KwaDukuza Municipality commemorates World Wetlands Day at renownedSAPPI Bird Hide

KwaDukuza Municipality's Environment Management and Climate Change Office has today, 19 February 2019, hosted a succcessful commemoration World Wetlands Day (WWD) at renowned theSAPPI Bird Hide wetland site in Gledhow, KwaDukuza.

The commemoration event attracted Geography and Life Sciences students and teachers of Stanger Manor Secondary, Stanger ML Sultan, Stanger Secondary School, Inkosi Albert Secondary School and Itshelenkosi Secondary School who were all eager to learn about the importance of wetlands as well as their contribution.

Presiding over this important session was Ms. Mbali Goge, the KZN Coordinator for the Working for Wetlands Programme at the Department of Environmental Affiars,said " The 02ndof February each year is WWD. The day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, the Ramsar Secretariat provides materials to help raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands, however, today we have KDM that will do that task for us."

"It is important to note that South Africa is one of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention). South Africa signed the Ramsar Convention in 1971 at its inception and the membership was formalised in 1975 when South Africa ratified the Convention and became the fifth contracting party. One of the obligations of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention is to commemorate the WWD." added Ms. Mbali Goge.

"South Africa is a water scarce country, and the waterin many streams is polluted. Both droughts and floods are common. In this regards, wetlands play a vital role by removing toxic substances and sediment from water, while also improving downstream water quality and the overall health of communities." concluded Ms. Mbali Goge.

Climate Change Officer at KDM, Ms.Mbali Mpanza, informed the teachers and students that "Wetlands are able to reduce the severity of droughts and floods by regulating stream flow. They also help to purify water and provide habitat for many different plants and animals."

"Besides these indirect benefits to society, wetlands provide many direct benefits in the form of resources such as fibre for making crafts as well as recreational opportunities. However lack of community awareness on the value and benefits of wetlands often leads to their transformation by humans." concluded Ms. Mbali Mpanza.