The nature club of Al Ameen College organized a seminar on “Wetlands and climate change” in connection with the World Wetland Day-2019 with the sponsorship of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment on 4th February, 2019 at the Seminar hall , Al-Ameen College, Edathala. The main focus of the seminar was to create an awareness about the conservation of wetlands and its importance in the coming decades.

Inaugural Session

The inaugural ceremony started at 9:30 am in the seminar hall of Al-Ameen College, Edathala. The inaugural session was presided over by Prof.Sasidharan M B, Principal, Al-Ameen College, Edathala. Mrs Sreeja C, Nature club Co-ordinator welcomed the gathering. Dr. Sanil Kumar, Assistant professor, SNM college, Maliankara, inaugurated the function and delivered the keynote address.In the first session, Dr SreejaS, Assistant professor, Department of physics, Al Ameen College Edathala(Member of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad), gave a class on “Effects of flood on the wetlands in Kerala”. In this session the discussion was based on protection of wetlands from natural calamities.

In the next session Dr Sanilkumar delivered a speech on the topic “Wetlands and climate change”.The talk motivated the audience regarding the conservation of wetlands in current scenario and its importance in the coming generation. Prof.M B Sasidharan, Principal felicitated the occasion. The session ended with the vote of thanks by Miss Thasni Rasaq, Student representative, Nature club.

Seminar on “Effect of Flood on wetlands in Kerala”

This session focused on the various effects of flood on wetlands in the state. Many wetland ecosystems in the state had been destroyed during the flood time. The session went through a presentation which showed the various ways of how the wetlands should be protected in the future against natural calamities.  The resource person shared the concern regarding the disappearance of wetlands since 1900 and its side effects and also the cause of wetland loss and its degradation. Now various projects have started for the conservation of these wetlands. Many social groups and volunteers are also actively working on the restoration of these wetlands. The session was very informative and interactive.

Seminar on “Wetlands and Climate Change”

The session was handled by a renowned faculty in the area of wetlands research. He began the session by discussing the importance of Ramsar Convention and Ramsar Sites. The criteria for a wetland to be recognized as Ramsar site and the importance of conserving them were analysed. He emphasised mainly on the environmental issues related to Wetland conservation and the impact of climate changes on the wetlands. He then made the students aware of the important role played by wetlands and mangroves in protecting the land against various calamities like cyclones, tsunami, flood etc. He warned the future generation of all the calamities if they do not act to protect the Wetlands.  The class was very informative and interactive.

Essay Writing Competition

Nature club conducted Essay writing competitions based on the theme. The topic for essay writing competition was “Wetlands and Climate Change” 11 students participated in the competitions and prizes were distributed.

Valedictory Session

The programme was extremely useful for the students to know about wetland conservation for future generation. There were almost 100 participants in the seminar. Prof .Sasidharan M B, Principal of Al-Ameen College distributed trophy and cash prize to the winners of Essay writing competition. The seminar provided a platform for the students to know about the value of wetlands, its beneficial aspects as well as to promote its conservation and use for enhancing the overall level of human health and development.