Gandhinagar : Migratory birds are our unique identity and we should preserve it togather said, Forest and Environment minister Mulubhai Bera. Forest and Environment Minister Mulubhai Bera said that Gujarat has 23 percent of India’s total flooded area. As a result of which four sites in Gujarat have received Ramsar-wetland status. Millions of local and foreign migratory birds are the guests of Gujarat every year, it is our unique identity to protect the conservation of these migratory birds. The minister said that the GEER Foundation has been working for the development of aquatic birds-wetlands for years, and this one-day global seminar on wetlands and the four-day workshop to be held at Nal Sarovar from January 03 to 06 is an important contribution to global exchange in this field. will give On this occasion, Minister Bera requested everyone to resolve how we can do better work for the development of wetlands and the breeding and protection of aquatic birds and congratulated everyone including GEER Foundation for the successful organization of the seminar. Under the initiative of Gir Foundation, Gandhinagar, an International Wetland Seminar was held at Mahatma Mandir Gandhinagar in the presence of Minister of Forest and Environment Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Mukesh Patel. In which presentations were made by wetland experts on various topics related to flooded areas. As part of this program, a training school will also be held tomorrow from 3rd to 6th January at Nala Sarovar-Ramsar site on the subject related to freshwater organisms.
Forest and Environment Minister Mukesh Patel said that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the campaign for wetland conservation and preservation started in Gujarat at a fast pace under his leadership. While conservation and development of natural and man-made wetlands is very necessary, this is being done very seriously in Gujarat. In addition to organizing seminars on this subject, it is very important to organize public awareness programs to children in state schools for a deeper understanding and public awareness of this subject. Only then, maximum work can be done on the maintenance-conservation related to this subject, not only that, Minister Mukesh Patel also called for starting a special campaign for the development of wetlands. Arun Kumar Solanki, Additional Principal Secretary, Forest-Environment Department said, Water is life, where there is water there is life. Proper conservation of habitats is essential for birds coming to Gujarat from home and abroad. In this seminar and four-day workshop, as many as 266 delegates from home and abroad will share their ideas and experiences which will prove to be more fruitful for the wetland sector. A coffee table book of GEER Foundation, a book ‘Birds of Nal Sarovar’ prepared for the first time in Gujarati language, besides ‘Crainers of Gujarat’ and ‘Stork Crane’ documentary film and ‘OIKOS’ by dignitaries including Forest Minister Molubhai Bera and State Forest Minister Mukeshbhai Patel. A YouTube channel was launched. Apart from this, e-Library @ GEER Foundation was launched by Minister Bera. On the occasion, the local activists were given Rs. The Minister felicitated by giving an incentive amount up to 9 lakhs-certificates and certificates to Eco Warriors-Eco Guides and Wildlife Photographers. GIR Foundation Governing Body Member Dhanraj Nathwani, Dr. Shaili of the University of Virginia in America, Forest Department officials and staff, along with professors, students and scientists and researchers of research-voluntary organizations of Gujarat working in the wetland sector were present in the related subjects of various 09 universities.
