Series of activities organized across J&K to mark World Wildlife Day

Jammu : Department of Wildlife Protection on Thursday celebrated World Wildlife Day by organising a series of program.
While inaugurating day long program at Wildlife Complex Manda, Dr.Neelu Gera, Chairperson, Pollution Control Committee, J&K highlighted the importance of the day annually celebrated to mark the signing of convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES) in 1973.
She said that United Nations General Assembly in its 68th session on 20th December 2013 decided to proclaim 3rd March as World Wildlife Day.
Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K Suresh Kumar Gupta, gave a brief on various initiatives taken by the Department of Wildlife Protection for protection and conservation of wildlife and restoration of ecosystems. He called upon youth to help the department in spreading the awareness about wildlife protection and conservation.
At Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary, a one day capacity building workshop was organised with collaboration of Institute of Mountain Environment, University of Jammu.
The Students from Degree College Kathua, Eco-guide trainees, local PRI members and staff of the department participated in the workshop to mark the World Wildlife Day.
The programme was conducted by Dr.Neeraj Sharma from Institute of Mountain Environment in collaboration with Vijay Kumar, Wildlife Warden, Kathua under the guidance of Dr. Kumar M.K., Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu.
At Srinagar, a programme was held at Nature Interpretation Centre, Dachigam in which local youth were sensitized about role, responsibilities and potential for eco-guides in Wildlife Protected Areas. Local PRI members and staff of the department also participated in the programme chaired by Rashid Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir.A programme was also held at Army Goodwill School, ZiranTangmarg. The programme was organised by Wildlife Division, North Kashmir in collaboration with the Army. Painting and essay competition was held among students of the school and prizes were distributed among winners.
Programmes to celebrate World Wildlife Day were also held at Shashera-Rajouri, Mela High School, Sunderbani, Tral in Pulwama and Overa in Anantnag in which students and local Panchs and Sarpanchs participated.