Emperor Ashok is no more in this mortal world. But his immortal saying is still  echoed  through out India  and he is  treasured in the  memory of our  country men for his noble saying-

“Do not do any wrong act,

 Do not kill any one,

Love all men and animals,

Be happy & make others happy.”

India is a  land blessed with colourful fauna and flora. It has a wide diversity of wildlife. Nearly 350 species of animals live in our country. But the sad fact is that their number is swiftly diminishing and they are in imminent danger of extinction. Lions, tigers, black bears, rhinoceroses, elephants, crocodiles, leopards, cheetahs etc. are now enlisted as endangered  animals. They are our  precious  forest resources and  give us fun, frolic and joy in the National Park and zoo.

In the past, the wild animals were plentifully roaming freely and fearlessly in their natural habitats. Recently there has been a sudden decline in their population. The abundance of wildlife is now on the verge of extinction. The time has come to think seriously over this crucial problem and protect these endangered animals on the brink of destruction.

There are several causes for the extinction of wild animals. Deforestation, climatic change, habitat destruction, rapid industrialization, international trade and inhuman nature of men for hunting are the major causes of the wildlife destruction. Tigers are killed for their skins, blood and bones. Rhinoceroses are killed for their matted horns. Elephants are killed for their ivory and musk deer are killed for perfumed pods. Similarly black bears are slaughtered for there gall bladders, snakes are killed for their stripped skins and mongoose are killed for their bristly hair.

It is the crying need of the hour to protect different wild animals. They have great importance to mankind. The present generation gets ecological, scientific, economic and medicinal values from these animals. They are the real natural resources of our country.

Different steps must be taken to protect these wild animals. Forest resources of our country is not enough. Afforestation should be made for their natural habitat. Cutting down the trees in the forest is a heinous crime. Secondly, protected areas like National Park, sanctuaries should be established more and more for their safety living. Thirdly, common men should be educated not to kill wild animals as they are the real  asserts of our nation. Fourthly, proper training must be given to the forest officials for the wild life management. Fifthly, the poachers who are mercilessly slaught-   ering these creatures for illegal international trade should be severely punished. Sixthly, the Government must take bold steps from time to time to protect wild animals by law. The Indian Wild Life Protection Act of 1972 must be followed strictly.

These wild animals and birds keep ecological balance in our environment. Conservation of these rapidly declining wildlife populations has become essential. At present, the Government of India have established 92 National Parks, 492 wildlife sanctuaries and 27 tiger reserves in our country. Besides this,” Mission Tiger Project” was launched in 1973 to increase tiger population. Asiatic lions are found in the Gir forest of Gujarat. Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal and Sunder bans National Park in West  Bengal  are  famous   for    tiger  reserves. Nandankanan  in  Odisha is  the  breeding  ground  of  white tigers. One-horned rhinos and deer are plentifully  found in  Kaziranga and  Manas Sanctuary of Assam. Elephant  safaries are found in Kerala  and Chandaka forest of Odisha. These are not enough for the conversation of wild animals.

In fine, the wildlife of India is unique from all points of view. Everybody should realize the fact that, “Cruelty to animals is a crime”. Wild animals are the beautiful creation of God. It is our moral duty and sacred responsibility to preserve these endangered animals for our future generation for their magnificent sight. Conversation preserves the ecological diversity. Apart from this, it also preserves the genetic diversity of animals for better growth of species and breeding. “Stop Cruelty, Save Wild Animals” must be the spirit of  the age.