The National Wildlife Week is celebrated from the 2nd to the 8th of October every year in India. This week aims at protecting and preserving India’s flora and fauna. Wildlife Week was conceptualized in 1952 with a long-term goal to safeguard the lives of the endangered and threatened species of animals. The Indian Government has established an Indian Board of Wildlife, which strives to spread awareness in order to preserve the wildlife. The week comprises workshops to make people of every age comprehend the complexities of wildlife.
Importance of the Wildlife Week
India is a biological hotspot, which means, it is home to a large variety of animal and plant species. India’s flora and fauna are highly diversified and constitute more than 7 percent of the world’s biodiversity. It also incredibly accounts for 7.4 per cent of the world’s fauna. This highly biologically diversified country requires proper education and awareness to preserve this rich cover. Hence, the wildlife week was conceptualized. This week is commemorated to increase the awareness among the common mass regarding the role of wildlife in maintaining nature’s equilibrium. Any damage done to wildlife over a prolonged period of time endangers the entire ecosystem. So it is critical to protect it systematically, and through heart and soul. There is a symbiotic relationship between the forest, forest-dwelling animals, ecosystem services, and humans. With indigenous people now managing roughly 28 percent of forest land, the World Wildlife Week’s mission is now much more relevant and significant.
History of the Wildlife Week
The first Wildlife Week was commemorated in 1957 in India. The 67th Wildlife Week took place in 2021. The Indian Board of Wildlife established Wildlife Week in 1952 to increase awareness about the long-term aims of wildlife protection throughout India. Wildlife Day was first observed in 1955, but later in 1957, it was renamed Wildlife Week.