Mahidol prof one of three to bag Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award

A tireless worker for the preservation of Mekong-region wetlands has been recognised with a prestigious award.

Mahidol University Assoc Prof Sansanee Choowaew is one of three Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award winners. She receives the equivalent of Bt330,000.

The others are David Prit-chard of the UK and Switzer-land's Denis Landenbergue.

Sansanee is recognised for her "considerable" contributions to wetland management, education, capacity building, and training in Asia. She's been involved for more than 15 years.

She initiated, led and participated in many wetland-management training and research programmes.

Sansanee serves on policy-making committees in the Mekong region. She is a great teacher and networker and involved with communities, valuing traditional wetland knowledge and culture.

"This is something our country should be proud of," Natural Resources and Envi-ronment Ministry chief Saksit Tridej says. "She is one of just three winners and the only Asian."

The Ramsar awards were established to honour the contributions of individuals, organisations and governments around the world towards promoting wetland conservation.

Meanwhile, wetland expert Harnnarong Yaowalert says 61 wetlands in this country are internationally significant.

"Their management plans need an environmental-impact assessment," he says.