Feb 2nd: On the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2021, National Development Foundation , NDF J&K, Jammu organized a special awareness programme on the bank of a pond at Barui village in Akhnoor sub division of Jammu district.
On this occasion Pankaj Chandan a renowned wetland expert and Director Nature, Wildlife and Climate Change (NWCC) Division of National Development Foundation, NDF was the main resource person.

In his address, he informed that World Wetlands Day is an annual opportunity to raise awareness about the value of wetlands. This he said is also an occasion to celebrate wetlands for the large number of services these wetlands provide to the common masses.
He highlighted that on this day Government and civil society across the globe renew their commitment for saving wetlands. He further added that wetlands and ponds in our villages play the same role as our kidneys play in our body.
He called upon everyone present on the occasion to realize the fact that if we will always have enough water, if we better value and manage wetlands and water and treat both as collective responsibility.

Rajiv Khajuria Founder Emeritus National Development Foundation in his inaugural address called upon all to protect and revive ponds and Bowlis in villages & cities of Jammu & Kashmir. He said that our ponds and Bowalis in our villages and cities besides playing very important ecological functions have tremendous significance as our collective heritage as well.

He informed that today hundreds of such ponds and Bowalis in Jammu region are under tremendous threat and many have become garbage dumps. He expressed his serious concern over reclamation of many such ponds in Jammu for construction. To protect such ponds and Bowalis Government alone cannot do everything until and unless civil society joins hands with the Government, Khajuria added.