The theme of the day is 'Wetlands and water -- supporting life, sustaining livelihoods'.

Different organisations marked the day with seminars, discussions, rallies and art competitions in the capital.

Speakers at a seminar said most people are not aware about wetland values.

They said the lack of awareness, mismanagement, absence of a policy, lack of coordination among the ministries concerned and lax enforcement of laws are some factors causing degradation of wetlands.

State Minister for Water Resources Goutam Chakraborty said filling of wetlands and other water bodies for the purpose of food production to meet the increasing demand is leading to an ecological imbalance in the country.

He said the country is rich in water resources as it has many rivers, wetlands and various types of water bodies, but those are on the verge of severe degradation due to lack of awareness.

The state minister also said that he will take necessary steps to observe the day at national level from the next year.

Prof Md Inamul Haque, director general of Bangladesh Haor & Wetland Development Board, said there are 43,980 square km of water bodies in the country.

Presenting a keynote paper, Dr Akhtarul Islam, a professor of Shahjalal Science and Technology University, said rural people can change their socio-economic condition through proper utilisation of wetlands.

The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Society organised the seminar at the National Press Club in the city.

It also organised an art competition for children at Ramna Park.