SHILLONG: The Wildlife Week Celebration organised by the Wildlife Wing, State Forest Department, drew to a close on Wednesday with release of books, felicitation of those people who had helped in rescuing different wild animals and handed them over to many sanctuary and parks, besides others.
Additional Chief Secretary PBO Warjri, who attended the valedictory function as the chief guest, highlighted the importance of environment for survival and the need to understand the value of preserving it and enrich it further for future generations.
He also informed that the celebration involves school children with an aim to focus and garner support for preserving the wildlife, forest and environment of the region.
“Healthy life of the people is being threatened due to the depleting forest cover and the increase in population is leading to various respiratory diseases,” Warjri said, adding that it is illegal to kill any wild life and the Government of India has made it mandatory not to kill wildlife.
He also explained the significance of the food chain and the interdependence among all forms of life.
Warjri also released a book entitled ‘Mammals of North East India’ authored by Dr Anwaruddin Choudhury, a wildlife enthusiast of Rhino Foundation for Nature in North East India.
Dr Choudhury, who was also present on the occasion, said that the book ‘is the outcome of the field work done for almost three decades’.
He mentioned that North East region has diverse habitats for wildlife especially mammals whose lives are being threatened by felling of trees and encroachment, global warming, poaching and advised the people to protect the remaining habitat.
Further, persons who had contributed to the environment by helping rescuing different wild animals of the area and handed them over to Lady Hydari Park Mini Zoo in Shillong were also felicitated with a certificate and memento.
The animals rescued comprises of Rhesus Macque, Heron, Monitor Lizard, Leopard Cat, Quail, Barking Deer, Tortoise, Pond Heron, Crested Goshawk, Turtle, Civet Cat, Northern Goshawk, Hill Myna, Slow Loris, Rose Pinch and Giant Flying Squirrel.
Drawing and painting competition and essay writing competitions were also conducted for school and college students of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi and South West Khasi Hills, including the differently able and under privileged students.