World Wetlands Day on Feb 2nd is observed globally to raise awareness on the importance of wetlands as an ecosystem. Its unique intrinsic ecological functions play an important role in mitigating climate, preventing flood, controlling the hydrological flow of groundwater and supporting a large diversity of species.
In the Nilgiris, rapid urbanization, agricultural intensification, unsustainable tourism coupled with bad local waste management practices, and flourishing invasive species growths are all compounding to the degradation of wetlands. Raising awareness locally is key to curbing unsustainable practices that are degrading the small and medium-sized wetlands in the Nilgiris.
This year, we organised a tour for school children from a local government school in Kotagiri to visit our wetland information centre. Children had the opportunity to understand the different functions of the wetlands and how communities, animals and birds benefit from them. Posters and other reading materials with local stories that Keystone had developed over the years were distributed to the children after the tour.
Keeping young children informed about environmental issues can imbibe good practices that are much needed for human society. Continuous engagement with children and young adults can hopefully create a small impact that could change the negative.
