GUWAHATI, Feb 2 � To bolster the efforts for preserving the rich wetland resources of the State, the government is considering to constitute a State Wetland Authority. This was announced by Minister of Environment and forests, Rockybul Hussain on Tuesday.
After inaugurating the central function of the World Wetland Day organized by the Department of Environment and Forests, the Government of Assam in collaboration with the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council and Assam Pollution Control Board, Rockybul Hussain said that people�s participation was a pre-requisite in all conservation efforts.
While highlighting the biodiversity of the wetlands in the State, Hussain said that the government was giving serious thought to bring a legal perspective in preserving the wetlands mainly those concentrated in the rural areas.
It needs to be mentioned here that the State has around 3500 wetlands and the government has identified another 15 wetlands and submitted proposals to the Centre for preservation and management of these 15 wetlands.
The minister referring to the only Ramsar site in the State Deepor Beel, mentioned that in view of the ecological and environmental importance of the wetland, the government has initiated several measures for its preservation and management. He also said that the government has adopted scientific methods to identify the route of the migratory birds that visit Deepor Beel.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Arup Kr Misra of Assam Engineering College stressed on a proactive role of the younger generation to protect the environment. Expressing concern at the degradation of most of the wetlands in the State, Prof Misra said that things would change only if the young people start a movement to save the environment.
A large number of school students attended this function that had the theme, �Wetland, Biodiversity and Climate Change�. Members of Joint Forest Management Committees and government officials were also present at the function.
