The above titled one day seminar was organized on 4th July, 2009 by CWRDM in honour of our retired Scientist-E2 and Head of Biotechnology division Dr P Narayanan Unni. This precedent was started by our new Executive Director Professor Dr K V Jayakumar. I congratulate him for introducing such a novel idea in the history of CWRDM. The present one day seminar is the second in this series and the first one was organised in honour of Dr N Nazimudeen, Retired Scientist F and Head, Ground Water Division. Dr P Narayanan Unni retired on 30-6-09 along with Smt P Sujatha, Assistant Registrar , CWRDM and Shri T Sreeraman.
The seminar was presided by our Executive Director and inaugurated by Dr S Kaul, Director (Wetlands), Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Govt. of India. During his inaugural address he pointed out that wetlands are facing severe threats of degradation due to over exploitation and pollution. Wetlands also faces threats from reclamation, drainage, land fills, hydrological alterations such as water withdrawal , inflow changes etc. Capacity-building of stake-holders under the wetland promgrame is critical to sensitising people about values and functions of wetlands he added. Apart from CWRDM scientists, delegates from other Research Institutions, Government Departments, and Colleges participated in the seminar. Dr Unni presented his research activities in the field of 'wetlands of kerala: Biodiversity and Conservation', and thanked Dr Kaul for providing necessary fund and support in declaring Ashtamudi wetland, Sastham kotta lake and Vembanad-kol wetland as Ramser sites by which these three wetlands of Kerala became renowned in the world scenario. Dr Unni in his inaugural session briefings highlighted that in the early stages of development, wetlands were considered as waste dumping and horror making place. It is only after Ramser Convention, named after the town of Ramser in Iran in 2nd February 1971, international importance was obtained for wetlands even though still the attitude of the people has not changed completely. Professor Dr K V Jayakumar presented the paper on 'Artificial Wetlands', Dr George Chakkachery presented the paper on 'Implimentaion of Wetland Management Programs in Kerala and Challenges', Dr PS Harikumars theme was 'Wetland and Water Quality'. Dr M D Nandaswer , Head of CWRDM sub-centres and Dr N B Narasimha Prasad, Head, Ground water Division were the moderators. Dr E J Joseph, Head, Water Management (Agri) Division welcomed the gathering and Shri Babu Mathew expressed vote of thanks.
Ramser Convention decisions came into force on 21st December 1975. This is an international unity for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands for the coming generations. There are 25 Ramser sites in India out of which four belongs to Jammu & Kashmir, three each belongs to Himachal Pradesh, Pujab, and Kerala , two each belongs to Orissa and Rajastan, and one each belongs to Madhya Pradesh, Utter Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. This convention targeted to stop the progressive encroachments and deterioration of wetlands now and in future. It recognized the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. Wetland is considered as "Kidneys of nature". At present there are 1847 wetlands of international importance.
Ramser Convention decisions came into force on 21st December 1975. This is an international unity for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands for the coming generations. There are 25 Ramser sites in India out of which four belongs to Jammu & Kashmir, three each belongs to Himachal Pradesh, Pujab, and Kerala , two each belongs to Orissa and Rajastan, and one each belongs to Madhya Pradesh, Utter Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. This convention targeted to stop the progressive encroachments and deterioration of wetlands now and in future. It recognized the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. Wetland is considered as "Kidneys of nature". At present there are 1847 wetlands of international importance.
Dr PN Unni joined in CWRDM on 11th Augest, 1980, two months before I joined in CWRDM in the same Water Management (Agri.) Division. I was sharing his table and chair for few months till I was alloted one. He is a dedicated Scientist and steered through difficulties and got his PhD in Plant Phisiology. He is a produt of St: Josephs College, Devagiri. Before coming to CWRDM Shri Unni and his wife Smt Sethulakshmi were employed in Calicut University. When Shri Unni joined in CWRDM, his wife relinqised the job in Calicut University and joined in CWRDM. Now she is acting as Assistant Registrar(HR). They have one son and a married daughter.
Smt Sujatha joined in CWRDM on 26-7-1980 and is the wife of Shri M K Sekharan who retired from CWRDM service and they have one son. Shri Sreeraman is an Ex- Military man joined in CWRDM on 1st Augest, 1990.
I wish them all a healthy, happy and prosperous retired life
With good wishes
ktv
Smt Sujatha joined in CWRDM on 26-7-1980 and is the wife of Shri M K Sekharan who retired from CWRDM service and they have one son. Shri Sreeraman is an Ex- Military man joined in CWRDM on 1st Augest, 1990.
I wish them all a healthy, happy and prosperous retired life
With good wishes
ktv
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