JAMMU: The ‘Wildlife Week’ celebration has begun in Jammu region involving wildlife officials, school children, teachers, villagers and NGOs in programmes like symposium, discussions and painting competitions. An impressive gathering participated in separate programmes at Manda Deer Park and Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary. This was followed by a visit to Nature Interpretation Centre at Manda and an impressive cultural programme highlighting the importance of conservation of wildlife. Earlier, many children from different schools participated in painting competition at Manda.
Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu Region, Tahir Shawl, who presided over the function, highlighted the objectives of observing wildlife week and urged the participants particularly the children to adopt eco-friendly life style. He further informed that the Wildlife Protection Department is conducting week long awareness programmes spreading all over the Jammu and Kashmir to create awareness among people particularly the students & youth and people residing around wildlife protected areas for conservation of wildlife, habitat and environment in general.
President Environment Awareness Forum, BL Parimoo laid stress upon involvement of local communities, students and younger generation for maintaining ecological balance and sustainable use of natural resources. Wildlife Warden Jammu, Shahzad Chowdhary spoke about exposing students to the native flora and fauna with regard to conservation of wildlife habitat. He advised to take all precautionary measures to minimize the man-animal conflicts.