World Wildlife Day 2015

History

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.

UNGA Resolution

In its resolution, the General Assembly reaffirmed 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.

Pakistan’s Scenario

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.

Objectives;

• 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

This year AGRI. EDUCATION PAKISTAN is going to celebrate the day in collaboration with "AGRI LIVESTOCK BUREAU PAKISTAN". March 3 marks 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.

Join us in the lead up to this important day and use your voice to tell the world that it’s time to take a stand against organized wildlife crime before it’s too late.

A nationwide essay writing competition is here to waiting for you. So, come on and raise your voice in favor of nature.

Topic: (you can write on one of the following topic)

• Wildlife related current matters and crimes

• Stand against organized wildlife crime

• Islam, Wildlife & Pakistan

‪#‎SeriousAboutWildlifeCrime‬

Last Date/Time of Submission:

11:59 p.m - 3 March, 2015

Who can participate:

• Nature lovers and enthusiasts from all over the Pakistan.

Rules & Regulations:

• Language: English/Urdu (Be easy to write for nature)

• Length: 1000-1500 words (Relaxation till 2000 words)

• Essay must be plagiarism free and self-written.

• The winning essay will be selected by a joint selection team of experts by the organizers.

• Only one essay will be selected as winning essay.

• A writer can send only one essay for the competition.

• The joint selection team is independent to select the winning essay.

• The joint selection team is independent to make decision about publishing one or more essay/essays on the basis of merit.

Reward/Prize:

• Best essay would be published in "The Veterinary News & Views" (Pakistan's first weekly journal/newspaper for Agriculture, Wildlife, Forestry, Livestock and Environment) and the winner will be awarded with e-certificate of appreciation and a special gift by Geo-Agri. Tourism Pakistan

• All the participants will be awarded with the e-certificate of participation.

Collaborators;

Thanks to join us for a noble cause

Veterinary News & Views

Geo-Agri Tourism

WWF

Agri. Tourism Development Corporation Pakistan

Peoples with Disability Organization

PHA

Pepsico International

Wildlife Research Institute, FSD

SEND THE SOFT COPY OF YOUR ARTICLE/ESSAY AT;

aepak.org@gmail.com

(Note: you can also send a scan copy of your essay via email)

For Contact:

0334-9899419

aepak.org@gmail.com

NATIONAL AGRIPRENEURS TRAINING CAMP (18th January, 2015)

Pakistan is basically a farming community. About 67% of its population is living in rural areas and nearly 47% of them engaged in farming, livestock and agro-based industries. According to survey report of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in 2014; As many as 58.7 million people in Pakistan are living in multidimensional poverty with 46 per cent of rural population and 18 percent of urban households falling below the poverty line.

The progress of agriculture sector provides a sound base for economic development and is considered one of the preconditions for takeoff or self sustained growth.

A shift from agriculture to agribusiness is an essential pathway to revitalize Pakistan's agriculture and to make more attractive and profitable venture. Agripreneurship have the potential to contribute to a range of social and economic development such as employment generation, income generation, poverty reduction and improvements in nutrition, health and overall food security in the national economy. Agripreneurship has potential to generate growth, diversifying income, providing widespread employment and entrepreneurial opportunities both in rural and urban areas.

On 18^th January, 2015 Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan organized “National Agripreneurs Training Camp” at Ranjha Agri Tourism Park. Wah Miana 15 km Bhabra Roar Kot Momin M-2, Sarodha. Agri. Education Pakistan was honored to serve as a partner and facilitator of that event. The main objective of that event was to train the students and agriculture loving people, how to start a successful business of agriculture.

Different speakers like Dr. Khalid Mahmood Shouq (AMBSSDOR at Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan, Editor in Chief at THE VETERINARY NEWS & VIEWS), Mr. Tariq Tanveer (CEO & Founder at Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan), Akhlaq Khan Kakar (Father of mushroom culture), Kashif Bukhari (Forest Officer, Lahore), Muhammad Safeer Abbas Jafery (President, Agri. Education Pakistan; Deputy Editor, Vet. News and Views), Muhammad Jarrar Ahmed (Secretary General, Agri. Education Pakistan) Sajid Iqbal Sandhu (CEO Greem Circles), Dr. Shaukat Ali (Chairman Agri Hunt, Agri. Extension Department, UAF) address on the following contents:

·         Why people decide to become entrepreneurs and why should you be a Agripreneur?

·         Characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.

·         Common myths regarding entrepreneurship and reality.

·         Impact of entrepreneurial firms on economies and societies.

·         The entrepreneurial process Agripreneurship and its importance.

·         Scope of Agri-tourism and Entertainment Farming in Pakistan.

·         Farm based market and picks your own enterprise

·         Explore agricultural entrepreneurship from field/farm to dining table. 

Furthermore, Mr. Tariq Tanveer introduced his future plan of “SUNDAY FARMER MARKET” in Lahore. This plan will be helpful for selected Agripreneur/Farmer to sell their products/goods direct to consumer. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Shouq commenced a new project of “Loves Parks”. According to this project the people of Pakistan will plant a tree for their love ones. Our special thanks to Mr. Ehtizaz Hassan (Head Volunteer for the event) and Respected Mr. Asif Sultan (Area Coordinator, SGD, AEP), Syed Yazdan Shah (Asst. PRO, AEP) and Waseem Ahmed Kashif (Wildlife Advisor, AEP) to facilitate the cause with great enthusiasm.

Students of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab and University of Arid Agriculture also participated in that event on the behalf of Agri. Education Pakistan. Musical night was also arranged in this training camp.

 For Pictorial Details Please Visit the Link: Event Pictures

 Report By: Sundus Akhter (PhD Scholar, Area Coordinator, Lhr, AEP)