World Wildlife Conservation Day

December 4th is celebrated every year as World Wildlife Conservation Day. The day is being marked as an important step towards conserving and protecting the decreasing numbers of wildlife species across the globe. Wildlife plays an important role in balancing the environment. This practice of conserving wildlife species along with their natural habitats is called Wildlife conservation.

Why the need for this day arose?

Every year, innumerable wildlife species are being slaughtered or killed for fulfilling human greed. They are traded illegally to several locations and are kept in unhealthy conditions. Animal products like ivory, skin, horns, nails, etc. fetch enormous profit in the black market. Indiscriminate cutting of forests and clearing of lands causes habitat loss of wildlife species.

The day came into force from the sincere efforts of the then US secretary of state, Ms. Hillary Clinton on 8th November 2012 at ‘The Wildlife Trafficking and Conservation’ event. She quoted, “Wildlife cannot be manufactured. And once it’s gone, it cannot be replenished. Those who profit from it illegally are not just undermining our borders and our economies; they are truly stealing from the next generation”. The main organizations behind the establishment of this day are the US state department and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

How we can contribute?

By raising awareness about the loss of wildlife species and its impact on our environment
By promoting the conservation and protection of endangered species across the globe
Stopping and checking on illegal wildlife trade
Imposing a complete ban on products made from animals like their skin, nails, etc.
Establishing wildlife sanctuaries for the conservation of wildlife species at a large scale
Ensuring successful implementation of policies developed for protection and conservation of wildlife species

Ekta Chaudhary

She is a Conservation Biologist deeply concerned with the protection and sustainability of natural resources and wildlife. She is particularly interested in studying and addressing the loss of Biodiversity and educating the people about the same. She has a Master’s degree in Zoology with Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development and another in Sustainability Sciences.