February 2 is World Wetlands Day (WWD) - established in 1997 to mark the signing of the International Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

On Feb 2, 2011, World Wetlands Day will celebrate its 40th anniversary. "Wetlands and Forests" will be the theme for 2011.Governments, NGOs and citizen groups mark WWD by taking action to raise public awareness of the importance and value of wetlands.

Photos:

Birds watching at the Poyang Lake	A red sea of marshes in Panjin	Visiting China's Wetland Museum in Hangzhou

News:

 

• China vows to step up wetlands protection

• HK marks 40th anniversary of Convention on Wetlands

• Migratory birds flock wetlands in Indian-controlled Kashmir

About WWD:

• Past Themes of WWD • What's wetlands?

• Tibet's environment protection tops US$1.53 bln

• New hope for migratory grassland birds of South America

• Water demands true respect

• Flood of new wetlands on the drawing board

• A snapshot of China's wetlands

• China to take actions on biodiversity conservation in 2010

• Lhalu Wetland attracts 2,000 migrant birds in winter

• Scientists: H5N1 outbreak related to bird migration

• Swans at Yellow River wetland

• Fourth island wetland emerging

• China sets up wetland research institute

Links:

• The Ramsar Convention-40th anniversary

• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

• Environmental Concern