Gujarat govt to train locals in wetland conservation

Realising the importance of wetland conservation for ecological balance, the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) has decided to launch an extensive drive to train locals across all districts in conserving and rejuvenating traditional wetlands.

Large areas of Gujarat like Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat are considered to be scarcity prone due to meagre rains, but still the state has a large number of wetlands where wide range of flora and fauna are found.

They are also home to thousands of migratory birds coming to the state in winter.

"Gujarat has many wetlands. Government has been trying to save those so that our ecology can also be saved. To make people participate in the conservation, GEC has launched this drive," Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) member secretary A K Verma said.

"We will train people to conserve and rejuvenate the traditional wetlands. This will also inspire them to save water in their house or at their work-place," said Verma who is also a coordinator of the wetlands conservation drive.

Nalsarovar near Sanand town, Thol lake area of Ahmedabad district, Southern Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Khambhat, Jamnagar Mangroves area, Golf reef area of Kutch, Dharoi dam area of Mahesana district, Ukai reservoir of Tapi districts are the most important wetlands of Gujarat, acknowledged by the Centre.