Porbandar is set to host the eighth International Wetland Seminar-cum-Workshop on February 1 and 2, showcasing Gujarat’s dedication to wetland conservation and acknowledgment of traditional ecological knowledge. The event, organized by the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, will bring together experts, policymakers, forest officials, and stakeholders from India and abroad.
The seminar, scheduled to commence on February 1, will be inaugurated by Forest and Environment Minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia, with Minister of State Pravin Mali also in attendance. Aligned with World Wetlands Day on February 2, the event will focus on the 2026 global theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” emphasizing the link between wetlands, local wisdom, and cultural traditions.
This initiative aims to deepen the understanding of how traditional and indigenous knowledge contributes to sustainable wetland conservation and management. It will also serve as a platform for capacity-building among forest department officers, researchers, universities, and individuals involved in wetland ecosystems.
Technical workshops during the two-day event will feature experts sharing scientific research and field experiences related to wetland protection. Gujarat’s significant role in India’s wetland landscape, as highlighted in the National Wetland Atlas 2021 by SAC–ISRO, will be a key topic of discussion.
Recent policy developments, including the proposal of three new Ramsar sites by the Gujarat State Wetland Authority, will be prominently featured. The selected sites include Gosabara–Mokar Sagar in Porbandar, Chhari Dhandh in Kutch, and Flamingo City Wetland, with Chhari Dhandh already receiving Ramsar status.
Porbandar’s ecological importance, home to the Porbandar Bird Sanctuary and the Gosabara–Mokar Sagar wetland complex, underscores the district’s significance in supporting diverse bird species, marine turtles, and marine mammals. GEER Foundation, serving as the nodal agency for wetlands in Gujarat, has been actively organizing such international seminars since 2016–17, focusing on various aspects of wetland conservation and awareness.
