World Wildlife Day
Today is World Wildlife Day and the whole world is celebrating this day to protect our endangered species from getting extinct from earth. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said every species plays important role and need to safeguard their future.
India’s has always actively participated in global conservation initiatives, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the planet’s invaluable biodiversity.
Today, on #WorldWildlifeDay, let’s commit ourselves to protect and preserve the incredible biodiversity of our planet. This year, the theme focused on “Wildlife Conservation for Sustainable Development,” and PM Modi’s participation in the lion safari was a poignant reminder of India’s efforts to ensure the survival of endangered species, particularly the Asiatic lion.
Sasan Gir: A Sanctuary for Asiatic Lions
Located in the western state of Gujarat, the Sasan Gir National Park is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion, a species that once roamed the entire Middle East and parts of India. The lion population, which faced a dramatic decline in the early 20th century due to hunting and habitat destruction, has now made a remarkable recovery, thanks to focused conservation efforts over the last few decades. Sasan Gir National Park, spread over 1,412 square kilometers, has become a global symbol of successful wildlife conservation, with over 600 Asiatic lions residing in the park.
The park is not just home to lions but also boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna, including leopards, antelopes, hyenas, and a variety of birds. The lion safari at Sasan Gir offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, contributing to both wildlife tourism and the local economy.
At Sasan Gir, the headquarters of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, he will also chair the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). After the meeting, he is expected to interact with some women forest staffers at Sasan.
Project Lion In Gir
The Centre has implemented a “Project Lion” in Gujarat for the conservation of Asiatic lions
The project aims to – secure and restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population; scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities; become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment.
According to the Centre, the population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has shown an increasing trend, with the most recent estimate in June 2020 putting it at 674, up from 523 in 2015 and 411 in 2010.
A document from the Gujarat chief wildlife warden’s office shows that the lions’ distribution area rose from 22,000 square kilometers in 2015 to 30,000 square kilometres in 2020.
Let’s stop hunting and save wild animals
India has the largest number of wild Asian Elephants, estimated to be around 30,000. Loss of their traditional foraging environments has been bringing wild elephants closer to human habitations, sparking these conflicts. By the 2020s, the numbers soared: Over 500 humans are killed in encounters with elephants annually, while over 100 elephants die due to human related activities, which include poaching for ivory, poisoning, electrocution and collision with trains.
Tigers are a vital aspect of India’s wildlife heritage, culture, and the country is proud to be home to more than 75% of the world’s wild tiger population. Similarly, the human – tiger conflicts have existed since times immemorial. These conflicts could lead to heightened tension among the locals if the respective forest departments fail to tackle them properly. The (affected) locals’ response is almost always to demand the killing of tigers, termed man-eaters.
Several State governments have been trying to mitigate the conflicts by various means including digging trenches, experimenting with various types of fences, involving the community, using radio collars and relocating villages. Of late, trip alarms, sensory based alarms, drones have also been introduced increasingly to track animals and provide alerts. Artificial Intelligence-based warning systems are coming up too. The fight is a long one requiring sustained efforts as humans increasingly encroach into wild habitats.
Writer- Loknath Behera
Interesting article on Wildlife and India’s role in keeping this endangered species safe for life.
Great to know through this article as India is consistently making efforts to protect the wildlife for years to come.
Thanks