Kendrapada: Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that support a vast array of plant and animal species, making them vital for maintaining a healthy and diverse environment, many speakers said at a meeting in Bhitarkanika on Sunday to observe World Wetlands Day.
“Bhitarkanika, considered the second largest mangrove forest in the country after Sundarbans, obtained the Ramsar site tag on Aug 19, 2002. Wetlands of Bhitarkanika encompass various types like marshes, swamps, mangroves, and floodplains, each providing unique habitats for different species. Wetlands are critical stopover points for migratory birds, providing food and shelter during their long journeys,” said Manas Das, assistant conservator of forests, Bhitarkanika.
“To protect Bhitarkanika, the Union ministry of forests, environment and climate change last year unveiled a draft notification for an eco-sensitive zone covering 209 villages with a population of about 2.75 lakh around Bhitarkanika National Park and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Kendrapada district and its nearby areas,” he added.
“Forest department has formed mangrove mitra committees in around 45 villages and urged them to plant and protect the mangrove trees. Many mangrove mitras have also donated their fallow land to the forest department for planting mangrove trees,” added Das.
In the meeting, forest personnel and locals took a pledge to conserve wetlands in Bhitarkanika.