The main objectives and functions of the Department are management & habitat improvement of Protected Areas; Anti-poaching and anti-smuggling drives; wildlife crime control; Wildlife health care, monitoring, rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild animals; man-wild animal conflict resolution; Eco-tourism promotion; Awareness & nature education; Research and training programmes. General public , students can pay a pro –active role in helping the department in realizing these tangible objectives.

Reasons of Extinction

Extinction refers to disappearance of a species from earth when its last surviving member dies. It is a natural but slow process due to unplanned activities of man. There are a number of causes which are known to cause extinction of wild life:

Destruction of Habitats: New human settlements have come up right into the hitherto natural habitats of the wildlife. Houses have been built deep into the forests and this is coupled with grazing and felling of trees that has literally pushed wild animals to the brink. Destruction of natural habitats causes the most serious threat to the wild life. It is due to (a) Filling drainage of wet lands (b) Setting up of dams and reservoirs destroys habitats of wild life and prevent sprawling as well as migration of certain fishes (c) Mining, building of roads in ecologically fragile areas (d) deforestation caused by shifting cultivation, fire overgrazing

Indiscriminate Hunting: It is of three types: (i) Sport Hunting, killing animals for recreation (ii) Subsistence Hunting, killing animals for safety and food (iii) Commercial Hunting, killing animals for profit through sale of their fur and other products e.g Cheetah (Acinomyx jubatus) the fastest mammal of India have recently disappeared mainly due to extensive hunting. Many species of fish, molasses, sea turtles, sea-cows and whales are facing extinction.

Introduction of Exotic Species: Intentional or chance introduction of exotic species into new islands by man adversely affects the native species. They cause ecological imbalance due to removal of biological control e.g., imported goats and sheep introduced into national parks are destroying the habitats of several native plants, birds and reptiles. The exotic fish trout (Salmo) are endangering many native fish species in Vailoo Anantnag.

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