World wildlife day, 13th March 2019
"On this World Wildlife Day, let us raise awareness about the extraordinary diversity of marine life and the crucial importance of marine species to sustainable development. That way, we can continue to provide these services for future generations." UN Secretary-General António Guterre”
The animals and plants that live in the wild have an intrinsic value and contributes to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and sustainable development. World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects, Sustainable Development Goal #15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss.
Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG14) aims to "conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development." The theme of World Wildlife Day 2019 is: "Life Below Water: For people and planet" which closely aligns with this goal, with a specific focus on the conservation and sustainable use of marme wildlife.
The capacity of life below water to provide these services is severely impacted, as our planet's oceans and the species that live within it are under assault from an onslaught of threats. These threats have a strong impact on the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on marine ecosystem services, particularly women and men in coastal communities.
Keeping in view the significance of this day and to generate awareness among the people, Department of Environmental Science at Integral University, Lucknow observed World wildlife day on 13 March, 2019. The Chief Guest of the function was Dr. Shailendra Singh, Country Program Director, Turtle Survival Alliance, Lucknow. The Program was honored by the presence of Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar, Director Planning and Research & Dean, IIEST, Integral University, Prof Syed Aqeel Alunad, Head Civil Engineering Department & Director, HRDC, Integral University, Prof. Monowar Alam Khalid, DSW & Head Environmental Science Department along with the faculty members and 107 students from the University
The Program started with the Speech by Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar. He shared his valuable views about the way human beings are exploiting the rivers and other natural resources leaving no space for the wild life and thus glooming the future of humanity itself. This further continued with the elicit presentation by Dr. Shailendra Singh and Prof. Monowar Alam Khalid, presented their experiences and contributions in the various programs and mitigating measures in conservation of the wilderness. The highlights of the program were a skit presentation on the theme "Human-Wildlife Conflict", by B.Sc. (H) 1st year students from Environmental Science Department. In this skit the students of the department presented the various human threats being faced by the wildlife and its consequences on nature as a whole. They tried to emphasise on the fact that we humans for our selfish needs are exploiting the nature towards reversible damage.
The B.Sc (H) IInd year students of Environmental Science Department arranged an exhibition that constituted various Eco-friendly usable items prepared by them using waste material as an effort to generate awareness about the reduce, reuse and recycle concept of waste. The program was smoothly hosted by Dr. Rahila Ralman Khan and completed with the vote of thanksby Dr. Syed Saema from Environmental Science Department