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A World Wetlands Day 2011 celebration ceremony was staged at Hong Kong Wetland Park today (January 29) to mark the 40th anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands (also known as the Ramsar Convention), as well as to commend various partner organisations and volunteers for their effort and contribution in making a series of local activities such a success.
World Wetlands Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971 - an international effort to protect valuable wetlands around the world. On this day every year, activities are organised worldwide to deepen public understanding of wetland conservation.
Using the slogan "Forests for water and wetlands", this year's theme focuses on wetlands and forests and aims to raise awareness of the vital role forests play in absorbing carbon emissions and maintaining freshwater availability. To celebrate World Wetlands Day and the 15th anniversary of the designation of Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, the Hong Kong Wetland Park is holding a series of educational and promotional activities for four consecutive months, starting from last November. Activities included a funfair, guided tours, an inter-school bird race, a storytelling competition and workshops.
Gifted with the largest mangrove forest in Hong Kong and a reedbed that is the largest in both Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, Mai Po Inner Deep Bay is an important refuelling site for wintering birds. Located next to it, the Wetland Park also attracts a large variety of endangered birds such as Black-faced Spoonbills, Falcated Ducks, Baikal Teals and Eurasian Curlews with its extensive area of freshwater marshes. The best time for bird watching is when migratory birds arrive in the Wetland Park every winter.
Speaking at the celebration ceremony, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Alan Wong, said, "Since last November when bird watching season kicked off, the Wetland Park has organised an array of exciting activities. They were very well received, drawing over 8,000 participants.
"The participation and support of various sectors has been vital in making the programmes a success. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, partner organisations and the volunteers. I hope more partners will join us to protect the natural ecology in the future," Mr Wong said.
The ceremony brought a perfect closure to the activities as prizes were presented to the winners of various contests. Awardees of the storytelling competition "Hug the Wetlands and Forests" gave brilliant performances on stage and spiced up the ceremony with amusing stories that spread the message of wetland conservation.
The Wetland Park will remain open during Lunar New Year holidays. Theatre Noir will present a romantic musical based on a love story between two Black-faced Spoonbills Pierre and LuLu. Specially written by the troupe, the musical demonstrates the wonder of nature through its refreshing tunes and beautiful dance numbers.
The United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals has declared 2011 as the Year of the Bat. To tie in with the campaign, the Wetland Park will organise DIY origami and badge-making workshops with bats as the theme during the Lunar New Year festive period. Wetland Park mascot Crocodile Pui Pui will make a special appearance and distribute souvenirs to the visitors.
For details of World Wetlands Day 2011 and the activities at the Wetland Park during Lunar New Year, please visit www.wetlandpark.com.
Ends/Saturday, January 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:31
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