Volume II, No.1 Registration No. 61685/93

PPAANNDDAA

A BI-ANNUAL NEWSLETTER ON FORESTS, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

Newsletter 2009

Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim Inside ….. Editorial Board Editorial’s Desk

Chairman LEST WE FORGET Mr. T. R. Poudyal, IFS (Retd.) ™ Career Profile Series on Fore-Foresters 1 (Former PCCF-cum-Secretary) Chairman, SPCB/SEIAA (Sidkeong Tulku)- by T. R. Poudyal ™ Rigors and Reflections of Retirement - by T. R. Poudyal 2 Coordinator Mr. C. Lachungpa, IFS CCF-cum-Nodal Officer KEY STATISTICS OF SIKKIM - compiled by ENVIS 4 (LU&E/ FCA) NEWS & EVENTS 2008-09 - compiled by ENVIS Technical Coordinator Pradeep Kumar, IFS ™ Launch of State Green Mission Phase III 5 CF (Working Plan) ™ World Environment Day 5

Co-Editors ™ Wildlife Week Celebration 5 Mrs. U. Lachungpa ™ National Environment Awareness Campaign 6 Sr. Research Officer (W/L) ™ World W etlands Day 7 Mrs. Urmila Thapa, ACF ™ Governor’s Global Climate Summit 8

Mrs. Dechen Lachungpa, ACF ™ Centenary Celebrations of Sikkim Forestry 9 ™ Outbreak of Forest Fires across Sikkim 10 Mr. Rajen Pradhan Sr. Programme Officer (ENVIS)

Mrs. Chechik Lhamu Bhutia A WALK IN THE WOODS Computer Assistant ™ Leopard at Large in South Sikkim - by U. Lachungpa 11 ™ Forest Resources of Pakyong Territorial Sub-Division 12 - by Kusu m Gurung Compilation & Design ™ Know your Protected Areas – by Urmila Thapa 13 Mr. Rajen Pradhan ™ Wildlife Protected Areas in Sikkim -An Overview 17

- by H. P. Pradhan ™ Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and its Significance - by J. B. Subba 21 PANDA is a bi-annual newsletter published by the department of Forests, Environment & ™ Bamboo and its Potential - by Dr. Tika Prasad 23 Wildlife Management, Government of Sikkim. ™ Fascinating World of Wildlife – An Overview by Dr. C. P. Rai 25 This newsletter is aimed at disseminating environment, forest and wildlife information ™ Sighting of Red Panda at Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary 26 among the public at large and is also envisaged to serve as a medium to communication among foresters and others EXOTIC HOLIDAYS engaged in nature conservation in the State. ™ Adventure Tour to Muguthang, North Sikkim 27 Free and voluntary contributions for publication in the newsletter may be sent to -by Monalisha Dash Editors, PANDA, Forest, Environment & ™ Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary - compiled by ENVIS 29 Wildlife Management, Government of Sikkim, Deorali -737102, Gangtok. ALARM CALLS ™ Changing Himalayan Environment and its impact on Development - compiled by ENVIS 31 FRONT COVER PICTURE: Newly re-designed emblem of Forest, ™ Gearing up to Predict the impact of Climate Change Environment & Wildlife Management on the Biodiversity of Sikkim -by Pradeep Kumar 35 Department, Government of Sikkim on completion of 100 years of forest service. The ™ Phenology- A tool to Monitor Climate Change: emblem depicts eight lucky signs in one crest (A need in Sikkim Himalaya) – by H.K. Badola 37 on the top and state’s important heritage – Red Panda (State Animal), Blood Pheasant (State Bird), Dendrobium nobile Orchid (State Flower) LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT 39 and Rhododendron niveum (State Tree) at the bottom with conservation motto. ENVIS (ENVironmental Information System) CENTRE 41 PCCF-cum-Secretary Chairman, Forest, Env. & WL Mgt. Department SPCB/ SEIAA, Government of Sikkim Forests, Env. & W/L Mgt. Deptt. Deorali, 737102, Gangtok Government of Sikkim Office: 03592- 281261 Tel (O): 03592-281349 FAX: 03592-281778 Fax: 03592-280381 Mobile: +91 9434031095

S. T. Lachungpa, IFS T. R. Poudyal, IFS (Retd.) PCCF-cum-Secretary Former PCCF-cum-Secretary

Foreword Editorial………

Forest Department having completed its In the Centenary Year of the establishment of the Forest centenary year 2009 since its establishment Department, the year 1905, that saw the forests of Sikkim in 1909 has undergone many changes. In being organized on a sound and scientific footing, it is the journey to its 100th year, the Department heartening to note that the Departmental Newsletter- of Forest, Environment and Wildlife PANDA has resurfaced which had its birth in 1993. After a Management has witnessed dynamic challenges which made it even stronger in brief spell in the lap of the Department it went in hibernation. Thanks to the efforts of a few committed and dedicated the forestry, environment sustainability and conservation sectors. Its fields have become officers particularly of the CCF, Shri C. Lachungpa who germinated this idea and thought it prudent to maintain the diverse and so have its responsibilities. The centenary gives us immense pride continuum for the sake of the Department. in realizing how far we have come. We There is no need to emphasize the importance and however acknowledge that there is still room the necessity of such a news magazine in the present for accomplishment and improvement. communication age. Otherwise we will be groping in the dark. It is the only way of reaching out to and interacting On this occasion, the PANDA bi-annual with the various sections of the stake holders, be it the newsletter has one of its responsibilities educated elites, the forest fraternity in the country, the in spreading and reaching information to the people. The roots of awareness today groups and organizations working for the conservation solely lie in information sharing where this issues, environmental societies and bodies, members of newsletter is to be seen as a milestone in the civil society, the planners and policy makers and above its form and function. This newsletter deals all with the members constituting the grass root level social with disseminating forest, environment and layer. wildlife information among the public at The Department of Forests, Environment and Wildlife large and is also envisaged to serve as a Management has over a century now evolved into an medium for discussion among foresters and organization that has wider responsibilities of not only others engaged in nature conservation in the Himalayan landscape. taking care of the forestry sector but also the compulsions of environmental conservation and ecological security of This bi-annual newsletter was launched the state with retention of very sizeable forest cover as in the year 1993, but due to certain appropriate to the hills. Our achievements in all these fields circumstances it had been discontinued. are high, handsome and hilarious as per the findings of the Now it has resumed publication as a joint various scientific organizations of the country. However, effort of all the editorial members of the there is no room for complacency and inertia to be had in department. PANDA has been rejuvenated. the fast scenario of climatic change and developmental perspectives. The department has to maintain a precarious We hope to continue this bi-annual balance between growth and conservation. In the context of newsletter in the future as a determined hill economy it is just the most difficult task in the hands of duty of our department. We also look foresters and the planners. So far so good. We have proved forward to your suggestions and valuable to be better conservationists than economists. If we want to comments. Articles, critical reviews and continue the success story, we have to be equipped with short communications related to the subject more knowledge. And knowledge comes through spreading will also be accepted for publication in the out and opening our doors and windows. forthcoming issues. It is your contributions that will help us realize our shortcomings PANDA is such a window. Let us keep it open to let in more and motivate us for better performance in fresh air and let our own ideas and stories flow out to distant future. horizons. Keep it up. PANDA 2009 Lest We Forget LEST WE FORGET Career Profile Series on Fore-Foresters

Sidkeong Tulku (1879-1914)

Sidkeong Tulku, the Tulku was a practical king an Where Reserve Forests were familiar foresters’ household name impatient one in as much as the designed to be sacrosanct by virtue remains cherished in the annals governance of his kingdom was of the classification, the other two of Forest Department’s centenary concerned. Through his down-to- categories were public utility forests long organized history. At a time earth approach to speed up the pace for fodder, firewood and grazing to when nature tended the wilderness of modernizing the kingdom he is be regulated by the newly constituted areas in their primitive form and reported to have developed staunch Forest Department. Forest therefore, pristine glory, envisaging them for animosity with the landlords of those hitherto considered as no man’s organized management marked a days. Forests might have been the property came to be recognized as distinct watershed in the history of potent conflicting ground between a viable resource needing proper care and planned management. forestry organization. He pioneered the two as they were mostly vested The Forest Department was further and fathered the Forest Department with the landlords. Though the actual strengthened and a Forest Manual and placed under core sector recovery process got underway only was prepared around 1914 to classify management. The period for such in the fifties, it was Chogyal Sidkeong Tulku that laid the foundation of such functions of the Department with a landmark vision roughly coincides a move as early as the beginning of view to administering the forests. between 1905 and 1914. this century. The constitution of the Forests ‘The Tulku was an extraordinary Though the administration of the Department and demarcation of forests man’, so has he been described. His 10th Chogyal of Sikkim was relatively setting out goals of management attributes: had a high intelligence, short-lived, yet if we piece together through a written Manual during those forceful personality, staunch enemy a few records available here and initial primitive years when the tiny of the landlords, and of independent there, they reveal an astoundingly Himalayan kingdom was struggling and assertive nature, etc. lively spirit of the Tulku who within a to consolidate administratively are very short span of administration laid achievements deservingly worth He was born in 1879. On his recording. This assumes to be true completing two years education at a highly scientific, sound and stable forestry foundation. because the forestry foundation laid Oxford in 1905, he plunged headlong down by the then Chogyal on sound into active administration of his It was during the short span of his footing remains strong and stable and kingdom duly assuming charges of administration that the forests were has proved to increasingly meet the forests, school and monasteries. divided and demarcated into three imperatives of the present day forestry Fired by intense zeal and the sprit distinct categories in order of their concepts of land use, biodiversity, to serve, he launched a number of functions: the Reserve Forests, joint forest management, community reforms and development measures. Khasmahal and the Gouracharan. forestry, ecological security and

Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department 2 PANDA 2009 Lest We Forget environmental conservation. At a time when natural forests elsewhere The then Maharaja of Sikkim, Sidkeong in the world are either decimated or Tulku in his first expedition in 1914 fast disappearing, Sikkim’s pristine natural forests are the legacy of this diminutive, down-to-earth monarch who left a distinguished mark in the field of forestry. The forest fraternity cherishes his name with unbound love and respect. We call him ‘Father of Forestry’ for as much to have set up the forestry department as to have it organized in a most scientific and conservation oriented manner such that a hundred years of its formation, this Department is resilient enough to meet the requirements of the present day shift in forestry concept - from Photo Courtesy: web one of economic and commercial resource to ecological and a place not only in history but in the is spearheading a green movement environmental support base, from hearts of the present generation. in Sikkim ever since he assumed production forestry to bio-diversity office in 1995 has paid rich tribute conservation, or more simply put In the Centenary Year, 2009, that to the soul of this forester-monarch from revenue -earning wealth to life the Forest, Environment and Wildlife and dedicated the new Bird Park at support systems. Management Department celebrated Rabdentse by naming it ‘Sidkeong as a part of the an inaugural function Tulku Bird Park’ in his memory. A st In the fast changing political, on 21 Feb., 2009 at the relics befitting mark of respect. economic and communication of the historic old palace site at scenario unfolding regionally, Rabdentse, his name, contribution The forest fraternity of Sikkim is nationally and on international level, and commitment to the dear cause deeply indebted to the king for the contribution made by such of forestry has been pegged. The his noble and visionary step that eminent personalities who saw the sprawling forested highland has he took during his short tenure of future of the forests in the context ultimately been consecrated to administration. of ecological and environmental his memory. The Hon’ble Chief parameters, 100 years ahead deserve Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling who - - T R Poudyal, IFS (Retd)

RIGORS AND REFLECTIONS OF RETIREMENT T. R. Poudyal, IFS (Retd)

Having retired after an active have not planned out and envisaged I strongly believe and advocate that and exhilarating service with the a concrete or worthwhile work plan as retirement era should be construed Government for more than thirty any other retiree. To escape this route as for rest, relaxation, recreation and years, I am often confronted with an and drudgery, having long pondered, retreat in that order. They neither uneasy and discomforting query from I have devised a way out, to equip abhor normal activities nor espouse all-time friends, colleagues, relatives myself and quip quickly such that physical and mental delinquency. On and acquaintances which I find a little their hunger for my future tensed is the other hand, they exhort us to live weary to respond and reply. nipped mercilessly. I have formulated a full-throated life post retirement. and taken the refuge of four R’s. They Most fertile imaginations occur when “Now that you are retired – what will you do? Or what are you doing?” are: Rest, Relaxation, Recreation and your mind is at leisure or unoccupied. Retreat. The letters are both inclined When you rest and relax, sublime This is naturally an unsettling and and reclined to convey firmly the thought waves deluge your mindset, unnerving question at a time when I nature of times that confront us. the intellect is stimulated, the soul

Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department 3 PANDA 2009 Lest We Forget stirred. It is an ideal time to rationalize painful and sometimes irreconcilable. act as catalysts to social change; your thought processes which might It requires a herculean effort to be guides, philosophers and friends have deranged or derailed during dismantle the mammoth fungus of as they say, at a crucial and critical the long servitude to the labyrinthine egotism that has grown over the time when our youth feel beguiled processes and paraphernalia years, fed and nurtured by the perks and betrayed by the aged and the incumbent upon every government and perquisites of the government, to experienced. set-up. One is free to spin or spiral the be able to address the new demands disjointed gross elements into more of living. Retreat, the final act, at one, convoys subtle and finer fecundities. With a sense of relief- from the burden of rest and relaxation one is recharged, Many undergo isolation shock and living, from the responsibility of rearing and therefore, regenerated. Infusion degenerate. Others are quick to adapt and from the rigors and ravages of of such vital inputs into the body to vocations which will absorb their falling old age. Cessation of active systems introduces a measure of mind, might and money. Yet a third physical and mundane matters and poise, balance and equilibrium; component is bold and brave enough seeking higher transcendental values improves the immunity. to lower his self-esteem, dissolve defines this phase of life. Prayers and his pride and plunge headlong to pilgrimages, musings and meditation, It is difficult and agonizing times all submerge into the sea of humanity silence and spirituality, ‘satsanga’ and the same. A government employee before it. ‘sadhana’ performed and practiced remains concealed throughout his will uplift the sagging spirit at this career within the cocoons of files and It is against such a background, terminal phase. papers, note sheets and notifications, context and scenario that the volley tags and pins, rules and regulations, of enquiries like the above about Our birth as human beings mandates systems and circulars, meetings and the future eats away your entrails. A us that we prepare our soul for passage symposia, travel and allowances, philosophical or religious bent of mind and surrender to the Supersoul. The pays and increments, seniority and perhaps would offset and lessen the Buddhists call it ‘Nirvana’, the Hindus promotions, laws and enforcements; impact to some extent. ‘Moksha’ or ‘Samadhi’ and probably cut off from the mainstream social the Christians ‘Liberation’. It is difficult transformation life. By the time he steps out of that exacerbated by the pangs of The dynamics of living are complex world, he would have lost a great separation between two different and incomprehensible bordering of sheen and shine to dispel the styles of living but nevertheless sometimes on paranoia. The residual darkness that lies ahead. Three to be taken as static, dormant or span of life post retirement provides scores of active service dissipate his hibernating thereafter. an individual adequate time and space vitality and render him almost unfit to unburden the vicissitudes and to launch a meaningful assault on Recreation, to me, is not a visual, vagaries of post life, to emptying out the worldly adventurism. It castrates audile or physiological fulfillment. It the decay, dirt and filth accumulated him mentally; rips open his physical is an urge to be creative – of ideas paving the way for a clean mind for deficiencies. He will perhaps feel and ideals, systems and beliefs, spiritual attainment. disowned, downcast and nervous, imaginations and understandings; shy and jittery, even decomposed a set of software to shape and and demoralized to navigate the safeguard the pillars of our sick unchartered waters ahead. This society. Enlightened, articulate Lord Buddha said: is clearly a watershed of life that and informed senior citizens are Anger, drunkenness, delineates the living world with the factually speaking the creamy layers hazy horizon of metaphysical plane. deception, envy; these constitute whose taste should percolate down uncleanness, not the eating of the throats of young minds of our The marriage and merger thereafter flesh. progeny. Their long experience, rich It is not that which enters between a seemingly hierarchical, knowledge and profound intellect can status and protocol conscious a man defiles him but that which help build simpler and more effective comes out. bureaucrat and a free-living member pathways to development. They can of the society is no less easy but

Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department 4 PANDA 2009

PLANET EARTH’S IDENTITY CARD

KEY STATISTICS OF SIKKIM

Geographical Area 7096 sq. km Capital Gangtok No. of Districts 4 No. of Sub-divisions 9 Climate Tropical, Temperate and Alpine

State Flower Nobile Orchid-Dendrobium nobile State Tree Rhododendron niveum Volume State Animal Red Panda – Ailurus fulgens 1,083,319,780,000 km³ State Bird Blood Pheasant – Ithaginis cruentus

Protected Area Network 2183.10 sq. km (30.77 %) Average Density 5.41 (Specific gravity) No. of Important 28 Mountains & Peaks No. of Glaciers 84 Mass No of Lakes (Wetlands) 227 6,600 million billion tones No. of Hot Springs 9 No. of Rivers & Streams >104 Maximum Radius (Equator) Major Rivers of the State Teesta and Rangit 6,378 km No. of Species: Minimum Radius (Poles) Flowering Plants > 5000 Mammals > 144 6,357 km Rhododendron - 36 Birds -- 552 Orchids - 550 Reptiles - 33 Conifers - 16 Amphibians – 16 Length of Meridian Circle Ferns & Allies - 362 Fishes - 48 40,009 km (circumference) Tree Ferns - 9 Butterflies > 650 Bamboos – 28 Circumference of Equator Primulas -30 40, 077 km Oaks - 11 Medicinal Plants - 424 Total Surface Area 510,100,000 km ² Recorded Forest Area 5841.39 sq. km (82.32%) Reserve Forests – 5452.39 sq. km Protected Forests (Khasmal) – 285 sq. km Surface Area of the Dryland Protected Forests (Goucharan) -104 sq.km 149,400,000 km ²

Forest Land with Tree 3289 sq. km (46.35%) Surface Area of the Oceans Cover Forest Cover – 3262 sq. km (45.97%) 360,700,000 km ² Tree Cover - 27 sq. km (0.38%)

Forest Cover Very Dense Forest – 498 sq. km Average Distance from the Sun Moderately Dense Forest – 1912 sq. km 149,000,000 km Open Forest – 852 sq. km Scrub – 363 sq. km Source Victoria Memorial Museum - Compiled by ENVIS Kolkata

Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department 5 PANDA 2009 News & Events 2008-09 NEWS & EVENTS 2008-09

State Green Mission Phase III Launched World Environment Day 2008 Celebrated

Dalapchen-Aaritar, East Sikkim [June 5, 2008]:

Organized by the State Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a State level World Environment Day on the theme “Kick the Habit Towards Low Carbon Economy” was observed at Dalapchen-Aritar, East Sikkim in huge participation of students and local people.

Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok [May 12, 2008]: Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling launched the third phase of State Green Mission, ‘a mission of masses’ to further expand its bio-diversity and give fillip to eco- tourism. The state government had earlier in 2006 Plantation drive Student’s Rally launched the Green Mission project in a bid to strengthen its rich bio-diversity which had led to an increase of two per cent in its forest cover from 44 per cent to about 46 per cent. The government then carried out a follow-up exercise under the Green Mission II in which over 10 lakh saplings were planted at an expenditure of Rs 2 crore. About 80 per cent of the saplings planted in all blocks of the state under the project have survived resulting in a significant increase in the vegetation. The third One Act Play by Students Prize Distribution phase is targeted to cover 310km of avenue and 15 hectares of block plantation. Wildlife Week Celebration Organized by the State Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, the [1st -22nd Oct 2008]: function was also chaired by the advisors to the Chief Minister, HODs of various Departments, Wildlife Week was celebrated with great pomp and zeal in all four districts officials from the Forest Department, of the state in following venues during 1st -22nd Oct to create awareness Panchayats, NGOs and students. amongst students and general public to conserve and protect wildlife resources. East : Ranka/ Rumtek Sr. Sec. Schools, 18th Oct 2008 West : Tashiding/ Gangyap, 20th Oct 2008 North : Lachung, 16th Oct 2008 South: Yangyang Pathing, 22nd Oct 2008

The programmes were organized in joint collaboration of the State Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department and WWF-Gangtok with the main focus on control of wildlife crime and general awareness amongst the people.

[Please Note: Usually Wildlife Week is celebrated during the 1st week of October, however, due to Dushera festival coinciding, it was decided to celebrate during 1st - 22nd October for the year 2008.]

Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department 6 PANDA 2009 News & Events 2008-09

List of Participating NGOs and Amount Sanctioned National Environment Awareness Campaign 2008-09 on the theme Name of the NGO and Amount ‘Climate Change’ Address Sanctioned (in Rupees) EAST DISTRICT 1 Shiva Gram Sewa Samiti 7,000 Pani House, Gangtok 2 Social Welfare Youth Association 8,000 Rakdong Tintek 3 Matri Kalyan Samiti, Upper Tarpin 7,000 4 Tumin Dhanbari Chandra Jyoti Sanstha 7,000 Tumin, 5 Navjyoti Sangh , Namrang 7,000 6 Nava Jagriti Sangha, Rhenock 7,000 7 Friends Association, Gangtok 7,000 8 Starlight Academy, Perbing 7,000 9 Ranka Progressive Society, Ranka 7,000 Forest Conference Hall, Gangtok 10 Mevedir, Daragaon Tadong 9,000 [February 11, 2009]: 11 Manav Uthan Sewa Samiti, Gangtok 7,000 12 Green Point, Tumin 7,000 Sponsored by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, 13 Ekta Sangh, Lower Tadong 6,000 Government of India and hosted by ENVIS Centre, 14 Lossing Nava Jyoti Yuva Sanghathan, 6,000 Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Maching Department, Government of Sikkim, the National WEST DISTRICT Environment Awareness Campaign 2008-09 on 15 Sindrabong Khangchendzonga Eco- 7000 the theme ‘Climate Change’ has successfully been friendly society, Darap implemented in the state with the participation of 29 16 Himali Vikash Sansthan, Kaluk- 7000 environmental NGOs. Rinchenpong SOUTH DISTRICT A campaign began with the sensitization workshop 17 Himalyan Educational Society, Temi 7000 held at forest conference hall on 11th Feb 2009. 18 Sikkim Paryavaran Sangrakshan Sangh 7000 Participated by several senior officers of the 19 Youth Club, Melli Payong 7000 department and NGOs, the workshop focused 20 Upper Gaon Surya Jyoti Sang 7000 on the several issues like carbon trading, global 21 Basanta Pariwar 7000 warming and its impact, waste management, 22 Monokamana Sangh , Sadam 7000 natural resources and the changing trend of Sikkim 23 Lakshya, Kitam 6000 Himalaya. 24 Indrani Pariwar, Sumbuk 6000 25 Turuk Dev. Society, Turuk 8000 NORTH DISTRICT 26 Endeavors Organisation , Kabi 8000 27 Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum, Dzongu 7000 28 Pentok Welfare Association , Mangan 7000 29 Sr. Research Officer Wildlife & 14000 Biodiveristy (Govt. Org.)

The technical session by Mr. C. Lachungpa (IFS), CCF (LU & E) gave a strong message to the participating NGOs so as to encourage themselves despite meager financial grant-in-aid and act as building blocks in environment conservation in the society. The zeal among the NGOs in betterment of their area was reflected in the interactive session. The presence of the HMF Shri S. B. Subedi gave the workshop a good momentum. The whole workshop turned out to be fruitful since the main motive of the workshop was realized.

Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department 7 PANDA 2009 News & Events 2008-09

World Wetlands Day 2009 Celebrated The Himalayan State of Sikkim shelves a large number of fresh Theme water lakes of varied sizes and “Upstreams-downstreams – Wetlands connect us all” dimension located in high elevated areas. These fresh water wetlands [2nd February 2009] have been the main source of Teesta River in North Sikkim and Rangit The importance of wetland conservation for livelihood sustenance vis-à-vis River in West Sikkim. They are the maintenance of eco-system; state-wide awareness, sensitization, extension perennial water supply to various and educational programmes were conducted by the DFO, Land Use & tributaries of the river system and Environment Division in all the districts in collaboration and participation with also serve as a halting station for project developers and local community during the Wetland Conservation Day. long distance migratory ducks. Some of these wetlands are glacier fed and The snapshot (below) reveals the others are snow fed. conservation activities that were carried out by divisions during Few of the wetlands have shown the World Wetland Conservation adverse reaction to the effects Day Celebration on 2nd February of