Emphasis laid on conserving forest wetlands

Stakeholders have laid emphasis on the urgent need of conserving and restoration of the forest wetlands.

At the fourth Narayani Water Dialogue and Interaction Programme organised at Gaindakot of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta East), they stressed on preservation of wetland in the forest area and arrangement of water recharge.

On the occasion, Mayor of Gaindakot municipality, Madan Bhakta Adhikari, opined that it was necessary to conserve wetland as wetland area protects bio-diversity.

The role of bio-diversity is significant to keep the environment clean, he added, stating wetlands and natural water bodies around our surrounding should be preserved for the same.

Saying different organisations along with the municipality have been supporting the Narayani River Clean-up Campaign, Mayor Adhikari pointed out the need of participation of communities along with local government in the conservation sector.

Similarly, Chairperson of Gaindakot municipality-5, Ratna Prasad Sapkota, shared that restoration of wetland area and protecting Narayani River is the need of hour.

He said a group comprising experts has been carrying out activities for the management of garbage produced in the city.

Under the collective efforts and the action plan to conserve the Narayani riverside areas and restore wetlands around, various series of interactions and dialogues on water with the involvement of local people and conservationists took place, said Homnath Subedi, chairperson of the wetland area restoration and Narayani riverside collective efforts and action plan project.

Work is underway to conserve and protect the wetlands in collaboration with various local forests, said Dinesh KC of the Sub-divisional Forest Office, Gaindakot.

Similarly, Dinesh Bastakoti, the project coordinator, stressed the need for all to join hands for the conservation of wetlands.
On the occasion, he presented a report relating to work to be done in the restoration of wetlands and the protection of the riverside areas and its benefits.

Stating wetlands around Nawalpur area are drying up, thus resulting in the disappearance of dependent water birds, Bastakoti underscored the need to draw the attention of the respective parks and local forest offices to its protection. “It is increasingly becoming difficult to spot water birds since some years ago. Only the protection of endangered water birds and creatures dependent on wetlands will protect human existence.”

Apart from non-governmental organisations, the state and local communities should play an important role in this regard, he said.