Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 8: As part of Wildlife Week 2025, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and EIACP Centre on Island Biodiversity, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre organized a series of events from 2nd – 8th October 2025, which includes Storytelling, Quiz competition, Drawing competition, Nature walk (Butterfly & Bird watching), Plantation drive, Wildlife awareness rally and a one day seminar; engaging over 390 participants across the islands, under the theme “Human Wildlife Coexistence”.
On 2nd October 2025, an online quiz competition on Human wildlife coexistence theme was organized, attracting students from schools and colleges across the islands. On 3rd October 2025, a wildlife-themed based storytelling competition held at Raj Nursery School and Apple Kids in Port Blair, young school children told tales about their favourite creatures. While the EIACP team engaged 57 school children with their presentation of Andaman & Nicobar wildlife and island biodiversity, learning was also made enjoyable and participatory through interactive wildlife activities and connect-the-dots animal puzzles.
On 4th October 2025, drawing competition organized in ZSI, and students from different schools participated on the theme of the Wildlife Week 2025. On 5th October, 2025, an interesting and instructive Nature Walk was arranged at Chidiyatapu (South Andaman).
On 6th October, plantation campaign under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam” organised across Bambooflat (Wimberlygunj) and (Chouldari Ward-II). Mrs. Lalita Tigga, Block Development Officer (BDO), Pradhan and PRI members came together to plant a variety of saplings. The drive’s objectives were to preserve biodiversity, promote awareness of the value of protecting the environment, and increase green space.
On 7th October, organized Wildlife Awareness Rally highlighting this year’s theme “Human Wildlife Coexistence”. The rally commenced from Cellular Jail and culminated at the premises of the Zoological Survey of India. The event was flagged off by the Chief Guest, Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Department of Environment and Forests, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A total of 118 participants took part in the rally, including Scientists, Researchers, Forest Trainees, Forest officials, Representatives from the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), along with students and faculty from Andaman College (ANCOL), Andaman Law College and Tagore Government College of Education.
On 8th October 2025, a One Day Seminar was organized as part of World Wildlife Week Celebrations 2025. The technical session started with series of expert lectures. Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Department of Environment & Forests, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, who spoke on “Wildlife conservation and management in the islands”, Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Additional Director, ZSI, ANRC, spoke on the wildlife of island and marine ecosystems and Dr. Jai Sunder, Acting Director, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India delivered a talk on “Domestic animal of islands and their significance to island ecosystem”.
The week-long programme concluded with a valedictory function today in which Prof. (Dr.) P. V. Nagendra Sarma, Principal, Andaman Law College, was the Chief Guest and Shri. M. Vinod, President, AATO as Guest of Honour.
Prof. (Dr.) P. V. Nagendra Sarma, Principal, Andaman Law College emphasised in his speech the need for targeted preservation of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ mangroves, coral reefs, turtle-nesting beaches, megapode mounds, and hornbill habitats. He stressed Panchayat participation, local stewardship, and rigorous enforcement of important environmental legislation while tying daily action to the seven themes of Mission LiFE and encouraging low-waste lifestyles and energy-water conservation. Planting and protecting native trees, cutting back on single-use plastics, reporting wildlife offences, and supporting habitat restoration are all on his short list of things to do. He gives ZSI a lot of credit for planning the week’s activities with such care.
Shri. M. Vinod, President, AATO, stated that all species and their habitats support island life and that nature is inextricably linked to human well-being. He emphasised that “Human–Wildlife Coexistence” refers to coexisting peacefully with natural areas while meeting requirements in a sustainable manner, citing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ remarkable biodiversity as a reason to balance development and conservation.
Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Additional Director, ZSI, ANRC welcomed the dignitaries, teachers and students, and framed the week around the theme “Human–Wildlife Coexistence”. He summarized the week-long activities and extended his gratitude all those who support for successfully conducting the Wildlife Week 2025. At the end, the chief guests and special guests distributed the certificates to the participants of the one-day seminar and winners drawing competitions.