llegal Wild Life Trade a Serious Threat to Endangered Species

Kapurthala, June 5, 2016: “Each year hundreds of millions of plants and animals are caught or harvested from the wild and then sold as food, pets, ornamental plants, leather and medicine. While a great deal of this trade is illegal and threatens the survival of many endangered species. With overexploitation being one of the largest direct threats to many species, therefore, illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade is an issue which needs to be addressed on priority,” said Sh.Manpreet Singh(IAS), Chairman, PPCB while presiding over the celebration of World Environment Day at the Science City, Kapurthala, which was jointly organized with Punjab Pollution Control Board Patiala.
Also present on the occasion , Sh. R.K. Luna, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Retired), Govt. of Punjab informed that, In Africa alone between 2010 and 2012, one lakh elephants have been killed by poachers. In India, Great Indian Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger are under constant threat of extermination due to illegal trade of their body parts including horns, bones, teeth, skins etc. which are smuggled through international borders. He, further, said that theme of Environment Day – 2016 "Zero Tolerance For The Illegal Trade In Wildlife" has been selected keeping in view the threats to iconic wildlife species from poachers who indulge in illegal trade of animal parts.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Rajesh Grover, Director, Science City said that this overexploitation should concern us all because it has harmed human livelihoods as many people in our country depend entirely on the continued availability of local wildlife resources viz. fuel, food and medicines. Careful and thoughtful use of wildlife species and their habitats is required to avoid not only extinctions, but serious impact on the balance of nature. The existence of illegal trade is also worrying because it challenges countries efforts to protect their natural resources. Another worrying factor in illegal wildlife trade is deliberately introduction of many invasive or foreign species which cause indirect harm by competing with native species. Invasive species are a big threat to the balance of nature as the direct overexploitation by humans of some species. Dr. Babu Ram, Member Secretary , Punjab Pollution Control Board, Patiala and Sh. Sandeep Behal, Senior Environment Engineer were also present on this occasion.

Result of the Competition: Caption Contact: First prize won by javeenjot Kaur from Guru Hargobind Sen. Sec. School Nadala, Arshdeep Singh from Royal Baby Sen. Sec. School Kapurthala and third prize bagged to Parteet KaurSt. Francis school , Batala Gurdaspur.

Painting Completion: First prize has been achieved by Kunal From Lala Jagt Naryan DAV Model School Jalandhar, Second prize goes to Angelina Kaur from SPPS Covent School Beggowal and third won by Kuljit Kaur from Baby Royal Model Sen. Sec. School Kapurthla.