Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 11 October 2025
As part of the nationwide observance of Wildlife Week 2025, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and EIACP Centre on Island Biodiversity, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, successfully organized a series of engaging activities from October 2 to 8, 2025, under the theme “Human-Wildlife Coexistence.”
The week-long celebrations featured a variety of awareness and outreach programmes including storytelling, quiz and drawing competitions, nature walks (butterfly and bird watching), a plantation drive, a wildlife awareness rally, and a one-day seminar. Altogether, more than 390 participants from across the islands actively took part in these events.
The valedictory function, held on the concluding day, was graced by Prof. (Dr.) P. V. Nagendra Sarma, Principal, Andaman Law College, as the Chief Guest. In his address, Prof. Sarma underscored the urgent need for targeted conservation of the islands’ mangroves, coral reefs, turtle-nesting beaches, megapode mounds, and hornbill habitats, stressing their ecological significance to the fragile island ecosystem.
Mr. M. Vinod, President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), attended as Guest of Honour. He highlighted the interdependence between humans and nature, emphasizing that “all species and their habitats sustain island life and human well-being.”
Earlier, Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Additional Director, ZSI, ANRC, welcomed the gathering, presented an overview of the week’s activities, and extended his gratitude to all institutions and participants who contributed to the successful conduct of Wildlife Week 2025. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to seminar participants and prizes to winners of the drawing competitions.
As part of the celebrations, a one-day seminar was held on October 8, featuring expert lectures by leading scientists and conservationists. Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Department of Environment & Forests, spoke on “Wildlife Conservation and Management in the Islands”; Dr. C. Sivaperuman discussed the wildlife of the island and marine ecosystems; and Dr. Jai Sunder, Acting Director, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, delivered a talk on “Domestic Animals of the Islands and Their Significance to the Island Ecosystem.”
The Wildlife Week 2025 celebrations served as a reminder of the islands’ exceptional biodiversity and the shared responsibility of every citizen towards ensuring harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
