(a) whether the Government are contemplating to launch an awareness campaign for the protection of wildlife;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and the steps taken in this regard so far; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) whether the Government are contemplating to launch an awareness campaign for the protection of wildlife;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and the steps taken in this regard so far; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a),(b) & (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a),(b) and (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.181 DUE FOR REPLY ON 3.12.2001.
(a) & (b) Education and awareness for protection of wildlife is an integral part of the National Wildlife Action Plan, adopted by Government of India in 1983. Important steps taken by the Government to increase awareness regarding various aspects of wildlife conservation include;
i) Assistance is provided to State Governments for creating nature interpretation facilities within national parks and sanctuaries.
ii) Assistance is provided to zoos for displaying animals in naturalistic surroundings with proper signage to create empathy and awareness for wildlife conservation. amongst visitors.
iii) Celebration of `Wildlife Week` every year in the first week of October.
iv) Setting up a network of National Museum of Natural History at Delhi, Mysore and Bhopal.
v) Launching of the `National Green Corps Programme` covering all the districts of the country for spreading environmental awareness amongst the school children.
vi) Recognising Centre for Environmental Education, Ahemdabad as a centre of excellence and providing financial assistance to the Institute for preparing appropriate extension material on various aspect of nature conservation including wildlife.
vii) Organising short term courses and workshops through Wildlife Institute of India for officials of Army, para-military forces, university lecturers and people from other walks of life.
viii) Providing financial support to NGOs for holding workshops and bringing out popular literature on wildlife.
ix) Organising workshops for local communities living around national parks and sanctuaries under the scheme `Eco-development in and around national parks and sanctuaries`.
x) Instituting `Amrita Devi Bishnoi Award` for outstanding contribution in the field of wildlife protection by the local communities.
xi) Bringing out thematic postage stamps on wildlife from time to time.
(c) Does not arise.