World Wetlands Day celebrated in Inle Lake

 

UNION Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win addressed the World Wetlands Day celebration held at Nyaungshwe Township, Hupin Khaung Daing Hotel, Inle Lake yesterday morning.

Speaking at the event, Union Minister U Ohn Win noted that Myanmar has observed World Wetlands Day since 2012.

The theme of World Wetlands Day 2019 is “Wetlands and Climate Change.” This year’s theme reflects the ecological services provided by the wetlands, including the growing of food, cool temperatures, and their withstanding natural disasters.

World Wetlands Day was observed as a national level event alternatively in Nay Pyi Taw and Moe Yun Gyi Lake, and this year it is being observed, for the first time, at Inle Lake. At the same time, World Wetlands Day is being celebrated in Myanmar’s Ramsar sites of Moe Yun Gyi Lake, Indawgyi Lake and Mein Ma Hla Island.

The aims of the celebrations are to educate the public about the benefits of wetlands and to participate and become involved in wetland preservation, management and the wise uses of them. Wetlands store water for agricultural lands, improve soil, clean refuse or waste waters, balance extreme weather conditions, and provide habitats for birds and other species that prey on insects that harms agriculture.

The national level wetland list has been prepared, in cooperation with the Norway Environmental Agency. The strategy to designate the Ramsar wetland area and Moe Yun Gyi Ramsar Wetland Management Plan were drawn up, along with programs for staffs on maintaining and protection of wetlands, said the Union Minister.

Also, Shan State Chief Minister Dr. Linn Htut spoke of his appreciation for holding the 2019 World Wetlands Day ceremony in Shan State Inle Lake, as the state will develop only when lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks and dams are cared for.

A video of Inle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary was shown at the celebration, followed by Union Minister U Ohn Win and State Chief Minister Dr. Linn Htut presenting prizes to students who won the World Wetlands Day essay competition. An official from the Forest Department then presented a document certifying Inle Lake as the Ramsar Wetland area to the Shan State government and was accepted by state minister for natural resources and environment Dr. Nyi Nyi Aung.

Maung Maung Than (Taunggyi)

(Translated by Zaw Min)

PHOTO: MAUNG MAUNG THAN (TAUNGGYI)