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| Saturday, 01 February 2003 |
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by Florence Wickramage A series of special programmes at the Bundala National Park and the Annaiwilundawa Sanctuary will commemorate World Wetlands Day tomorrow, February 02. The programmes have been organised by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC). Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka office of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) is preparing a Status Paper at the request of the National Wetland Steering Committee, a Cabinet appointed body. Mrs. Shiranee Yasaratne, Country Representative told the Daily News that IUCN is playing the role facilitating role to coordinate with different stakeholders for the proper implementation of the Wetland Management Plan for the next decade. The Bundala National Park was declared a Ramsar site in 1991 and the Annaiwilundawa Sanctuary in August 2001. The Bundala National Park has a lagoon system with high species richness of waterfowl, including migratory bird species. Annaiwilundawa has a rich biological and historic/cultural significance. The principal wetland type in Annaiwilundawa is a system of ancient cascading tanks established in the 12th Century. There are 130 Contracting Parties to the Convention with 1112 wetland sites, totalling 89.37 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the RAMSAR list of Wetlands of International Importance. According to Wildlife Conservation Department sources, the ceremonies at Annaiwilundawa will be the first on the site since its declaration as a Ramsar Wetland. Programmes planned for both Bundala and Annaiwilundawa involves school children, teachers and the general public. Quiz and oratorical contests, dramas, lectures and awareness programmes on the importance of preserving wetlands have been scheduled. A four-day bird-ringing project will be undertaken at the Bundala National Park as part of the ceremonies. |
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