It’s our duty to conserve wildlife

Abhishek Kumar, Class IX, AKSIPS-41 Smart School, Chandigarh

God has created this world so beautiful and magnificent and it looks so just because of its adorable and wonderful creatures. Without creatures this creation will be incomplete and inconsequential. But, with the passage of time humans have started destroying the bounty of nature and its biodiversity for their selfish purpose.

Every day we read or listen that "this species of mammals are going extinct or that species of birds are in danger." Reading such news saddens me no end. But are we responsible for it?

If you are thinking why should we conserve biodiversity or what do we stand to gain from it? This is the problem. Every time humans see just their own benefit and not of the other speechless animals.

Here are a few convincing reasons that reveal the importance of conserving the biodiversity :

1. Preserves heritage and culture: Conserving wildlife means conserving heritage and traditional culture. Some places are known for their flora and fauna in relation to the native practices and ways of livelihood, which means that failing to conserve the environment, will lead to loss of their land and native heritage.

2. Medicinal value: Although plants are the major sources of medications, some animals are also vital in the production of medicines. For example, the venom from cobra is an important ingredient in making the medication for leprosy, while lobsters can be used as antifungals. It is also worth noting conserving wildlife also means conserving their natural habitat including trees and vegetation, which is paramount for medicinal research and the sustainability of the pharmaceutical industries.

3. Aesthetic benefits: Watching animals in their natural habitat is not only fun but also relaxing. People always go for holidays in areas under conservation such as zoos, game parks, lakes, oceans, forests, and mountains for activities such as camping, fishing, boat riding, and hiking just to mention a few.

4. Protection against climate change: Protecting wildlife could significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of destructive forest wildfires. Plant-eating wild animals reduce the amount of grass that can fuel fires through grazing. Furthermore, large wild grass-eaters such as elephants, zebras, rhinos and camels do not produce so much methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as domestic livestock. This is because they digest grass in a different way than livestock - using a large, single stomach rather than regurgitating their food.

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