What is Wildlife?Wildlife means all the flora and fauna, which
are not domesticated by humans. It includes animals, plants and
microorganisms. Wildlife can be found in allecosystems. Deserts,
forests, rain forests, plains, grasslands, and other areas
including the most developedurban sites, all have distinct forms of
wildlife.
Wildlife in India
India is a home to rich and diverse wildlife because of her wide
range of climate, soil, weather and other such factors. TheWildlife
in Indiais a mix of species of different types of organisms. It is
home to tigers ,lions, leopards, pythons ,wolves ,foxes , bears,
crocodiles ,rhinoceroses, camels ,wild dogs ,
monkeys,snakes,antelopespecies, deerspecies, varieties ofbisonand
not to mention the mightyAsian elephant. The region's rich and
diverse wildlife is preserved in 89 national parks, 18 Bio reserves
and over 442 wildlife sanctuaries across the country. India has
some of the most bio diverse regions of the world.
Wildlife ConservationWildlife conservationis the practice of
protectingendangered plant and animal speciesand theirhabitats.
Among the goals of wildlife conservation are to ensure that nature
will be around for future generations to enjoy and to recognize the
importance ofwildlifeandwildernesslands to humans. Many nations
havegovernment agenciesdedicated to wildlife conservation, which
help to implement policies designed to protect wildlife. Numerous
independentnon-profit organizationsalso promote various wildlife
conservation causes. Wildlife conservation has become an
increasingly important practice due to the negative effects ofhuman
activityonwildlife.
Importance of Wildlife ConservationDue to the growing impact of
deforestation, continuous efforts are being made by some anxious
animal lovers to protect the endangered species as well as those
that are on the verge of extinction. Wildlife is important for four
main reasons: Beauty:By their unique way of existence, wild
creatures exaggerate the natural beauty of the earth. Economic
value:The financial value of wild species is important to the
economies of several nations, as it provides many valuable
substances like wood and other plant products, fibres, meat and
other foods, and skins and furs. Scientific value:By studying
wildlife, scientists have gained valuable knowledge about various
life processes and discovered important medical products Survival
value:Wildlife helps in maintaining the balanced living systems of
earth, which consequently ensures survival of life.
Wildlife Conservation Efforts in IndiaIndia acts as a habitat
for a number of endangered wildlife animals like Bengal Tiger,
Asiatic Elephant etc. And with time many animals like Northern
Sumatran Rhinoceros have got extinct. The Wild Life (Protection)
Act, 1972 is implemented throughout India except J&K for wild
life conservation and protection of endangered species. J&K has
its own Wildlife Protection Act. The Government of India has
adopted the National Wildlife Action Plan in 1983 for wildlife
conservation. Many sanctuaries and National parks have been
established for the protection of dwindling wildlife.
Wildlife Sanctuaries are places where the killing and capturing
of any animal is prohibited except under order of the authorities
concerned.National parks are set up for preserving flora, fauna,
landscapes and historic objects of an area.
Some well known wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks are:
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam) [Indian Rhinocerous] Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)[Indian Elephant] Jaldapara Wildlife
Sanctuary (West Bengal) [Gaur]
Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)[Tiger] Gir Forest National
Park (Gujarat)[Asiatic Lion] Hazaribagh National Park (Bihar)[Wild
Boar]
Indian Rhinocerous Indian Elephant Gaur Wild Boar Asiatic Lion
TigerWildlife Conservation Programmes and Projects
To promote wildlife awareness among the people, the Indian
government has started various natural projects and programs such
as Project Tiger, Nature Camps and Jungle Lodges. These projects
not only help to preserve our natural heritage, but encourage
eco-tourism as well.Project TigerProject Tiger was formed in 1972
and launched on the 1st April 1973 at Corbett National Park. Till
date, the project has been the most successful one in preserving
the tiger population at Tiger Reserves in Bandhavgarh, Corbett,
Pench, Ranthambhore, Kanha, Bandipur, Panna, Dudhwa, Sunderbans,
Manas and Sariska. All these reserves act as Conservation Centers
for tigers in India.
Project ElephantProject Elephant, a centrally sponsored scheme,
was launched in February 1992 to provide financial and technical
support to major elephant bearing states in India for protection of
elephants, their habitats and corridors. The Asian elephant, which
has shared a special bond with men since time immemorial, is now
facing an uncertain future. Hence "Project Elephant" has been
formulated in 1992 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to
protect the elephants in India. It covers in principles the entire
elephant population of the country.However, eleven elephant
reserves have been identified us priority areas for special
attention and financial assistance under this project. At present,
India holds the largest number of Asian elephants with 20,000 to
24,000 in wild and nearly 3,000 in captivity.
NGOsThe geographical diversity in India is the corollary to the
biodiversity that makes it home to a huge variety of plants, land
and marine animals. While the giant Himalayas in the northern part
support coniferous vegetation, the eastern states experience a
moist tropical climate. On the other hand large parts of western
India experience hot desert climate. Surrounded on three sides by
the sea, the Indian sub-continent is home to a large variety of
marine life as well.History of killing and poaching of wildlife in
India is as long and as varied as its biodiversity. The
predominance of princely states, an overdose of invasions and
colonialism and a lack of general awareness have stripped India of
much of her wealth in every sense. Much of the wealth that India
was naturally endowed with has disappeared. Below is a list of the
endangered species - whose existence at stake now.In case you are
wondering, let me tell you, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
However, it is never too late when the security of our foundation
on earth comes under the scythe. A number of NGOs have come forward
to put an end to the gory business of poaching and wildlife
trafficking in India. With the help of their seminars and symposia
they have been successful to a large extent in drawing the
administration's attention towards this problem. Legal activism on
their part has led to certain worthwhile legislation in this
regard. The ban on ivory and snakeskin trade and the listing of the
whale shark in the WPA schedule are some of the legal initiatives
taken by the state.Some of the NGOs that have played an active role
in the conservation and preservation of wildlife in India are:
TRAFFIC India fights wildlife trafficking in India Wildlife Trust
of India have been very vocal about the Red Jungle fowl and Golden
Haired Langur Wildlife First works for the conservation of wildlife
in Karnataka Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI)
collaborate with state governments to monitor illegal wildlife
trade
AchievementsA number of international and government
organizations as well as NGOs are successful in creating awarness
amongst people of the country. People are getting aware about the
danger on the wild creatures and are taking measures to prevent
their extinction.Activities like hunting of animal have been
strictly banned and selling of animal fur and teeth aslo have
restrictions.Indian government has launcher two projects- PROJECT
TIGER & PROJECT ELEPHANT which were a big success in preserving
the Bengal Tiger and Indian Elephant.
ConclusionWildlife is one of the most gracious gifts of nature
to this land, which is as rich in its variety and colours as its
number.Wildlife Management is an ancient phenomenon. Vedas contain
hymns in praise of animals. Sanatana Dharma has linked some animals
with the specific God or Goddess as the best way of conservation of
wildlife.A common man must take a small part in the programmes and
projects launched by various organizations if possible. Wild
creatures are also a creation of nature like humans and their
conservation is our duty. These projects cannot be successful
without mass support. So, we all must unite together in the
conservation of wildlife.
Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_conservation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_India
http://www.indianholiday.com/wildlife-india/wildlife-conservation-in-india.html
http://www.preservearticles.com/201107308732/wildlife-conservation-in-india.html
http://www.preservearticles.com/2012011320660/complete-information-on-conservation-of-wildlife-in-india.html