World Wetlands Day was observed on 2 February 2013 in Thimphu by a small group of individuals who are registered members of Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). The day marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2nd February 1971 in Iranian city of Ramsar. The Convention is more popularly known as Ramsar Convention. Currently there are 163 countries as the contracting party to the convention and Bhutan is 161stmember of the convention with two Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance).
Khotokha and Bumdeling wetlands are listed as Wetlands of International Importance. The two wetlands were designated as Wetlands of International Importance by RAMSAR Secretariat on 7th May 2012
An International Wetland Symposium (IWS): Safeguarding Wetlands; Securing Future was held in the beautiful city of Pokhara, Nepal, between 7- 10 November 2012. It was organized by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC)/Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal (CSUWN) in collaboration with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), WaterAid (WaterAid) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
As the community of Phobjikha valley sheltered themselves in the confines of their warm houses escaping the cold morning and windy afternoon, the majestic Black-necked Cranes punctuated the frost laden wetlands of Phobjikha valley looking for cozy place to feed and play around. The arrival and departure of the cranes is very much the part and parcel of the lives of the locals.