Extension lecture by Director, Chhatbir Zoo on World Wildlife Day

Department of Zoology, Khalsa College for Women, Civil Lines, Ludhiana in collaboration with Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, Chhatbir organized an online awareness session on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, 3rd March, 2023. The theme of World Wildlife Day is “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation”. The honorary speaker for the session was Ms. Kalpana K, IFS Officer from the 2014 batch, Director of Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, Chhatbir. Ms. Kalpana has played a key role in the conservation of the Harike Sanctuary and Wetland and Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary. Dr. Rupinder Kaur welcomed and introduced the speaker to the audience. Ms. Kalpana K started the talk by informing the students on how important it was to work along with the NGO’s, Scientists, Students and all the other stakeholders to achieve success by considering the theme of day. She also explained about the gharial reintroduction programme where Chhatbir zoo served as the scientific manager and proved to be a great example linking in situ and ex situ conservation. Later she walked the students through a series of slides that helped them to understand the functioning of a zoo and how they play an important role in conservation of biodiversity. She further took pride in putting forward the achievements and facilities provided by the Chhatbir zoo and also listed a list of livestock, endangered species, exotic species and various other animals being protected in the zoo under the wildlife protection act of India. The very informative session programme was concluded by Dr. Megha Kansal with a vote of thanks to the speaker and the education officer of the Zoo Mr. Harpal Singh. It played the perfect part in making all realize that the Zoos plays a key role in protection, conservation and scientific breeding of species. Moreover, it also fulfilled the agenda of making students aware about animal adoption. The Zoology Department, Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana should continue hosting such sessions for the awareness and improvement of knowledge in the students. Principal Dr Mukti Gill appreciated the efforts of Dr Monita Dhiman, HOD Zoology and the faculty members and congratulated for the great success of the event.