​World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2007

World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2007
JOHANNESBURG City Parks (JCP), in partnership with communities, environmental stakeholders and schools will be highlighting the importance of nurturing our water bodies, to address the growing threat of climate change, urbanisation and increasing pollution levels, to commemorate World Wetlands Day on Friday, 2 February 2007.

As part of the City of Johannesburg's ongoing plans to highlight the importance of nurturing the city's wetlands, City Parks will be calling on environmental stakeholders, schools and communities to observe the day. "Learners are urged to conduct a clean-up campaign of a wetlands area, in close proximity to their school or to participate in an environmental activity that is aimed at increasing awareness levels on the importance of conserving and protecting the city's water bodies," stated Councillor Prema Naidoo, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment in the City of Johannesburg.

Participating schools are also encouraged to document their activities by testing the quality of the water, sending water samples to City Parks, forwarding before and after photographs of clean-up campaigns or photographs of their wetlands activity, to the Environmental Conservation Department, Johannesburg City Parks, UCS House, 6th Floor, 209 Smit Street, Braamfontein, Tel: 011 712-6600 or jcp@jhbcityparks.com.

Johannesburg City Parks will intensify the campaign by undertaking clean-up campaigns along the Jukskei River, Braamfontein Spruit, Blue Dam, Florida Lake, Klip River and Moroka Dam in the build-up to World Wetlands Day.

Activities on 2 February will include a road-show with the MMC for Environment and the media, to joint community and schools clean-up campaigns, at the Lenasia Vlei in Extension 5 Lenasia and at the Bailey Spruit in Diepkloof, Soweto. Participants will conduct water quality tests, remove illegal rubble and march for a healthier and greener Johannesburg.

Preserving our water bodies is extremely important as it:

Serves as a water-catchment area during the rainy periods
Regulates water flows and containing the impact of flood damage and erosion
Provides a natural habitat for biodiversity, including the abundance of vegetation, fish, bird and wild-life found in and along wetlands
Acts as a filtration system to enhance water quality
Supports valuable commercial activity for the fish and shellfish industries, and
Offers tranquil places for recreational activity
Councillor Naidoo also stated that "Growing urbanization has in some instances encroached on the city's water bodies, resulting in them being filled, drained or reduced to accommodate development," adding that "communities need to remain vigilant, report transgressions, speak out against harmful actions and become involved in wetlands education and restoration activities, in their neighbourhoods." ENDS

Issued on behalf of
Councillor Prema Naidoo
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment in the
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407-6008

Media Enquiries
Jenny Moodley
Spokesperson: Johannesburg City Parks
Tel: 011 712-6615 or 082 8030 748
Email: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com