TURA: Extempore Speech, Quiz Competition etc were some of the programmes organised on Friday at SMELC Building in Dakopgre to mark the Wildlife Week 2018. The weeklong programme was organised by the Divisional Forest Officer, East and West Garo Hills Wild Life Division, Tura in collaboration with Meghalaya Science Society, Tura at SMELC, Dakopgre, Tura.
Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, P R Marak, the Conservator of Forest, Wild Life and Territorial, Garo Hills region called upon the people of the region to protect and preserve the environment as well the wild life living in these habitats. Stating that massive degradation of natural resources, forest and wildlife are taking place in our region, it is the concern and responsibility of every citizen to protect and balance the eco-system and food chain in the region.
Stating that all living things are interdependent in nature and biodiversity is an integral part of our life, he urged everyone to have compassion towards all living creatures on earth and support to preserve the rich biodiversity and the natural habitat of the region.
Delivering her keynote address, N R D Marak, Divisional Forest Officer, East and West Garo Hills Wild Life Division, Tura highlighted the importance of organising this programme which aims to motivate and generate interest of wildlife preservation and conservation among students in the region through various awareness programmes. She reiterated that the Wild Life Week is celebrated every year in India from October 2 to 8 with a view to preserve the fauna and save animal from extinction.
Mentioning the activities of some children who are using sling slots or catapults for hunting small bird in the vicinity, she reminded that these activities though ignorable in nature but is indeed damaging and destroying the population of those birds in the area.
Referring to the theme, “ Big Cats, Predators under Threat”, she said that top predators comprising of tiger, lion, jaguar and leopard are dwindling adding that about 95 per cent of tigers have disappeared in the past ten years and at present there are about 3090 tigers in the world and from these 2225 tigers are in India. Mentioning the two factors for their decline, she said that they are being killed for their skin, bones and even for meat by some people while the other factor is loss of habitat and of course man animal conflict due to loss of habitat.
Further, she mentioned that earlier there were 2 lakh lions in Africa, but now there are only 20,000 left and among these about 5000 lions are found in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. Therefore, special attention is to be given to these big cats and their other species so as to protect them and contribute to their conservation in future, she added.