World Wetland Day Celebration at Namthing Pokhri

– A breeding pool for the Himalayan Salamanders

Serving as a breeding ground for the Himalayan Salamander (Tjlototriton verrucosus Anderson, 1871), a unique and rare tailed-amphibian that is also a keystone species of the lentic habitats in the Darjeeling hills, the Namthing Pokhri attracts many tourists, visitors from all over the world. It is a big natural lake fenced and protected by the Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) to conserve a few of the habitats for the Himalayan Salamanders. The Namthing Pokhri is laden with continuous tourist visits and as a result, the surrounding area remains scattered with plastics and garbage.

Keeping with this year’s theme, Wetland’s Action for People and Nature, the World Wetland Day was celebrated at Namthing Pokhri by the West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project (WBADMIP) Kurseong team in collaboration with the Triveni Pariwar Water User Association from Shelphu, within the vicinity of the Pokhri to raise the concern of saving the remaining wetlands of the hills and spreading awareness on the importance of these freshwater resources. On 2^nd February 2022, a ‘Cleanliness Drive’ was organised in and around the Namthing Pokhri. The communities along with the project team members gathered at 10 in the morning for participating in the cleaning drive. In the end, the participants collected around 22 bags of waste. The collected waste was dumped properly in garbage bins. Later, Mr. Prem Bahadur Khawas, who takes care of the Pokhri throughout the year delivered a small speech on the need of keeping the area clean and how it is beneficial for the conservation of the Himalayan Salamander. Mr. Yabesh Bhitrikoty, NEWS, addressed the participants about Namthing Pokhri and its importance. The program ended after Mr. Sunil Rai, President of the Triveni Pariwar Water User Association delivered a vote of thanks.

As a conservation NGO, it is our endless effort to mobilize the local communities on these important global events, educate and spread awareness among them. Wetlands are critically significant ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate change mitigation, freshwater availability, and more. We must contribute more to raising national and global awareness on wetlands to stop their rapid loss and encourage actions for conservation and restoration.