Sustainable wetland management to create more economic opportunities: Mushahidullah
ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT ONLINE):Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan Thursday said sustainable wetland management would help create economic opportunities for millions of people.
The minister said this in his message on international Wetland Day being celebrated on February 2.
The day is celebrated every year as World Wetlands Day to create awareness of these extremely valuable ecosystems that continue to be among the most threatened. The theme of World Wetlands Day 2018 is “Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future”. The UN Water estimates that 90 percent of all natural disasters are water-related.
The wetlands provide magnificent landscapes that attract millions of people every year. Behind the beautiful vistas and scenes, the wetlands also underpin many services such as the availability of clean water, the recycling of wastes and protection from extreme weather events including disaster risk reduction.
Mushahidullah said Pakistan was a signatory to the Convention on Wetlands of an international importance also known as Ramsar Convention.
It is an inter-governmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
The minister said under the convention, so far Pakistan had designated its 19 wetlands as Ramsar sites of international significance.
He said wetlands were among the most diverse and productive ecosystems supporting rich biodiversity and providing valuable products and services to human beings.