In a significant environmental gathering, the Delhi Development Authority’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park hosted World Wetlands Day on Monday. The amphitheater by the revived wetlands buzzed with activity under the theme ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,’ underscoring the timeless bond between communities and wetland preservation.
The diverse crowd exceeded 350, featuring academics and students from prominent Delhi University institutions including SPM College, Keshav Mahavidyalaya, Zakir Husain College, and others like IP College for Women and Shivaji College. Journalists, UPSC hopefuls, local residents, and DDA staff added to the mix, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives.
Keynote speaker DDA Vice Chairman Dr. N. Saravana Kumar delved into urban resilience against floods, crediting DDA parks—which span 15% of Delhi’s area—for public well-being. He praised the seven biodiversity parks, a joint effort with Delhi University’s CEMDE, for uplifting living standards and highlighted clearance of Yamuna floodplain encroachments alongside new parks like Bansera and Asita.
Professor CR Babu captivated the audience by linking rivers’ origins to wetlands and warning of the global crisis: 87% lost, survivors dysfunctional. Dr. Shashank Shekhar detailed how floodplain parks manage nutrients, curb pollution, and sustain river health. Adding an economic lens, Professor Yamini Gupta quantified wetlands’ worth at $26.4 trillion, dwarfing several countries’ GDPs.
Wrapping up with flair, the program featured prizes for a photography competition backed by Rajdhani College and Swadhyaya Seva Foundation. Gratitude was expressed by Dr. M. Shah Hussain, followed by a guided walk where attendees marveled at migratory species including Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, and Great Cormorant amid the park’s thriving wetlands.