February 2 – World Wetlands Day

February 2 is observed as the World Wetland Day every year since 1997.  The second day of February marks the date of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, on 2 February 1971. Ramsar is an Iranian city on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The Theme for World Wetland Day 2015 is “Wetlands for Our Future“. The day is observed to raise public awareness about the importance, benefits and wise use of wetlands and conserve them.

Knowledge is Wealth

• Wetlands differ from other land forms or water bodies with their characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to its unique hydric soil.
• Wetlands offer substantial economic, social and environmental values which, if managed properly and sustainably, will provide benefits to future generations. 
• The major roles played by Wetlands are,
  • Water purification
  • Flood control
  • Shoreline stability
• The Wetland sites are referred as Ramsar Sites. 
• The Vembanad wetland system is the largest wetland system in India. It covers an area of 2033 km.
• The world’s largest Wetland is Llanos de Moxos, which is located in the South American country of Bolivia (17 million Acres).