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Contents

Introduction 3

The Programme and Venue 4

Participation 4

Inauguration (3rd March 2013, Sunday) 4

Technical sessions 5

Stakeholders Meet (4th March 2013, Monday) 5

Session-I 5

Panel discussion-I 6

Wetland Conservation Seminar (5th March 2013, Tuesday) 6

Panel discussion II 7

Session-II 7

Field visit (5th March, 2013, Tuesday) 7

Non Technical Sessions 8

Exhibition 8

Athijeevanam – 2013 8

Feedback 8

Valedictory function 9

Media coverage 9

Outcome of Ramsar India 2013 9

Annexure – 1 10

Annexure – 2 16

Annexure – 3 17

Annexure – 4 18

Annexure – 5 20

Annexure – 6 21

Photographs of the Ramsar India 2013 22

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National Ramsar Sites Stakeholders Meet and Conservation Seminar (Ramsar India 2013)

March 3rd to 5th 2013, Town Square, Alappuzha, Kerala.

Report

Introduction

Wetlands are the cradle of human civilisation and most productive ecosystems on earth. India

has approximately 67,429 wetlands, covering 18.4% of the country’s geographic area. In this biodiversity

driven country, wetlands are key to its economy and provide maximum livelihood to its people. But it is

estimated that only 50% of our wetlands remain and these too are being degraded rapidly. As signatory

to the Ramsar Convention, India is bound to protect its wetlands and has so far designated 26 wetlands

as Ramsar Sites as per the provisions of this international treaty.

Unlike forests, wetlands in India often receive little or no conservation attention. Many Ramsar

sites in India do not have any management plans. This situation is further complicated by policy and

institutional constraints, and conflicts among stakeholders. There are a few isolated conservation efforts

by government agencies and NGOs in these sites and some commendable and replicable conservation

models.

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) conducted a National

Ramsar Sites Stakeholders Meet and Wetland Conservation Seminar at Alappuzha - the home to

Vembanad Kol wetlands, the largest Ramsar site in India - on March 3rd to 5th 2013. The main objective

of this program was to bring the stakeholders, policy makers, researchers and civil society organizations

of all the Ramsar sites in India to a common platform. This conference aimed to showcase the

conservation methods and efforts in the Ramsar sites so that good models can be replicated.

The programme included a Stakeholders Meet, Conservation Seminar, Athijeevanam 2013 -

photo competition and Exhibition. The exhibition included Athijeevanam photos, conservation models,

products and traditions of stakeholders. The event was first of its kind in India and supported by the

Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India. WWF India, Department of Environment and

Climate change, Govt. of Kerala and Department of Ports, Govt. of Kerala were partners of the event.

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The Programme and Venue

The National Ramsar Sites Stakeholders Meet and Wetland Conservation Seminar (Ramsar India

2013) were held during 3rd to 5th March, 2013 at Town Square, Alappuzha, Kerala.

Participation

A total of 132 registered delegates participated in the programme (Annexure 1). The delegates

from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Manipur, Tripura, Orissa, Andhra

Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The delegation include peoples from the Ramsar sites such

as Ashtamudi Wetland (Kerala), Chandertal Wetland (Himachal Pradesh), Chilika Lake (Orissa), Harike

Lake (Punjab), Kanjli (Punjab), Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh),

Loktak Lake (Manipur), Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Pong Dam Lake

(Himachal Pradesh), Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh), Ropar (Punjab), Rudrasagar Lake (Tripura),

Sasthamkotta Lake (Kerala), Tsomoriri (Jammu and Kashmir), Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora

Stretch) (Uttar Pradesh), Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala) and Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir). The

delegation included farmers, fishermen, environmentalists, politicians, naturalists, researches, scientists,

teaches and staffs from various governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Besides the

delegates, invited scientists from WWF, BNHS, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, IIIT, PSCST, Salim Ali

Foundation, Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation and ATREE participated in the keynote and panel

discussions on various themes.

Inauguration (3rd March 2013, Sunday)

Ramsar India 2013 was inaugurated by Shri. K.C. Venugopal (Hon. Minister of State for Civil

Aviation) and chaired by Smt. Mercy Diano Masido (Chairperson, Alappuzha Municipality) on 3rd March

4.30 pm. Shri. S.D. Shibulal (CEO, Infosys Ltd & Founder, Sarojini-Damodaran Foundation) was the Guest

of honor. Key note Address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) B. Madhusoodana Kurup (Vice-Chancellor,

KUFOS, Kochi). Dr. V.S. Vijayan (Former Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board), Shri. Ranjan Mathew

Varghese (State Director, WWF, Kerala), K.A. Mohammed Naushad, IFS (CCF, Kerala Forest Department)

felicitated the function. Dr. Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan (Senior Fellow & Program Leader, ATREE)

delivered the welcome speech and Shri. Jojo, T.D. (Convener, Ramsar India 2013) delivered the vote of

thanks. After the inaugural ceremony, cultural programmes of stakeholders including the traditional

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‘Vallappattu’, ‘Koithupattu’, ‘Bharathanaatyam’, ‘Chenda Melam’, ‘Bhangra dance’ and Folks songs were

staged in the open stadium.

Technical sessions

Stakeholders Meet (4th March 2013, Monday)

The objective of the Stakeholders meet was to create a common platform for stakeholders from

all Ramsar sites in India. Stakeholders meet was conducted on 4th March 2013, at Town square,

Alappuzha. Dr. V.S. Vijayan, delivered the keynote on the topic: Wetlands and People. The key points of

the presentation included need and significance of conserving the wetlands, understanding the

biodiversity and ecosystem services of wetlands, regulation of wetland tourism, meeting the drinking

and agriculture water requirements, shortcomings of Wetland rules. The major issues raised from the

keynote include shrinking of wetlands, rejuvenation of paddy cultivation, proposal for independent

National wetland authority and Wetland register.

Session-I

The focal theme for the session-I was: Conservation models in the Ramsar sites, which was

chaired by Dr. V.S. Vijayan and co-chaired by Dr. Balachandran (BNHS) and Dr. Saxena (PSCST). There

were 16 presentations from different Ramsar sites of India (Annexure 2). The common points from all

the presentations include the facts and figures of each Ramsar sites and their specific problems to be

addressed. The requirement of management plan, authority for implementation and ownership of each

site under the federal govt. departments were also the major issues came up from the presentations.

Conservation initiatives such as forums, committees, societies and management and development

board/authorities were formed by stakeholders for livelihood and protection of the Ramsar sites in most

of the states. Environmental awareness programmes and capacity building trainings for public,

stakeholders and students were also conducted in Ramsar sites.

Notable conservation models include fishing ban during breeding season and ban of clam

collection during December - February every year in the Asthamudi Wetland (Kerala), managing invasive

species - Water hyacinth handicrafts in Harike Lake (Punjab), managing invasive species Lantana and

Phragmitis - handicrafts and ropes in Ropar (Punjab), grazing free reserves in Chandertal Wetland

(Himachal Pradesh) and Community fish sanctuary – ‘malsyathavalam’, and rejuvenation of traditional

conservation rituals – ‘aayilyam-makam’ in Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala).

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Besides these models, conservation initiatives specific for each Ramsar sites were also

conducted. In Chilika Lake (Orissa) as hydrological interventions for auto recruitment of fish juvenile

from sea and free migration - opening of a new mouth, dredging of Magarmukh and Balugaon channels

and Renovation of Palur canal were done. To reduce pesticide load and prevent water pollution, organic

farming encouraged in Harike Lake (Punjab). In Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Vembanad-Kol

Wetland (Kerala), annual plastic removal and cleaning campaign were conducted by stakeholders. In

Kanjli (Punjab), Water hyacinth and siltation was removed by Local community. Digging creek, bund

formation and Turtle protection camps was conducted in Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

(Tamil Nadu). Soil conservation water quality monitoring by planting tree were conducted in Ropar

(Punjab) and Chandertal Wetland (Himachal Pradesh). Moisture retention work (artificial glacier; pasture

development (Tregonella cultivation) also conducted in Chandertal Wetland (Himachal Pradesh). Home

stays and eco-certification meeting were conducted in Tsomoriri (Jammu and Kashmir). Student’s

Wetland Congress and ‘Jalapadam Club’ are the wetland awareness programmes of Vembanad-Kol

Wetland (Kerala).

Panel discussion-I

The topic of the panel discussion was: The Potential Ramsar sites in India, which was chaired by

Dr. V. S. Vijayan with other panelists: Dr. T. Ganesh (ATREE), Dr. Amitha Bachan (Western Ghats Hornbill

Foundation) and Dr. Balachandran (BNHS). Key topics appeared during the discussion were carrying

capacity assessment, wetland management authority and stakeholder issues, conflict between army and

fishermen communities in Loktak Lake (Manipur), reclamation and encroachment by tourism and real

estate business; decentralized community management of small societies and networking and wetland

policies. BNHS identified 137 potential Ramsar sites in India and SACON suggested 200 potential sites.

The issues discussed by stakeholders participated in panel discussion include strong advocacy

and support for stakeholder fishermen in Loktak Lake, how to evaluate carrying capacity in Ramsar sites,

conservation investment in Ramsar sites, redefine the wetland rules to give importance to livelihood of

stakeholders, Urban wetlands, Joint management programme, local communities should decide what

the plan of action and stakeholders’ responsibility for conservation.

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Wetland Conservation Seminar (5th March 2013, Tuesday)

The Wetland Conservation Seminar brought together academicians and policy experts who work

in the Ramsar Sites of India. This included panel discussion and paper presentations by academicians

and policy experts.

Panel discussion II

The Conservation seminar was started with a panel discussion on the topic: Wetland policies

and governance in India, chaired by Dr. Oommen V. Oommen (Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity

Board) with the panelists: Dr. V. S. Vijayan, Dr. D. Roy Laifunghbham (CORE), Dr. Narendra Prasad (IIIT),

Dr. Siddhartha Krishnan (ATREE) and Dr. Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan (ATREE).

Main topics appeared during the discussion were prime responsibility of stakeholders and local

NGOs for the conservation and awareness initiatives, the inadequacy of Wetland Rules 2010 for

conservation and management of wetlands, livelihood issues, Ramsar wise use concept, interdisciplinary

studies, Contradictions between policies and governance, Grass root democratic system, Distinction

between wetland management and forest management, Responsible tourism, Decentralized decision

making on wetlands, lakes / ponds, paddy fields and local self governance for conservation.

Session-II

The session II was started with the keynote of Dr. Narendra Prasad on Wetland conservation:

challenges and opportunities and followed by 13 other presentations on the theme: Conservation

challenges in Indian wetlands. The details of presentations are given as Annexure - 3. The presentations

included conservation activities and challenges in Wular Lake with reference to invasive weeds,

potentiality of Bariti Beel, Kodaikkanal Lake with respect to pollution, land and water management

systems in Kolleru Lake, India's Water Policy and Wetland Rules, research priorities for conservation of

wetlands in India and spring diversity of Kerala and shrinking wetlands in Thrissur.

Field visit (5th March, 2013, Tuesday)

A field visit to the community fish sanctuaries established and managed by the fisher folk in

Vembanad Lake was conducted on 5th March, 2013 evening. The delegates visited Kainakary,

Kuttamangalam, Rani and Vattakkayal area and explored the bird, fish and plant diversity of Vembanad

Kayal. Dr. Priyadarshanan Dharma Rajan, Mr. Ashish Mathew and Mr. K.M. Poovu were explained the

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construction and establishment of ‘Malsyathavalam’ (Community Fish Sanctuaries). This field visit was a

practical experience for the delegates to understand this traditional conservation model which can be

replicated in other Ramsar Sites of India.

Non Technical Sessions

Exhibition

Exhibitors of the Ramsar India 2013 include Coir Societies from Alappuzha - Kerala, Thazappaya

(Screw pine) Vikasana Samithi, Vaikom - Kerala, WWF (separate stalls from Utter Pradesh, Punjab,

Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan), Chilika Development Authority, Orissa, Lake Protection forum

Vembanad, - Kerala and Athijeevanam - 2013 photographic competition. The public and delegates

visited exhibition stalls during the event.

Athijeevanam - 2013

As a part of the Ramsar India 2013, a national level photographic competition was organized.

The subject for the competition was Life in Wetlands which includes People and their day to day life,

Culture, Biodiversity, Agriculture, Fishing, Landscape, Recreation, Environmental degradation,

Reclamation, Mangroves, Pollution, Flood etc. A total of 210 entries were received from all over India.

The judgment panel Include Mr. Devadas form Photographic Society of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr.

Aravind Madhyastha, Dr. Priyadarshanan Dharma Rajan from ATREE, Banglore, Mr. Sivadas IFS from

Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department and Mr. Shibu Bhaskar, nature photographer from Alappuzha.

The first prize (Rs. 10,000.00 and certificate) was won by Mr. Purunjith Gangopadhyaya, Kolkota. The

second prize (Rs. 5000.00 and certificate) was won by Mr. Jayapraksh Komath, Ernakulam and the third

prize (Rs. 3000.00 and certificate) bagged by Mr. Anirudha Pal, Kolkota. Consolation prizes of Rs.

1000.00 and certificate were won by Mr. Shaji Daylight, Alappuzha, Mr. Parthasarathy Bose, Kolkota, Mr.

Rathinlal, Keralakaumudi, Alappuzha, Mr. Shabeer, Palakkad and Mr. Kshathrimayam Onil, Manipur. The

prize winning photographs is given in Annexure 4. The entries were exhibited in the Town Square,

Alappuzha during the Ramsar India 2013 from 3rd to 5th March 2013. The exhibition was a tribute to the

people who depend on the wetlands for their existence.

Feedback

A feedback form was distributed among the participants and suggestions and comments

recorded. The overall response indicated good to excellent rating (Annexure 5).

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Valedictory function

A short and homely valedictory function was conducted on 5th March 2013, and participation

certificate were distributed to the delegates. A valedictory message was given by Dr. V.S. Vijayan

(Former Chairman, Kerala Biodiversity Board). Dr. Priyadarshanan Dharma Rajan and Mr. Jojo T.D. give

concluding remarks.

Media coverage

The National newspapers and Kerala dailies such as The Hindu, Indian Express, The Times of

India, Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhoomi, Mangalam, Madhyamam, Dehsabhimani, Janayugam and

Veekshanam were covered the news of the entire event (Annexure 6).

Outcome of Ramsar India 2013

The outcomes of Ramsar India 2013 are:

1. Communication among the stakeholders of different Ramsar sites

2. Common platform for stakeholders of different Ramsar sites

3. Networking among the stakeholders and people working in Ramsar sites

4. Knowledge sharing of conservation models among the Ramsar sites

5. Identification of common and specific issue of Ramsar sites

6. Delegates get a chance to adopt / develop / replicate draft conservation measure / plans /

modules / initiatives / traditional knowledge/ scientific information to their Ramsar sites

The Ramsar India 2013 was a successful program conducted first time in India. There was good

interaction, discussion, knowledge sharing among the stakeholders who came over from all over India.

The resolutions and recommendations on Ramsar India 2013 include: Wetland policy, Revision of

Wetland Rules, Wetland Authority and Joint Management Programme.

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Annexure - 1. List of Participants of Ramsar India 2013

1 Ather Mazoodi Aquatic Ecology Lab, Dept. of Botany , AMU , Aligrah

2 Jay shankar Noudri Bengen , Kushwaha, Narora , Uttar Pradesh

3 Raju Ram Village Badan, P.O. Dadahh, Himachal Pradesh

4 K Sivamani Kodiyakkadu , Vedaraniyam, Tamil Nadu

5 J . B . Arun Kodiyakkadu , Vedaraniyam, Tamil Nadu

6 M . Kumaresan Kodiyakkadu , Vedaraniyam, Tamil Nadu

7 M . Kumar Kodiyakkadu , Vedaraniyam, Tamil Nadu

8 K . Palamurukan Kodiyakkadu , Vedaraniyam, Tamil Nadu

9 Aravind Ghosh 10 B . Ashoka

ATREE , Banglore 11 Ferozpur, Panjab 12 Shibaji RetBarma

Agartala , Tripura 13 M.T. John

Trade union , Kakka, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala 14 P. K. Vijayan

Puthankayal , South Aryad, Alappuzha, Kerala 15 K . E . Kunjappan

Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala 16 V . N Manoharan

Muhamma P.O. Alappuzha, Kerala 17 Antappan,

Green Community, Kerala 18 Rani Sharma

Himachal Pradesh 19 Govind RAN

Himachal Pradesh 20 Dr. L. D Roy

Convener , CORE , Post box no. 99, Babupama, lmphal - 795001 , Manipur 21 N . Pammri

Coordinator , CORE, Post box no. 99, Babupama, lmphal - 795001 , Manipur 22 O . Bikmamjit Singh

EHUD, P.O. PS - Namtol – 795134, Bishnupur district, Manipur 23 K .H. Devan Singh

ALL AFU, Jhanga Oinam lukai, P.O., PS Moinang -795133, Dist . Bishnpur, Manipur

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24 H. Bijanti Devi Woman wingh , ALLAF , Jhanga Husmam luka, P.O. PS Moinang -795133, Manipur

25 O. Rama Devi Woman Wing , ALLAFU , Jhanga Oimam luka P.O., PS Moinang -795133, Manipur

26 S . Doren singh F/M EHUD, Mayanglanging, Manadng Leikai, P.O. PS Moinang -795133, Manipur

27 Oinam Rajan Singh ALLAFU , Jhanga Oinam lukai, PO. PS Moinang -795133, Manipur

28 Kamlesh Himachal Pradesh

29 Dilbag singh FGD, Forest dept. Himachal Pradesh

30 Sibin Antony CESS , Trivandrum, Kerala

31 Dr. A. Bhutnagar WWF - India, Keladeo National Park, Bharathpur, Rastasthan

32 Mehir Kumar Jane Researchers Post, Panespada dist

33 Chandenkar Sahoo Chilika Development Authority , Bhubaneswar, Orissa

34 Peracharen Babu Jaganthi Pure, PFCS, Chilika, Orissa

35 Akshay Drivedy Range officer , Chilika development authority, Bhubaneswar, Orissa

36 Gitanjali WWF India, Harike field office, Panjab

37 Gladvin Quadues Senior Scientist, SACON, Anaikatty, Coimbatore - 641108, Tamil Nadu

38 Dr. M. A. Raja Mamannan Research Associate, SACON, Anaikatty, Coimbatore, 641108, Tamil Nadu

39 D.S. Dhajwal A .C.F. , Forest department, Himachal Pradesh

40 Devender Chauhan Range forest officer, Forest department, Himachal Pradesh

41 Shob Ram Range forest officer, Forest department, Himachal Pradesh

42 Vijaypal Baghul, Govindapuram, Uttar Pradesh

43 Sumam Kumari Village Bara, Ditt Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

44 Devan Singh ALLAFU, Thavga, Dist. Bishnupur, Manipur

45 Dr. Muhammad Kunji Director, C-STED, Kozhikode

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46 K.P. Remanan Kuttidayil, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

47 C.T. Prakasan Chirayil, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

48 Dr. K.N. Amitha Bachan Western Ghat Hornbill foundation, Aranyak, Mathilakam – 680685, Kerala

49 M.P. Shajan Western Ghat Hornbill foundation, Aranyak, Mathilakam – 680685, Kerala

50 Viju. B Times of India, Alappuzha, Kerala

51 Anilkumar. D Ambalakadavu, Alappuzha, Kerala

52 T. Balakrishnan 12/44 Kandasami, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

53 Corinne, Thrikaripetta P.O. Wayanad, Kerala

54 Deepak Dayanandan MSSRF, Alappuzha, Kerala

55 Madhushree Munsi ATREE, Bangalore, Karnataka

56 T. Ganesh ATREE, Bangalore, Karnataka

57 Kamaljeet Singh Erozpur, Punjab

58 O. Bikranjit EHUD, Bishnupur district, Manipur

59 S. Doren EHUD, Bishnupur district, Manipur

60 A.K. Shivakumar WWF India, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,

61 Dr. S.K. Saxena Punjab

62 Jiji Ponnan Kerala Social Service Forum, Adichira, Kottayam, Kerala

63 K.G. Rajan Assistant Conservator of Forest, Social Forestry Division, Alappuzha, Kerala

64 Rohit Rattan Field Officer, WWF India, Zaugsti road, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir

65 Hemendra Kumar WWF India, Bharatpur, Punjab

66 Sanjay Bintal WWF India, Bharatpur, Punjab

67 Shruti Jadon WWF India, Bharatpur, Punjab

68 Mittal Singh Forest Department, K.N.P. Bharatpur, Punjab

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69 Shailender Chawhan WWF India, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

70 Priyanka P. Iyer Zoo outreach Organization, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

71 Aravind N. A ATREE , Bangalore, Karnataka

72 Vinod Varghese Kuttanad Nature Society, Alappuzha, Kerala

73 Dr. S. Narendra Prasad Secretary, OSGEO- India IIIT, Hydrabad, Andhra Pardesh

74 M.K. Kumaran Mankuzhiyil, Valliad, Kottayam, Kerala

75 Vinod M. WWF India, Kochi, Kerala

76 Joseph Puthenparayil, Chavara South P.O., Kollam, Kerala

77 V. M. Suresh N . Karathil, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

78 Dr. K.V.K . Nair Anacode house, D.C. Road, Alappuzha – 688001, Kerala

79 K .S. Premedra Savitha Nivas, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

80 Shali Mon S.S. Alappuzha, Kerala

81 Shyam P.S. Kuttanad, Alappuzha, Kerala

82 M.R. Shivadasan South Aryad, Alappuzha, Kerala

83 V.N. Nasar Vattathara, Alappuzha, Kerala

84 Sindhu C.S.A 733, Alappuzha, Kerala

85 Sudha C.S. A 733, Alappuzha, Kerala

86 K .M. Poovu LPF, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

87 Jesan T. Das SINT & Travels , Thakadiyil, Kottayam, Kerala

88 V.K . Madhusoodhanan Devi vihar, Chavara P.O. , Kollam, Kerala

89 Narayanaswamy Tech. officer (Retd) CMFRI , Cochin, Kerala

90 Swapna Johney Asst. Professor , Little flower college Guruvayoor, Kerala

91 Shelten George A.S. Rajiv Ghandhi centre, Venganoor, Thiruvananthapuram - 695523

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92 Vimal Raguw P. S. S, Utter Pradesh

93 Mukesh Dhinan V .P.O. Katholi , The Jawali, Dist. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

94 Dr. K. K. Appukuttan (Rtd) Principal scientist CMFRI, Kochi , Kerala

95 Rajeev Kumar V.P.O. , Jarot Tech Jawali, Dist. Kandra, Himachal Pradesh

96 Vijay Kumar Vill sugnara P.O., Nagrotals Tech . Jawali, Dist. Kangra , Himachal Pradesh

97 Ashok Kumar Verma Project officer, WWF Shimla , Himachal Pradesh

98 Jogindoj Kumar WWF , Himachal Pradesh

99 Dalie Dominic Asst. Professor , St. Mary's college , Thrissur, Kerala

100 Subrahmanian P. Marari beach , Alappuzha, Kerala

101 Dr. V.S. Vijayan Salim Ali Foundation, Trichur – 680027, Kerala.

102 Renjen Mathew Vargheese Director, WWF India, Venchiyoor P.O., Kerala

103 Kasmel Solvin Nivas, Chavara South, Kerala

104 Hillariyus Olekizhakkathil, Chavara South, Kerala

105 Geetha Kadavil, Perumthuruth, Alappuzha, Kerala

106 M.K. Mohan C.S.A. no. A.733, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

107 Kamlesh Kumar President, Mahila Mandal, V.P.O. Ghati, Bilba.Teh . Jaswan, Kotla, Himachal Pradesh

108 N.M. Amal Kumar Nikarthil, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

109 Sheela Nikarthil, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

110 Thankappan Panja House , Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

111 Manoj Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

112 K.K. Uthaman Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

113 P.K. Surendran Panackaparambil , Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

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114 P.V. Muraleedharan Njaliparambil, Ponnad, Mannancheri, Alappuzha, Kerala

115 K.M. Rajeevan Kariyachira, Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

116 Jain J. Therattil P.G. Dept. of Zoology, St. Aloysius College, Elthurth, Kerala

117 N.K. Ravindran Alappuzha, Kerala

118 Sibi Saimon Cheepunkal, Alappuzha, Kerala

119 K. Lakshmanan Vandanam, North Aryad, Alappuzha, Kerala

120 V. Kailasan North Aryad, Alappuzha, Kerala

121 K. Vishwambara Kalunkil, Chippunkal, Alappuzha, Kerala

122 Rajasekhara Varyar. S Akshara, Venga P.O., Shastham Kotta, Kerala - 690569

123 M.S. Mani Vembanad Kayal Samrakshana Samithi, Kannangara unit, Alappuzha, Kerala

124 K.K. Anirudhan Muhamma, Alappuzha, Kerala

125 Ponnamma. P Kottayam Jilla Mahila Thazhappaya Vikasana Federal Samithi, Vaikom, Kerala

126 Nidhi. K.P Kollayamjilla Mahila Thazhappaya Vikasana, Federal Samithi, Vaikom, Kerala

127 Dr. Hari Singh Project officer, WWF India, Uttar Pradesh

128 P. Raghuram WET Research centre, SRKR Engg. College, Arunachal Pradesh

129 Dr. S. Balachandra Deputy Director, BNHS Hornhill house, S.B.Singh road, Mumbai – 40001, Maharashtra

130 Maneith Singh, U.P.O. Harike, Punjab

131 P. Ayyappan Kodiyakkadu , Vedaraniyam, Tamil Nadu

132 M. Vedaiyan Kodiyakkadu , Vedaraniyam, Tamil Nadu

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Annexure - 2. List of Stakeholder’s presentations

Sl. No. Title of presentation Author

1 Wetlands and people (Keynote Lecture) V.S. Vijayan 2 Ashtamudi Estuary – A Ramsar site in Kerala K. K. Appukuttan 3 Community participation in Chandertal Wetland Devender Singh Chauhan 4 Welcome to Chilika A.K. Dwivedy and Chandan Sahoo 5 Rural eco-tourism in Chilika Mihir Kumar Jena 6 Wetlands and stakeholders D.S. Dhadwal 7 Conservation initiatives in Harike Wetlands Malkeet Singh, Atma Singh,

Kawaljeet Singh and Gitanjali Kanwar 8 Overview of Kanjli Wetland Gitanjali Kanwar 9 Loktak Lake an overview: A dying mother L.D. Roy 10 Status of Point Calimere Wetland S. Balachandran 11 Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Ramsar Site

Shruti Jadon, Hemendra Kumar, Sanjay Bindal, Hitpal Singh and Abhishek Bhatnagar

12 Conservation and management of wetlands in Punjab Kamaljeet Singh 13 Lake Rudrasagar of Twipra (TRIPURA) - A dignified heritage

approach needs maintenance Shibaji RetBarma

14 Towards sustainable conservation and management of Tsomoriri Wetland (A Ramsar Site) - The journey so far

Rohit Rattan

15 Intervention of WWF-India, to conserve riverine biodiversity in Upper Ganga River (Ramsar Site), U.P. India

Hari Singh

16 Thazhamchira Wetland - A tiny niche for security, freedom, culture and future of the village

M.P. Shajan

17 Vembanad Kayal Samrakshana Samathi - Lake Protection Forum - Democratic conservation efforts taken in Vembanad Lake

K.M. Poovu

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Annexure - 3. List of presentations in Wetland Conservation seminar

Sl. No. Title of presentation Author

1 Wetland Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities (Keynote Lecture)

Narendra Prasad

2 Conservation issues of Wular Lake, India Ather Masoodi and Fareed A. Khan 3 Research priorities for conservation of wetlands in India Aravind N.A and Subramaniyan K.A. 4 Towards sustainable conservation and management of

Tsomoriri Wetland (a Ramsar site) - the journey so far. Rohit Rattan, Nisa Khatoon, Pushpinder S. Jamwal, Phuntsog Tashi and Pankaj Chandan

5 Degrading Kole Wetlands and its environmental impacts Sreekumar. S, Gopakumar P.G and Sinta. K.B. 6 Policy and wetland conservation: India's water policy

and wetland rules Madhushree Munsi and Siddhartha Krishnan

7 Conservation and potentiality of Bariti Beel - A wetland area of North Twenty Four Parganas, West Bengal

Madhumita Basu

8 Biodiversity and conservation of Pulicat Lake - Andhra Pradesh

S.K.M. Basha and E. Rajya Laksmi

9 Glimpses into the ecodegradation of Pulicat Lake SPSR Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh.

Rajya Laksmi E. and S.K.M. Basha

10 Ecological study of Kodaikanal Lake with special reference to flora and fauna, Tamil Nadu, India

T. Balakrishnan M. Uma Devi and R. Ramanibai

11 Evaluation of land and water management systems of Kolleru Lake and its adverse affects on fragile coastal Geo-Environment using spatial information techniques

Raju P.A.R.K. and K.R.K. Raju

12 Uppalapadu: a potential Ramsar sites in India Sheeba N. 13 A study of shrinking wetlands in Thrissur District, Kerala Jain J. Therattil 14 Spring diversity of Kerala: attempt for approximation of

ecologically sensitive natural springs and modelling the associated spring head region in central Kerala to challenge water scarcity in future

Sibin Antony, S. Arya, K.N. Noufal, A.K. Faisal, K.K Mathew, T.M. Liji, R.S. Baiju and K. Anoop Krishnan

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Annexure - 4. Prize winning photographs of Athijeevanam 2013

First Prize Long way to go

Mr. Purunjith Gangopadhyaya Kolkota

Second Prize Collective fishing

Mr. Jayapraksh Komath Ernakulam

Third Prize On the river

Mr. Anirudha Pal, Kolkota

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Mr. Shaji Daylight, Alappuzha Mr. Parthasarathy Bose, Kolkota Consolation Prize Consolation Prize

Mr. Rathinlal, Keralakaumudi, Alappuzha Mr. Shabeer, Palakkad Consolation Prize Consolation Prize

Mr. Kshathrimayam Onil, Manipur Consolation Prize

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Annexure - 5. Feedback of Ramsar India 2013

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Annexure - 6. Media coverage of Ramsar India 2013

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Photographs of the Ramsar India 2013

Inauguration of Ramsar India 2013 by Shri. K.C. Venugopal, (Hon. Minister of State for Civil Aviation)

‘Vallappattu’ by fisher folks of Vembanad during the Cultural Programme

‘Bharathanatyam’ during the Cultural Programme

Manipur delegates during the Inauguration of Ramsar India 2013

Exhibition stall by Punjab delegates Athijeevanan - 2013 exhibition stall

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Exhibition stall by Thazhappaya Vikasana Samithi, Vaikom, Kerala

Exhibition stall by Rajasthan delegates

Field visit to Community Fish Sanctuaries, Vembanad Lake

Field visit to Community Fish Sanctuaries, Vembanad Lake

Delegates participating the panel discussions of Ramsar India 2013

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Delegates Ramsar India 2013

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