Venue

Alappuzha, Kerala

Organizers

Community Environmental Resource Centre, ATREE supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests

Background

Wetlands are the cradle of human civilisation and most productive ecosystems on earth. India has approximately 67,429 wetlands, covering 18.4% of the country’s geographic area. In this biodiversity driven country, wetlands are key to its economy and provide maximum livelihood to its people.

Unlike forests, wetlands in India often receive little or no conservation attention. Many Ramsar sites in India do not have any management plans. This situation is further complicated by policy and institutional constraints, and conflicts among stakeholders. There are a few isolated conservation efforts by government agencies and NGOs in these sites and some commendable and replicable conservation models.

Objective

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is hosting a National Ramsar Sites Stakeholders Meet and Wetland Conservation Seminar at Alappuzha -the home to Vembanad Kol wetlands, the largest Ramsar site in India

This event is aimed at bringing stakeholders, civil society organisations, policy experts and scientific community on a common platform, to share and discuss conservation experiences and governance of Ramsar sites in India.

The programs include a conservation seminar, interaction meet among stakeholders, photo competition and exhibition, exhibition of stakeholders including their products and traditions.

The event is first of its kind in India. Shri. K.C. Venugopal (Hon. Minister of state for Civil Aviation) will inaugurate the meet and the event is supported by Ministry of Environment and Forests, (Government of India).

Themes

• Ramsar sites stakeholders meet
• Wetland conservation seminar
• Athijeevanam : Photo competition on life on wetlands
• Exhibition & cultural programs
• Field visits
• Conservation models in the Ramsar sites
• People, livelihood and sustainability
• Conservation challenges in the Ramsar sites
• Wetland policies and governance in India
• Potential Ramsar sites in India

Contact details

Community Environmental Resource Centre (CERC) - ATREE,
Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala.
Ph. No. 0477-2251818; Mob. 9846009339
Email: ramsarindia2013@atree.org; vembanad@atree.org
Website: www.vembanad.org ; www.atree.org
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