HEAL Receives the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Award 2023 at the Youth-Led Climate Action Conference
03 February 2024
HEAL was invited to the day-long International Conference and POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, on 03 February 2024. At the conference, we received the “Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Award 2023” for our work towards protection of wildlife and wild habitats across West Bengal. Dr. Arka Mukherjee and Mr. Tamanash Dutta, HEAL’s Advisory Members, were also felicitated for their contribution to conservation at the event.
The POP movement, or Protect Our Planet, is an international initiative for empowering the youth to address the challenges of climate change. The annual POP Festival provides a platform to various youth climate action leaders, to showcase their work, gather support and build a collective force to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
During a segment of the conference titled ‘Youthquake: Action To Create A Climate Of Change’ HEAL gave a presentation on how wildlife conservation is linked to climate change mitigation. Healthy populations of wild species enhance the carbon capture capacity of natural ecosystems. Therefore, it is imperative that species abundance and community structures are preserved and restored.
In this context, we talked about our endeavors to end various forms of indiscriminate illegal hunting that pose a threat to local populations of several species in West Bengal. This includes addressing the alarming hunting festivals in South Bengal and the widespread commercial poaching of migratory birds in central West Bengal.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the POP movement for this recognition. This award is dedicated to our entire team and all our members who have worked alongside us and offered their unwavering support to our initiatives.