11 years old Maitreyi from Cochin, India asks us,
How can we help endangered species?
Every year, many species get listed as endangered. This means those animals or plants are in danger of getting extinct either because their population has become dangerously low due to various reasons or because their habitat is getting destroyed making the species’ life vulnerable.
Governments and conservation organizations work continuously to protect and conserve such endangered species, but such campaigns are the most successful when locals, people living with these endangered species are involved.
Here are few ways you can help endangered species wherever you are,
- Learn and Share
Read books, visit zoos, or meet a local expert to find out more about the endangered species found in your area. Create a list of these species and maintain a diary to note down the current status and threats faced by that species. Once you know the problem, you can think of specific solutions to help. You can also make your friends and family aware of the threats faced by the species.
- Create a Place for Native Species
Make your garden a native plant garden by planting more species that grow locally. Many times local plants are cut to make space for huge residential complex or malls and industries. This can lead to these species becoming threatened. When you plant a native garden, the plants find a place to thrive. The additional benefit is that other local animal species that have always thrived around such native plants, also come to feed or live here and are saved too!
- Be a Sensible Tourist
When you are visiting a national park or a sanctuary, do not litter. Keep your waste water bottles, wrappers etc. with yourself and dispose smartly when you are out of the national park premises. This ensures that the natural surrounding remains pristine and the animals do not accidently consume harmful products like the empty plastic wrappers.
Image courtesy favim
- Volunteer to help
Work as a volunteer with a local conservation organization and observe the life of an endangered animal from close quarters. The organizations are always in need of able workers, sometimes simply to clean the area where the animals are kept. The hands on experience will be good training to develop a new appreciation for the work and the species.
- Say no to Products made from Endangered Species
Never purchase products made from endangered species or their body parts. A rhino horn, a tiger’s skin, an elephant’s tusk are all used to make souveniers, medicines or trophies that people sell and buy. When you make the choice of not buying such products, the selling and the illegal killing of these endangered species would stop too.
These are just a few things you can do to help, Maitreyi. Start today and you can inspire others to become guardians of the endangered species too!
If you are 16 years old or younger and have a question like Maitreyi related to Indian wildlife, just write to us at contact@indiasendangered.com We will answer your question and publish it right here!
