World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day Latest News

The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable practices on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.

About World Wildlife Day (WWD)

• It is observed every year on March 3 to celebrate wild animals and plants and recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. 
• History:
  • It was established by the United Nations in 2013 after Thailand proposed to dedicate a day to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. 
  • On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly officially declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day, with the first celebration taking place in 2014.
  • This date was chosen because, in 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on the same day. 
  • CITES is a global agreement to ensure that international wildlife trade does not threaten the survival of animal and plant species.
• WWD 2026 Theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”
  • It highlights the importance of plants used for medicine, their role in preserving cultural traditions, and the income they provide to local communities. 
  • Across the world, 70–95% of people in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for basic healthcare, much of it derived from plant-based resources. 
  • Medicinal and aromatic plants form the foundation of traditional systems of medicine and also contribute significantly to modern pharmaceuticals. 
  • India is one of 17 megabiodiversity-rich countries with around 15,000 medicinal plant species, of which 8,000 are used in Indian medicine, making it one of the world’s most important hubs for medicinal and aromatic plants.

Source: DD

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