Week-long programme to focus on wildlife habitat protection, biodiversity and community participation; cycling rally, mini-marathon, treks and Cheer Pheasant release planned
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing will observe the 75th Wildlife Week from October 2 to 8, with a series of awareness, educational, adventure and conservation activities across the state.
The week-long celebrations will be formally inaugurated on October 2 at 11 am at the Shimla Water Catchment, Wildlife Sanctuary Gate, Dhalli. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, according to the official invitation issued by the Wildlife Wing.
This year’s theme is “Protecting Wildlife Habitats to Conserve Health and Livelihoods.” The theme highlights the importance of protecting natural habitats not only for wildlife and biodiversity but also for human health and livelihoods.
Seven days of conservation activities
The celebrations will begin with the opening ceremony and cleanliness drive at the Shimla Water Catchment on October 2.
On October 3, a cycling rally will be organised at the Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, along with bird-watching and floral study walks and zoo visits at selected locations.
A mini-marathon at Ridge Maidan, Shimla, has been scheduled for October 4, while short treks will be organised in protected areas and selected forest areas on October 5.
One of the key conservation activities will take place on October 6, when a Cheer Pheasant release programme will be held at Moi-Jubber in Shimla. The same day, wildlife talks and storytelling sessions with experts will be organised at the Western Himalayan Temperate Arboretum, Potters Hill.
A seminar/webinar will be held at Aranya Bhawan, Talland, on October 7, while wildlife quiz competitions will be conducted at schools, colleges and community centres.
The Wildlife Wing is also organising activities aimed at providing a platform to students, artists, photographers, filmmakers, nature lovers and the wider public to engage with wildlife conservation.
Painting, wildlife photography and video documentary competitions will form part of the celebrations. The video documentary competition will be conducted in both open and departmental categories.
The initiative seeks to take wildlife conservation beyond departmental programmes by encouraging people to engage directly with forests, wildlife and natural habitats through activities such as trekking, bird watching, educational visits and awareness programmes.
The week-long celebrations will conclude with a state-level closing ceremony at Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, on October 8.
The official programme calendar underlines a broad approach to conservation, combining awareness campaigns, outdoor activities, expert interactions and creative competitions to strengthen public participation in wildlife protection.
The Wildlife Wing has called for wider community involvement in protecting Himachal Pradesh’s wildlife, biodiversity and natural habitats.
