| 20/01/2006
- Rajasthan, India – Thanks to the efforts by WWF-India and
an Austrian crystal company, a wetlands interpretation centre
has been inaugurated in Keoladeo National Park in the Indian
province of Rajasthan. The centre — dedicated to Dr Salim
Ali, one of India’s leading ornithologists — has been designed
to generate awareness and encourage conservation of wetlands,
as well as to achieve long-term conservation of water in the
region.
“Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the
world and there is an urgent need to conserve them,” said
Dr Parikshit Gautam, Director of WWF-India’s freshwater
and wetlands programme.
“Through this wetlands centre we hope to educate communities
on the importance of wetlands and their absolute necessity
for the people who depend on them.”
The centre comprises four exhibit halls and an auditorium
for screening of documentary films and audiovisual programmes.
It is also part of the park’s interpretation programme,
developed by WWF-India, to educate a diverse target audience
that includes rickshaw operators, tour guides, tourists,
park staff and the local community.
“The centre is the culmination of our efforts over the
last few years to create awareness and educate all stakeholders
about the importance of Keoladeo National Park,” said Shri
RN Mehrotra, the Rajathan Department of Forest’s chief forest
conservator and wildlife warden. “We believe that this wetland
is a key natural resource for Bharatpur and the surrounding
area. Through the new visitor centre we aim to ensure the
long-term survival of this resource.”
The wetland centre was realized through a partnership between
WWF-India, the government of Rajasthan and Austrian crystal
company, Swarovski.
“The development of a comprehensive and integrated visitor
and information system for this national park has been an
extremely rewarding experience for all participants,” said
Dr Christoph Imboden, environmental advisor to the board
of Swarovski & Co.
“We hope that the model of a partnership between the government,
a civil body and corporation should be the future of all
conservation efforts.”
END NOTES:
• Keoladeo National Park (KNP) is situated between Gambhir
and Banganga Rivers in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. This 29km2
reserve, locally known as Ghana, is a mosaic of dry grasslands,
woodlands, swamps and wetlands. This former duck-hunting
reserve of the Maharajas is one of the major wintering areas
for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan,
China and Siberia. Some 364 species of birds, including
the rare Siberian crane, have been recorded in the park.
• In India, wetlands are one of the most threatened of
all ecosystems. Loss of vegetation, salinization, excessive
inundation, water pollution, invasive species, excessive
development and road building, have all damaged the country’s
wetlands.
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