Wildlife Week is celebrated all over the country from 2nd to 8th October every year with the view to preserve the fauna which means animal life. Wildlife traditionally refers to undomesticated animal species, but has come to include all organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans. It involves the planning to save animal extinction of any species of the India.
The theme for World wildlife week 2019 is “Life below water: for people and planet”
This week long event focuses on the importance of wildlife preservation for a balanced and healthy environment. Wildlife Week is celebrated to arouse the general awakening of the people in the country towards the protection and conservation of the wild life. Wildlife plays a significant role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of nature and the presence of wildlife is also an effective way to assess the quality of the environment. India has a rich and fascinating array of wildlife resources. In order to conserve and protect these resources, the Indian government has designated several areas across the country as protected areas, where in human occupation or at least the exploitation of resources is limited. As of May, 2019; there are 104 existing national parks covering an area of 40501.13 km2 and 551 existing wildlife sanctuaries with an area of 119775.80 km2, which is 1.23 % and 3.64 % of the geographical area of the country.
Like forests, wildlife is also a national resource, which not only helps in maintaining the ecological balance but is also beneficial from economic, recreational and aesthetic points of view. There was a time when human interference was minimum the number of wild animals was quite high and there was no problem of their protection or conservation. But, with the expansion of agriculture, settlement, industrial and other developmental activities including illegal hunting and poaching, the number of wild animals gradually became lesser and lesser. Hence, several species of animals have become extinct and many are on the verge of extinction or critically endangered.
Deforestation is also one of the main reasons for the loss of wildlife. Mass killings of wild animals for their meat, bones, fur, teeth, hair, skin, etc., are going on throughout the world. Therefore, the need for wildlife conservation has now become a necessity. India is a good example where several steps have been taken for wildlife conservation. It is a country of varied wildlife, where more than 500 types of wild animals, 2,100 types of birds and about 20,000 types of reptiles and fishes have been found. According to an estimate, in India, about 200 species of wild animals and birds have already become extinct and another 2,500 are on the verge of extinction. Many wildlife species like the rhinoceros, cheetah, elephant, crocodile, snake etc. are hunted by the poachers. There are persons of much daring who go into the forest stealthily without the knowledge of the wildlife department authorities and shoot the animals which may be a source of great gain to them.
The elephants are killed for their tusks of great value. A pair of tusks in the international market may fetch an enormous amount to the poachers. The wildlife department authorities are unable to put a stop to poaching despite their utmost vigilance. The African elephants and the Asian elephants are killed for their tusks. The late forest brigand, Veerappan of India, traded in the elephant tusks. Various kinds of artistic objects are made at of the elephant tusks and they fetch much profit to the businessmen. Tigers are killed for their beautiful skin of beautiful patterns even their bones are powdered and used as medicine. The horns of rhinoceroses are believed to have medicinal properties and so the rhinoceroses are shot, their horns are removed and sold.
Wildlife crime is also robbing the natural heritage of people and states. Its crime ranks among trafficking in drugs, arms and human beings in terms of profits. It is an economic crime often perpetrated by criminal syndicates operating in the most remote regions of the country.
Wildlife is important for its beauty, economic, scientific and survival value. It helps to maintain the ecological balance of nature and maintains the food chain. It provides useful substances and wild animal products like ivory, leather, honey, tusk etc. Besides being a country’s cultural asset it also provides aesthetic value to man. We largely depend on wildlife for every elementary requirement in our life eg. the clothes we wear and the medicines we consume.
Wildlife conservation encompasses all human activities and efforts directed to preserve wild animal from extinction it involves both protection and scientific management of wild species. Wildlife and nature have largely being associated which humans for numerous emotional and social reasons. Wildlife plays an essential role in the ecological and biological processes that are yet again significant to life. The normal functioning of the biosphere depends on endless interaction among animals, plants and micro organisms. Wildlife has occupied a special place of veneration and preservation in various cultures of the world. Perhaps the most compelling benefit that comes from wildlife conservation is that it provides us with opportunity, whether it be economically, social, or culturally. Many countries are today, promoting wildlife tourism even if they have to go to an extent of creating artificial habitats by importing flora and fauna for improving the economy of the country. Increasing biodiversity and healthy ecosystems through conservation improves agricultural productivity, thereby allowing farms to become more profitable.
Healthy ecosystems that are home to unique species lure in tourists from around the world, which helps the local economy and invites in a new fusion of investment. Wildlife conservation projects bring the community together as well, as they call for a team effort. From rangers to administrators, conservation initiatives invite the opportunity for a new preservation-based economy. The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure that nature will be around for future generation to enjoy and also recognize wildlife and wilderness for humans and other species alike.
When there are no animals, there would be no forests and no forests means soil erosion, warm weather, drying up of lakes and rivers, no rains and hence, no crops and vegetation. This all is a cascading effect which every human needs to realize now. And, it’s not a one man’s job to save wildlife; it’s a joint effort that every single person needs to be part of.
For us as individuals we should start working towards taking small steps from our homes, if we start contributing our bits to the environment and nature, it would come back to us for our good in future. Hence, people need to look at wildlife conservation in its totality. As soon as we lose the apex predator, it has harmful consequences right down the food chain unless the local community signs up, wildlife won’t survive. And without wildlife, no one will visit.
“Saving One Animal Won’t Change the World but It Will Change the World for that One Animal”
