NGO SOCH organised awareness program on Wetlands and Migratiry Birds

Ludhiana-based NGO, Society for Conservation and Healing of Environment (SOCH) organized Awareness program on Wetlands and Migratory Birds at Harike Wetland on 25-02-2024 under the Patronage of Sant Baba Gurmeet Singh Ji. The event was attended by people from Ludhiana, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Tarantaran, Moga and Mansa. Discussing the significance of Wetlands in the Environment with the participants, Dr Balwinder Singh Lakhewali, President and Dr Brij Mohan Bhardwaj, Secretary SOCH told that Wetlands act as sponges in the ecosystem. They hold the water when it is in excess thereby reducing flooding and release that water when there is shortage thus preventing draught. They also emphasized that migratory birds are integral part of the wetlands together with the flora and other fauna. Migratory birds in particular are indicator of the health of wetlands as more number and diverse species are attracted to wetlands rich in biodiversity. More than 35 species of Birds including Migratory Birds like Northern Shoveler, Norther Pintail, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Eurasian Coot, Brown Headed Gull were seen during the program. S. Jasdev Singh Sekhon, Zonal Commissioner Municipal Corporation Ludhiana and an avid birder, lamented that bird count has successively decreased over the last few years in Harike as well as other wetlands of Punjab mainly due to increasing Pollution levels in water bodies and habitat loss due to unsustainable development around them. Participants of the event agreed upon supporting SOCH in its efforts to for environment conservation and further spread awareness among their peer groups regarding importance of wetlands and biodiversity. Dr Manmeet Manav, Er. Amarjeet, Rahul Kumar, Vikas Sharma, Gurpreet Singh, Ravinder kaur, Navkiran Kaur, Sukhjeet Kaur, Sameer Mittal and Sunaina Mittal were also present on the occasion.