Forest destruction influences all species

Kakinada: “Protect the wetlands and in return they protect us,” said wildlife forest range officer, Rampachodavaram T Srisai at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary here on Friday. On the occasion of the World Wetlands Day, the forest department organised ‘A Day at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary’ programme for all the school children.

After reaching the wildlife sanctuary, the forest range officer Srisai explained the importance of the mangrove forests that surrounded the Kakinada city and some rural villages. He expressed the concern that extensive poaching and destruction of mangrove forests would influence the life cycle of every species including human beings. 

He also said that how these mangrove forests protect the mankind by preventing tsunamis and other natural disasters. He further briefed the students about the wildlife and clearly explained about each and every species that lives in these mangrove forests.

Speaking on the occasion, K Mrutyunjaya Rao from IBCN (Indian Bird Conservation Network) explained that the birds live here in the mangroves. He further said that these birds were very crucial in maintaining the ecosystem. The forest department established photography stalls where a huge number of photographs of the wildlife that lives in these wetlands were on display.

Later, they organised drawing and essay-writing competitions to the school children on ‘wetland conservation.’ Later, prizes were distributed to the winners in drawing and essay-writing competition winners. Divisional Forest Officer Ananth Sankar, Forest Range Officer BVD Prasad and others participated.