5 Oct :Nation is celebrating World Wildlife Week which is observed between October 1-7. It is time to take stock of conservation efforts to protect flora and fauna the world over. Wildlife week is a celebration of our wild heritage and puts the spotlight on all creatures great and small. The goal is to educate people about wildlife, other resources and our ecology. India has an amazing diversity of native plants and animals living in a variety of complex habitats. This annual celebration has been conceived as a programme meant to enlighten the people about the importance of conserving forests and wildlife.
The Forest Departments in all the states organized various activities including painting, essay writing, quiz, oratorical competitions, march, run for wildlife as part of the celebrations. A large number of students and elders participated in these activities. Participants held colourful displays about the need to preserve wildlife. Students marched along the route carrying placards such as “With wildlife, life has more beauty” and “Please think before driving wildlife to extinction”. Some students marched wearing deer, lion, elephant and tiger masks.
NGOs like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Nature India, Cultural Troupes, schools and colleges also organized different programmes. Films based on unusual friendship between human-animals were screened at places.
A function has been organized here to give away Wildlife protection and conservation Awards. The Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award will be given tomorrow.This award is given every year for significant contribution in the field of wildlife which is recognised as having made or has the potential measurable and major impact on the protection and conservation of wildlife in the country. Two awards of Rs. 1,00,000/- each in cash, along with medallions trophy and citations, are given to Education and research institutions and organisations, and Forests and Wildlife Officers/research scholars or scientists/wildlife conservationists. A medallions is awarded in the individual category and a trophy in the institutional category.
The Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award is given for significant contribution in the field of wildlife protection, which is recognised as having shown exemplary courage and valor or having done exemplary work for the protection of wildlife in the country. The award of Rs. One lakh cash, along with a medallion and citation is given to an individual / institution pertaining to rural communities involved in wildlife protection or to the community based organisation from rural areas, including Gram Sabha showing exemplary courage or valor for protection of wildlife.