State to co-host World Wilderness Congress
The Congress aims to directly address leaders from all sectors of the society and insist that protecting nature is the key solution to human health and well being
JAIPUR: A global environment conservation event aimed at formulating an effective response to climate change and species extinction will be held in Jaipur from March 19 to 26.
Co-hosted by the state government, the 11th World Wilderness Congress ( WILD11) “wil l present solutions to t hese threats from business, energy, agriculture, tourism, science, education and culture,” said Vance Martin, global president Wilderness Congress, addressing news persons on Tuesday.
He said the current situation of the world is far worse than what was predicted 10 years ago. The need of the hour is real, urgent and effective policies.
The event is being co-organised by the Department of Tourism, Department of Forest, Wilderness Foundation Global, WILD Foundation and Sanctuary Nature Foundation.
He said the Congress will present the historic opportunity to build a new movement to protect nature and humanity from threat to life due to the intersecting crises of climate change and extinction. “The Congress aims to directly address leaders from all sectors of the society and insist that protecting nature is the key solution to human health and well being,” he said.
“Ecologically the world is not in a good place as humans are just taking and taking. We need to promote green infrastructure, nature based solutions and ecotourism,” said Martin.
VANCE MARTIN, global president, Wilderness Congress
Chairman, Wild Foundation Global, Todani Moyo said the first World Wilderness Congress was held in 1977. Since then it has happened in various countries across the globe, including Australia, Alaska, Spain and India. From a small movement, it has now grown into a global movement.
The managing director, India, WWC, Sunil Mehta informed that being a cultural and heritage hub as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jaipur is an apt choice for organising this Congress.
The Congress will be attended by over 1,500 delegates from 70 nations.
Among the big names attending the conference are President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, f amous Hollywood actress, Shannon Alexander, Ambassador for the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species and Stanley Johnson.
Additional director, tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Dr Manisha Arora said that the event is being co-hosted by the state government. The state forest department and tourism department are also actively involved in organising the event. A crafts bazaar and cultural evening will also be organised at Jawahar Kala Kendra as a part of the event. The Congress will help in the encouragement of indigenous arts and will also benefit the tourism sector of the state.
SRV Murthy, conservator of forests, said the Congress will give an opportunity to expose the activities being held in Jhalana Leopard Reserve, Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger reserves. The Jhalana Leopard Safari Park is one of the best examples of an Urban Conservation Model. The chief wildlife wardens of all states have also been invited, he added.