Wildlife Week is annually celebrated across India between 1st and 8th October with an aim to protect and preserve the flora and fauna of India. The first Wildlife Week was observed in 1957. The Wildlife Week 2020 is celebrated from 2nd October to 8th October 2020.
Wildlife Week 2020 marks the 66th Wildlife Week which is celebrated under the theme RoaR (Roar and Revive) – Exploring Human-Animal Relationships.
Background:
i.The Indian Board of Wildlife was constituted and the idea of Wildlife Week was conceptualised in 1952 to raise the awareness about the long term goals of protecting the wildlife of India.
ii.Initially in 1955 the Wildlife day was celebrated which was later upgraded as the Wildlife Week in 1957.
Celebration of 2020 Wildlife Week:
Prani Mitra Awards:
i.To encourage the zoo officers and staff who are working on the captive animal management, the Central Zoo Authority has instituted the Prani Mitra Awards.
ii.The awards were presented to the winners of the 4 categories: Outstanding Director / Curator, Outstanding Veterinarian, Outstanding Biologist /Educationist and Outstanding Animal keeper, over the virtual ceremony chaired by Prakash Keshav Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the presence of other officials of the ministry.
Report of CZA-TERI:
i.Prakash Keshav Javadekar also launched a report of the Central Zoo Authority and The Energy and Resources Industries(CZA-TERI) titled “Economic valuation of ecosystem services, National Zoological Park, New Delhi” a first of its kind report on the importance of the zoos to the wellbeing of humans.
ii.The report estimates the total annual economic value of the ecosystem services to be around Rs. RS. 422.76 crore (2019-20) and the value of one-time cost of service like carbon storage and land value is estimated to be around Rs.55000 crore.
Key Points:
i.The Union Minister assured that a detailed plan to improve the quality of the zoos across India will be prepared and the budget allocation will also be increased to provide a better experience to the visitors.
ii.He also stated that the government is committed to develop around 160 zoological parks in Public Private Partnership (PPP) across India to promote the participation of the general public in wildlife conservation.
Events:
i.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC) has organised a series of webinars and film screenings to celebrate the Wildlife Week 2020, these webinars and films will be available on the social media channels of the ministry.
ii.The Wildlife Conservation Trust(WCT) has organised a conservation short film screening event from 1st to 7th October 2020.
iii.Wildlife institute of India(WII) organised a series of Webinars from 2nd to 8th October 2020 based on the research done by the scientists of WII.
iv.The Tamil Nadu Forest Department had inaugurated the Wildlife Week 2020 over a virtual platform on 2nd October 2020, the events of 2020 are conducted over a virtual platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC):
Union Minister– Prakash Keshav Javadekar
Minister of State– Babul Supriyo
