SHEWings Foundation Hosts Grand Biodiversity Awareness Celebration at Okhla Bird Sanctuary

In a vibrant celebration of environmental consciousness, SHEWings Foundation, in collaboration with the UP State Biodiversity Board, organized a Collective Celebration of Biodiversity Awareness Days at the scenic Okhla Bird Sanctuary. The event brought together people across age groups to mark World Sparrow Day, Butterfly Awareness Day, and Spider Awareness Day, under a unified theme of conservation and ecological responsibility.

The sanctuary, often regarded as a vital green lung of the Delhi-NCR region, provided a rich and immersive setting for a day filled with engaging, educational, and interactive activities. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from nature enthusiasts, journalists, artists, school children, and educators, all united by a shared commitment to biodiversity conservation.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Addressing the gathering, Mukesh Sharma, Chairman of Prometheus School, emphasized the urgent need for environmental stewardship. He highlighted how rapid urbanisation has led to significant loss of trees and a consequent decline in bird populations. Urging children to reconnect with nature, he advocated simple yet impactful steps such as conserving energy by switching off unused lights and adopting eco-friendly habits.

Engaging Activities and Competitions

The event featured a variety of thoughtfully curated activities designed to promote hands-on learning:

• Poster Making Competition – Encouraging artistic expression on conservation themes
• Biodiversity Quiz Competition – Testing ecological awareness in an energetic setting
• Guided Nature Walk – Offering participants close encounters with native flora and fauna

Outstanding participants were honoured with prizes and certificates, celebrating their enthusiasm and commitment to environmental awareness.

Voices from the Event

Madan Mohit Bharadwaj, Founder of SHEWings Foundation, expressed gratitude towards the Government of Uttar Pradesh for fostering such eco-conscious initiatives. He stressed the importance of connecting children with nature rather than limiting their exposure to indoor entertainment like malls and video games.

Pawan Yadav, Treasurer of FONRWA (Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations), appreciated the strong participation of children and lauded the UP Biodiversity Board for organizing such impactful workshops.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented by GST Officer Meenakshi Verma to the winners and runners-up, formally recognizing their efforts on behalf of both the SHEWings Foundation and the UP State Biodiversity Board.

The event was smoothly hosted by Shivendra Pandey and Shreshtha Roy, ensuring an engaging and lively experience for all attendees.

Strengthening Grassroots Conservation

This initiative underscores the continued commitment of the Noida Forest Department, UP State Biodiversity Board, and SHEWings Foundation to integrate environmental awareness into everyday community life. By encouraging citizens to appreciate the intricate web of biodiversity, the collaboration aims to build a stronger foundation for grassroots conservation efforts in the region.