In News:

World Wildlife Day is observed on March 3 every year, and in 2025, it will be observed under the theme of “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.”

Key Details:

• Declared by: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

• First Observed: 2014
• Occasion: Commemorates the signing of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in 1973.
• Theme 2025:“Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”

Purpose and Significance

World Wildlife Day is an annual UN-recognized global event aimed at:

• Raising awareness about wild fauna and flora.
• Highlighting threats such as climate change, poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade.
• Encouraging global cooperation for wildlife protection.
• Promoting innovative financing models to bridge the estimated $824 billion global biodiversity funding gap.

2025 Theme Focus: Conservation Finance

The 2025 theme calls for sustainable financial strategies, emphasizing:

• Wildlife Conservation Bonds
• Debt-for-Nature Swaps
• Green Bonds and Carbon Credits
• Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)
• Public-Private Partnerships

These mechanisms aim to support conservation while fostering economic opportunities for local communities.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1973: CITES adopted.
• 2013: UNGA designates March 3 as World Wildlife Day.
• 2014: First official celebration.
• 2021: Theme – Forests and Livelihoods.
• 2025: Theme – Finance for Conservation.

Wildlife Status in India

• Protected Areas: 1,014 total (as of 2024), including:
  • 106 National Parks
  • 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • 115 Conservation Reserves
  • 220 Community Reserves
    (Covers ~5.32% of India’s total area)
• Tiger Population (2022): 3,682 – ~75% of global wild tigers
• Asiatic Lion Population (2020): ~674 (only in Gujarat's Gir Forest)
• India's Biodiversity Share:
  • 7.6% of global mammal species
  • 14.7% of amphibians
  • 6% of birds and reptiles
  • 6% of flowering plants

Major Causes of Wildlife Decline

• Habitat loss & fragmentation
• Illegal wildlife trade and poaching
• Climate change and pollution
• Invasive species
• Industrialization & urban expansion

Conservation Measures in India

• Project Tiger (1973): Boosted tiger numbers significantly.
• Project Elephant (1992): Focuses on elephant corridors and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
• Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Key legal framework to safeguard endangered species.
• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Buffer areas around protected habitats.
• Community Initiatives: Ecotourism, local participation in conservation.

Why is it in the News?

On the occasion of World Wildlife Day on March 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded those at the forefront of sustainable practices and supporting wildlife conservation efforts.

About the World Wildlife Day:

• World Wildlife Day is observed to advocate for sustainable practices that contribute to biodiversity conservation and to enhance public consciousness about the importance of safeguarding and nurturing animals.
• It endeavors to underscore the interconnectedness of all life forms on Earth and to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and animals through activism, advocacy, and education.

Origins:

• Initially proposed by Thailand to the UN General Assembly in 2013, World Wildlife Day aimed to dedicate a day to spotlight the significance of wild animals and plants worldwide.
• On December 20, 2013, the General Assembly adopted a resolution, designating March 3 as World Wildlife Day from 2014 onwards.
• Coinciding with the day, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed in 1973, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding species from the threats of international trade.

The theme of WWD 2024:

• The theme, "Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation," underscores the potential of technological advancements to revolutionize conservation efforts.
• In today's digital era, technological breakthroughs offer novel solutions to persistent conservation challenges, making this theme particularly relevant.

Significance:

• World Wildlife Day serves as a vital global awareness platform for animal protection and conservation.
• It reinforces the intrinsic value of animals and advocates for treating them with compassion, integrity, and reverence.

About the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

• CITES is an international treaty that aims to regulate and monitor the trade of endangered plants and animals, including their parts and derivatives, to ensure their survival in the wild.
• Under CITES, member countries are required to regulate and monitor the trade of endangered species through a system of permits and quotas.
• They must also report regularly on their implementation of the treaty and collaborate with other countries to ensure its effectiveness.
• Currently, CITES has 184 parties.