The National Wildlife Week is annually observed across India from 2nd to 8th of October every year to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and protect India’s rich biodiversity.
- The year 2025 marks the observance of the 71st National Wildlife Week in India.
Exam Hints:
- What? National Wildlife Week is observed
- When? From October 2 to 8, 2025
- Edition: 71st
- Theme: “Sewa Parv”
- First Observance: 1957
- Purpose? – To spread awareness about the protection of wildlife and biodiversity
- Key Event: Foundation stone laid for ‘Namo Van’ in Manesar, Haryana
Theme: The 2025 celebrations of the National Wildlife Week are organized under the theme “Sewa Parv”, emphasizing service and responsibility towards nature.
Background:
Overview: National Wildlife Week was conceptualized in 1952 when the Government of India (GOI) constituted an advisory body designated as the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL).
- The first National Wildlife Week was first observed in 1957
From Day to Week: It was originally observed as National Wildlife Day in 1955, which later expanded into a week-long celebration in 1957.
Note: The United Nations (UN)’s World Wildlife Day (WWD) is annually observed across the globe on March 3 of every year.
Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife Protection:
Article 51A (g): Under article 51A (g), every citizen has a fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests and wildlife.
Article 48A: Under article 48A, which was added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, the state is required to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests and wildlife.
About the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
Overview: The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory advisory board established by the Government of India (GOI) in 2002 under Section 5A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WLPA), which was amended in 1991 and 2002. It consists of 47 members with the Prime Minister (PM) as the Chair.
- The 2002 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act introduced a provision for establishing the NBWL, replacing IBWL.
Events in 2025:
‘Namo Van’ Initiative: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), along with the Rao Narbir Singh, Cabinet Minister of Haryana, laid the foundation stone of “Namo Van” at Manesar in Gurugram, Haryana, under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
State-level Wildlife Week in Gurugram (Haryana): Wildlife Week 2025 celebrations kicked off in Gurugram, where a 500-acre plantation drive was launched and the groundwork laid for an Aravalli species nursery.
Tiger talk & activities at Chhatbir Zoo (Mohali): To mark Wildlife Week, Chhatbir Zoo hosted a “Tiger Talk” by zookeepers, along with painting contests, essay writing, and quizzes involving school students.
About the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC):
Union Minister – Bhupendar Yadav (Constituency – Alwar, Rajasthan)
Minister of State (MoS) – Kirti Vardhan Singh (Constituency – Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
