World Wildlife Day 2026:
The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable practices on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.
- It is observed every year on March 3 to celebrate wild animals and plants and recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet.
- It was established by the United Nations in 2013 after Thailand proposed to dedicate a day to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.
- On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly officially declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day, with the first celebration taking place in 2014.
- This date was chosen because, in 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on the same day.
- CITES is a global agreement to ensure that international wildlife trade does not threaten the survival of animal and plant species.
- WWD 2026 Theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”
- It highlights the importance of plants used for medicine, their role in preserving cultural traditions, and the income they provide to local communities.
- Across the world, 70–95% of people in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for basic healthcare, much of it derived from plant-based resources.
- Medicinal and aromatic plants form the foundation of traditional systems of medicine and also contribute significantly to modern pharmaceuticals.
- India is one of 17 megabiodiversity-rich countries with around 15,000 medicinal plant species, of which 8,000 are used in Indian medicine, making it one of the world’s most important hubs for medicinal and aromatic plants.
