by- Aaliya Mir
An event was organized by Wildlife SOS on ‘International Day for Biological Diversity-2014 with the aim of spreading awareness on biodiversity and the importance of preserving it. International Day for Biological Diversity was first celebrated on 29th December, 1994. From year 2001, the date has shifted to 22th May. IDB marks the date of adoption of the convention on Biological Diversity. The aim is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity related issues. “Isaland Biodiversity” was the theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, 2014. The theme carries special significance, coinciding with the designation by the UN General Assembly of 2014 as the “International Year of Small Island Developing States”.
Islands and their surrounding areas constitute unique ecosystems often comprising of many plant and animal species, that are endemic found nowhere else on earth. They are also key to livelihood, economy, well being and cultural identity of 600 million islanders i.e. 1/10th of the world population. Wildlife SOS organized the event to mark the day at Dachigam, in the lap of Nature. About 200 students from three reputed Institutions participated in the event at Nature Interpretation Centre. The event was divided into two segments-a firsthand experience in the open nature and then AV presentations in the NIC Dachigam. The students were made aware of the status and ethics of a National Park and the animals residing in the park. Students, teachers as well as a senior Wildlife Official spoke on the occasion and shared his experience with the audience.
Aaliya Mir, Education
Officer of Wildlife SOS talked about the significance of International Day for Biodiversity. Later Tahir Gazanfer, Programme Coordinator also gave away a presentation on World Biodiversity. Lastly the students were taken to Bear rescue facility center to know more about the bears, their behavior and habitat. The aim behind the visit of students to the facility was to minimize the grudges between the man and the bears that nowadays are considered as the worst enemy of humans. Before leaving the park, the students and the escorting teachers thanked Wildlife SOS for making them understand the Nature and its well being
