On the eve of 68th Wildlife Week 2022, Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K today organized and celebrated its inaugural function at Nature Interpretation Centre, Dachigam National Park, here. In the beginning of the event, a cleanness drive was organised by one of the participant school “Scholars School, Dara”.
Students from various schools of nearby area participated besides people from various backgrounds like scholars from SKUAST Kashmir, DDC member Theed A, Heads and representatives of various NGOs, volunteers, FPF, Field staff and Officers from Army and CRPF participated in the Inaugural function.
Rashid Y. Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir Region was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Rashid Y. Naqash said that the department is actively working on the larger participation of people at grass roots level in understanding nature and environmental issues.
He related this day with Mahatma Gandhi non-violence day and said that the department wants to bring people closer to Environment, Forests and Wildlife, so that interdependence and co-existence can be understood and appreciated.
He said that the department will continue to organize more such events, wherein the department will allow people to come face to face to the deeper beauty and priceless resources of nature.Chairman JK RTI Movement, Dr. Gh. Rasool during his speech laid emphasis on the rights of nature and rights of the indigenous people together.
While describing greed and urbanization as a source of destruction, he said that a collective approach in addition with nature-based tourism as per carrying capacity is need of an hour.Chairman National Society for Protection of Water Resources, Forest and Wetlands, Nazir be Nazir during his speech laid emphasis on every single organism and its importance in balancing the ecosystem.
He also persuaded students to get actively engaged in conserving wildlife, water bodies and nature.Talks were also delivered by various students thereby amplifying the message of conservation. DDC member Ali Mohammad Rather appreciated the role of the department and said, “being a local, I can tell you that our protected areas are safe by virtue of great effort day in and night out by frontline staff of the Department of Wildlife protection”.
Such activities and programs shall run throughout the week all across Kashmir. Focus of such events mainly remain students, civil society and local elected representatives besides the active involvement of NGOs and media houses.
Concluding the occasion with the statement that “Wildlife is the soul of nature, Save the soul, Save the Nature” Wildlife Warden Central Division Srinagar, Altaf Hussain delivered a Vote of thanks.