GONDA, Feb. 2 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday underscored the vital role of wetlands in groundwater conservation, flood control, carbon storage, and biodiversity preservation, linking their protection to economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the 'conservation of wetlands for our shared future' program on World Wetlands Day at Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, he said, "Wetlands remind us of nature's pristine form. The Parvati and Arga natural lakes, formed centuries ago by the Saryu River, continue to attract migratory and local birds, offering valuable insights into global climatic patterns."

Pointing to the economic benefits of tourism, the CM cited a sharp increase in Ayodhya's tourist footfall-from 2.35 lak...