Dear Friend of Wetlands:                                                      Wednesday, December 17 th , 2008

You can prevent water pollution
You can promote wetlands conservation
When YOU protect wetlands then you preserve Up Stream----Down Stream integrity

Wetlands connect us all and that is the theme for the World Wetlands Day 2009 which is entitled Upstream - Downstream: Wetlands Connect Us All , designed around the role that our wetlands play in their surrounding environments and which will host Wetlands Fiesta Events during the week of February 2 nd to 14th 2009. It also celebrates Pakistan 's National Year of Environment 2009 as declared by the Ministry of Environment.

Wetlands, though seemingly innocuous, are inextricably linked not only to the delicate ecosystem but also providing subsistence to the indigent and contributing to the overall health of the economy. The water you drink, the air you breathe, the food you eat all have something to do with wetlands, water conservation and need your help in preventing water pollution in Pakistan.

When you realise that everything is related to everything else then you begin to know the inter-connectivity of life and wetlands. Wetlands connect us all!

Therefore, just as life and good health are connected with healthy wetlands so too are you, as a member of the general public, connected with policies which affect you in regards to water usage and good sustainable wetlands conservation.

There is a lot you can do to help because Pakistan contains an estimated 780,000 ha of wetlands that cover about 10% of the total surface area of the country. You can attend Wetlands Fiesta Events organised by the Pakistan Wetlands Programme, take an active interest in school programmes highlighting world wetlands day, take a bit of time out from your busy schedules and listen to the radio and TV broadcasts about wetlands conservation throughout the week, participate in the many competitions that will take place throughout the week and win prizes. You could even spend an afternoon at your local wetlands and lake side area enjoying the wonders of nature and doing what you can to help prevent water pollution.

I, on behalf of wetlands community, am appealing to you to take a proactive attitude in the formulation and implementation of sound wetlands management and water conservation practices. Wetlands affect you, you affect wetlands and you have a say and stake in how this takes place.

Best Regards,

Marriyum Aurangzeb, Coordinator
National Awareness-raising and Communication
Pakistan Wetlands Programme