Date:12/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/12/stories/2009011253500300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Seminar on wetlands

Staff Reporter

Kochi: The State Land Use Board in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of India, is organising a state-level seminar on the ‘significance of wetlands in the development of the State’ at the Town Hall here on Tuesday. Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran will inaugurate the seminar that is expected to give fresh insights into the measures for protection of wetlands.

A report based on the study conducted by the Land Use Board on wetlands in the district and digital maps of Panchayats will also be released at the seminar. In the study, carried out making use of the GIS-aided remote sensing technology, data has been collated on the disappearance of wetlands after paddy fields got levelled for other purposes. The report contains digital maps of land use, assets and water resources in the district which would be of use to local self-governments while planning and executing projects.

About 300 delegates, including scientists, government officials, representatives of local bodies, planners, environment activists, representatives of voluntary organisations, researchers and model farmers, will attend the seminar.