General Description of the event and proposed activities:The Hadejia – Nguru Wetlands, designated as a Ramsar site, is one of the key sites that harbours large concentrations of water birds in the west African sub region. During the last water bird counts conducted in January 2016, an estimated one hundred and sixty six thousand four hundred and thirty nine (166,439) water birds were counted; of both resident and migratory. There were sixty one (61) species recorded in that count.. Considering the significance of the site for migratory waterbirds and other species, it is viewed as essential to celebrate the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) in the area and raise awareness about migratory birds, other biodiversity and the critical wetland habitat that habours them. In other to achieve this objective, a workshop highlighting the importance and role of migratory birds, current threats to their long term survival and policy recommendations, will be held.. The AEWA National focal Point/Officer will present a paper on the dangers associated with illegal and unsustainable killing of migratory birds. There will be a participatory/interactive session that will engage the invitees to brainstormthe best approach to address the illegal hunting of these migratory species. The proceedings of the workshop will be compiled in a communique for the press. In the evening of the same day a bird walk to some locations in the wetlands will be conducted for members of Conservation Clubs and Site Support Groups. The entire event is going to be fully covered by the media and published in at least two national daily newspapers.
Target Audience/Invitees:The target groups for the event include local resources users. Notably, hunters groups/associations, farmers and fishersfolks; other categories of invitees are the government officials from the Local, States and Federal Government agencies, including the AEWA National Desk Officer (Mr Abubakar Abdulmalik Ozigis), gentlemen of the press (media), Conservation Clubs and members of Site Support Groups (SSGs).
Relevance of the activities to 2016 WMBD theme :The event will create/raise awareness about the significance of migratory birds in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands and at the same time outline the dangers associated with illegal killing of these species in the area. Hunters and other stakeholders that are involved in the illegal killing of birds will be sensitized and encouraged to desist from such activity. Through convincing presentations, we will show the trend of bird declines in the wetlands and how hunting is contributing to this problem. This will certainly contribute in promoting the theme of the event (WMBD) for 2016, which is “.... and when the skies fall silent? Stop the illegal killing, taking and trade!”