March 3 is celebrated every year as World Wildlife Day.  The day is marked as an important global event to celebrate and protect the wildlife. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed between governments of different countries with the purpose of regulating the trade of species and preventing them from being over-exploited.

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Flora and fauna are an inalienable part of the planet and protecting the future of this integral part is our responsibility. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will”.

In order to safeguard the wildlife, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in its 68th session on December 20, 2013, declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day. The day of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

This year, we are observing the day with the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation”.  Let us take a pledge this year and come forward to protect ecological heritage in order to have a sustainable future and renew the commitment of preserving the ecological paradise of the Earth.

The richness of this planet lies within the beautiful interaction of human civilization and the wildlife as every creature, from majestic elephants to tiny insects, plays a vital role in maintaining our planet’s balance.

Recent catastrophes like sudden climate change, wildlife crime, heat waves, intensified storms, droughts and floods have already put the biodiversity in danger. Last year’s bush fire in the Amazon Rainforest already shocked the world and cost us the loss of wildlife to a great extent. The degradation of the forest and animals is increasing at an alarming rate.

Humans need to understand the vicious consequences that can occur due to their acquisitiveness and negligence towards the wildlife. It’s high time that human civilization took some strong initiatives to protect and preserve the ecological balance.

We can take small steps everyday to bring the change because any threat to wildlife is equally threatening to human life as well.