On 20 December 2013, at its 68th
session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 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, to
celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. So, it is
the very first world wildlife day.
The General Assembly reaffirmed in
its resolution the intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions,
including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational,
cultural, recreational and aesthetic, to sustainable development and human
well-being. The General Assembly took note of the outcome of the 16th meeting
of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, held in Bangkok from 3 to 14 March
2013, in particular Resolution Conf. 16.1 designating 3 March as World Wildlife
Day, in order to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and
flora, and recognized the important role of CITES in ensuring that
international trade does not threaten the survival of species.
In Pakistan, we are lucky that
Pakistan is so richly blessed with an array of geographical features that is
home to a very broad spectrum of wildlife species but irresponsible activities
and attitude of people has damaged it to a large extent. A great number of
wildlife species have gone endangered and are required to be conserved and
protected on emergency basis.
Many rare and endangered species
are found in Pakistan. Generally the wild animals in Pakistan include various
varieties of deer, wild boar, bear, crocodile, rare snow and leopards. The
wetlands and lakes provide natural habitat for a number of marine species.
During the migration season, at least 1 million waterfowl representing more
than 100 species visit the extensive deltas and wetlands of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s rivers and coastal waters contain many types of freshwater and
saltwater fish, including sharks, mackerel, herring and shellfish.
The objectives to celebrate the
day are;
- To spread the awareness
regarding importance of wildlife
- To point out the endangered
spp. of Pakistan
- To educate regarding
hotspots and key species of Pakistan
- To highlight the causes of
threat to wildlife
- To create a bridge of
coordination among the respective Govt. Departments/NGO’s and the respective
institute
- To share the
opinions/suggestions/strategies to conserve the wildlife
To attain the objectives for the
betterment of the nature, this year AGRI. EDUCATION PAKISTAN celebrated the day
in worthy collaboration with AGRI LIVESTOCK BUREAU PAKISTAN, VETERINARY NEWS
& VIEWS, GEO-AGRI TOURISM, PAKGAA, WWF, AGRI. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION PAKISTAN, PEOPLES WITH DISABILITY ORGANIZATION, PHA, PEPSICO
INTERNATIONAL, WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, FSD and PAKISTAN GEAOGRAPHY ALUMINI
ASSOCIATION.
The World Wildlife Day, a day
which both celebrates the intrinsic value of wild fauna and flora and acts as a
reminder of the urgent need to tackle wildlife and forest crime.
The people were encouraged to join
us in the lead up to this important day and use their voice to tell the world
that it’s time to take a stand against organized wildlife crime before it’s too
late. For that purpose, a nationwide essay writing competition and awareness
session and awareness walk were arranged to provide a platform to raise the
voice in the favor of nature. The essay competition was held for the public
from all age and class.
The following topics were
selected for the competition;
- Wildlife related current
matters and crimes
- Stand against organized
wildlife crime
- Islam, Wildlife &
Pakistan
- Geography & Wildlife
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| During Awareness Lecture |
The essays for the competition
were submitted by the participants via e-mail. A team of experts was appointed
as jury from the said collaborators to select the winners. The winners of national essay writing competition
were announced by Mr. Muhammad Navid Anwaar (President, PWDO).
Details of the
prize winning authors;
- Ms. Zarka Mukhtar from GC
University Faisalabad won first prize.
- Second Prize won by Mr.
SamiUllah from Punjab University, Lahore.
- And the third Prize won by
Mr. Zohaib Asif from University Of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
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| Prize distribution ceremony |
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| Gifts from WWF for every children |
The awareness session and prize
distribution ceremony was held at Agri. Tourism Development Corporation Head
Quarter in Faisalabad. The prizes were distributed to winners by the Chief
Guest Mr. Akbar Ghori (Vice Chairman, PHA, FSD). An awareness walk was also
arranged by the disable children. With play cards and banners children walk
from the ATDC Head Quarter to Wildlife Research Institute, Gatwala, FSD. The
WWF presented the gifts for all the participant children. That was another
successful event. But it was not a day to celebrate. It is the way of living
taught by the Islam to love the nature that makes us the human being. We should
take much care of our surroundings, environment, wildlife and the entire
ecosystem with love and passion.
Thanks again to all the worthy
collaborators and special thanks to Mr. Muhammad Navid Anwaar (President, PWDO)
to uplift our cause and making the event just a mega event.
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| Group photo of our worthy participants and guest |
