Jammu, Oct09: The Wildlife Week-2022 celebrations concluded on Sunday with a trekking expedition of a group of students of Department of Botany, Zoology and Environment Sciences of University of Jammu organised by the Department of Wildlife here.
The 3.50 KM trek started from Peer Baba Sthan, Jatki (Raika) to Environment Park. It was followed by interaction cum discussion on wildlife conservation in J&K.
Speaking on the occasion, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), J&K said that the Department of Wildlife has taken various initiatives for conservation of wildlife. But the efforts of the department shall be successful only with the help of civil society, especially students and youths. He called upon students to support the awareness campaign by involving all sections of the society.
Members of the Wildlife Board Dr. C M Seth, O P Sharma, Prof. D N Sahi, and Guldev Raj also addressed the participants. During discussions on wildlife conservation in J&K, officers, academia, NGOs, Researchers and students participated. Prominent participants were Senthil Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Samuel, Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr. Kumar MK, Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu, Prof. Yash Paul Sharma, Prof. Namrata Sharma, Dr, Arti Sharma, Dr.SarbjeetKour, Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Dr. Pankaj Chandan and Amit Sharma.
The participants expressed their views about various aspects of wildlife conservation. Some of the participants highlighted the issues of human-wildlife-conflict and suggested involvement of locals and PRIs and increasing the quantum of awareness programmes. During the trekking programme O P Sharma Vidyarthi made the participants aware about flora and biodiversity along the trek. Dr. C M Seth called for continuation of such engagements with students and youths all through the year and even in villages and far flung areas. Prof. Yash Paul Sharma mentioned about continued coordination between the Department of Wildlife Protection and Educational Institutions. Two movies on ‘Wildlife of J&K’ and ‘Biodiversity of Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary and Thein Conservation Reserve’ were also screened on the occasion.
During the programme members of the Wildlife Board were felicitated and the programme was conducted by Anil Kumar Atri, Wildlife Warden, Jammu.
