KATHMANDU: March 3 is observed as World Wildlife Day worldwide, with this year’s theme being ‘Financing Wildlife Conservation: Investing in People and the Planet’.

The day emphasizes the critical need to address the overuse of Earth’s resources, safeguard wildlife habitats, and protect biodiversity and ecosystems for the benefit of both wildlife and humans.

World Wildlife Day was established by the 68th United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2013, to raise awareness about endangered species and flora.

The day also commemorates the ratification of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

During the 16th United Nations Conference on Climate Change and the Conference of the Parties to CITES in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2013, a proposal was made to designate March 3 as Wildlife Day, which was later approved by the General Assembly.

The United Nations reports that the CITES Secretariat has been actively supporting global wildlife conservation projects in collaboration with relevant UN bodies and other organizations.

With more than one million species facing increased risk of extinction, significant financial investments are needed to safeguard wildlife and their habitats. CITES currently has 183 member countries.