A Project on Wildlife Conservation

By :- Sourav Saha, Timir , Suprit Sourav Bouri , Ayan & Subhapriya

ENDANGERED SPECIES An Endangered (EN) species is a species which has been categorized by the IUCN Red List as likely to become extinct. Few examples are :- Jackass Penguin :- Constant fishing aroundhas led to a scarcity of appropriate food for the bird. Ivory Billed Woodpecker :- Habitat destruction forced the ivory-bill into smaller pieces of forestland.

Arctic Foxes:- Their hunting territory is diminishing as the Arctic tundra disappears because of the warming climate. Leatherback Turtles:- Warmer temperatures create more storms, destroying their nesting habitats.

Florida Panther :- It’s numbers have reduced due to habitat destruction through urban sprawl. Koalas:- They face malnutrition and starvation as their Eucalyptus leaves are dying.

The National Animal of India is in danger !

Just 2356 ROYAL BENGAL TIGERS left in INDIA ! Of the original nine subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct in last 80 years ; with an average of one every 20 years. It has been predicted all tigers may become extinct in the wild within the next decade .

Poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation have reduced the global population of tigers from over 100,000 in the 1900′s, to less than 4,000 in the 1970′s. Today, four of the remaining subspecies of tigers are considered endangered by the IUCN, while two of the subspecies are considered “critically” endangered. The total number of all the wild populations of the six remaining subspecies of tigers is estimated to be between 3,000 – 3,600 tigers !

Why are wildlife species on the verge of extinction ? Most people think that there is an abundance of wildlife species in the world, but the truth is, their numbers are dwindling and if nothing is done about it, these species might become endangered and extinct.

What’s At Risk ?Between 1970 and 2006, the populations of vertebrate species fell by one-third. Amphibians, coral species & plants and animals native to the tropics and freshwater ecosystem are at the greatest risk.- Nearly 50% of all primates are in danger of becoming extinct.

- Nearly 25% of all plant species are threatened with extinction. - More than 30% of all amphibian species are already extinct or threatened with extinction.

Human Causes of Extinction :-The rapid loss of species today is estimated by some experts to be between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate, while others estimate rates as high as 1,000-11,000 times higher. Illegal Hunting and Harvesting :- Species all over the world are hunted illegally (also known as poaching). The various illegal activities related to poaching are :- Pet Trade One of the most shocking examples of pet trade in endangered species took place in Taiwan at the end of the 1980s. As a result of a TV show featuring an orangutan, the demand for this endangered animal in Taiwan surged, and the

Country saw 1,000 orangutans entering it illegally & being sold via advertisements .Fur Trade :- During the late 1960s the pelts of more than 10,000 leopards, 15,000 jaguars, 3,000 cheetahs and 200,000 ocelots were (legally) being imported in the US and Europe each year. Bushmeat Trade :-

The trade in bushmeat in central Africa is the

main source of income for rural residents. It’s been estimated that hunting for bushmeat may

now even outrank habitat loss as a threat to rainforest animals in Africa .

Trade for Biomedical Research :- Almost all biomedical research is done in industrialised countries which were the main importers of animals for these purposes during 1950s – 1960s. It is estimated that the number of chimpanzees alone exported for biomedical research, was between 40,000 – 90,000 from the late 1960 -1980s. For comparison, the total present wild population of chimpanzees is no more than 150,000 across all of Africa.

But poaching isn’t the only man-made cause of extinction . 2 - Habitat loss

The biggest cause of extinctions is from species losing their homes, or habitat . Clearing forests, draining wetlands, damming rivers, turning grasslands into farming areas & putting human structures all remove natural habitat. 3 - Introducing Non-Native Species

o Exotic species often have a predatory or competitive advantage over native species, which have been a part of a particular biological environment for centuries.

4 - Legal Exploitation :- Even legal hunting, fishing, and gathering of wild species can lead to population reductions that force species to become endangered.

Poachers transport live animals and animal parts in ways that are hard for law officials to track. Bird smugglers will bind live birds tightly to their legs so that they can't be seen when the criminals pass through airports.

Natural Causes :- Natural factors usually occur at a slower rate than human factors and therefore cause a lower extinction rate. Human activities occur at a faster rate and cause higher extinction rates. Extinction is a natural biological process that has been a part of species' evolution since the beginning of time. Habitat Destruction :- Habitat destruction is ongoing in both terrestrial and aquatic biomes, with approximately 80% of all extinctions being attributed to human caused habitat destruction. Disease/Epidemic :- In just 7 years, a disease called white-nose syndrome has killed more than 5 million North American bats, almost wiping out entire colonies across 25 states.

Climatic Heating and Cooling The biodiverse Earth can't keep up with the rapid

changes in temperature & climate. The warmer climates are perfect for diseases & epidemics to thrive.

Acid Rain :- Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide and/or nitrogen oxides are put out into the atmosphere & increases the acidity of the soil which affects plant life.

Wildlife conservation is a practice in which people attempt to protect endangered plant and animal species , along with their habitats .

The goal is to ensure that nature will be around for future generations to enjoy and , and to recognize the importance of wildlife and wilderness lands to humans .

Many nations have government agencies dedicated to this practice , and they can help to implement policies designed to protect wildlife . There are also many independent nonprofit organizations that promote various conservation causes .

WHAT IS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ?

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IMPACTS ON DAILY LIFEThere are many reasons both emotional and practical - why wildlife conservation is important . Conservation can have powerful , direct impacts on daily lives on people around the world , as well as on plant and animal life and environment as a whole .WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ?

1 . BIODIVERSITY :- In nature various species are connected through various food webs . Disappearance of one species may

affect the other species .2. AGRICULTURE : Promoting wildlife conservation could

help secure future food supplies . Wild plants can be used as the basis for developing biodegradable pesticides .3. RESEARCH , & ECOSERVICES :- There may many undiscovered species . Ecosystem and biodiversity provides substances used in both pharmaceutical industry and medicines .

4. ECOTOURISM :- Ecotourism seems to help promote wildlife

conservation .

5. ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS :- Various animals can serve as indicators for the

environmental problems . Wildlife conservation may help to solve environmental

problems in a similar way .

6. EDUCATION & PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS : - Studying animals and their habitats can be a

valuable learning experience for student of all ages . Eco tourists experience a tremendous sense of

wonder , contentment and fulfillment .

7. Conservation Of Natural Habitat :- Conservation of natural habitats will also be

beneficial for humans since it helps to keep the essential watersheds intact and ensuring clean, fresh water.

Today, there are now wildlife preservation programs wherein they allow the animals to roam freely in their natural habitat

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION LAWS

Govt role in conservation of wildlife1. Wildlife protection act 19722. Project tiger 1972-733. Forest protection act 1980-884. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act5. The Endangered Species Act6. The Eagle Protection Act7. The Wild Bird Conservation Act8. The Environment (Protection) Act (1986)9. The Biological Diversity Act (2002) 10. National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016)11. National Forest Policy (1998)

OTHER LAWS :-

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in the year 1986 with an objective to provide protection and improvement of the environment as a whole.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species) within an area, biome, or planet.

To Protecting Biodiversity

Hunting and Fishing lawThe Endangered Species Act (ESA)Recovery PlansReintroductionsMinimum viable populationprivate land critical habitalReauthorization of the ESAInternational wildlife treaties

GOVERNMENTAL INVOLVEMENT

INDIAN PROJECTS

•PROJECT TIGER: LAUNCHED IN 1973, TO SAVE ROYAL BENGAL TIGERS

•PROJECT ELEPHANT:- LAUNCHED IN 1992, Project Elephant was launched in 1992 by the MOEF to ensure long-term survival of viable conservation reliant populations of elephants in their natural habitats by protecting the elephants, their habitats and migration corridors.

CROCODILE CONSERVATION PROJECT: LAUNCHED IN 1975 to prevent poaching of their skin for high-grade crocodile leather, and it raises eggs in captivity to protect them from predators.

•VULTURE CONSERVATION:- LAUNCHED IN 1999, to protect GRIFFON VULTURES and their habitats .

NON GOVERNMENTAL INVOLVEMENTMany NGOs exist to actively promote, or be involved with wildlife conservation :-

The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment . The National Audubon Society is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation & uses science, education & grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission. WildEarth Guardians is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization best known for its decade-long legal action against the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which culminated in 2011 with the Fish and Wildlife Service agreeing to move forward with protection for more than 800 species under the Endangered Species Act.

VERIOUS AWARENESS PROGRAMME

SAVE OUR TIGERS CAMPAIGN NDTV and Aircel joined hands to launch the NDTV-Aircel Save Our Tigers campaign in March 2010 with the aim of spreading awareness about the state of the big cats in the country and the crisis they were in.

The campaign is supported by superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Sanctuary Asia, India’s premier wildlife magazine and the Wildlife Conservation Trust, an organisation deeply involved in conserving tiger habitats across the country

In the second year, they highlighted the impact of the campaign and continued to re-iterate the challenges, demanding commitments from the chief minsters of all tiger states and engage all stakeholders in a dialogue. The 3rd edition of the campaign was launched in April 2014. They came up with the 6-point agenda for Tiger conservation and got the support of more than one million Indians through a signature campaign.

CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT WILDLIFE (HARYANA)

With a view to create awareness among people towards protection of wildlife, Haryana forest department has established Wildlife Week in the State from October 4,2013.The Department organized a State level Wildlife Week Celebrations at village Ledi of Chhachhrauli, district Amunanagar on October 4.

•CAMPAIGN IMPACT

State Government has set up three zoos and one deer park in the State to create awareness among people about wildlife.

Peacock and Chinkara Breeding Centre has been set up at Jhabua, district Rewari. A sum of Rs 20 crore would be spent in the next 20 years on the maintenance and development of this centre, which has been developed on a huge piece of land measuring 80 acres.

R E G I O N A L S U M M I T T O S T O P W I L D L I F E C R I M E A N D W I L D L I F E C O N S E R V A T I O N

It was published by Tanzania at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) from 7 – 8 November, 2014. The main objectives of the summit include the following: • Raise awareness at the highest political level about the dimensions of the poaching crisis and dynamics of illegal ivory trade in the region; • Develop agreement among nations (bilateral, multilateral or otherwise) on ways to coordinate and collaborate in managing shared ecosystems

• Develop harmonized protocols to guide the management of shared resources • Commit to urgent actions to be taken to secure viable populations of elephant population and other wildlife species for the benefit of the present and future generations • Discuss actions already underway to stop wildlife poaching and trafficking across borders in the region and share lessons.

PROBLEMS FACED TO STOP HUNTING OR POACHING

Many pending cases in the courtImpossible to punish dishonest traders always

Corrupted forest officer Natural problems

No awareness in people

Say no to over killing Stop fragmentation

Stop pollution to make the world green Help them to survive

Shoot them with camera only