World Wetland Day -Tamil Nadu Team 02.02. 2026 celebration

World Wetlands Day 2026 was commemorated through a one-day workshop on “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” organized by the Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS), Karaikal, at the Department of Zoology & Wildlife Biology, A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mayiladuthurai.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. M. Baskaran, Associate Professor & Head, followed by the inaugural address delivered by Dr. A. Suresh, Project Manager (Coastal Resilience), NEWS. The felicitation session featured addresses by Dr. R. Nagarajan, Principal, A.V.C. College (Autonomous); Dr. M. Senthilmurugan, Director, A.V.C. College of Engineering; and Mr. A. Ahas Kar, Green Fellow, District Climate Change Mission, Mayiladuthurai. The Chief Guest Address was delivered by Mr. K. Janarthanam, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Sirkazhi, and Mr. M. Ganesan, Forest Ranger Officer, Mayiladuthurai Forest Division.

The technical sessions were enriched by eminent experts including Dr. K. Kathiresan, Former Director and Dean (CAS), Annamalai University, who spoke on the role of mangrove wetlands in sustainable livelihoods; Dr. N. Sivaganesan, Wildlife Expert, Wildlife Trust, Mayiladuthurai, who highlighted conservation perspectives of the Olive Ridley turtle; Dr. V. Selvam, Former Executive Director, MSSRF, Chennai, who addressed community-based coastal wetlands and their management; and Dr. J. Pandiyan, Associate Professor, A.V.C. College, who elaborated on the importance of wetlands for migratory waterbirds. The programme concluded with a valedictory address by Mr. B. Ayub Khan, Forest Range Officer, Tamil Nadu Forest Department, followed by participants’ feedback and vote of thanks.The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. A. Ahaz Kar.

The workshop witnessed active participation of around 150 students and 25 staff members, making it a vibrant platform for learning, interaction, and awareness creation on wetland conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable environmental practices.