Wildlife Week begins with calls to protect animals

KANPUR: World Wildlife Week began at Kanpur Zoo on Tuesday. A wildlife awareness rally was taken out from Nawabganj police station to Kanpur Zoo. It was flagged off by Kanpur Zoo director Kuruvilla Thomas.

Thomas was given a guard of honour by the students. Hundreds of students from various schools participated in the rally. They held placards that read 'Protect wildlife and save humanity'. The tiny tots of Saraswati Gyan Mandir sang Sarawati Vandana and welcome song.

Various competitions were held. A group discussion and games were held for the students of senior and junior classes.

Mustaqeen from Swami Vivekanand Vidyalaya and Ram Chauhan from Jyoti Badhir Vidyalaya were adjudged first and second in the frog race. In the three-legged race, Deva SIngh and Shivam of Swami Vivekanand Lodhar School came first. In balloon race, Samriddhi from JK Kids Dreamland Public School was declared winner.

Over 800 students from different schools, teachers and principals participated in the celebrations.

Divisional commissioner Mahesh Kumar Gupta was the chief guest. He lit the lamp to start the Wildlife Week. Rameshwar Tiwari, chief conservator of forest and director, Forest Training Institute (FTI) headed the programme. The special guest was BK Sharma, a nature lover and a morning walker in Kanpur zoo.