— Deben Kalita (Retd. DCF), Cont. 9435517949 (M)

No one will ever revive the plants and animals that are already extinct forever from the earth. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that 42,100 species of the ones assessed are at risk for extinction. The remarkable animals that already extinct are i) Cat fish-2020, ii) Northern white Rhino-2018, iii) Spixs Macaw- currently exists in captivity, IV) The Golden Toad-1994, v) Indian Auroch – v) Pink headed Duck-1950, vi) Indian Javan Rhinoceros – extinct in India but confined in Javas Ujong Kulon National Park. vii) Himalayan Quail-1867, etc. Over 110 species of animals and 520 species of plants are classified as naturally endangered. The Scientist arround the World confirmed that Nature is declining at an alarming rate of its delicate balance of biodiversity. The direct drivers of biodiversity loss are

i) Habitat loss: Over population leads unrestricted use of resources, clear vegetation that contributes to the endangerment of over 80 percent of all species, extinction of some species due to habitats destruction, fragmentation and change of land use pattern ie urbanisation, human infrastructure, agriculture. It causes human-wildlife conflict and loss of wildlife as well as life and property of human.

ii) Pollution: Use of chemicals, fossil fuels, non- renewable resources and plastics that disrupts the earth ecosystem by releasing green house gases are major threat to wildlife.

iii) Rapidly increasing climate change: Rapidly increasing climate change faster than ecosystem, abrupt rising temperatures, droughts disrupt breeding cycles and migration of wild animals.

iv) Over exploitation: Over harvesting faster than naturally reproduce leads to starvation and susceptible to disease and death of wild animals. The poaching, illegal trade of wildlife or their body parts led a decline of numbers of wildlife.

v) Invasive species: Introduce by human for their benefits but threatened to native species and ecosystem. Fertiliser, pesticides, major spills that threaten to wetlands, protected areas.

  Environment degradation is a process that encompasses reducing biological diversity and the general health of natural environment ie quality of air, water and soil. It can be accelerated or caused by human activities and if it becomes irreparably compromised it could mean the end of human existence.

 Wildlife Conservation means preventing wildlife from uneven killing and poaching that involves the practice of making people aware by building sensitivity, restricting hunting and telling them about the importance of wildlife, maintaining symbiotic relationship between the forest, forest dwelling wild animals, ecosystem services and humans. To address these issues there have been both national and international governmental efforts to preserve Earth wildlife. Prominent conservation activities are establishment of Indian Board of Wildlife in 1952, observance of first National Wildlife Day in 1955 which was later on rename as National Wildlife Week in1957, enactment of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 , Conservation agreement : the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)  and the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). There are numerous non-governmental organisation too that dedicated to conservation of nature and wildlife. The Wildlife Institute of India an autonomous natural service institution was established in 1982 under the Ministry of Environment and Forest.  The National Board for Wildlife,  the apex body in India for promotion and all wildlife related matters was constituted in 2003 which replaces the Indian Board of Wildlife constituted in 1952. Animals right are enshrined under the Indian Constitution and even wildlife protection is mentioned under section 51A(g) ; citizens have fundamental duty to protect wildlife and have compassion for living things. As per article 48A, the state also must protect, secure and work to improve forest and wildlife in the country.

The National Wildlife Week is celebrated every year from 2nd October to 8th October in India to spread awareness among the people about importance of wildlife conservation, importance of coexisting with nature harmoniously. The theme of 2024 wildlife week is “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital innovation in Wildlife Conservation”, that recognises the impact of digital intervention on ecosystem as well as communities in an increasingly connected world.

National Wildlife Day was created in 2005 by animal behaviourist and philanthropist Colleen Paige to raise awareness about the threats facing wildlife globally. Originally it was celebrated on 4th September but added 22nd February birthday of Steve Irwin the wildlife conservationist to honour his contribution to wildlife conservation.
The World Wildlife Day is celebrated by the United Nations on March 3rd each year to commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in1973 to raise awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants.

Traditional Preservation of Wildlife
Vedas contain hymns in praise of animals, Sanatan Dharma have linked some animals with specific God or Goddess as the best way of conservation of wildlife. Python has been associated with God Vishnu, snake with God Shiva, swan with Goddess Saraswati, lion with Goddess Durga rendering the animals pious and protected and venerated almost as a deity itself. The killing of animals was prohibited around the Ashrams or hermitage in India. The Mourya Empire, Chandragupta Mourya appointed a Forest Department head in order to restore, protect and enhance natural ecosystem around third century BC. The earliest codified law traces back to the third century BC when king Ashok made a law for preservation of wildlife and environment. In British India first law for wildlife protection was passed in 1887 known as the Wild Birds Protection Act that prohibited illegal sell or possess of wild birds and promoted building of wildlife sanctuaries, restricting hunting. Christian philosophers and socio-political figures advocate to expresses compassion and demonstrates the respectful stewardship of humanity over the animals as Jesus followed. Islam teaches that all of creation is a sign of Allah’s majesty and wisdom, so it is duty of human to protect and preserve the animals. The Quran stresses the value of balance and threatens those who disrupt needs of human and wildlife.

Significance of Wildlife Conservation
Humans have great power to change and destroy habitats and so reduce the chances of species surviving but can still do something to secure the to be threatened and endangered species from the earth. Then human-animal conflict occurs when human activities and wild animals interact negatively impact both human and animals, it impacts on ecosystem equilibrium and biodiversity conservation. Law’s are man-made hence there is likelihood of anthropocentric bias towards man and rights of wild animals. Man and animals are equally placed but human rights approach to environmental protection in case of conflict, very often based on anthropocentricity. Humans share the planet Earth with about 8 millions other species of plants and animals, so being supper power of all living, human have a responsibility to future generations and all living things to protect environment to thrive together.

Deben Kalita
Deputy Conservator of Forest (Retd)
Environment and Forest Department, Assam 9435517949 (M)
e-mail ID kalitadacf@gmail.com