Manama, Feb 1 (BNA): The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) tomorrow celebrates the World Wetlands Day.
The World Wetlands Day was launched following approving the convention on preservation of wetlands in 1971, which later came into force on 21 December 1975.

The convention is for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands of international importance, as being natural habitat of birds, where 2225 sites extended over an area of more than 214 million hectares spread over 169 countries.

Bahrain joined the convention in 1997 and Hawar Islands and Tubli Bay were later announced as two sites of wetlands of international importance. The two sites are characterized by a unique ecosystem and suitable breeding ground for different bird species.

Hawar Islands is the largest colony in the world for sea birds breeding and Socotra crows (Allowah), as well as its sea water enjoys the richest variety of fish. While Tubli Bay, where mangrove trees grow, is an important nursery for fish, crustaceans and it is also a bird attraction area.

The SCE, in a press statement, asserted participating the world countries in celebrating the World Wetlands Day, which is, at the same time, a good occasion that invites us to exert further efforts to protect our natural resources and ecosystems.

MJ

BNA 1958 GMT 2016/02/01