National Wildlife Week 2026 Observed from 2 to 8 October

National Wildlife Week 2026 is being observed across India from 2 to 8 October to promote awareness about wildlife conservation, habitat protection and biodiversity.

The observance aims to encourage people, institutions and governments to protect India’s rich wildlife heritage and natural ecosystems.

2026 Theme

The theme of National Wildlife Week 2026 is:

“Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife”

The theme focuses on the importance of habitat connectivity, which allows wild animals to move safely between forests, grasslands and other natural ecosystems.

Connected habitats help in:

• Wildlife movement and migration
• Genetic diversity
• Access to food and water
• Reduction of human-wildlife conflict
• Long-term biodiversity conservation

72nd National Wildlife Week

The year 2026 marks the 72nd National Wildlife Week in India.

The week is observed every year from 2 October to 8 October.

Background of National Wildlife Week

The roots of National Wildlife Week go back to 1952, when the Government of India constituted the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) to promote wildlife conservation in the country.

Important milestones include:

• 1952: Indian Board for Wildlife was constituted
• 1955: National Wildlife Day was first observed
• 1957: The observance was expanded into a week-long programme
• Since then, National Wildlife Week has been observed annually from 2–8 October

Importance of the Observance

National Wildlife Week helps spread awareness about:

• Protection of endangered species
• Conservation of forests and natural habitats
• Prevention of poaching and illegal wildlife trade
• Role of protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
• Importance of biodiversity in maintaining ecological balance

World Wildlife Day

At the global level, the United Nations observes World Wildlife Day every year on 3 March.

World Wildlife Day focuses on raising awareness about the conservation of wild animals and plants across the world.