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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

World Wetlands Day to be celebrated on 2 February 2010

World Wetlands Day to be celebrated on 2 February 2010 under the theme: “Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change”

19 January 2010

Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister for Water and Environmental Affairs, will lead an intergovernmental team in the celebration of World Wetlands Day on Tuesday, 2 February 2010.

Celebration of World Wetlands Day takes place on 2 February each year. The purpose of observing this day is to recognise the values and benefits the public and the economy derive from wetlands. It also intends to heighten public awareness towards ensuring collective efforts to protect wetlands, especially changing people’s mindset about the need to harvest resources from wetlands in a sustainable manner.

Various speakers will present papers in line with the theme for this year’s celebration which is “Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change”. The theme focuses on wetlands and their biodiversity, the impact of climate change on wetlands and the relevant mitigating measures. It also presents an opportunity to show how healthy wetlands can be part of strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The event will be co-hosted with Department of Environmental Affairs, South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Working for Wetlands, the departments of Water Affairs, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Water Research Commission.

The event will take place as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Venue: SANBI (first session) and Rietvlei Nature Reserve (second session)
Time: 10h00

The media is invited to attend. For RSVP and interviews please contact the officials listed below:

Pontsho Pakkies
Cell: 082 089 6331
E-mail: P.Pakkies@sanbi.org.za

Moses Rannditsheni
Tell: 012 310 3901
Cell: 082 448 2450
E-mail: mrannditsheni@deat.gov.za

Sello Mabotja
Cell: 082 611 1192 or 074 319 2794
E-mail: mabotjas@dwaf.gov.za or sellomabotja@gmail.com

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
19 January 2010