Water, wetlands celebrated this week

The belief “Water is Life”, can never be emphasised enough. As a life sustaining basic human right, water is used for drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene. Water shapes our lives. Water moves our economies. Water sustains our environment. Without water life would be impossible. In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly recognised the increasing pressure on freshwater due to increasing demand and threat from pollution coupled with the effects of climate change and climate variability by declaring 22 March as World Water Day. World Water Day is celebrated annually to focus the world’s attention on the role freshwater plays in the development of humankind and reminds the public of the increasing pressure exerted on the vulnerable and limited freshwater resources. World Water Day 2015 is celebrated under the theme " Water and Sustainable Development" . This year provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon the previous World Water Days to highlight water's role in the sustainable development agenda. In addition, the year 2015 also marks 23 years after the Rio Summit on Sustainable Development in 1992 and the end of the International Decade (2005-2015) for Action.Water is a fundamental contributor to any country’s development and prospects. Sustainable development means present development does not impede on the ability of the future generations to meet their needs. Namibia’s economy like in many developing nations is highly dependent on its natural resources for its main productive activities such as mining, agriculture, fishing and tourism. The theme “Water and Sustainable Development" is of particular importance to Namibia as the country strives towards Vision 2030. Namibia as a semi-arid country with limited and unevenly distributed water resources, is faced with a challenge to ensure water security for social and economic development. In doing so the country needs to ensure that national development does not compromise the environmental sustainability. This year’s rainfall confirms the country’s unpredictable rainfall pattern. So far the country has received below normal avarage rainfall compare to other years during the same period. Low rainfall means reduced available water and requires that water resources are used and managed efficiently.The theme " Water and Sustainable Development" links well with the theme of World Wetland Day 2015 which is " Wetlands for our Future" . World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2 February each year. Without sustainable water development the future of wetlands looks bright and without efficient and proper management of wetlands, water resources will be compromised both in quality and quantity.Namibia will therefore commemorate World Water Day together with World Wetlands Day to raise public awareness on the importance of conservation, preservation and protection of wetlands and promote the wise use of our wetlands. This is done to draw attention to the value and benefit of our wetlands, to enhance the understanding of peoples about wetlands and our shared responsibility as well as to draw attention to the value of water as a precious, life-giving and finite resource.The celecrations will take place today and tomorrow (STET) at Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute (KIFI) in Kavango East. As in the past World Wetlands Day and World Water Day commemoration will focus on the youth. Activities for the commemoration will include education tours for school learners which will include amongst others mini-SASS demonstration at the Popa Falls, a wetlands talk at Mahango Game Park with a vegetation identification session at Frans Dimbare Youth Centre which is also planned for 25 March. The main event will take place on 26 March with the keynote address by the new Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and speeches on wetlands and common vision for the Okavango River Basin resources; school competitions and presentations at Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute.- Issued by World Wetland/Water Day Organising Committee, MAWF

Water, wetlands celebrated this week

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Water, wetlands celebrated this week

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