Wildlife Week

GUJARAT COUNCIL OF SCIENCE CITY

Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of Gujarat

Celebration of Wildlife Week at Science City

1^st to 7^th October 2011

Come, closure to wildlife for protecting biodiversity!

There is good news to wildlife lovers this week. Gujarat Science City is organizing a series of activities and programmes to mark the observation of Wildlife Week from 1st to 7th October 2011 that aims to widen the meaning of wildlife by understanding that wildlife is not just large, fierce animals, but all non-domesticated flora and fauna native to an area.

The year 2011 is being celebrated as the International Year of Forests and the forest also tells about the varied wild life which inhabits in them. Wildlife conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of wildlife and their environment, especially in relation to endangered and vulnerable species. All living non-domesticated animals, even if bred, hatched or born in captivity, are considered wild animals.

Gujarat is the dream of an explorer who quest for nature and wildlife. The state in the western part of India possesses varied landforms with the dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, marine ecosystems, wetlands and rich moist deciduous forests. These habitats are home to rare wild life inhabitants. The Land of the legends is symbolically known for its wildlife icon of Lions that are found in the Gir reserve and happen to be a major attraction for tourists from national and international locations.

Gujarat’s varied habitat has a fascinating diversity of Wild Life having its own charm in its own environment. The state offers a great diversity of habitats and has a lot to offer to those that love wildlife. While the country has earmarked 4% area as protected area, Gujarat has 8.7% of area for the biodiversity and wildlife.

The wildlife week programme in Science City offers a chance to screen wildlife films, posters and slide shows, games, quiz and interactive sessions by experts on the theme. A special seminar session has been organized on 2^nd October 2011 where about 150 engineering students will be participated. Shri S. D. Vora, Chief Conservator of Forests, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam, Shri D. S. Narvey, Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) and Dr. R. K. Sahu, Zoo Superintendent, Kamala Nehru Zoo, Kankaria will interact with the young engineers about the significant role of wildlife in our environment. School and college students and the common public are invited to visit Science City and to participate in the wildlife week programme. Visitors can see nature and wildlife movies on the LED Screen in the afternoon.

The movie titled ‘Where have all the animals gone’ is a story about endangered species, which speaks about pollution, loss of habitat, population growth, over haunting, poaching and exotic pet trade. The film ‘More is Better: The Biodiversity Story discusses devastating loss of species and endangering an ever growing number of organism.

Similarly there are other titles namely, Animal Game, Web of Life: producer to predator, understanding ecology: what is an ecosystem, what is a food chain, what is a habitat, what is a niche, etc and some more titles are selected for the public viewing and student interaction. There are also quiz papers for participants on various aspects of wildlife and its conservation issues. The week-long celebration will be culminated on 7^th October 2011.

The broad objective of this celebration is to spread the message that “wildlife” is everywhere – in our homes, gardens and fields, not just in forests and that the wonder of nature is there at our doorstep for us to study and appreciate.  They can learn also about the threats to our wildlife and know about wildlife protection laws in our country.

The state Gujarat offers a great diversity of habitats and has a lot to offer to those that love wildlife. The deep forests at Dang and the Gir give shelter to various sorts of animals, including some of the rarest species that can only be found in Gujarat, such as the Asiatic lion, the wild ass, the Indian bustard, and the four horned antelope. There are also special bird sanctuaries and an excellent maritime park.

Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man. As this year is being celebrated as the International Year of Forests, the wildlife week programme has a greater role to bring education and awareness about the conservation of plants, animals, and habitats and the preservation of biodiversity. GSC through its DNA Club students also coordinated various hands-on activities and field programmes for the awareness and conservation of wildlife in nature.

We request one and all to visit Science City and to be a part of this celebration on wildlife and forests.

GUJARAT SCIENCE CITY

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