World Wetlands Day – Healthy Wetlands, Healthy Forests This year
World Wetlands Day was recognized and celebrated in Vientiane
and in Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands in Champassak Province, one of
the first sites in Lao PDR recognized under the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Wetlands,
such as mangroves, peat forests and freshwater swamp forests,
are home to a wealth of biodiversity. To mark this year’s World
Wetlands Day on Wednesday 2 February, IUCN is highlighting the
role and importance of forests in wetlands, as 2011 is the
International Year of Forests. This year’s World Wetlands Day
also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Ramsar Convention. Ramsar
protected wetland sites cover an area of 186 million hectares,
about the size of Mexico, making it the largest protected area
network in the world. Lao PDR joined the Ramsar Convention in
September 2010, nominating two wetlands sites of national
importance, Beung Kiat Ngong in Champassak Province and Xe
Champhone in Savannakhet Province. I