On the auspicious occasion of World Wetlands Day 2007 (Feb. 2), Wetland Friends of Nepal (WFN) organized a WWD celebration program among 40 participants including school students (from 3 schools), teachers and representatives of different organizations. The program was targeted to raise awareness on wetlands and biodiversity conservation among school students and teachers while celebrating WWD.

The indoor program was carried out in training hall of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Fisheries Division, Begnas Lake, Pokhara. Presentations were made on wetlands, WWD basics, birds and bird watching. Videos on wetlands, birds and mammals were shown. An informative leaflet was published highlighting the theme of WWD 2007. This leaflet was distributed among the participants.

The outdoor program was carried out in Begnas Lake and adjacent city. A rally was organized around the lake. Students displayed the playcards and banners to the general public around the lake.

The representatives of Shelf Help Environment Awareness Camp (SHEAC), Biodiversity Conservation and Research Forum (BICORF) and Bat Friends highlighted the need of wetlands and biodiversity conservation.

The event was a success. It has been able to disseminate and communicate WWD message to school students, teachers and general public.

The event was financially supported by Community-based Forest Management (ComForm) Project, BICORF, LIBIRD and The Rupa Lake Conservation Project (The Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation).

Note: Leaflet attached