Wildlife Week is celebrated from 2nd to 8th October all over the country. In Jammu and Kashmir, the celebration of Wildlife Week started with Swachh Abhiyan at Manda Trail in Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
While kick-starting the week-long programme, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), said that the aim of this programme was to raise awareness about conservation of nature and, in particular, wildlife among the masses.
He mentioned that conservation of wildlife is very important for maintenance of ecosystem balance.During the Swachh Abhiyan at Manda Trail in Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary, people from different walks of life including students, youth, retired officers, nature enthusiasts, Academcia, NGOs and staff of different wings of the Forest Department participated.
The participants cleaned the Manda Trail as part of Swachh Abhiyan with the twin objectives of Wildlife Week and Gandhi Jayanti celebration.Mr. Gupta also mentioned various programmes like cleanliness drives, painting competitions, seminars, trekking events, nature walks etc, being organized by the Wildlife Divisions throughout the Union Territory,
He mentioned that the programmes are being organized with participation of students, youth, PRI members, NGOs and nature enthusiasts. He said that the department is trying to rope in all stakeholders for this noble cause.
Wildlife Week celebration programmes are also focusing on communities living on the fringe of various Wildlife Protected Areas so that their full cooperation is received by the department with regard to protection and conservation efforts.
In Kashmir Region, Wildlife Week celebration started with Swachh Abhiyan at Dachigam National Park in which students, PRI members, NGOs, Eco-guides and staff of the department besides nature enthusiasts participated. The Swachh Abhiyan was followed by an interaction session in the Nature Interpretation Center.
The programme ended with interaction session at Nature Interpretation Centre Manda, where a poster on vultures was released by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) along with Dr. Kumar MK Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu, Professor Jashpal, Dr. Neeraj from University of Jammu, Anil Atri & Amit Sharma Wildlife Wardens and Guldev Raj, Head Himalayan Avian.