Students display their sketches at a programme held on World Wetlands Day at Patna Women’s College on Wednesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb. 2: The eco task force of Patna Women’s College today organised a sit-and-draw competition as a part of an awareness campaign to conserve wetlands on the occasion of World Wetlands Day.

Speaking at the event held in the department of zoology of the college, Shahla Yasmin, the president of the eco task force, encouraged the students to work towards the conservation of the wetlands, which form a crucial part in the ecological cycle.

Shobha Srivastava, a faculty of the department of zoology, said: “Wetlands (comprising mangrove and estuarine ecosystem) is the habitat of a vast array of species of plants, animals, insects and micro-organisms. The destruction of wetlands might have serious effects on the ecological balance, which in turn, could lead to grave consequences. Hence, the protection of every animal and plant species is highly important for the survival of human beings.”

The basic idea behind organising the event was to protect the bio-diversity and conserve the wetlands. A number of varieties of plants, animals and insects are usually found in the area and it is really important to protect them. Thirty-one students from various departments of the college took part in the competition.

Anu Sharma, a student of bachelors in science (zoology) Part III clinched the first position in the competition, whereas Shaista Fatma of bachelors in science (zoology) Part II took the second position and Nishi Nidhi of bachelors in science (zoology) Part I and Ipsa Swaraj of bachelors in arts (geography) Part I jointly bagged the third position. The consolation prize went to S. Madhuja of bachelors in science (zoology) Part III.

Anupma Kumari, Joyita Das and Shobha Srivastava judged the competition.

The event was conducted under the guidance of the president of eco task force, Doris D’ Souza.

In the sit-and-draw competition, girls from different departments stressed how the protection of the bio-diversity of wetlands and conservation of the same could prevent the fragile ecosystem from getting disbalanced. Students had a busy time drawing reptiles such as crocodiles and tortoises to represent the importance of the ecological cycle. Joyita Das, one of the judges, said: “The contestants, through their creations, tried to express that if we continue to harm the environment at every step and do not control ourselves, the situation would worsen and a time would come when there will be no life on earth.”