By Isatou Jawara
World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually on the 3rd of March in support of animals and plants across the world. The event was proposed by Thailand and was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly during its 68th meeting.
The General Assembly reaffirmed the natural value of wildlife and its various contributions, including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic, to sustainable development and human well-being!
On March 3rd 2023, World Wildlife Day will be celebrated and the bridges that have been built between Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora and various organisations, as well as their contribution to sustainability, conservation, and biodiversity.
The theme, ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’ aims to encourage groups to work together in a concerted effort to create and sustain healthy ecosystems, wildlife populations, and biodiversity.
Mr. Seckou Janko, President of All Gambia Forestry Platform, said that World Wildlife Day is an important event to raise awareness of the extraordinary diversity of wildlife and marine life. “With increasing numbers of endangered and extinct species, it’s essential to educate people on how we can help conserve the planet to continue to provide for future generations,” he added.
“In 2023, World Wildlife Day falls on CITES’ 50th Anniversary. The organization centers itself around partnerships that help to ensure the sustainability and preservation of species. Working with local and international authorities including the UN, private sectors, non-governmental organizations, and more, CITES have established partnerships across the world that work together to conserve the ecosystem” he explained.
Bintou Dibba, a farmer from Farafenni urged government to enforce a ban on the use of plastic waste. She said a lot of plastic is consumed by animals, which causes various diseases or resulting to the death of some animals.
Ms Dibba also urged various stakeholders to support small ruminant farmers to be involved in agro-forestry, while calling on fellow farmers to plant more trees.
