion, Suman WM Sivachar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, said World Wetlands Day, observed annually on 2 February, marks the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. He noted that the Convention, recognised as a UN International Day since 2022, is the oldest intergovernmental environmental treaty dedicated to a single ecosystem and presently has 172 contracting parties.
Sivachar said wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, providing freshwater, supporting biodiversity, regulating climate and offering protection against floods and extreme weather. He also cautioned that wetlands continue to be lost and degraded due to pollution, urbanisation, industrial activities, agricultural intensification and drainage.
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Highlighting the theme, M. Senthil Kumar, IFS, APCCF (Territorial), said wetlands represent an age-old interaction between land and water, traditionally understood and protected by communities. He stressed the need to recognise indigenous knowledge systems and strengthen community participation in wetland conservation for long-term ecological balance.
The programme was chaired by H. Olivi Awomi, RFO, Baghty Range. A special number was presented by VKV, DHEP, NEEPCO, while officials from the district administration spoke on conservation initiatives and policy efforts.
Winners of the Poem Competition organised in connection with World Wetlands Day were felicitated during the programme. A PowerPoint presentation on Mission LiFE, EIACP and NPCB was also made.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Longshithung Ovung, Deputy RFO, and the programme concluded with lunch.
