World wetland day is celebrated annually on 2 February. It aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. The day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. Yet wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies, and more.

It is urgent that we raise national and global awareness about wetlands in order to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them. World Wetlands Day is the ideal time to increase people's understanding of these critically important ecosystems.  

Considering the importance of the awareness campaign Bhaktapur Jaycees has conceptualized jointly organizing with Nature Conservation and Study Centre (NCSC) a cycling program with a theme of “Pedal for Conservation” and pedaling around the Bhaktapur city connecting most of the Ponds. The program was supported by Juju Bikes, Bhaktapur, Cycle Connect Bhaktapur, Panc Bikes, Kathmandu and Nepal Red Cross Society, Navadurga Sub-chapter, Bhaktapur.

The main objective of this event was to promote the understanding of the problematic issues that the world wetland has been facing and how a small act or the action of the people can assist in the conservation of Nature.

A total of 26 cyclists has participated in the cycle rally and visited 27 ponds of Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Cycle Route

Khauma, Bhaktapur durbar square area – Na: pukhu – Dudhpati – Kaaldhacha (gosaikunda) – Machafonga pukhu (Saheed smriti park) - Indrayani pond – Tourist bus park – Thulo byasi (2 Ponds) – kaasan - Ancha pukhu (Khya pukhu) – Bhaulwaau pukhu (Bholachhen) – Bekhal Pond (Mahalaxmi bus stand) – Naag pukhu – Yaatachheen pukhu (Dattatray pond) – Kwathandau pukhu (Kwathandau, near Navadurga mandir) – Muldhoka pond (near Kausi restaurant) – Lamgal pond (kamalbinayak bus park) – Kamal Binayak pond – Garud kund - Chyamasingh bus park (pond) – Jenla pond – Juju bikes -  Khancha pukhu – Golmadhi pond – Kamal pokhari, Golmadhi – Lyosin khel pond – Ga: hiti pond – Naasmana pond – Bansagopal – Tekha: pukhu – Bharbacho – Thimi bus park – Bhaajya pukhu – Rani pokhari – Siddha pokhari – Dudhpati – Na: pukhu – Khauma.