Every year, World Wildlife Day celebrates the beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and raises awareness of the multitude of benefits their conservation provides to people. This year’s theme is “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”. &TV artists talk about wildlife encounters and why preserving wildlife is important. These include Vidisha Srivastava (Anita Bhabi, Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai), Siddharth Arora (Mahadev, Baal Shiv), Akansha Sharma (Sakina Mirza, Aur Bhi Kya Chal Raha Hai?) and Yogesh Tripathi (Happu Singh, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan).
Vidisha Srivastava, soon entering &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai as the new Anita Bhabi, shares, “I love nature, and trekking is my hobby. Whenever I am not shooting, I make sure that I go on a trip amidst mother nature and the open sky. I love staying in tents in the jungle. I love taking a bath in the river, and the sound of birds chirping uplifts my mood. I once went wildlife camping in the jungles of Wada, Maharashtra, and I caught a snake there with my own hands. There were experienced people with me but holding that beautiful reptile in my own hands was amazing. In fact, after that, I fell in love with snakes, and I didn’t fear them at all. The very same night, I saw a tree that was completely covered with fireflies, as if the stars had fallen there, and that was one of the most beautiful sights of my life. Wildlife conservation is protecting plant and animal species and their habitats. Wildlife provides balance and stability to nature’s processes. Wildlife conservation is important to ensure these species’ survival and educate people on living sustainably with other species.”
Siddharth Arora (Mahadev) from & TV’s Baal Shiv shares, “I am a wildlife enthusiast and love going to wildlife sanctuaries, especially tiger sanctuaries. I have always been fascinated by tigers. I keep going to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. I had some amazing experiences there. I have spotted tigers, deer, and leopards. But one of the experiences that I had at Kanha National Park has given me a memory for a lifetime. I went on a night safari with a few of my friends, and it was in the middle of the jungle where the only source of light was the lantern that we were carrying. It was so dark that we could not even see each other’s faces, and the only sounds we could hear were those of birds and animals. The experience was amazing – It was just me and nature connect. Also, once during my trial in the Bandhavgarh jungle, I saw a tiger whose name was ‘Bheem’. He was the largest tiger in that sanctuary, and he was resting. But the moment he got up and started walking, pandemonium broke out in that whole jungle. The animals started making noises as if they were informing each other that he had come. That was a sight that I will never get rid of from my mind. The whole environment was so beautiful, and the guide who was with us explained how these wildlife animals have certain rules, and they help each other through commensalism, which truly touched my heart. I am glad that such days are celebrated, and that awareness is created amongst people. Wildlife is not wild animals but also undomesticated lifeforms like insects, plants, birds, fungi, etc. For maintaining a healthy ecological balance, it is important to protect and conserve these as each organism contributes to the ecosystem and the food chain.”
Akansha Sharma (Sakina Mirza) from &TV’s Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai? shares, “Wildlife adventure is not only a great choice for a holiday with family and friends, but it is one of the best escape plans to get to know and love yourself. I still remember singing with the winds and walking along the edge of green mountains to spot animals while trekking and doing Jungle Safari in my college days. Ahh! The feeling was extraordinary and beautiful. I remember the smile on our faces when we spotted the tiger after a long wait at Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh. It was a time when tigers were on the verge of extinction. Today, I am thankful for the various government schemes and plans that helped preserve our flora and fauna. Conserving wildlife means conserving their natural habitats, which is vital for medicinal research. Interestingly, small animals like insects, birds, butterflies, and bees play a crucial role in food production and thereby help in pollination.”
Yogesh Tripathi (Happu Singh) from &TV’s Ki Ultan Paltan shares, “My son is very fond of animals. He likes to watch wildlife channels and gets so intrigued whenever he watches a documentary about wildlife animals. He has far too many questions to ask. Looking at his curiosity and his enthusiasm for these things, I have decided to take him to a wildlife sanctuary in India on our next trip. Since he enjoys lions very much, we will most likely go to Gir Forest, Gujarat. We have a responsibility to our future generations to ensure the survival of wildlife. It is crucial to preserve our wildlife to maintain an ecological balance. Also, through conservation of wildlife, we can ensure our future generations can enjoy these amazing species that live within these natural environments.”
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