Turkmenistan ratified the Ramsar Convention 10 years ago

February 2 is the World Day of Wetlnds and held under the slogan “Wetlands for Urban Sustainable Development” this year. The signing of the Ramsar Convention is observed since 1997 by ecological actions including our country, which joined the Convention in 2008. It was noted in the State Committee for Natural Protection and Land Resources that the Convention is the first modern interstate agreement in protection and sustainable use of natural resources. It serves as the basis for national actions and international cooperation for the protection of the resources of wetland natural complexes and their components. Special valuable wetland resources are included to so called Ramsar List, after which they acquired the status if international importance. 

At present time, the convention is supported by 169 countries including Central Asian region. Turkmenistan has one such object. This is Turkmenbashy Gulf. From the date of its nomination in 2009, our country is its full member according to the Convention rules. The Working Group was nominated for the work at the Ramsar territory. Its representatives monitor the hibernation of wetland birds, inspect the condition of the main ornithological territories and propose the ways of their use. They also participated in the elaboration of the Ramsar Regional Initiative f Central Asia, which is new mechanism that’s is to support the protection of wetland territories in the country, to nominate new territories to the Ramsar List. According to the ecologists, Zeyid and 15 Years of Independence water pools together with Kelif Lakes, Ogurjaly Island with Southern Cheleken and Turkmen bays, Turkmen Lake Altyn Asyr as well as Kurtly Lake as an urban wetland, Sarakamysh, Soltandag-Kyzykburun Lakes are very important in this regard. 

Traditionally, meetings of the scientists and nature lovers, lectures and seminars, tours, art contests, counting of birds as well as presentations of natural protection activities were timed to this ecological date. The actions are to focus the attention of the society on the importance of wetland ecosystems and their protection as part of natural world that has special significance for the life of water and wetland birds. The secretariat of the Convention uses this day for propaganda of ecological activity supporting the events by information materials, posters and booklets.