New Delhi (NVI): World Wildlife Day is observed annually on March 3 and is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora.
The day is about raising awareness about wildlife and educating yourself and others about the diversity and importance of flora and fauna across the world.
As we know, the world’s wildlife count and sustainability have dwindled significantly in the past decade.
United Nations noted, “Though World Wildlife Day is an annual celebration, wildlife conservation is an issue that needs attention and action every day.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973 was signed on March 3, therefore, the 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) announced on December 20, 2013, the same day would be celebrated as World Wildlife Day.
The UN went on to declare that World Wildlife Day would be dedicated to keeping people aware and updated about the changing nature of the wildlife that is constantly threatened by human activities.
The UNGA resolution also designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global observance of World Wildlife Day.
This year’s theme for World Wildlife Day is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”.
The theme described on wildlifeday.org is as follows, “As a way to highlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystem services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally, and particularly of Indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forested and forest-adjacent areas.”
The themes for previous years were – “Sustaining all life on earth” (2020), “Life below water: for people and planet” (2019), “Big cats – predators under threat” (2018), “Listen to the young voices” (2017).
On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also saluted all those working towards wildlife protection.
On #WorldWildlifeDay, I salute all those working towards wildlife protection. Be it lions, tigers and leopards, India is seeing a steady rise in the population of various animals. We should do everything possible to ensure protection of our forests and safe habitats for animals.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2021
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, “On #WorldWildlifeDay, I salute all those working towards wildlife protection. Be it lions, tigers and leopards, India is seeing a steady rise in the population of various animals. We should do everything possible to ensure protection of our forests and safe habitats for animals.”
-CHK
