Save the wetlands of Bengal!

The magnificent flora and fauna that once were abundant in the wetland of India are fast diminishing. Several wildlife species are endangered, they are on the verge of extinct.

There was a time when leopards, tigers, elephants, river terrapins and many more used to flourish on the wetlands of Bengal, but unfortunately due to the heavy influx of migrants and infrastructure in the name of development has spelled doom.   

The wetlands have been rapidly disappearing for years. All in the name of people and development- it is high time to tell the state government to protect the wetlands.

Wetlands are crucial for wildlife, but they do so much more to help people too. They lessen the destructive power of floods, absorb carbon emissions and filter pollutants out of the water. Laws exist to protect wetlands, but they're rarely enforced. If we don't act now, scientists think they'll be gone by 2030.

If you want to tell the state government to protect the remaining wetlands for wildlife and humans to prevent ecological disaster, join Care2’s petition site.

Below goes the petition to Ms Mamta Banarjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, sponsored by Judith B, being signed now:

“Bengal is a region of productive agricultural land and rich biodiversity, with its wildlife including fishing cats, leopards, tigers, the river terrapin, the Himalayan salamander, elephants and hundreds of different birds. The survival of its wildlife and ecosystems, and in turn agriculture, depends on its natural wetlands. These wetlands, however, have been disappearing rapidly.

During the 1970s and 80s, a huge number of natural wetlands were filled in for development as people migrated from the newly independent Bangladesh. They still are disappearing and scientists predict that they will all be gone by 2030 unless action is taken.

The wetlands not only support an abundance of wild animals and plants, with the possibility for developing ecotourism, they also provide vital ecosystem services, including flood mitigation, carbon absorption and the filtering of pollutants. Letting the last ones go would be an ecological disaster.

Although laws exist to preserve wetland habitats, they are rarely enforced.

Tell the state government to take action immediately on this increasingly urgent issue.

Below goes the link for you to sign.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/727/269/524/save-the-wetlands-of-north-bengal/?z00m=20451625