On the occasion of ‘World Wildlife Day’ Society for Conservation of Wildlife organized a programme on 3rd March, 2022 at Kukrail Wildlife Reserve, Lucknow in collaboration of School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow and Forest Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The objective of the programme is to create awareness among people to conserve the biodiversity including both flora and fauna. Biodiversity is declining very quickly around the globe. Some scientists even say that at present we are going through sixth mass extinction and very soon we may lose all the wild mammals. The theme of World Wildlife Day 2022 is “Recovering key species for Ecosystem Restoration” and this theme was declared by United Nations. This theme is chosen to draw attention to the conservation status of some critically endangered species. Restoration of wildlife and the protection of endangered species is of paramount importance. Biodiversity plays a huge contribution to our ecological system, economics, social and human well-being and sustainable development. The United Nations general assembly on December 20, 2013 during 68th session, decided to declare March 3, the day of adoption of the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna, as World Wildlife Day to restore their habitats and ecosystems and promote sustainable use by humanity. As a matter of concern, almost more than 8000 species of wild fauna and flora are endangered and close to 30,000 more are known to be on the verge of getting extinct or vulnerable and estimated that around a million species are said to be extinct. On this occasion society for conservation of wildlife felicitated Dr. Ravi Kumar Singh by wildlife conservation award for excellent contribution in wild life biodiversity.
Prof. Naveen Kumar Arora, President of the Society and Dean, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, BBA University, Lucknow put light on work done by the society. SCW is group of passionate peoples with objective of conservation of wildlife flora and fauna and restore biodiversity to fulfill the targets of sustainable development goals. He said that plastics should be banned around 7 km of area around national parks to stop pollution and save wildlife. He said that with collaboration of forest department Uttar Pradesh working for sustainable development we can recover key species and protect our biodiversity. He also informed about the degraded lands and how to improve them by green and sustainable method. He depicted a success story from Kanpur region as well where degraded lands have been converted to fertile.
Prof. Venkatesh Dutta, BBAU, Lucknow, shared his views on river restoration, conservation and importance of rivers and give presentations on how to restore water ecosystem, support economic resilience and their role in environment. He emphasized that to conserve and protect rivers forests should be conserved and a holistic effort is required involving all the stakeholders.
The chief guest of the programme, Dr. Ravi Kumar Singh, DFO, Government of Uttar Pradesh, addressed the students, scholars and NGOs description on history and significance of world wildlife day and sensitized about importance of wildlife reserves and their role and huge contribution to our ecological systems, economic, and human well-being. He interacted with
every participants and heard everyone’s suggestions to conserve ecosystem. He said that we all should contribute to our society go to the natural habitats to learn and save them. Being the responsible citizens of country we should not buy or use such articles which have been made by poaching of wildlife and there is need to stop direct and indirect harms to wildlife. The forest department did rescue operations and assure their safe rescue. He gave examples of rescue operations done by Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh.
Deepti Verma, Founder Member, Karavan Heritage And Nature Society give her view and shared video on significance of vultures showing their importance in ecosystem. She said we should educate people to contribute in conservation and protection of vultures and plant more tall trees for their nesting.
Several participants also gave their views. Dr S C Sharma from NBRI emphasized upon plantation of useful trees and protection of birds. Prof Shilpi Verma emphasized upon sensitization of school children for environment protection and conservation and Dr Rajshree from BBAU said that there should be more interaction between institutes and indigenous people including city dwellers and students. Preeti Arora, secretary of the society was also present on the occasion. In total there were 200 participants in the programme. In evening the participants went to Kukrail Forest Reserve for look into the breeding program of alligators and turtle.
