This was announced by Union Minister for Environment and Forests Suresh Prabhu at the launch of the Wildlife Watch Programme, initiated jointly by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India) and the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanghatan (NYKS) on the eve of Environment Day today. This programme aims to involve people in a nationwide campaign for wildlife protection and conservation.

According to WWF-India Secretary General Samar Singh, the Wildlife Watch Programme would be launched in a phased manner in as many as 273 districts within two years. In the initial phase, 10 wildlife-sensitive districts have been identified including Jodhpur (Rajashtan), Khamman (Andhra Pradesh) and Kozhikode (Kerala).

The Secretary General said that poaching and illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products continues to constitute a major threat to conservation in the country and unless local and community support is mobilised, nothing can be achieved. The main objectives of the programme include developing a network for information gathering, analysis and dissemination, and creating local pressure groups to check mismanagement and corrupt activities related to wildlife.

The Indian Army also spared a thought from Kargil. ``Another war'' is ravaging the ecological system of the country, a spokesperson said, in a gathering at the Habitat Centre organised by the Sanctuary magazine.

The Army is one of the largest land-holding agencies in the country and has been instrumental in greening large tracts of land. ``We can proudly claim to be the only non-forest organisation to bring one-third of land under green cover,'' Deputy Chief of Army Staff (training and coordination) Lt Gen S.K. Jetley said while delivering a talk on Indian Army and Environment Protection.

Giving details about several projects in the pipeline, Lt Gen Jetley sought financial support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Army has also been involved in wasteland development and watershed management where locals have sought their assistance. A study course on Environment Education and Awareness is undertaken by officers of all ranks. In his inaugural address, Editor of Sanctuary, Bittu Sahgal said ``patriotism does not begin and end on our borders but environment protection is also patriotism in action.''

Arundhati Roy read from her essay on dams published in two news magazines. Wildlife expert Valmik Thapar made an impassioned plea to make people understand the significance of saving the forests, water and wildlife of the country.

Also, hundreds of children today held a rally at India Gate to urge for a Delhi free of plastics. Last year, their campaign against firecrackers got a huge response.

The children pledged not to use plastic bags as these were bad for health, choked drains and killed cattle. ``Instead we pledge to use jute bags, cloth bags, paper bags, not only in our homes, but also persuade our neighbours, friends and shopkeepers to decline from using plastic bags.''