Feb

WTI celebrates World Wetlands Day 2026 across its project landscapes

2^nd February, 2026: Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) celebrated World Wetlands Day across its various project landscapes through awareness events, in collaboration with local institutions and the community.

In Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, a joint programme was organised by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and WTI under the aegis of the Terai Tiger Project. The programme was conducted on the banks of the Gerua River and focused on wetland conservation and bird awareness. The event included bird-watching activities involving school children at the Gerua River and Mahadeva Taal. Various competitions were held at the Sarda Sahayak Inter College, Girijapuri and Bappa Ji Inter College. Students also participated in a one-day workshop (under the program of nature and bird festival with Wetland day) organised at the Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC), Katarniyaghat Range.

Awareness event for students on the occasion of World Wetlands Day in Pilibhit

In Pilibhit, WTI’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) led an interactive presentation for students, teachers, forest staff, and nature guides. The session covered the importance of World Wetlands Day, the ecological significance of wetlands, their necessity, wetland ecosystems, classification of birds and key features for bird identification. Highlighting this year’s theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” the RRT emphasised the interdependence between wetlands and bird life.

The programme concluded with a field visit to the nearby Gohania Wetland Site for bird watching. Students observed several wetland bird species, including Sarus Crane, Asian Openbill Stork, Painted Stork, Purple Heron, Common Teal, Eurasian Teal, and Black-naped Ibis. Students showed great interest and enthusiasm during the activity, making it a highly engaging learning experience.

Range Officer, Katarniyaghat – Mr. Ashish KM. Gaud expressed gratitude to WTI’s team and representatives from participating organisations, including WII, WWF and media personnel. The Forest Department and RRT team also honoured frontline forest staff and watchers for their significant contributions to conservation efforts in the KWLS, Terai Landscape, as part of the event.

World Wetlands Day celebrated by WTI’s Kannur Kandal Project team

In Kannur, under WTI’s Kannur Kandal Recovery Project, World Wetland Day was celebrated at Padne Panchayat, Kasargod, in collaboration with Kasargod Forest Department, Sir Syed Institute, Payyanur College NSS unit and MGNREGS of Padne Panchayat. A short film on the Kannur Kandal Project, showcasing mangrove restoration initiatives, was also launched at the event.

Mr. Jiljith, RFO, Hosdurg, said that “Mangrove restoration is one of the most effective ways to strengthen coastal resilience and conserve biodiversity. Community participation is the backbone of successful conservation, and today’s restoration drive is a strong example of how public institutions, local bodies, and citizens can work together for nature. I congratulate everyone involved in making this initiative meaningful and impactful.”