Habitat loss, overexploitation, illegal trade, and poaching and hunting have hammered global wildlife populations for decades, and climate change is now kicking in as a direct threat as well. Frequent wildfires in South Australia have shown a decline in koala population, migratory birds are decreasing in India’s Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary with subsequent years. The climate change is impacting the animal population in large domain.

Around 28% of the 1,38,000 species assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for its survival watch list are now at a high risk of extinction forever as per the reports of the global conservation body.

Komodo dragons, the largest living lizards, which are found only in the World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park and neighbouring Flores were listed as “endangered”. Approximately 37% of the 1,200 shark and ray species assessed by experts are directly threatened by extinction, a third more than what was seven years ago.

The IUCN officially launched its “Green status” — first global standard for Assessing Species Recovery and Measuring Conservation Impacts. It makes the invisible work of conservation visible along with a certain time period.

OUR EXPRESSION

India is a biologically diverse country. But with increasing tourism, the impact of mismanagement and poaching activities are too increasing in wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and zoological parks. This has resulted in a decrease in the animal population.

The government should implement strict laws to control the activity of poaching nationwide. Along with that, UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 14 (Life below water) and Goal 15 (Life on land) have to be implemented across the states having large wildlife populations.

In subsequent years, a policy for climate action sustainable solutions has to be implemented and taught in the schools in India. Awareness programs regarding climate action can be done in small districts of rural and urban populations.

By- Astitva Singh

Reference: The Hindu