World Wildlife Day (03/03)

«On this World Wildlife Day, I call on all citizens, all companies and governments to play their role in protecting the wildlife and plants that exist in our world. The actions of each of us will determine the fate of the world's wildlife. The future of wildlife is in our hands!». From the message of the 8th UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly, by its resolution (A/RES/68/205), decided to proclaim March 3 as World Wildlife Day, in order to raise awareness among the general public on issues of wild fauna and flora. This event became a separate milestone in the history of the UN, which made this decision.

The same year marked 40 years since the adoption of another important document in the field of protecting natural diversity. It was called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The document's birthday was March 3, 1973.

The birth of the holiday within the walls of the UN was preceded by an initiative of participants in the CITES Conference of the Parties, held in Thailand in the spring of 2013. It must be clarified that this meeting is being held between representatives of the countries that signed the Convention of March 3, 1973. It was at this Conference that it was proposed to declare March 3 as World Wildlife Day. The Conference participants approached the United Nations with this proposal, presenting the results of the Conference itself.

Participation in the 1973 Convention was not mandatory, but the countries that signed it are obliged to fulfill the conditions prescribed in this document. Today, 183 States are parties to the Convention. The USSR joined the CITES participants in 1976, and Russia, being the legal successor of the Soviet Union – in 1992.

The Russian Geographical Society supports projects aimed at preserving the white whale — beluga whale, Amur tiger, snow leopard, polar bear, Przhevalsky horse, Far Eastern leopard, Central Asian leopard, Pallas's cat and walrus. Study and conservation of rare animal species, support for scientific research and development of infrastructure of specially protected natural areas, environmental education — priority areas of work of the Russian Geographical Society. In total, the Society currently oversees projects to protect more than 200 different species of animals.

In total, approximately 5.9 thousand species of animals and 32.8 thousand species of plants are protected by CITES. They are listed in three CITES Annexes and grouped according to the degree of threat of their extinction.

More and more people are thinking about the importance in the life of the planet not only of man, but also of every living creature, be it an animal or a plant (Photo: Igumnova Irina, Shutterstock)

The appearance of such a holiday is due to the understanding of the need to preserve biological diversity on the planet. The undoubted value of wildlife relates to the environmental, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of sustainable development and human well-being.

Today, all over the world, wildlife is in danger. A quarter of the species are threatened with extinction largely because we have destroyed almost half of the ecosystems in which they live. Cacti, seaweed, giraffes, parrots, and oaks are classified as threatened species groups. One million species are currently at risk. To reverse this trend, we must take immediate action.

World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to highlight the diversity and beauty of wildlife and flora, and helps raise awareness of the benefits a person receives from conservation. In addition, this Day reminds us of the need to strengthen the fight against wildlife crime, which has far-reaching economic, environmental and social consequences. And the events held as part of the Day are dedicated to a specific environmental topic every year.

Concern for the conservation of endangered species of fauna and flora, the possible consequences of their complete extinction for other species, is pushing caring people of science, politics, economics and ordinary citizens around the world to join forces to save what is largely dying due to human intervention in the natural world.

World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to pay attention to the diversity and beauty of wild fauna and flora (Photo: Anan Kaewkhammul, Shutterstock)

More and more people are thinking about the importance in the life of the planet not only of man, but also of every living being, be it an animal or a plant. This holiday and its competent holding with the participation of the media makes it possible to expand the horizons of knowledge of the world for ordinary citizens, to show people the beauty of wildlife created and living independently of the human world. He teaches a person to live in harmony with the world around him.

After all, billions of people around the world depend on 50,000 wild species of flora and fauna. One in five people in the world receives income and food from wild species, and 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.

People's awareness of the beauty of nature, its diversity and the uniqueness of each individual species should contribute to this process of harmonization. Changing consciousness and attitude towards wildlife, abandoning the idea of the limitlessness of natural resources will allow our children and grandchildren to find the very harmonious way of coexistence with wildlife that will give them the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and splendor of this miracle!



• Infographics – poster «3 March — World Wildlife Day»

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