World Wildlife Day 2022: Know Theme, History, Significance and Key Facts here

World Wildlife Day 2022: "Let us remind ourselves of our duty to preserve and sustainably use the vast variety of life on the planet. Let us push for a more caring, thoughtful, and sustainable relationship with nature." - António Guterres

As per the data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, over 8400 species of wild fauna and flora are critically endangered. Close to 30,000 more are understood to be endangered or vulnerable. Based on this estimation, it is said that over a million species are threatened with extinction. World Wildlife Day is celebrated on 3 March to draw attention towards the conservation of the most critically endangered species, to support the restoration of their habitats, and ecosystems. Also, the day promotes their sustainable use by humanity.

Join us today (Wed) 14:30 CET for a special World Wildlife Day viewing of the film Nature’s Fear Factor (a bold experiment in Mozambique to return predators to the wild) plus five additional short videos followed by a live discussion. See: https://t.co/sG6vNq5GB8 pic.twitter.com/9EGAQOGzeb

— World Wildlife Day (@WildlifeDay) March 2, 2022

Continued species loss is a threat to people and planet.

On Thursday's #WorldWildlifeDay, see how wildlife conservation can eliminate threats to biodiversity & benefit the #GlobalGoals: https://t.co/Gt7rSS7Y5Y pic.twitter.com/Wr2IkBVof7

— United Nations (@UN) March 3, 2022

Forests, forest species, and livelihoods currently depend on them and find themselves at the crossroads of the various planetary crises we currently face due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The day celebrates forest-based livelihoods and promotes forest and forest wildlife management practices that accommodate both human well-being and the long-term conservation of forests.

As we know that wildlife is facing threats due to human activities. Various challenges are faced by wildlife include loss of habitat, industrialized farming, commercial development, and overgrazing. Poaching and the trafficking of animals may also lead to risks to various species like tigers, rhinos, elephants, etc.

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World Wildlife Day 20221: Theme

The theme of World Wildlife Day 2022 is "Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”. 

The theme of World Wildlife Day 2021 was "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet". The theme highlights the key role of forests, forest species, and ecosystem services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people across the world mainly of indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forested and forest-adjacent areas.

The theme of World Wildlife Day 2020 was “Sustaining all life on Earth". It focuses on all wild animal and plant species as a component of the diversity and livelihoods of people mainly those who live closest to nature. It is also mentioned in the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 12, 14, and 15, and their focus on alleviating poverty, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and conserving life on land and below water to maintain the loss of biodiversity.

World Wildlife Day: History

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 20 December 2013 in its 68th session proclaimed 3 March as the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. It is observed as UN World Wildlife Day to raise awareness and celebrate the world's wild animals and plants.

The CITES Secretariat was designated as the facilitator of the observance of Wildlife Day on the UN calendar by the resolution of UNGA.

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The year 2020 was known as a "biodiversity super year" and hosted various major global events that focus on biodiversity at the forefront of the global sustainable development agenda. It also provides an opportunity to deliver transformative for the conservation and sustainable development of wild animals and plants in response to global challenges that can be addressed with nature-based solutions.

According to the CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero "Wildlife, namely the species of both wild animals and plants for the purpose of World Wildlife Day, is an integral part of the world’s biological diversity which has the greatest resonance with the general public. In the run-up to and on World Wildlife Day 2020 we spread awareness of the multitude of benefits of wildlife to people, the interlinkages between the various components of biodiversity, and the threats they are facing. It is also a good opportunity to call on governments around the world, civil society, private sector, and individuals to add their voices and take actions to help conserve wildlife and ensure sustainable use before it’s too late”.

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Let us have a look at some important projects of the Indian Government for Wildlife protection.

1. Project Tiger: In 1972, Project Tiger was initiated that not only focused on the conservation of tigers but also on the entire ecosystem. Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change sponsored this project. About 47 tiger reserves are situated in more than 17 regions including Corbett National Park and Ranthambore National Park conducts several assessments of a number of tigers, their habitat, hunting habits under the supervision of the Tiger Task Force. No doubt, Project Tiger helped in the recovery of the habitat and increase the population of the tigers.

2. Project Elephant: The government of India started Project Elephant in 1992 for conserving elephants and their habitat. They also focused to develop migratory routes with the help of scientific and planned management measures. This project also highlights the welfare of the domestic elephants and considers the issues like mitigation of human-elephant conflict.

3. Crocodile Conservation Project: For the conservation of crocodiles, the Government of India started a Project. As we know that the species of crocodiles are on the verge of extinction. The main objective of the project is to protect the remaining population of crocodiles and there to establish sanctuaries for protecting their natural habitat. It will also promote captive breeding, improve management, and also it will involve the local people in the project.

4. UNDP Sea Turtle Project: Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun started the UNDP Sea Turtle Project with an aim to conserve the Olive Ridley Turtles in November 1999. The project focuses on 10 coastal states in India mainly Odisha where a map of breeding sites of Sea Turtles was prepared. Breeding places and habitats along the coastline were identified and migratory routes were taken by Sea Turtles.

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Apart from these projects, the Government of India has started several other projects also including Vulture Conservation and India Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020.

At last, let us see the important Environment and Biodiversity Acts that were passed by the Indian Government.

• Fisheries Act 1897
• Indian Forests Act 1927
• Mining And Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957
• Prevention of Cruelty To Animals 1960
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974
• Forest Conservation Act 1980
• Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981
• Environment Protection Act 1986
• Biological Diversity Act 2002
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act 2006

Several international projects and schemes are also signed by India with its neighbouring countries.

Therefore, it is important to conserve wildlife and with the government, it is our duty also to protect flora and fauna and to take some measures related to it.

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