Solan: The Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, celebrated Wildlife Conservation Day under the theme ‘Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation’. The first World Wildlife Conservation Day was observed on December 4, 2012, and this year’s theme underscored the growing role of technology in wildlife protection and its potential to transform conservation practices.
As part of the celebration, the department organized a series of quiz competitions for BSc Forestry students. These activities aimed to deepen students’ understanding of wildlife conservation, encouraging them to become more engaged in efforts to protect wildlife. The competitions not only raised awareness but also provided a platform for students and faculty to demonstrate their knowledge of the vital role wildlife plays in maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainable development.
The event also served as an opportunity to reaffirm the university’s commitment to wildlife conservation and highlight the ongoing efforts to protect our planet’s diverse species and their habitats, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the wonders of nature.
Dr. CL Thakur, Dean, College of Forestry, was the Chief Guest at the event. Emphasizing the importance of habitat preservation in wildlife conservation, Dr. Thakur discussed how the proliferation of invasive species has degraded habitats, leading to increased human-animal conflict. He further stressed the crucial role of technology in enhancing wildlife conservation efforts. Dr. DR Bhardwaj, Head of the Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, spoke about the essential role of wildlife in ecosystem services. He highlighted the importance of keystone species in food chains and the vital contribution of bird ringing to bird conservation.
Six undergraduate teams participated in the quiz competition. The team of third-year forestry students-Astha, Aditi, and Harshit, emerged as the winners, while Kartik, Anvi, and Kumud secured second place. The third position was awarded to Vibhuti, Jasvinder, and Prakriti.
The event was attended by Dr. Rohit Bishist, Programme Coordinators Dr. Prem Prakash and Dr. Rajeev Dhiman, Dr. Prashant Sharma, along with undergraduate and postgraduate forestry students.
