On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

                   World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2019 under the theme “Life below water: for people and planet“, which aligns with goal 14 of UN Sustainable Development Goals.Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. Marine wildlife has sustained human civilization and development for millennia, from providing food and nourishment, to material for handicraft and construction. It has also enriched our lives culturally, spiritually, and recreationally in different ways.This is the first World Wildlife Day to focus on life below water. It is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the breathtaking diversity of marine life, the crucial importance of marine species to human development, and how we can make sure it will continue to provide these services for future generations.

                                                              LEARNING WITH TIMES                                                                                             

                                                                     INDIA’S WILDLIFE

India has four biodiversity hot-spots among the 34 biodiversity hot-spots of the world. They are- Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and Indo-Burma, Sundaland.

India is home of about 172 threatened spices – Asian Elephant, Asian Lion, Bengal Tiger, Mugger Crocodile, Rhinoceros etc.

About 1300 species of birds are found in India among these 42 are endemic. Some of the common Indian birds are- Ringed Parrot, Green Bee Eater, Indian Roller, Koel, Blue Kingfisher, Laughing Dove.

Royal Bengal Tiger and the Peacock are the National animal and National Bird of India respectively.

Ganges river dolphin is the national aquatic animal .

Some of the common trees found in India are- Neem, Banyan, Peepal, Audumbar, and Bamboo