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World Wildlife Day 2021: Netizens Raise Awareness On The Importance Of Earth’s Flora And Fauna For Human Existence

World Wildlife Day is observed to celebrate and raise awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants and the threats they are facing due to human activities and habitat loss

World Wildlife Day 2021: Netizens Raise Awareness On The Importance Of Earth’s Flora And Fauna For Human Existence
Highlights
  • World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on March 3
  • India has 70% of global Tiger population: Union Minister, MoEFCC
  • World loses about 4.6 million hectares of forests every year: UN

New Delhi: According to the United Nations, every year, the world loses about 4.6 million hectares of forests because of numerous unsustainable human activities like timber trafficking, urbanisation, agriculture, and natural calamities. This reduction in forests contributes to biodiversity loss which along with widespread poaching is threatening the wildlife on the planet, it says. The wildlife that includes countless species of flora and fauna play a crucial role in balancing the ecosystem. With an aim to raise awareness about the importance of the wildlife and the issues impacting it, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 20, 2013, decided to proclaim March 3, the day of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as World Wildlife Day. The theme of World Wildlife Day 2021 is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet.”

Also Read: State Of India’s Environment: Our Air, Water, Land Have Become More Polluted Between 2009 And 2018, Says Centre For Science And Environment Study

In his address on the occasion of World Wildlife Day 2021, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations said,

The planet’s forests are home to some 80 per cent of all terrestrial wild species. They help regulate the climate and support the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people. Some 90 per cent of the world’s poorest people are dependent in some way on forest resources. The unsustainable exploitation of forests harms these communities and contributes to biodiversity loss and climate disruption.

Mr. Guterres further said that illegal trade in wild animal species is increasing the risks of zoonotic diseases, such as Ebola and COVID-19. He said,

On this year’s World Wildlife Day, I urge governments, businesses and people everywhere to scale up efforts to conserve forests and forest species, and to support and listen to the voices of forest communities. In so doing, we will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for people, planet and prosperity.

To celebrate the day and raise awareness about the importance of forests and ecosystems and how sustainable way of lifestyle is beneficial for the livelihood, people took to social media and shared informative and motivating posts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid emphasis on the protection of forests and safe habitats for animals and also extended gratitude to 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 the protection of our forests and safe habitats for animals, PM Modi tweeted.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the government is working on the reintroduction of the Cheetah, which went extinct in 1952.

India has thriving wildlife and biodiversity. 70 per cent of Global Tiger population. 70 per cent of Asiatic Lions. 60 per cent of Leopard population. The Narendra Modi govt is working on the reintroduction of Cheetah, which went extinct in 1952….this Big Cat will be a reality soon. #WorldWildlifeDay, he said.

Also Read: Carbon-Cutting Pledges By Countries Nowhere Near Enough: United Nations

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju urged people to realise the importance of wildlife in their daily lives. He wrote on Twitter,

On #WorldWildlifeDay let’s realize that from the majestic lions to the humble worker bee, the huge variety of life on Earth is critical to our lives and well-being. India is seeing a steady rise in the population of various animals!

Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said it is a day to celebrate ‘forest-based livelihoods’. He wrote on Twitter,

On #WorldWildlifeDay, let us celebrate forest-based livelihoods. Our culture has sustained practices that accommodate both human well-being and the long-term conservation of forests and forest-dwelling biodiversity.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu wrote,

On this World Wildlife Day, let us all put in dedicated efforts to save and preserve the wildlife & create greater awareness on the need to maintain a healthy ecological balance on our planet.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to mark World Wildlife Day said that sustaining biodiversity is important for humankind. He wrote,

On #WorldWildlifeDay, let’s raise awareness regarding the significance of fauna & flora, essential for planet earth & survival of human life. It’s important to create conditions for ecosystems to survive & wildlife to flourish. Sustaining biodiversity is essential for humankind.

To mark the occasion of World Wildlife Day, Padma Shri Awardee sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sculpture at the Puri beach in Odisha, shared the pictures of the same on Twitter and wrote,

On #WorldWildlifeDay My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha with the message We love our wildlife.

Also Read: Reversing Global Warming: Bill Gates Talks About Ways To Reduce Pollution And Protect The Environment

Erik Solheim, former Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) also took an opportunity to motivate people to celebrate the beautiful and varied form of wildlife on the planet. He also shared how technology is helping in tracking and protecting wildlife.

Actor Nimrat Kaur urged people to remember that human live in the space of the wildlife and not the other way round.

Actor Pulkit Samrat, who will be seen in the upcoming movie ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’, shared how he bonded with an elephant named Unni for life. He shared pictures on Instagram and wrote,

For me, this is not just a title of my movie anymore. It stands true to the time I shared with this gentle beast. Meet Unni the elephant; playful, gentle, understanding and more human than many humans I know. I feel blessed to spend a year and a half in the forest with this beautiful soul.

Various other people also shared their messages about World Wildlife Day. A Twitter user Ugyen Tshering said,

Wishing everyone Happy World Wildlife Day 2021. May there be more harmony and peace with our neighbours. May we understand that they have the right to this world as much as we do. Let’s share the space in harmony and respect each other’s privacy and right to living.

Also Read: Environment Crisis: 7 Endangered Species On Verge Of Extinction Due To Human Activity And How It Impacts Us

Manisha Kataki highlighted that World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of fauna and flora of Earth.

https://twitter.com/manisha_kataki/status/1367097182893928448

Adarsh Asokan, another user, reminded people that animals have as much right to live on the planet as humans.

Another social media user took to Twitter and shared some of the photographs taken by them on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.

Also Read: Expert View: Five Reasons Why You Should Care About Biodiversity Loss

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. 

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