In honor of World Wetlands Day, the DY Patil Climate Action Lab (D-CAL) hosted an impactful and thought-provoking event on 3rd February 2025, dedicated to raising awareness about the ecological importance of wetlands and promoting collective conservation efforts.

Objective

The event aimed to underscore the critical role of wetlands in environmental sustainability and to inspire students, faculty, and the community to actively participate in their protection and restoration.

Event Highlights

Over 150 participants, including students, faculty, and environmental enthusiasts, gathered for a dynamic session that combined education, engagement, and entertainment. The event was guided by Ms. Rajlakshmi Patil, Founder of D-CAL, and spearheaded by Dr. Vidhya Srinivas along with the D-CAL Steering Committee and Ambassadors.

Key moments included:

• An opening ceremony introducing the objectives of World Wetlands Day.
• Insightful speeches and a presentation on D-CAL’s initiatives.
• The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DY Patil University, D-CAL, and Bisleri, cementing a shared commitment to sustainability.
• A theatrical skit, creatively portraying the value of wetlands and the urgent need for conservation.
• Fun, interactive games to engage the audience.
• A powerful pledge ceremony, led by Mr. Kedar Girish Gore, Director of The Corbett Foundation.

Distinguished Guests

The event was graced by:

Chief Guest: Mr. Kedar Girish Gore, leading conservationist and Director of The Corbett Foundation.
Ms. Pooja Shinde, CSR Team, Bisleri.
Dr. Shivani Vijay Patil, Pro-Chancellor & Vice President (Virtually).
Ms. Rajlakshmi Patil, Founder, D-CAL (Virtually).

Spotlight on D-CAL Team

The event featured enthusiastic participation from:

• D-CAL Steering Committee including Dr. Vidhya Srinivas, Shraavya Rao, Gurman Singh Randhawa, Dr. Tathagat Awdhesh, and Dr. Tanmay Khilani (Virtually).
• Ambassadors and Co-Ambassadors from various schools such as Management, Dentistry, Biotechnology, Nursing, Public Health, Creative Studies, and more—demonstrating D-CAL’s wide reach and inter-disciplinary collaboration.

 

Theatrical Skit Team

A special highlight was the skit written and directed by Shrivatsa Pande, with notable performances by Meghna Agarwal, Satyam Sule, Lamiya Chasmawala, and others. The performance creatively conveyed the ecological importance of wetlands and left a lasting impression on the audience.

Venue & Setup

Held in Auditorium 2, Centre of Excellence, the venue was arranged to foster an engaging and educational atmosphere. Informational displays showcased the biodiversity of wetlands, their environmental functions, and global conservation efforts.

Conclusion

The World Wetlands Day celebration at DY Patil University was not just an event—it was a call to action. With participation from a diverse group of students and experts, the event succeeded in sparking awareness, dialogue, and dedication toward environmental sustainability.
DY Patil Climate Action Lab remains steadfast in its mission to drive climate action through education, advocacy, and collaboration. The event reaffirmed D-CAL’s commitment to protecting our planet—one wetland at a time.