Pilibhit, 22nd May 2025: To commemorate the International Day for Biological Diversity 2025,  the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in collaboration with the Pilibhit Social Forestry Division, Uttar Pradesh, organised a series of awareness and outreach programmes across key locations in the region.

The events were held at Panchprayag, Shadatganj (Mahof Range) and Gomti Udgam Sathal, Madhavtanda (Puranpur Range). These locations were selected for their ecological significance and proximity to forest-fringe communities that play a vital role in biodiversity conservation.

The programmes were led by WTI field officers Arun Kumar, Debkanta Kabiraj, Raghavendra Pratap Singh, and Jyoti Antil, and witnessed enthusiastic participation from local villagers. The events also saw the presence of officials and representatives from multiple stakeholder groups including the Pilibhit Social Forestry Division (Range Officer, Deputy Range Officer, Forester, Forest Guards, and Watchers), members of the Environment Development Committee (EDC), Village Development Committee (VDC), District Ganga Committee (DGC), and Panchayat Pradhans.

WTI team hosted engaging sessions with the local community | Photo by Team WTI

The WTI team conducted an engaging and interactive session focused on the concept and significance of biodiversity, the causes and consequences of its degradation, documentation, the importance of village biodiversity and the critical role of communities in conservation. A key highlight of the discussion was the link between biodiversity loss and the rising instances of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), with an emphasis on the interconnection between wildlife conservation and human well-being. 

To support ongoing coexistence efforts, informative pamphlets outlining precautionary measures for mitigating HWC were distributed to all participants. These materials aimed to raise awareness and promote safe practices in areas adjoining forest landscapes.

Valuable feedback and community-driven suggestions were collected from participants, underscoring the need for:

• Regular community interaction programmes to share information on wildlife movement and conservation updates.
• Installation of early-warning systems in identified high-conflict zones.
• Strengthening of Village-level Response Teams (VRTs) to ensure rapid and localised mitigation of HWC incidents.
• Incorporation of biodiversity and wildlife safety themes in school curricula to foster conservation values among youth.

Tree plantation done by the fPilibhit Social Forestry Division and WTI team | Photo by Team WTI

To further mark the significance of the day, a tree plantation drive was undertaken, symbolising the shared commitment of all stakeholders toward ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation.

WTI extends its sincere gratitude to all participants and collaborating partners. The organisation remains committed to strengthening its partnerships with local communities, government bodies, and other stakeholders to collectively safeguard India’s precious biodiversity.

Read more about WTI’s Terai Tiger Project