2K Run and school contests launch National Wildlife Week in Andhra Pradesh

A 2K Run and a slate of school programmes launched National Wildlife Week across Markapuram, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore districts on Wednesday. District Collector M. Vijaya Sunitha and MLA Kandula Narayana Reddy flagged off the run from the Forest Department office, saying the event aims to raise wildlife‑conservation awareness among the public and youth. Mohammad Abdul Rawoof, deputy director of the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve’s Markapur division, ran alongside forest staff and local youth, urging people to take an active role in protecting forests. Nisha Kumari, deputy director of the reserve’s Giddalur division, said the week’s activities targeted school‑going children and villagers to spread knowledge about wildlife and biodiversity. Quiz, drawing and essay competitions were held at Zilla Parishad High Schools in Allinagaram, Kothakota Mallapuram, Pathamalapuram and Papinenipalli, with prizes given to winners. Teachers helped organise the events and praised students’ enthusiasm. In Nellore district, Viswam High School in Kaluvai hosted essay, elocution and drawing contests, and students joined a rally themed “Protecting the forest means protecting nature.” The rally was attended by Rapur Forest Range Officer Jyothi Ananda and Deputy Range Officer M. Srinivasulu. Officials stressed that protecting forests and wildlife is a public responsibility and essential for maintaining ecological balance for future generations.

Context

The week’s programme is part of India’s annual National Wildlife Week, a government‑led effort to sensitize citizens about biodiversity and to support projects like Project Tiger that aim to safeguard tiger habitats and other wildlife.