Imagine the world without any wildlife. How will the life be? Is it possible to survive without wildlife? Actually No, not at all.

We all know that for the balance of the nature it is very important that we protect and save our wildlife. It is an intrinsic part of our life. It contributes to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of sustainable development and for human well-being.

Realising the importance of wildlife, at its 68th session the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants on 20^th December 2013.

The UNGA resolution also designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN Calendar.

It is time to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.

In 2017 International Wildlife Day is focussing on the youth.  They are the agents of change as almost one quarter of the world’s population is aged between 10 and 24.  Intensive efforts need to be made to encourage young people, as the future leaders and decision makers of the world, to act at both local and global levels to protect endangered wildlife. The theme of 2017 International Wildlife Day is ‘Listen to the Young Voices’.

It encourages youth around the world to rally together to address ongoing major threats to wildlife including habitat change and over-exploitation.

Governments, law makers, enforcement officers, customs officials and park rangers across every region are scaling up their efforts to protect wildlife. It is also up to every citizen, young and old, to protect wildlife and their habitats. Being a part of the member we all have a role to play. Our collective conservation actions can be the difference between a species surviving or disappearing.

It’s time for us all to listen to the young voices.

Prepared by Seema Kumari

  animals, environment, Fauna and Flora, International Wildlife Day, sustainable development, United Nations