Mass awareness as an effective tool for biodiversity and wildlife conservation Amita Kanaujia Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow-226007, Uttar Pradesh, India E-mail: kanaujia.amita@gmail.com Abstract-Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area as determined by number of different species. Awareness is a fundamental need for conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) has done various awreness programmes in collaboration with U.P. State Biodiversity Board, RSC (Regional Science Centre) and CEE (Centre for Environment Education) to provide an opportunity to open up a whole new world of curiosity and interest as well as sensitize local people re g a r d i n g t h e v a l u e and n e e d f o r conservation. The major tools for mass awareness incorporates distribution of awareness materials in English and in Hindi (pamphlets, flyers, posters, calenders). Since 2009 various awareness programmes related to wildlife and biodiversity regularly being organized as Exhibitions, Competitions, Awareness car, Field trips, Workshops, Training Programmes, lectures, wildlife movies. Involvement of media has also emerged as an effective way of spreading awareness. According to a Green Calender we celebrate different days and weeks related to Wildlife and Biodiversity such as 2nd February World Wetlands Day and 20th March World Sparrow Day. In our country different animals have their mythological importance such as snake associated with Lord Shiva, Lion associated with Goddess Durga which also helps to encourage and sensitize the general people regarding conservation. INTRODUCTION Awareness Programmes provide an opportunity to open up a whole new world of curiosity and interest as well as sensitize local people regarding the value and need for conservation of natural resources biodiversity apart from environmental i s s u e s . The environmental conditions are deteriorating day by day due to human negligence and population pressure. So there is an urgent need to increase awareness and sensitize the local people, especially teachers and students of educational institutes and general public to know their environment and the existence of upcoming problems leading to decline or extinction of species. Due to increasing population pressure, urbanization, industrial development and change in climatic conditions the number of floral and faunal species will decline rapidly. The human impact on the global environment has triggered a mass extinction event of significance on a geological time scale as well as causing widespread changes in the global distribution of organisms (Chapin et. al. 2000; Thomas et. al. 2004). Advocacy, education and awareness raising are cross-cutting components aimed at all possible actors. 36 Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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