“Wetlands are not just water bodies. They are sources of life, livelihoods, and culture.” With this understanding, World Wetlands Day was observed by IMAGIN on 2 February 2026 at Dhobadanga village under Barala Gram Panchayat in Sagardighi Block, Murshidabad district. The programme brought together farmers, members of the Water Users’ Association (WUA), and Adivasi families, who participated with remarkable ownership and pride.
The global theme this year—‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage’—resonated deeply in the village. Through traditional dance, folk songs, and community rituals, residents demonstrated how wetland conservation is embedded in their everyday lives and ancestral practices.
Reviving Traditional Wisdom in Water Management
During the discussions, members of the Water Users’ Association shared how indigenous knowledge has historically guided the conservation of ponds, low-lying wetlands (bils), and irrigation channels. Elders recalled how earlier generations decided where to excavate ponds, how to manage seasonal flows, and how to equitably distribute water for agriculture.
Women participants emphasised that conserving wetlands is directly linked to household food security and agricultural resilience. “Protecting ponds means protecting our crops and our families,” shared one member during the interaction.
The programme concluded with a community pledge to protect local ponds and wetlands, followed by an awareness rally across the village to reinforce the collective responsibility towards conservation.
Strengthening Community-led Water Governance
Under the World Bank-supported ‘ADMI’ project of the Government of West Bengal, the Diyara Dhobadanga WDS Water Users’ Association is working towards equitable and scientific water use in agriculture. Alongside improving irrigation efficiency, the association is also actively promoting the conservation of village wetlands.
IMAGIN, as the Support Organisation under the project, organised the programme in collaboration with farmers and Water Users. The event reflects IMAGIN’s broader environmental commitment—strengthening community institutions, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific water management, and enabling collective action for climate resilience.
As one community leader remarked, “Earlier, water was available but unmanaged. Today, we understand that if we conserve wetlands, we secure our future.”
At IMAGIN, we believe that sustainable environmental action begins at the community level. By placing local knowledge, participation, and equity at the centre of water governance, villages like Dhobadanga are building pathways towards long-term ecological and livelihood security.
