Dear Reader,

I am writing to seek your support and participation in celebrating the World Wetlands Day on February 2nd when we renew our pledge to conserve this unique and threatened ecosystem.
As you know, wetlands are a key component of the environment that sustains life on earth. Wetlands are various types of water bodies such as marshes and mangroves, etc. located inland, along rivers, lakes or coastlines where the water is at most six metres deep. Along with oceans, forests, pastures and other ecosystems, wetlands contribute to our well-being in many ways: they help control floods, act as a buffer against storms, recharge groundwater and maintain water quality, to name a few. But as with most ecosystems wetlands face severe challenges from human activity and are threatened in most parts of the world.

The world community responded to the challenge of degradation of wetlands by signing a Ramsar Convention at Ramsar (Iran) on February 2nd 1971 for international cooperation in their conservation and management. Despite the generally arid nature of Pakistan's climate, the region supports an estimated 780,000 ha of wetlands that cover about 10% of the total surface area of the country. More than 225 significant wetlands sites have been identified in Pakistan and 19 of these have been internationally recognised by the Ramsar Convention as being of global importance. Pakistan has been an active and responsible partner in this global effort. The diverse assortment of natural freshwater and marine wetlands that occur within Pakistan support many unique combinations of biodiversity.
More recently, since 2005, through the Pakistan Wetlands Programme (PWP), a pioneering partnership between the Government of Pakistan, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Programme, WWF International and local communities, at WWF Pakistan we stand steadfast to the cause of conserving Pakistan's unique wetlands.

The theme for the World Wetlands Day 2008 is "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People" which emphasises the strong relationship between maintaining functioning wetland ecosystems and human health. Indeed, conservation and sustainable management of wetlands presents us with an unprecedented win-win opportunity to not only enhance the quality of this ecosystem but at the same time to provide sustainable livelihoods, reduce poverty and contribute to the well-being of millions of our citizens.

Through this theme we hope to accentuate both the positive effects on human health of maintaining healthy wetlands - such as the provision of food, clean water, recreational opportunities, mental well-being and pharmaceutical products - as well as the negative effects of mismanaging wetlands that result in the impairment of our health and even loss of life - such as through the effects of water-related diseases, burning peatlands, floods, and water pollution.

At PWP, as we mark World Wetlands Day we look back to look ahead-from a modest beginning much has been accomplished over the last two years, but much still remains to be done. And we can only succeed in this task with your participation: this is an effort all of us have to undertake together because we collectively hold the environment in trust for future generations and all of us must act as responsible guardians.

Thus, we believe that the people of this country, especially children, who are our future citizens and leaders, have a vital role and responsibility in the conservation of wetlands. Hence students of all ages are particularly welcome to participate in our events.

We will be undertaking a number of events and activities on February 2nd 2008 and throughout the week. For further details please visit our web site www.pakistanwetlands.org , join our chat forum at www.pakwetnet.com or contact: Marriyum Aurangzeb, Coordinator, Awareness-raising and Communication. I, on behalf of the wetlands community and PWP in particular, invite you to join us in this journey to conserve our wetlands that has only just begun.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like additional information. We look forward to your questions, comments and enthusiastic participation.
With warm regards,

Marriyum Aurangzeb, Coordinator
National Awareness-raising and Communication
Pakistan Wetlands Programme