Sidra Shehzadi, Green Blogger

Wildlife conservation is created by secretary of state Hilary Clinton in 2012 and is celebrated on 4th December every year throughout the world. This day seeks to raise awareness and contributes in protection and survival of endangered species and natural world and also educate people on living sustainably with other species. Additionally this global occasion provides everyone with the opportunity to learn more about natural world and wildlife conservation. This day is mainly celebrated by wildlife conservation groups, zoos and wildlife organizations by holding a variety of events. They host educational seminars and exhibitions. These events focus on ending wildlife crime and saving endangered species.

Wildlife crime: The illegal poaching, smuggling and trading of wild fauna and flora, including forest products by individuals in contravention of a law. Wildlife crime is the 4th most lucrative form of organized crime on the planet. This crime has been on the increase over the past 10 years, with a spike in last 5 years. The cost of this increase can be seen in the example of Kruger National Park in South Africa, where R200 Million is spent annually on security.

            Wildlife is an important part of the eco-system. They plays a vital role in maintaining the eco-system and balancing the nature’s processes. The complex web of wildlife provides the natural systems we depend on. Giving us essentials like water, clean air, fertile soils and a stable climate, it also gives us food, medicines, materials and supports millions of jobs.

            But unfortunately the natural environment and biodiversity is destroying by anthropogenic activities and their unsustainable use from a long time. Reduction or loss of one specie interrupts the eco-system and food chain that further threatens other species. So, the disturbance of eco-system is posing serious effects on human lives as well as making their survival critical.

Threats: Wildlife is mainly suffering from land development, introduction of invasive species, climate change, pollution, hunting, fishing and poaching. From facing these threats continuously all wildlife species will became extinct that will cause many irreversible and extremely over whelming damage to the planet and many people would not survive it. In short wild life is disappearing on every continent, ocean, on land and under water. And its fate is in the hand of just one specie: Human beings.

·         The call to wildlife conservation began in the 1900’s. The decline in bison specie and disappearance of passenger pigeon introduced the public to the concept of extinction.

·         The recent studies and reports states “Our relationship with nature is broken”.

·         According to a new report from WWF, the world has lost more than two-third of its wildlife in the last 50 years.

·         Another report of 2020 from ‘The Living Planet’ estimates that population sizes of 4300 species are declined by an average of 68% from 1970 to 2016.

Scenario of Pakistan: From Indus river dolphins to snow leopards, Pakistan is also home to amazing wildlife. However much of them are in crises. Numbers have fallen drastically in last few years and species are going extinct at an alarming rate. We need to reverse this loss of nature and create a future where wildlife and homo-sapiens prosper again. So there is an urgent need to raise hands together and help each other in wildlife conservation and save our planet.

What to do: We should be just as willing to put forth the efforts to rebuild and attempt to replace what is lost, by giving donations to wildlife organizations and conservation projects. Along with these education and awareness about wildlife laws should also be raised. Discourage the manufacturing and purchasing of unsustainable products such as palm oil. Lastly wildlife law enforcement need to be conducted in accordance with national requirements for due processes and with respect for human rights, public safety and rights of accused.

About the Author: The author has recently done graduation in environmental science at GCWUS. She is keen about environment and interested in writing blogs to raise awareness about the environmental issues