REPORT ON WETLAND WORK BY PAHAL

PAHAL (NGO)
Punjab area, India, 22 Mar 05

With the assistance of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology Chandigarh, PAHAL(NGO) organized:-

1. Painting Competition on Wet Land Eco System in Heritage ITI
2. Nature Education Camp at Ropar.
3. Produced Hand Bills and Labels

Detailed report of the events are as below:

1. Painting Competition on Wet Land Eco-Systems

On 22nd March The World Water Day PAHAL organized Painting Competition 140 young minds participated in this focused competition. Sh.Charnjeev Singh Director Heritage ITI presided over the inaugural function of the competition. Prof.Lakhbir Singh delivered the talk on the various aspects of Wetlands as importance of Wetland. Role of Wetland, condition of Wetlands and measures to protect Wetlands and possible role of masses perticulerly youth to protect Wetlands. During competition young minds brought out various ideas in the composition of colours. Sh.S.P.Joshi Deputy S.P. Traffic Punjab Police was the Chief guest of the valedictory function. He motivated the bubbling minds to come forward to save the water land make efforts for the sustainable development of Eco-System DSP Sh.S.P.Joshi awarded prizes to the winners. Mr.Gaurav Kumar was the winner of 1st prize. Mr.Devinder Singh 2nd and Mr.Rishi Sharma stood 3rd in overall. Ms Vandna, Ms Teena and Jagdeep Kaur were given consolation prizes. Principal of Heritage ITI thanked PAHAL and Punjab State Council for Science and Technology for giving the youth a chance to see this earth from different angle. In this competition 140 young artists from 10 different distt. and three different states enjoyed a special experience.

2. Nature Education Camp at Ropar

With the assistance of PSCST and under the able guidance of PAHAL executive 70 persons belonging to different age groups, different areas of Punjab and different school of Jalandhar boarded a 52 seated bus to have a concentrated meeting with some components of nature at 7.30 a.m. on 29th March. The troop took 1st halt at the residence of Mr.B.S.Nangla enjoyed breakfast and learned about the efforts being made by different NGOs to protect environment.

The troop further reached Ropar at 11.00 a.m. They look long visit along riverside of Satlej towards its flow and enjoyed sitting at the historical meeting place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Lord William Bentik in 1831. After wards all the participants visited Forest Log Hut and then gathered in the lawn of Pinkasia on the banks of Ropar Wetland. Mr.Mahesh Kumar conducted a Nature Quiz. Police Public D.A.V.School won the overall Trophy. Ms Reeta bagged 1st prize, Ms Rupinderjit 2nd , Ms Nisha 3rd prize. Sh.Harnek Singh ADC(D) Ropar graced the occasion as chief guest. He motivated the students/participants to keep the facts of this important tour for their life and future carrier advancement examination. At 1.30 p.m. the troop proceeded for Anandpur Hydal Project Ganguwal. They look halt at PSEB guest house Anandpur, where Er Prim Kumar addressed the youth and briefed about the devastating effects of Hydal Energy while referring to SUNAMI and also miraculous contribution as electric energy through management. While having lunch troop reached Ganguwal and with the guidance of J.Er.Ranjeet Singh and other Ers. Participants visited the mechanical Section of the Power Plant. Troup started back at 6.30 p.m. and reached Jalandhar at 9.00 p.m. and concluded with a note of thanks to PSCST and PAHAL.

Contact: LAKHBIR SINGH <pahal@vsnl.net>