3.30 p.m
Wildlife conservation in India
Shekar Dattatri
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31-08-12

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Abstract

India is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. Once upon a time, a strong cultural ethos of coexistence prevailed, weaving conservation into peoples' everyday lives. Today, such sentiments have disappeared, by and large, and, regrettably, not replaced by a scientific temper to manage our natural assets. India has some of the strongest wildlife laws in the world, but their implementation and enforcement leaves much to be desired. Civil society involvement in nature conservation is extremely limited and, often, restricted to the same 'usual suspects'. Most people wrongly perceive conservation as an act of charity towards nature and there lies the tragedy. Nature does not care if we conserve it or not, but without nature we cannot survive or live comfortably. Like it or not, conservation is not an option; it needs to be a way of life. Using film clips, wildlife and conservation filmmaker, Shekar Dattatri, will discuss the crucial issues of wildlife conservation in India.