World Wildlife Day 2015 (Event Report)

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

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.

Prize distribution ceremony

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.

Group photo of our worthy participants and guest

For more pictures visit the link: AEP-World Wildlife Day