Wildlife is the living plants and animals that exist in the wild rather than in the domesticated/tamed form. It is a very important part of nature and helps in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. It also provides various benefits to humans such as food, medicines and recreation.
Many people are working towards wildlife conservation to save its habitat and prevent it from being wiped out completely. They are attempting to develop ways of using natural resources so that economic development and environmental conservation go hand in hand. This is important because the extinction of one species can lead to the extinction of another and the entire biodiversity may be lost forever.
Generally, wildlife is found in all habitats such as forests, deserts, grasslands and mountains etc. It is a large and diverse group of organisms which includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes. There are many ways in which humans can help in preserving wildlife such as avoiding hunting, conserving the land and water bodies, creating parks and sanctuaries, and raising awareness amongst the public.
Animals have been a major source of inspiration for human cultures and are a big part of our heritage. In India, the wildlife has been a subject of rooted effects in the fields of art and sculpture and even mythological stories. The Indian wildlife is famous for its varied diversity. It is home to more than 500 species of wild animals and about 2,100 of birds. Some of the popular wild animals of India are tiger, elephant, leopard, bison, wolf and swamp deer.
Besides, many wild animals and birds are being killed because of the increasing competition for their living space. Some of the reasons are population growth, the expansion of agriculture and livestock raising, building of cities and roads, deforestation and pollution. Due to the above reasons, the number of wild animals and birds is decreasing rapidly and they are on the verge of extinction.
The extinction of wild animals is a very serious concern as it can have drastic implications for the environment, as well as on people’s health and economy. Billions of people around the world rely on wild species daily for food, energy, materials, medicine and other vital needs. The accelerating global biodiversity crisis, with a million species of animals and plants facing extinction, threatens these critical contributions to humanity.
The government of India is making several efforts to protect the wild animals and their habitats. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has several provisions for the same. In addition, there are 165 national parks and 21 sanctuaries in the country that provide safe shelter to different kinds of wild animals and birds. National parks and sanctuaries should be protected at all costs to keep the wildlife intact. In addition, strict laws should be imposed against poaching and illegal trade in endangered animals. The conservation of wildlife requires the help of various organizations, governments and individuals all over the world.