Press Releases 2005

Eco-Tourism and Biodiversity: Shrinking Wetlands
Workshop With SAARC Experts at Sunderbans Begins October 25

SPECIAL RELEASE      October 24, 2005

Calcutta - Wildlife and environmental experts from SAARC member nations will attend a four-day international workshop on "Eco-tourism and Biodiversity: Shrinking Wetlands" at the Sunderban Tiger Reserve beginning October 25. The United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) is organizing the workshop in association with the Department of Forests, Government of West Bengal. Fulbright scholars from the South Asia region will join the thirty representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the U.S.
 
The SAARC experts attending the workshop will exchange ideas on Ramsar sites, as wetlands identified under the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance, and designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The SAARC region itself has approximately forty Ramsar sites as well as numerous other wetlands which constitute an important ecosystem that is extremely fragile, support a diverse variety of flora and fauna, and are facing a severe threat worldwide.

Workshop sessions will discuss problems and issues in relation to the threats to these wetlands, including the strengthening of the legal and policy framework, the potential of ecotourism in the wetlands, and protection of wildlife.  Eminent speakers, Prof. Brij Gopal, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Dr. A. K. Pattanaik, Chief Executive, Chilika Development Authority, Bhubaneshwar; Dr. Najam Khurshid, IUCN - The World Conservation Union, Pakistan, Dr. Sanowar Hossain, Bangladesh POUSH, Bangladesh, Mr. Tashi Rabgyel, Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan, Dr. Tej Kumar Shrestha, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and Mr. Michael Fox and Dr. James Stevens, U.S. experts in ecotourism and environmental economics, will  participate in the deliberations. 

Mr. G.B. Thapliyal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of West Bengal, will inaugurate the workshop. Ms. Susan Shultz, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General & Director, American Center, Calcutta, Mr. A. K. Raha, Chief Conservator of Forests & Director, Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, and Prof. Jane E. Schukoske, Executive Director, USEFI, are the other speakers at the inaugural session.

USEFI is organizing the workshop under the Fulbright Indo-American Environmental Leadership Program (IAELP), which is funded by the U.S. Embassy in India.  The IAELP supports fellowships and conferences for environmentalists to build expertise and capacity in contemporary areas related to environment. 
 
Information on the Indo-American Environmental Leadership Program is available on USEFI's website www.fulbright-india.org.