AS INDIA MARKS its 71st Wildlife Week from October 2 to 8, it reaffirms its resolve to protect and restore its ecosystems, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come. This resolve is imperative and significant, as India’s vanishing wildlife is no longer just a biodiversity crisis—it is a public health emergency born of human-induced ecological collapse. In the case of Manipur, wild animals that once roamed abundantly in the region are now almost negligible. The state has two wildlife hotspots—Himalayan and Indo-Burma. But the present status of wildlife in Manipur is alarming.
The changing climatic conditions in Manipur, such as scanty rainfall, rising temperature, cyclones, landslides, floods, diseases, and pollution, have had devastating impacts on our wildlife. Also, the verdant hill districts of Manipur, where a maximum of wildlife flora and fauna is found, have the tradition of hunting. In most of the hill areas, because of lack of awareness, wanton killing of wildlife continues. Understanding and valuing nature with a dynamic state of coexistence is the character quality for the National Wildlife Week, which serves as a poignant reminder to protect nature’s diverse forms of life. Authorities, however, continue to issue gun licenses, which are mainly meant for hunting. Thousands of acres of wildlife habitats are destroyed every year from indiscriminate felling of trees and poppy cultivation in hill areas. Thus, 46 per cent of people residing in hills, which comprise 90 per cent of the state’s geographical area, must take a proactive role to conserve wildlife in Manipur. Wildlife is the most precious gift of God. Saving wildlife is not a favour but for our survival.
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The theme for the Wild Life Week 2025 is “Human-wildlife coexistence, मानव-पशुसह-अस्तित्व.”Wildlife conservation is teamwork. We alone can’t save our planet’s amazing animals and plants. Wildlife Week is appealing to society about the intricacies of animal life and to unite in preserving the magnificent tapestry of lives that surrounds us. By taking a stand and fostering a culture of conservation, we can collectively secure a future where both humans and wildlife thrive in harmony.
Fascinating Facts About India’s Wildlife
- India, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and among 17 countries that have the distinction of being awarded the title ‘Megadiverse’ for being home to a vast diversity of flora and fauna, is blessed with five hot spots.
- India covers only 2.4 per cent of the Earth’s land but harbors 21 per cent of the world population and 15 per cent of the cattle population.
- India is home to 7.8 per cent of all known species, including over 45,000 types of plants and 91,000 types of animals.
- India’s varied landscapes and climate have created different ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, and coastal and marine habitats.
- These ecosystems support rich biodiversity. More than 500 species of mammals, 1220 species of birds, 1600 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 57000 species of insects populate this subcontinent.
- India owns 75 per cent of the world’s wild tiger population, 60 per cent of Asian elephants, 80 per cent of the one-horned rhinoceros, and the entire remaining population of the Asiatic lion.
Threats and Challenges to Wildlife Conservation
The alarming reality of species extinction, with over 69 per cent of Earth’s 4 billion species now extinct, including 25 per cent of mammals, 1 in 6 bird species, and 41 per cent of amphibians, is stark. This rapid loss of biodiversity poses a significant threat to our ecological equilibrium, potentially leading to the extinction of critical flora and fauna, integral components of our delicate ecosystem.
The essence of Wildlife Week lies in fostering empathy and compassion for a harmonious coexistence where humans play a lead role in ensuring the well-being of the other creatures. Any harm to the wilderness can have cascading effects, disrupting food chains, altering nutrient cycles, and destabilising entire pristine ecosystems.
Factors, such as population explosion, rapid globalization, and industrialization, have put an unhealthy strain. Wildlife contributes to the ecological, genetic, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic aspects. At the heart of wildlife conservation lies the preservation of endangered species, facing threats such as habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change. It also reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime. Wildlife preservation is also managing wildlife along with human progress, as both are indispensable.
Wild Life(Protection) Act 1972—Can India Achieve the Target?
India continues to drive a holistic and inclusive conservation agenda on wildlife conservation, but its vanishing wildlife has become a public health emergency born of human-induced ecological collapse. In the wake of the alarming situation, will the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the ‘protectionist’ paradigm for conservation of wildlife in India, achieve the target?
The National Wildlife Database Centre of WII has been developing a National Wildlife Information System (NWIS) on the protected areas of the country. To make the wildlife conservation plans successful, the country has 1022 protected areas as of November 2024, comprising 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 123 Conservation Reserves, and 220 Community Reserves, covering approximately 5.43 per cent of our geographical area. We also have 91 Ramsar sites of wetland importance.
In the Union Budget 2025-26, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has been allocated ₹3,412.82 crore, which is nine per cent higher than the 2024-25 revised estimates of Rs. 3125.96 crore. For 2025-26, the government has allocated ₹450 crore for the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats under its centrally sponsored scheme. Additionally, ₹290 crore, 64 per cent of the total allocation, has been earmarked for Project Tiger and Elephant, reflecting an 18 per cent increase from the 2024-25 revised estimates.
No doubt. India’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation is reflected in a series of transformative initiatives that blend tradition with cutting-edge technology. From strengthening flagship programmes like Project Tiger and Project Elephant to pioneering new conservation efforts for many flagship species, the government has adopted a holistic and science-driven approach.
The integration of artificial intelligence, geospatial/IP mapping, and community-led conservation underscores India’s global leadership in wildlife preservation. The remarkable resurgence of endangered species, strengthened legal frameworks, and a strategic integration of technology also advance the country to environmental stewardship. Moreover, India’s collaboration with IUCN, multilateral bodies, and conservation partners has reinforced its leadership in addressing global biodiversity challenges. By fostering cross-border cooperation, leveraging scientific innovation, and ensuring community participation, India continues to drive a holistic and inclusive conservation agenda.
Wildlife, however, has to interconnect with nature to maintain our ecological balance. Therefore, it should be our primary responsibility to protect and conserve wildlife during this Wild Life Week for a thriving future and planet Earth.
(The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times. The author is an Environmentalist, presently working as District Forest Officer, Chandel district, Manipur. The author can be reached at nmunall@yahoo.in.)