Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 29 (ANI): On the eve of World Wetland Day, the District Forest Department organised district-level drawing and slogan-writing competitions at Subbiah Vidhyalaya School in Thoothukudi on Thursday.

The competitions were organised to raise students' awareness of the importance of wetlands and the need to conserve birds, wetland fauna, and biodiversity associated with these ecosystems.

More than 120 students from various government and private schools across the district participated in the competitions and demonstrated strong interest in showcasing their creativity.

In the drawing competition, students vividly portrayed the ecological benefits of wetlands, their role as bird habitats, and their importance in maintaining environmental balance, using colourful and creative illustrations.

Similarly, in the slogan-writing competition, students clearly articulated the need to protect wetlands, the responsibility of humans toward nature, and the duty to safeguard natural resources for future generations.

According to District Forest Officer Ilaiyaraja, students from schools across the district are participating in this event. This year, the theme of World Wetland Day is 'Wetlands Celebrating Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Heritage.

'Every year February 2nd is celebrated as World Wetland Day, Forest Department is conducting various events to promote awareness and conservation message to the public especially school students. So, this year also we are planning to celebrate a massive awareness event. This year the theme of the Wetland Day celebration is wetlands celebrating traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. So, today throughout the schools in the district we have invited school students and we are conducting painting competition and slogan writing competition,' Ilaiyaraja told ANI.

He further announced that on World Wetland Day, the competition winners will be taken to the nearest wetland, Koramballam. Additionally, they will participate in an awareness program focused on wetland conservation.

'So, today throughout the schools in the district we have invited school students and we are conducting painting competition and slogan writing competition. The winners of this competition will be selected and on wetlands day that is the February 2nd they will be taken to nearest wetland called Koramballam and they will be given prize and awareness program and conservation about wetland and wetland boards will be given to them,' added Ilaiyaraja. (ANI)